Relief agency seeks to improve life for Nigeria_50304

Posted: 5/03/04

Relief agency seeks to improve life for Nigerians

By John Hall

Texas Baptist Communications

A Texas Baptist relief and development organization wants to improve living conditions at an African Baptist ministry outpost plagued by scarce water and rudimentary sanitation.

04/30/2004 - By John Rutledge

On the Move_50304

Posted: 5/03/04

On the move

Gerald Austin has resigned as interim pastor of Friendship Church in Ennis.

Byron Ayers to Mildred Church in Corsicana as youth minister, where he had been interim.

Charlie Barganier to Arcadia First Church in Santa Fe from Heights Church in Temple.

04/30/2004 - By John Rutledge

Oregon judge halts gay marriages, instructs state registrar to record unions for benefits_50304

Posted: 5/03/04

Oregon judge halts gay marriages, instructs
state registrar to record unions for benefits

By Robert Marus

ABP Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON (ABP)–Both sides of the gay-marriage debate found something to cheer in an Oregon judge's recent decision to put a halt to the same-sex marriages one county in the state had been performing.

04/30/2004 - By John Rutledge

Christians face persecution, charges of blasphemy in Muslim Pakistan_50304

Posted: 5/03/04

Christians face persecution, charges
of blasphemy in Muslim Pakistan

By Deann Alford

Religion News Service

LAHORE, Pakistan–A market vendor sold Christian brothers Saleem and Rasheed Masih ice cream, then told them they had to pay for the bowls because he couldn't again serve a Muslim from the now-defiled utensils.

04/30/2004 - By John Rutledge

Most Americans want cleaner media_50304

Posted: 5/03/04

Most Americans want cleaner media

WASHINGTON (RNS) Three-quarters of Americans think the entertainment industry needs to reduce the amount of sex and violence in movies, television and music, a recent Gallup Poll revealed.

Most Americans said they are offended by the sex, violence and profanity in entertainment, and 75 percent said the industry should make a serious effort to reduce offensive images.

More than 60 percent said they are offended by the violence in entertainment, 58 percent by the profanity, 58 percent by sexual content and 52 percent by homosexuality.

04/30/2004 - By John Rutledge

Two-thirds of Americans upset about moral climate of the nation, but most younger Americans are gene

Posted: 5/03/04

Two-thirds of Americans upset about moral climate
of the nation, but most younger Americans are generally satisfied

WASHINGTON (RNS)–An annual Gallup Poll found that nearly two-thirds of Americans are dissatisfied with the country's moral and ethical climate.

But the same poll showed younger people seem to be less pessimistic than their elders.

Gallup's annual Mood of the Nation poll found that 64 percent of Americans are dissatisfied with the country's moral climate, while 35 percent say they are satisfied.

04/30/2004 - By John Rutledge

American religious activity increases, makes people happier, polls indicate_50304

Posted: 5/03/04

American religious activity increases,
makes people happier, polls indicate

WASHINGTON (RNS)–An annual look at the nation's religious behavior by Barna researchers has found an increase in religious practice beyond the sanctuary, while church and Sunday school attendance has remained relatively stable.

Meanwhile, a different poll indicates Americans who are religiously active–particularly those who give financially to faith communities–are more satisfied with life than those without strong faith.

The survey by Barna Research Group found increases in Bible study and small groups–excluding Sunday school and other church classes–over the last decade for all Christian churches.

04/30/2004 - By John Rutledge

Nations choose violence because they see God on their side_50304

Posted: 5/03/04

Nations choose violence because they see God on their side

By Jeffrey Macdonald

Religion News Service

BELMONT, Mass.–Terrorists are not the only ones who increasingly hear God's call to arms.

04/30/2004 - By John Rutledge

San Saba churches busy following up after evangelistic rally_50304

Posted: 5/03/04

San Saba churches busy following up after evangelistic rally

By George Henson

Staff Writer

SAN SABA–God moved among the people of San Saba, with nearly one resident in five making a commitment to Christ at a recent evangelistic crusade. Now the churches are moving, trying to contact everyone who made a decision.

04/30/2004 - By John Rutledge

Tidbits_50304

Posted: 5/03/04

Texas Tibits

TOGETHER: Lottery slots are a bad bet for Texas_50304

Posted: 5/03/04

TOGETHER:
Lottery slots are a bad bet for Texas

If you have played video games, you know their almost-hypnotic appeal. The gambling industry exploits that by pushing video lottery terminals–VLT slots. They have been called the “crack cocaine” of gambling. Psychologists say video gambling accelerates addictive behavior through speed, nonstop playing, the perception that skill is involved and the game's hypnotizing effect.

Why is this important? The Texas Legislature, with the strong support of the governor, is looking at putting VLT slots in Texas racetracks. This also opens the door to casinos.

Under the guise of “helping the children,” the gambling industry is pouring millions of dollars into campaign contributions to get another leverage point by which they can make extravagant profits off Texans. Gambling profits wind up more in the pockets of international firms in Malaysia, South Africa and Nevada than in Texas.

04/30/2004 - By John Rutledge

Fine arts majors more spiritual than science or business majors, UCLA survey indicates_50304

Posted: 5/03/04

Fine arts majors more spiritual than science
or business majors, UCLA survey indicates

By Kevin Eckstrom

Religion News Service

LOS ANGELES (RNS)–Are biology majors a bunch of godless evolutionists and business students cold-hearted capitalists? Are art and music students the ones truly in touch with their spiritual sides?

04/30/2004 - By John Rutledge