Religion Today Summaries – August 30, 2004

Pledge of Allegiance dispute not settled by long shot
Agape Press

Although for now atheist Michael Newdow's bid to remove the phrase "under God" from the Pledge of Allegiance may be over, a pro-family lawyer is warning that the U.S. Supreme Court has probably not heard the last of the issue. The court has told Newdow it will not revisit its rejection of his case. The justices had previously refused to hear his complaint on his daughter's behalf, ruling that he, as the non-custodial parent, lacked "standing" in the case. But Pat Trueman of the Family Research Council asserts that the issue is not settled by a long shot. He says it was foolish for Newdow to ask the high court to reconsider his complaint after it had already ruled that he had no right to represent his child, "because the court wouldn't be inclined to do that." However, Trueman points out that the judicial sidestep does not prevent similar challenges. "The court might review this issue at a later time, brought by someone else," he says.

Families in Mexico forced to flee from village
Charisma News Service

Seven Christian families from the village of 20 de Noviembre in Chiapas were recently forced to flee their homes by an angry mob. On June 22, the group, who were armed with sticks, stones and machetes, threatened to hang the Protestants from the rafters of their houses, Compass Direct reported. According to "Cuarto Poder," a Chiapas newspaper, community bosses, or local caciques, incited the mob to attack the evangelicals because the Christians had asked government officials to ensure that "freedom of worship be respected" in the village. The mob was composed of traditionalist Catholics who oppose the spread of evangelicalism in Chiapas. The displaced families join an estimated 300 to 400 Tojolabal Christians expelled from their farms in the Las Margaritas Township in the past 11 months, Compass reported. "When the brothers leave, the government washes its hands of the matter," said Chiapas religious rights attorney Esdras Alonso. "They say, 'Ah, they must have left because they wanted to.' But they go because the danger is great and there's nobody who is going to assure their safety."(<http://www.charismanow.com/>)

'Ten Commandments Educator' Walks the Walk, Stands His Ground, Loses His Job
Jim Brown and Jody Brown, AgapePress

In a situation reminiscent of Judge Roy Moore, a school superintendent who posted the Ten Commandments on a school wall in Missouri last spring has cleaned out his desk and turned in his keys.  Humansville superintendent Greg Thompson has also been forced to remove the Bible and cross from his office. The posting of the Ten Commandments in a cafeteria where students eat prompted a federal lawsuit and embroiled the small Polk County district in controversy.  The school district has agreed to pay the plaintiff $45,000 to refrain from displaying any religious symbols and to stop officials from leading students in prayer. The Springfield (MO) News-Leader says Thompson refused to resign from his position, saying he had always told students "to stand up for what's right, even if they stand alone" and that he wanted to serve as an example to them.  "It can't just be talk to the children," he stated. The plaintiff, Carrie Roat, claimed the Ten Commandments plaque and prayers at school functions violated the U.S. Constitution. Claiming Superintendent Thompson was a liability to the district, the Missouri United School Insurance Company notified Humansville officials it would not insure his First Amendment case.

General who voiced his faith cleared on major accusations
Baptist Press

Army Lt. Gen. William "Jerry" Boykin, who came under fire last year for comments he made about his faith to church groups, has been cleared of the most serious accusations against him, The Washington Times reported. An investigation found that Boykin, an evangelical Christian, did not misuse his Army uniform, violate travel regulations nor use improper speech. The investigation did, however, find that Boykin -- a top Pentagon intelligence officer -- should have received clearance before delivering the speeches, should have told the groups that the comments were his own and should have filed a form showing that one group reimbursed him for travel, The Times reported. Army acting Secretary Les Brownlee now will decide whether to punish Boykin. Last fall the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Sen. John Warner, R.-Va., and Sen. Carl Levin, D.-Mich., sent a letter to Rumsfeld calling for an inspector general to determine whether Boykin engaged in inappropriate behavior. But pro-family leaders defended Boykin, saying he has a right to express his religious beliefs. Eighteen members of the House of Representatives signed a letter to Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld last October, asking him not to discipline the three-star general. Columnist Cal Thomas also defended Boykin, saying that Boykin's views on the war on terrorism were correct.