Religion Today Summaries – February 20, 2004
Daily briefs of the top news stories impacting Christians around the world. In today's edition:
- Judge Dismisses Nativity Scene Lawsuit
- Mississippi Ministry Calls Men to Lives of Purity, Godliness
- CRS Warns of Potential Humanitarian Crisis In Haiti
- Pastor Purchases ‘Passion’ Tickets for Entire City
Judge Dismisses Nativity Scene Lawsuit
Susan Jones, CNS News
A federal judge in New York says Christian Nativity scenes do not belong in public school classrooms. Judge Charles Sifton on Wednesday dismissed a lawsuit filed by a woman who objected to a school system policy allowing the display of Jewish menorahs, Christmas trees, and the Muslim star and crescent, but not Nativity scenes. The judge said menorahs, Christmas trees and other such symbols are secular, whereas the Nativity scene was religious. The lawsuit, filed by a Catholic woman, Andrea Skoros, claimed that the New York City public school policy violated her right to free exercise of religion. "I just think that if you're going to put up religious symbols, then you have to respect all religions," press reports quoted Skoros as saying. "If you have Jewish and Muslim symbols, then it's not enough for Catholics to have a Christmas tree. We should be able to display the Nativity scene, too." Press reports said Skoros plans to appeal the decision. When Skoros filed the lawsuit two years ago, she had two children in public schools, and she claimed they were being "coerced to accept Judaism and Islam at the expense of their Catholic beliefs."
Mississippi Ministry Calls Men to Lives of Purity, Godliness
Allie Martin, Agape Press
A Mississippi-based ministry is encouraging Christian men to take seriously Jesus' admonition to live a pure life in all areas. Randy Berry is a staff member at a Baptist church in Amory, Mississippi. He says last year God put a burden on his heart for a ministry that encourages Christian men to live godly lives. Berry says while there have been many ministries for men in the past -- such as Promise Keepers -- he feels God is challenging men to make a difference outside their church doors. "I see that the main focus [for a many brotherhood ministries in the churches] is getting together maybe one Sunday morning and just having breakfast. But I'm challenging our men," Berry says. "God has to give us a vision, -- and it's going to have to be God's vision to get outside of our church." Berry says men are challenged daily by power, money -- and sex. "Even right here in the state of Mississippi, pastors are getting out of the church, being asked to leave. Why? Because of the sex scandals that they are being involved in." Crossbound Ministries hosts weekend conferences for men at churches throughout the Southeast.
CRS Warns of Potential Humanitarian Crisis In Haiti
Assist News Service
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is warning of a potential humanitarian crisis in Haiti if commercial and aid supply lines continue to be affected. Armed insurgents, Haitian police and gangs supporting the government are battling for control of key cities in the northern and central parts of the country. Roadblocks, manned by gunmen, have made it difficult for supplies and humanitarian assistance to reach these areas. Persistent insecurity and lack of communication have left ordinary people at the mercy of each day’s events, with hospitals and schools closed and the cost of bare essentials—like food, medicine and cooking fuel—skyrocketing. In Gonaïves, the country’s fourth largest city, all commercial deliveries have been discontinued. "The situation is critical," said Dula James, CRS Country Representative for Haiti. Due to delays in clearing food containers from the port, supplies at hundreds of centers supported by CRS are running low. With supplies recently released from customs, CRS is beginning a nonstop two-week delivery plan. However, the volatile environment—including spontaneous street protests, roadblocks and general social unrest—could threaten the delivery’s implementation, in turn affecting hundreds of thousands who depend solely on CRS food aid for survival. CRS and Caritas partners continue to work in the areas that are still accessible and are pressing for the establishment of a humanitarian corridor to alleviate the suffering of the north. Donations: Catholic Relief Services, P.O. Box 17090, Baltimore, MD 21203-7090.
Pastor Purchases ‘Passion’ Tickets for Entire City
Agape Press
A North Carolina pastor thinks so highly of Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ that he has purchased all of the tickets for the film's first showing in his city. He says he plans to give many of the tickets to people who might be apprehensive about seeing the movie -- including Jewish leaders in his community. Rev. Alex McFarland, founder of Greensboro-based Faith in Focus Apologetic Ministries, says he is hopeful that his plan will help overcome any local controversy about the film. "In our community, there are strong bonds between Christians and Jews -- this movie will not change that," he says. McFarland saw the movie during a recent private screening in Florida. He disagrees with those who contend the film delivers an anti-Semitic message. The pastor notes that all people bear the responsibility for the death of Jesus, and that the movie does not counter that belief. "This movie broke my heart," he says, "but it also uplifted my spirit. Of the people that I spoke with who have seen the movie, they expressed many different emotions -- but anger and hatred were certainly not among them."
Originally published February 20, 2004.
