Religion Today Summaries – October 3, 2005
Daily briefs of the top news stories impacting Christians around the world. In today's edition:
World Relief Offers Guide for Those Assisting Hurricane Evacuees
New Orleans Pastors Continue To Share Burdens & Challenges
Sri Lanka : Monks Propose Buddhism As Official Religion In Sri Lanka
Forty Days of Prayer and Fasting for Nation to have Spiritual Awaking
World Relief Offers Guide for Those Assisting Hurricane Evacuees
Ed Thomas, AgapePress
A new resource is now available for churches, families, and individuals looking for effective ways to go about hosting and assisting families displaced by Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita. World Relief, an organization that provides humanitarian relief and training in 24 countries, has published a downloadable guide with a step-by-step plan for aiding evacuees in getting back on their feet. The publication, titled "Open Doors: A Guide to Hosting Displaced Americans and Evacuees," covers everything from initial needs to long-term employment, housing, and other issues. Ruth Billings, World Relief's Deputy Director for Refugee and Immigration Programs, says the organization has drawn from 26 years of work assisting political refugees from other countries to resettle in the United States. "We feel with that expertise -- although it's not the same situation -- there are many principles that can carry over and be applied to the evacuees," she says. Drawing on that expertise, Billings notes, the guide presents a model that those who are trying to help hurricane evacuees can follow to keep from being overwhelmed. "The 'Open Doors' program tries to provide some guidance or at least some suggestions for how the responsibilities can be divided up in trying to cover all the bases," she says. World Relief's "Open Doors" guide is available to download at the Christian relief organization's website: www.worldrelief.org
New Orleans Pastors Continue To Share Burdens & Challenges
Sherri Brown, Baptist Press
A call to faithfulness was sounded as 40 pastors and church staff members in the Baptist Association of Greater New Orleans met Sept. 28. The most important reason for the pastors to gather was to find encouragement, Joe McKeever, director of missions for the New Orleans association said. Before Hurricane Katrina hit, the New Orleans association had 75 churches and 60 missions. Those numbers are no longer valid, and McKeever doesn't know just how many churches -- or church members -- will remain as people begin returning to the city. "The guys are feeling very lonely now. We need to get together. The first pastor who spoke told us he's lost everything. He was in tears. That's when we stand beside him and say, 'Let us remind you. We're all here in this with you.' They need to know we're here for them and will help them," he said. Weekly pastor meetings will be held to provide information on resources both locally and nationally. The mood of the Sept. 28 meeting varied as pastors each told their stories.
Sri Lanka : Monks Propose Buddhism As Official Religion In Sri Lanka
Compass Direct
In a surprise move, Buddhist monks have placed before Parliament a constitutional amendment to make Buddhism the state religion of Sri Lanka. It will be considered on October 4. The 19th amendment was first proposed by the Buddhist Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU or National Heritage Party) in October 2004, but the Supreme Court ruled that it was unconstitutional in December of that year. The court said that the amendment would require a larger than usual two-thirds majority vote in Parliament and a referendum before it could be approved. The constitution currently requires government officials to “protect and nurture Buddhism.” Under Article 9.5 of the proposed amendment, however, converting Buddhists to other forms of worship or “spreading other forms of worship among the Buddhists” would be prohibited. If approved, the amendment would also bind “persons practicing Buddhism to bring up their offspring in the same faith.” Following the Supreme Court’s 2004 ruling on the amendment, the JHU focused on anti-conversion legislation. The party’s draft Bill for the Prohibition of Forcible Conversions was first presented to Parliament in June 2004. It was placed before Parliament again in May 2005, although the Supreme Court had ruled that the proposed bill was unconstitutional in August 2004.
Forty Days of Prayer and Fasting for Nation to have Spiritual Awaking
Allie Martin, Agape Press
Christians from around the world have gathered in Dallas, Texas, for a time of intercession and fasting. Hundreds of believers have come together to seek God, congregating in the metroplex at Christ for the Nations Institute (http://www.cfni.org). This outreach of the Generals International ministry is called "Forty Days of Prayer and Fasting," and organizer Cindy Jacobs says the focus is on the nation's need for true spiritual awakening. "We really want many people to turn to Christ," she says, "and we need His mercy right now. We're in this storm season, unprecedented for almost a century or more, and we need the Lord's mercy." Generals International is an organization that helps train Christian leaders to make an impact on their cities and regions, and Jacobs says it is sponsoring the 40-day prayer initiative in the hopes of making an impact on America in many areas. "Many, many hundreds and hundreds of people are fasting," she notes, "and we're going to be praying for New Orleans, for the places that are devastated. And Hollywood." Also, she adds, "We want to see righteous leaders and to have righteous judges in our nation." Another focus, Jacobs points out, is prayer for "a great revival" to sweep the land. And something God has laid on her heart particularly, she says, is prayer "for the homosexual community to see God's power, and for many homosexuals come to Christ."
Originally published October 03, 2005.
