• New Iraqi constitution would guarantee broad human rights_32204

  Posted: 3/12/04

  New Iraqi constitution would guarantee broad human rights

  By Robert Marus
  

  ABP Washington Bureau
  

  WASHINGTON (ABP)—Iraq has a new interim constitution that offers high levels of protection for religious freedom, but one of its provisions still gives pause to some human-rights watchdogs.

  03/12/2004 - By John Rutledge

• 

  Cybercolumn by John Duncan: Snow flakes falling_30804

  Posted: 3/07/04

  CYBERCOLUMN:
  Snow flakes falling

  By John Duncan

  I'm sitting here under the old oak tree, thinking of snow. Just a couple of weeks ago, snow covered this old oak tree in Granbury. Three inches of snow made Granbury postcard pretty, if there is such a thing.
  

  In the North Carolina mountains, where my family history plunges deep roots in the soil, blizzard conditions dumped snow like loads of white sand on the earth. Roads closed. The rush to Wal-Mart to stock up on groceries before the snowstorm hit was unbelievable. The icy conditions meant that a few folk could not escape their mountain homes for a few days.

  John Duncan

  03/11/2004 - By John Rutledge

• Commentary by Reagan White: Atonement and “The Passion”_30804

  Posted: 3/11/04

  COMMENTARY:
  Atonement and “The Passion”

  By Reagan White

  Show business has always liked the logic of making a fortune by standing convention on its head. But sometimes, it’s the logic that gets upended.
  

  Recent investments by Rosie O’Donnell and Mel Gibson are a case in point. O’Donnell bet $10 million on a Broadway musical about Boy George called “Taboo” and lost every nickel. Mel Gibson put down $30 million on a movie about Jesus’ crucifixion, voiced the dialogue entirely in Aramaic and Latin, and quadrupled his money in less than a week.

  03/11/2004 - By John Rutledge

• 

  Cybercolumn for 2/9/04 by John Duncan: God & fishermen_20904

  Posted: 2/10/04

  CYBERCOLUMN:
  God & fishermen

  By John Duncan
  

  I’m sitting here under the old oak tree, wondering about fishing. Christ loved fishermen.
  

  Last fall, I went fishing in Central Texas on a private pond. The heat of the fall reigned over me and the other fishermen. We ate peanut butter crackers and drank bottled water chilled over ice. The teacher, knowing I seldom fished, instructed me on the ways of baiting the fish and setting the hook.

  03/07/2004 - By John Rutledge

• 

  Commentary by Brett Younger: Questions about “The Passion”_30804

  Posted: 3/07/04

  COMMENTARY:
  Questions about "The Passion"

  By Brett Younger

  When I was much younger (and I have apologized to God for this) I participated in my church’s Evangelism Explosion program.
  

  In this outreach method, the witnesser wore an unattractive gold lapel pin consisting of two question marks. When the victim asked, “Why are you wearing two questions marks?” we answered, “There are two questions I’d like to ask you. ‘If you died tonight, where would you spend eternity?’ and ‘Why should God let you into heaven?’” I learned that beginning a conversation with “If you died tonight” seldom leads to a helpful exchange of ideas.

  03/07/2004 - By John Rutledge

• 

  Richardson church helps Latvian Christians break down walls with music_30804

  Posted: 3/05/04

  Richardson church helps Latvian
  Christians break down walls with music

  By George Henson

  Staff Writer

  RICHARDSON–Nehemiah, the Old Testament figure, was best known for building walls. But a Latvian project that bears his name focuses on breaking down walls–between a people's desire and their ability to praise God in their own tongue.

  03/05/2004 - By John Rutledge

• Enrollment at BGCT schools mixed_30804

  Posted: 3/05/04

  Enrollment at BGCT schools mixed

  By Ferrell Foster

  Texas Baptist Communications

  Spring semester enrollment numbers at universities affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas are a mixed bag.

  03/05/2004 - By John Rutledge

• Court rules states can’t be forced to fund religion_30804

  Posted: 3/05/04

  Court rules states can't be forced to fund religion

  By Robert Marus

  Associated Baptist Press

  WASHINGTON (ABP)–The Supreme Court has ruled that, while the First Amendment may allow a state to fund scholarships to religious schools, it doesn't require all states to do so.

  03/05/2004 - By John Rutledge

• Ministers turned away from schools during lunch_30804

  Posted: 3/05/04

  Ministers turned away from schools during lunch break

  By Erin Curry

  Baptist Press

  LOUISVILLE, Ky. (BP)–A Kentucky school board has upheld its decision to prohibit ministers from visiting students at school during lunch, despite protests from a local church.

  03/05/2004 - By John Rutledge

• 

  Whistleblower tells chilling tale of ruin_30804

  Posted: 3/05/04

  Whistleblower tells chilling tale of ruin

  By Sean Flynt

  Samford University

  BIRMINGHAM (ABP)–Avoid “the slow steps to disaster” that result in ethical failure, Enron whistleblower Sherron Watkins warned Samford University students.

  03/05/2004 - By John Rutledge

• CBF council proposes doubling BWA financial support next year_30804

  Posted: 3/05/04

  CBF council proposes doubling BWA financial support next year

  By John Pierce

  Baptists Today

  ATLANTA (ABP)–Cooperative Baptist Fellowship support for the Baptist World Alliance will double to $40,000 next year if the Fellowship's general assembly adopts the $16 million budget approved by its Coordinating Council.

  03/05/2004 - By John Rutledge

• Pressure mounts as Bush backs gay marriage ban_30804

  Posted: 3/05/04

  Pressure mounts as Bush backs gay marriage ban

  By Robert Marus & Greg Warner

  Associated Baptist Press

  WASHINGTON (ABP)–Ending months of silence and under increasing pressure, President Bush has announced he will support a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage.

  03/05/2004 - By John Rutledge