Religion Today Summaries – July 11, 2005
Daily briefs of the top news stories impacting Christians around the world. In today's edition:
Iraq Experiences ‘Newly Energized Evangelical Activism’
Religious Beliefs Important Element In Practice of Doctors Across America
Pastor Apologizes For Not ‘Communicating Convictions’ on ‘Larry King Live’
India: Native Missionaries Face Threats in Bihar State
Iraq Experiences ‘Newly Energized Evangelical Activism’
Charisma News Service
Evangelicals are building a growing base in Iraq, but their new churches are raising concern among traditional denominations. According to a lengthy report by The Washington Post, at least seven new evangelical churches have been established in Baghdad in the past two years. "The U.S.-led toppling of Saddam Hussein, who limited the establishment of new denominations, has altered the religious landscape of predominantly Muslim Iraq," the Post observed. "A newly energized Christian evangelical activism here, supported by Western and other foreign evangelicals, is now challenging the dominance of Iraq's long-established Christian denominations and drawing complaints from Muslim and Christian religious leaders about a threat to the status quo." The evangelicals' numbers are not large - perhaps a few thousand - in the context of Iraq's estimated 800,000 Christians. But they are emerging at a time when the country's traditional churches have lost their privileged Hussein-era status and have experienced massive depletions of their flocks because of decades-long emigration. Now, traditional church leaders see the new evangelical churches filling up, not so much with Muslim converts but with Christians seeking a new kind of worship experience. Iraq's Christian population has been organized for centuries into denominations such as Chaldean Catholicism and Roman Catholicism. While Hussein's secular regime allowed freedom of worship, it limited new denominations, particularly if backed by Western churches. (www.charismanews.com)
Religious Beliefs Important Element In Practice of Doctors Across America
Agape Press
A new study from the University of Chicago has found that religious beliefs are an important element in the practice of many doctors across America. The study of U.S. physicians found that 76 percent believe in God, 59 percent believe in an afterlife, and 55 percent say religion influences how they practice medicine. The high significance of religion in medicine and health care is further evidenced by the recent growth that the organizations jointly known as the Christian Medical & Dental Associations have experienced. CMDA president Dr. David Stevens points out, "We have over 17,000 members now, and we're seeing a huge surge of students and residents becoming associated with the organization, which is really encouraging as we look to the next generation of Christian doctors." The CMDA notes that most medical schools across the U.S. are now addressing the importance of religious faith in the healing process.
Pastor Apologizes For Not ‘Communicating Convictions’ on ‘Larry King Live’
Charisma News Service
Joel Osteen, the pastor of the largest church in the country has apologized for his recent interview with Larry King, in which he left some doubt about his beliefs. In a letter posted on his website Osteen, 42, said, "I appreciate your comments and value your words of correction and encouragement. It was never my desire or intention to leave any doubt as to what I believe and whom I serve. I believe with all my heart that it is only through Christ that we have hope in eternal life. I regret and sincerely apologize that I was unclear on the very thing in which I have dedicated my life." During his hour-long interview with King, Osteen was extremely careful with his answers. King asked Osteen where Jews or Muslims would go if they don't accept Christ. "You know, I'm very careful about saying who would and wouldn't go to heaven. I don't know," he responded. But in his apology letter, Osteen said he believes that "Jesus Christ alone is the only way to salvation," referencing John 14. Osteen noted that he will use the LKL interview "as a learning experience and believe that God will ultimately use it for my good and His glory." "It wasn't until I had the opportunity to review the transcript of the interview that I realize I had not clearly stated that having a personal relationship with Jesus is the only way to heaven," he said. Lakewood Church is a nondenominational charismatic congregation that attracts 30,000 worshipers each weekend. (www.charismanews.com)
India: Native Missionaries Face Threats in Bihar State
Christian Aid Mission
In the wake of a series of attacks on believers in India, Hindu extremists in Bihar state have threatened several native pastors with violence, according to Christian Aid's contacts there. One pastor was approached by militant Hindus several weeks ago and ordered to stop preaching. The leader of the indigenous ministry with which this pastor works wrote, "He was warned that the next Sunday would be his last and that he would no longer be allowed to preach after that time." The extremists also threatened the leader of the ministry, saying they would travel to the ministry's headquarters to "deal with" people there. Despite the warning, ministry activities have continued unhindered. However, native missionaries request prayer as they face threats in an already volatile situation. The recent threats were motivated by Hindu extremists rather than communists, according to Christian Aid's contacts. Though Hinduism teaches peace, a militant Hindu nationalist movement in India has been persecuting Christians, whom it perceives as followers of an imperialistic religion, for years.
Originally published July 11, 2005.
