
The original issue can be found at: http://www.baptistpress.com/issue-08/30/2010

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Poll: U.S. split on whether Islam promotes violence
by Staff
Date: August 30, 2010 - Monday

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)--Most Americans continue to know little about Islam, and people in the United States remain somewhat divided in their views of the religion, according to a new poll by the Pew Research Center.

The poll found that favorable opinions of Islam have declined since 2005, and a slight majority of Americans do not want to see a mosque built near the World Trade Center site in New York. Pew said 51 percent of respondents objected to the mosque and 34 percent supported it.

Meanwhile, 62 percent said they believe Muslims should have the same rights as other religious groups to build places of worship, and 25 percent said local communities should be able to block mosques if they don't want them.

Eighty-five percent of respondents said they either don't know much about Islam or know nothing at all, and just 9 percent said they know a great deal. Pew found that 41 percent said they actually know someone who is Muslim. Knowledge of Islam and acquaintance with Muslims rose if respondents were college graduates or were younger. 

Among the 1,003 adults Pew polled in August, 30 percent said they have a favorable view of Islam while 38 percent said they have an unfavorable view and 32 percent offered no opinion. By contrast, in 2005 41 percent expressed a favorable view and 36 percent were unfavorable toward Islam.

With regard to politics, 54 percent of Republican respondents expressed an unfavorable view of Islam and 21 percent were favorable. Independents were more unfavorable than favorable, 40 percent to 28 percent, and 41 percent of Democrats were favorable while 27 percent were unfavorable, Pew said.

Respondents who were younger than age 50 had mixed views of Islam, and 44 percent of those older than 50 expressed unfavorable opinions of the religion. 

Pew found that opinions about whether Islam is more likely than other religions to promote violence have fluctuated since 2002, when 51 percent said Islam does not encourage violence more than other religions. The August poll found that 42 percent said Islam does not necessarily promote violence compared to other religions, while 35 percent said it does encourage violence.

No particular political or demographic group in the study overwhelmingly said Islam encourages more violence than other religions. More Republicans, by a slight 47 percent to 38 percent margin, said Islam is more likely to encourage violence, Pew said. Democrats, by a two-to-one margin, said Islam is not more likely to encourage violence.

"If anything, there are even starker partisan and age differences over the proposed construction of an Islamic center and mosque a few blocks from the site of the World Trade Center," Pew said.

Seventy-four percent of Republicans in the poll said they agree with those who oppose the mosque, and half of independents also agreed with opponents. Among Democrats, 47 percent support the center, and 39 percent agreed with its opponents. Those older than 50 agreed with mosque opponents by wide margins, Pew found.
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Compiled by Baptist Press staff writer Erin Roach. To read more about the poll results, visit pewforum.org. 


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FCC's appeal of indecency case applauded
by Staff
Date: August 30, 2010 - Monday

WASHINGTON (BP)--Pro-family advocates applauded the Federal Communications Commission's decision to appeal a court ruling they fear could open broadcast television to the use of even more profanities and obscenities.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) filed a petition with the Second Circuit Court of Appeals in New York, asking the judges to reconsider their July opinion striking down the agency's broadcast indecency policy. A three-judge panel unanimously ruled the FCC's approach to overseeing obscene or profane language is "unconstitutionally vague."

The FCC's petition is the latest act in a case that has gone up and down the federal court system in recent years. The Fox Channel and other networks sued the FCC after the commission found live Fox broadcasts of the 2002 and 2003 Billboard Music Awards programs violated decency standards by use of the "f-word" and/or "s-word."

Richard Land, president of the Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, called the FCC petition "a tremendous step in the right direction."

"Clearly, the entire economy of broadcast television is based upon the fact that people seeing a product for thirty seconds will cause them to change their buying habits. They're called commercials," Land told Baptist Press. "So, obviously, what you view has an impact on your behavior and your attitudes. 

"We as a society have been derelict in not better protecting our children and young people from salacious and violent material on our airwaves," he said. "One would hope that the judges would come to their senses and make the right decision for America's young people."

Tim Winter, president of the Parents Television Council, said the courts must "reaffirm the FCC's statutory authority."

"The importance of the broadcast decency law has become abundantly apparent as the broadcast networks demonstrate their desire to push ever-more graphic content at all times of the day," Winter said in a written statement. "The airwaves have become a battleground for networks to out-cuss, out-sex and out-gore each other, and sadly it is children and families who are in the crossfire."

Primetime broadcast TV is expected to contain even more possibly offensive content this fall, according to news reports. The Hollywood Reporter said it "is going to be chock-a-block with even more blatant sexuality and raunchy language. It's a trend that's been a long time coming and is now accelerating." Among programs likely to push the envelope are NBC's "Friends With Benefits" and CBS' "$#*! My Dad Says."

The case, Fox v. FCC, began in the courts after the commission announced a new policy in ruling against the network for the use of "fleeting expletives." Previously, an indecent word had to be used repeatedly for the FCC to find a broadcaster in violation. If it allowed the singular use of expletives, widespread usage of those words on TV would follow, the FCC said in defending its revised policy.

The Second Circuit ruled the policy change was "arbitrary and capricious" in a 2007 opinion, but the Supreme Court reversed the decision in 2009 and sent the case back to the appeals court. The high court did not rule on the FCC policy's constitutional worthiness but said the FCC had the authority to prohibit certain indecent language, even in a one-time instance.

In July of this year, the Second Circuit again ruled against the FCC, saying its indecency policy did not provide appropriate guidance to broadcasters on what is "patently offensive" material. The court also said the FCC did not apply its policy equally to all broadcast programming.

In its petition, filed Aug. 26, the FCC said, "Because the Commission applies the same contextual framework in every indecency case, the &#91;judges'&#93; decision appears to disapprove application of the agency's judicially approved indecency approach in any contest." The judges' opinion "threatens to have a wide-ranging adverse impact on the FCC's ability to enforce federal statutory restrictions on the broadcast of indecent material," the commission said in asking for a rehearing by either the three-judge panel or the entire court.
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Compiled by Tom Strode, Washington bureau chief for Baptist Press. Michael Foust, an assistant editor of Baptist Press, contributed to this article.


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Tony Dungy: still 'a straight-shooter'
by Art Stricklin
Date: August 30, 2010 - Monday

DALLAS (BP)--Former Indianapolis head coach Tony Dungy, in Dallas for an NFL kickoff luncheon, said he had no apologies for his high-profile stance in helping troubled players and his recent publicized verbal run-in with New York Jets coach Rex Ryan.

"That's part of what I did when I was coaching -- to help players be better by also helping them off the field, especially those coming from different situations from what I did when I had my dad helping me."

Dungy, speaking at a Dallas Cowboys' kickoff luncheon Aug. 26 at the Hilton Anatole Hotel, predicted that the hometown Dallas Cowboys would return in February as NFC Champions -- thus becoming the first pro football team to play a Super Bowl in its home stadium.

But in a pre-luncheon interview with Baptist Press, Dungy didn't shy away from the controversy with Ryan.

On a nationally broadcast radio show in mid-August, Dungy was asked by the host what he thought of Ryan's use of several curse words in a constant pattern on a nationally televised reality show about the New York Jets.

Dungy told the host he didn't approve of the bad language and would not have hired Ryan or anybody on his staff when he coached who used those words.

A media firestorm ensued, with Dungy and Ryan finally talking to clear the air. Dungy said before the Dallas luncheon he was only responding honestly when asked a question.

"That's what I am, I'm a straight-shooter," Dungy said. "If somebody asks me questions, I'm going to answer them."

Dungy's third book, "The Mentor Leader," has been released after two best-selling successes. He said he wants to continue to help as many people as possible with his belief in honestly, morality and faith in Jesus Christ.

A member of Central Tampa Church, a plant of suburban Idlewild Baptist Church, Dungy said he is enjoying his new life as a full-time dad and husband, worshiping in his home church when he is town on Sundays, working at NBC Sports and going to see his son play college football at the University of Oregon.

"I enjoy being with my family and spending time with them. NBC Sports allows me to still keep my foot in it &#91;football&#93;. I'm looking forward to seeing my son play on Saturday, but it was still special to be on the field on Sunday &#91;as an NFL coach&#93;."

The last time Dungy said he had been in Dallas was when his undefeated Colts were upset by the Cowboys in 2006. Later that year, Dungy led the Colts to the team's first-ever Super Bowl title. That win, he said, proved a coach could have strong, public faith, clean language, solid values and still be successful.

"That's one of the things I wanted to do was show people that there was a different way and it could be done differently and still succeed," Dungy said.

He added he was pleased to see his good friend and fellow Christian, Jim Caldwell, take the Colts back to the Super Bowl last year.

"Jim and I have a lot of things in common, both on and off &#91;the field&#93;, so that was good to see."

At last year's Super Bowl, both Dungy and Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick spoke at the Athletes in Action Super Bowl Breakfast. Vick shared how Dungy had helped guide him on the path back from prison and financial ruin to a renewed faith in Christ.

"Michael is doing well and I think &#91;quarterback&#93; Donovan McNabb was very helpful to him. I don't know what's going to happen as an individual situation, football-wise, or if &#91;Vick&#93; he will ever come back, but off the field he had grown and done very well."
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Art Stricklin is a Dallas-based sports correspondent for Baptist Press.


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Prayer vigil for national renewal begins Sept. 20
by Dwayne Hastings
Date: August 30, 2010 - Monday

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)--There's no disputing that most Americans "believe" in God. Studies by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life consistently reveal over two-thirds of Americans are "absolutely certain" there is a God.

The problem, Richard Land says, is that people often live as though there is no transcendent moral authority. In considering the state of the culture, Land observes that "believing" in God apparently doesn't equate to a person's wholesale adoption of God's precepts into his or her life.

"Instead of influencing the culture, it appears on most fronts the culture is influencing us. Too often, instead of being 'salt' and 'light,' we are being salted and lit by the secular culture around us," said Land, president of the Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, focusing on a theme he often raises when preaching.

"Our churches are in need of a truly spiritual revival, and our nation is in need of a great movement of God's Spirit," Land said, noting that this need was the impetus behind the development of the 40/40 Prayer Vigil for Spiritual Revival and National Renewal, which debuted in 2008 in partnership with the North American Mission Board.

"To change lives we must first be changed," Land said. "We must pray for and experience spiritual regeneration, then recognize and accept our responsibilities as Christians to be 'salt' and 'light' in the culture," he said, referencing Matthew 5:13-16.

A great movement of the Holy Spirit will not happen without sustained prayer from God's people, Land added.

The 40/40 Prayer Vigil is designed for people to pray for 40 days, between Sept. 20 and the morning of Oct. 29, and then pray for 40 hours between 4 p.m. on Oct. 29 and 8 a.m. on Oct. 31. A downloadable prayer guide and more information is available at www.4040prayer.com. The 40/40 prayer guide is written so that it can be used by an individual, a small group or the focus of an entire church body. 

The vigil focuses on personal and church revival and national renewal, Land said, noting participants are encouraged to heed the truths of 1 Timothy 2 and pray for those in positions of authority in the government.

A pitched spiritual battle rages across the country and around the world, Land said. "Such warfare must be met first of all with spiritual weapons," he said. "We must pray for a great outpouring of God's Spirit on our homes, our churches and ourselves that our moral foundation might be recovered."

Additional tools to encourage participation in the prayer vigil, including an automatic e-mail delivery of each day's prayer outline, are expected to come online soon, Land said. The 40/40 website also includes a prayer guide translated into Spanish.

The Scriptures are at the heart of this call to prayer, Land said, noting that with each day's prayer points there is a listing of key Bible verses.

"God draws close to those who call out to Him," Land said, paraphrasing Psalm 145:18.

"It is God's way or no way. And right now our nation and many of our families are heading in every way but after God," Land said.

"When our perspective is right, when we are on our knees, when we are obedient, God will use us -- His people -- for His purposes in our families, our churches and our land," he said, adding, "That is my prayer for the 40/40 Prayer Vigil–that believers will be renewed and those who don't know Christ will find him. Our country will never be the same when that happens."
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Dwayne Hastings is a vice president of the Southern Baptist Convention's Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission.


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Calls for revival prayer gain momentum
by Mark Kelly
Date: August 30, 2010 - Monday

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)--A wave of prayer for revival is beginning to sweep through evangelical Christianity in the United States, and one veteran Southern Baptist leader believes spiritual awakening is America's only hope.

One of the new prayer initiatives –- www.ifmypeopleprayusa.org –- is a 40-day prayer emphasis launched by the National Religious Broadcasters, an association of Christian ministries across America. Dean Evans, a Memphis businessman promoting the prayer challenge, compares the NRB initiative to the newspaper ads placed by New York City businessman Jeremiah Lanphier in 1857. Lanphier's initiative was followed by a wave of revival that swept the eastern United States.

"We're doing what Jeremiah Lamphere did. We're holding prayer meetings. We're asking other people to hold prayer meetings," said Dean Evans, a member of Faith Baptist Church in Bartlett, Tenn., who is among a group of Memphis businessmen praying for revival in the U.S. "Jeremiah Lanphier put ads in the newspaper. That isn't quite cost effective for us today, but we knew the NRB would be a very cost effective way to spread this message."

Dean's group approached his Sunday School teacher, Bill Skelton, newly elected chairman of the National Religious Broadcasters' executive committee, about the idea. Skelton took the idea to NRB and the prayer initiative launches Sept. 1 with a variety of resources posted online at www.ifmypeopleprayusa.org.

The NRB initiative joins a growing list of prayer calls among Southern Baptists, including pray4sbc.com, a challenge issued by SBC President Bryant Wright in mid-July that calls on church leaders and their congregations to take missions engagement to a whole new level.

In a video on the website, Wright, pastor of the Atlanta-area Johnson Ferry Baptist Church, asked for prayer that Southern Baptists would be "willing to do whatever it takes to reach more people for Christ than ever before, with a renewed passion on fulfilling Jesus' Great Commission to His Church."

One veteran Southern Baptist leader believes spiritual awakening is America's only hope.

"Every movement of God in history was preceded by passionate, intercessory prayer," said Morris H. Chapman, president of the SBC Executive Committee. "God promises to respond when His people seek Him through repentance, brokenness, humility and prayer."

Chapman, who retires Sept. 30 after 18 years in that role, bookended his tenure with nationwide prayer initiatives. He launched his ministry with the Watchman National Prayer Alert in 1992 (http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?id=31334) and in 2009 issued a call to prayer and evangelism under the theme "One More Soul" (http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?id=31307) as a way to support the challenge for a "Great Commission Resurgence" among Southern Baptists.

Chapman praised the National Religious Broadcasters' focus on 2 Chronicles 7:14 -– "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

"I long to see a Great Awakening of 2 Chronicles 7:14 proportions come to our country during my lifetime. I rejoice that these prayer initiatives are capturing the interest and attention of God's people," Chapman said. "America's only hope is for the fresh wind of God's Spirit to sweep across our hearts, bringing genuine revival to our homes, our churches, our convention and our land."

A 40-day focus on the kind of repentance seen in 2 Chronicles 7:14 in all aspects of a congregation's life will free God's Spirit to do a new work among His people, Evans said.

"I know a church that started preaching on that passage back in July, offering altar calls and leaving the church building open for prayer," Evans said. "I talked to the pastor yesterday and he said, 'We're having revival in our church. We're seeing people saved. Relationships are being mended. We're seeing God move in our church in a way that we haven't seen in a long, long time.' And all he's done is preach on 2 Chronicles 7:14 and called people to the altar for prayer -- and God seems to be blessing it.

"The pastor said, 'When we started this altar call for repentance, we started seeing a difference,'" Evans said."

In addition to the NRB's www.ifmypeopleprayusa.org initiative and Bryant Wright's www. pray4sbc.com campaign, other challenges to pray for revival include:

-- Charles Stanley's 140 Days of Prayer, www.intouch.org/resources/140-days-of-prayer.

-- The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission's 40/40 Prayer Vigil, www.erlc.com/4040.

-- The University of Mobile's twelve23 Prayer Movement for America, www.twelve23.org.

Another prayer initiative, the Broken Before the Throne solemn assembly, is underway July 24-30 at Virginia Avenue Baptist Church in Hagerstown, Md., www.brokenbeforethethrone.com.
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Mark Kelly is an assistant editor with Baptist Press.


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Prayer thrust launched by Baptist univ.
by Kathy Dean
Date: August 30, 2010 - Monday

MOBILE, Ala. (BP)--What would happen if Christians throughout the nation united to pray for a transformed America that recognizes and honors God? A prayer initiative led by the University of Mobile aims to find out.

The Baptist university is calling Christians to pray for and work toward a national spiritual and cultural transformation during the month leading up to America's mid-term elections.

"We are asking Christians to pray for our nation each day at 12:23 a.m. or p.m. from Oct. 1 through Nov. 2," said Joe Savage, director of the university's new Center for Leadership which has launched a "twelve23 Prayer Movement for America.”

The movement's aims are outlined in the "twelve23 Contract" online at www.twelve23.org. Savage said the numbers 12 and 23 refer to three significant events which call individuals to action:

-- the bravery of a World War II private on Dec. 23, 1944, who dug a foxhole in the sand with the intention that no enemy soldier would get past him.

-- the Bible verse John 12:23: "The time has come for the Son of Man to be glorified."

-- a city-wide prayer meeting in Mobile, Ala., on Dec. 23, 2009, which drew together individuals of all denominations and races and has started a spiritual movement in the city.

The contract, which can be signed online, calls individuals to action in "shaping, promoting and influencing individual, regional, and national policy." 

UMobile President Mark Foley said the time is right for American Christians of all denominations and political parties to take a stand for what they believe.

"The ethics, values and character of our nation's soul are in dire straits," Foley said. "We need great leaders who will not retreat into a place of apathy or cowardice, but instead will lead with godliness, character and selflessness."

Foley, who tells each graduate to "go change the world" as he hands out diplomas, said he and the university's trustees believe it is possible for one small college focused on godly values to be a voice for change.

Savage said the prayer movement is an initial step in a continual process of helping and encouraging Christians to take a stand and lead in all areas of public and private life.

"We are drawing together leaders from a variety of fields to help each individual answer the question, 'How do I fulfill my responsibility to God as an American citizen?'" Savage said. The university’s Center for Leadership will develop and provide seminars, webcasts and other tools to help Americans who are Christians to maximize their influence in transforming the nation.

"We are finding patriotic Christians everywhere who want to see a return to the values and freedoms with which our nation was formed. We are inviting these individuals to unite together and to become the influential leaders which our nation so desperately needs right now," Savage said.
--30--
Kathy Dean is director of media relations at the University of Mobile. For more information about the twelve23 Prayer Movement for America, visit www.twelve23.org, or call the University of Mobile Center for Leadership at 251-675-7551.


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FIRST-PERSON: Does God care about politics?
by David Shelley
Date: August 30, 2010 - Monday

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)--What are the two things that people say you should never talk about in polite company? Religion and politics. Why is that? 

I believe it is because both religion and politics are about controversial positions. One person takes the position that Jesus is Lord, and the only way to salvation. Another person might take the position that Jesus never even existed. It is hard for those two people to have a polite conversion about religion because their positions are so opposite.

Politics is also a controversial thing. Some people are dyed-in-the-wool Republicans; others are lifelong Democrats. These two will have a very hard time politely discussing politics. What's even more uncomfortable for many people is to discuss politics within the framework of religion. There is perhaps nothing more unpleasant than for a Sunday School class discussion to turn into a political argument over the president and his policies. I would say that most pastors want nothing to do with politics and almost never mention political issues (especially the really controversial ones like abortion, "gay marriage," evolution in schools, etc.) at all in their sermons.

Now, we Southern Baptists have always prided ourselves on being "people of the Book." That is, we believe in the inerrant Word of God, the Bible, and take the Bible as our cue for doctrine and methodology. So what does the Bible say about politics? Guess what? The English word, "politics," is not even found in the Bible (it comes from a Greek word, "polis," meaning "city-state"). In fact, the Bible doesn't use the words "ballot box," "voting," "primaries," "political parties," "candidates," "president," "legislature" or "Congress," either. So, does that mean that God doesn't care about political things? Quite to the contrary.

You see, all those terms that I've just mentioned are not in the English Bible because those things really didn't exist when the Bible was written. In fact, during biblical times, there were no elected officials or constitutional amendments. There were only kings and subjects, and the law of the land was whatever the king decreed. By the way, God cared a lot about what the kings did. If you don't believe me, read the Old Testament prophets and look at what happened to John the Baptist. The prophets spent nearly all of their time lobbying the kings, by the direct command of God. So the iconic words that we use today to describe our form of government are not in the Bible, but the concepts are there. Consider:

The Bible tells us that God created three institutions: the home, the church and the government.

1. The family was created in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2).

2. The church was created by the giving of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 2).

3. The government was created with the first King of Israel, Saul (1 Samuel 10-12).

In Tennessee for example, the state capitol has lobbyists and governmental relations representatives from every philosophical position under the sun, except from the churches. There are lobbyists at the state capitol that represent porn shops and strip clubs, lobbyists who represent the ACLU, the homosexual agenda, liberal feminism, comprehensive sex-ed and the distribution of condoms in schools, abortion on demand (and paid for by taxpayers), atheism and pushing God and religion out of the public schools. But with all the thousands of churches in Tennessee, there is not one paid lobbyist that officially represents a church or Protestant denomination on the Hill. I would expect that this is true in many other states, as well. But, why is that?

One would think that if God gave mankind three institutions, his children would place importance on all three. Churches and denominations spend lots of money and time, and lots of sermons are preached and books are written, on "doing church." We spend lots of money and time, and lots of sermons are preached and books are written, on the family. We have Bible study classes and conferences all the time designed to strengthen and shape the church and the family: marriage enrichment, parenting, church planting, missions. But what are our churches and denominations doing to strengthen and shape the government?

If you are still not convinced that God cares about politics, consider how many times His word addresses the subject. In the NIV Bible, there are 642 verses that refer to law, laws and lawlessness. There are 211 verses that refer to judgment, judges, and judging, and 561 verses that speak about justice. There are 195 verses that talk about courts, 301 verses that talk about ruling and rulers, and 100 verses that speak of governing and government. And, finally, in case you still think that God doesn't care about politics, law and government, remember what the Old Testament prophet Isaiah said about the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ: "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders" (Isaiah 9:6).

I think we can surmise that Jesus cares about government since it all sits on his shoulders. All in all, there are 2,010 Bible verses about the God-given institution of government. 

God does care -- very much -- about politics. In this mid-term election season, it is imperative that Christians be the "salt of the earth" and "light of the world" in the electoral process. Learning where your candidates stand, and voting based on biblical values, is simply part of being good stewards of the blessings of being an American citizen. Remember, that most of our brothers and sisters in Christ, across the world and throughout time, have lived under autocratic rule where they had no say in public policy. God has given Americans a rare blessing to be able to elect those who rule over us, so let's be good stewards of that blessing.
--30--
David Shelley is pastor of Smith Springs Baptist Church in Nashville and author of "Church and State: Being Salt and Light in the Public Square" He also is vice president or church and community relations for the Family Action Council of Tennessee (Factn.org). 



