The original issue can be found at: http://www.baptistpress.com/issue-10/10/2008 DISCLAIMER: Baptist Press should be credited for any reprinted stories that originate with BP. Suggested credit line: Reprinted from Baptist Press (www.baptistpress.com), news service of the Southern Baptist Convention. Please note that Baptist Press periodically carries stories from other sources by permission. Individuals interested in reprinting non-BP stories should contact the entity where the story originated to seek reprint permission. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Connecticut Supreme Court legalizes 'gay marriage' by Michael Foust Date: October 10, 2008 - Friday HARTFORD, Conn. (BP)--Connecticut became the third state in the nation to legalize "gay marriage" Oct. 10 when its Supreme Court issued a much-anticipated ruling declaring that homosexual couples are guaranteed the right to "marry" under the state constitution. The 4-3 decision follows a similar one by the California Supreme Court in May and a landmark ruling by the Massachusetts high court in 2003. All three rulings involved one-vote margins. The Connecticut court overruled a lower court decision that had upheld the state's marriage laws. Conservatives in Connecticut have few options, although their best one will appear on the Nov. 4 ballot, when voters will be asked whether a constitutional convention should be called. The state constitution requires the question to appear on the ballot every 20 years. "Connecticut voters will have one opportunity on Nov. 4 to reassert their right to self government. We must vote yes," Peter Wolfgang, executive director of the Family Institute of Connecticut, was quoted as saying in the Hartford Courant. But that may be the only option. Unlike California -- which will vote a marriage amendment Nov. 4 -- Connecticut does not have a law allowing voters to gather signatures to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. Any amendment must be initiated by the left-leaning legislature, which has been cold to the idea. The majority ruling covered 85 pages and was handed down more than a year after justices heard the case in May 2007. "We recognize, as the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court did … that 'our decision marks a change in the history of our marriage law,'" Justice Richard N. Palmer wrote for the court. "… Even though the right to marry is not enumerated in our constitution, it long has been deemed a basic civil right. … [O]ur conventional understanding of marriage must yield to a more contemporary appreciation of the rights entitled to constitutional protection. Interpreting our state constitutional provisions in accordance with firmly established equal protection principles leads inevitably to the conclusion that gay persons are entitled to marry the otherwise qualified same sex partner of their choice." The lawsuit was filed in 2004 on behalf of eight homosexual couples by Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders, the same organization that successfully sued to legalize "gay marriage" in Massachusetts. The next year, the Connecticut legislature passed and the governor signed into law a bill legalizing same-sex civil unions -- which grant all the legal benefits of marriage -- but the lawsuit nonetheless continued. The majority opinion ruled that civil unions -- viewed by some who support them as common ground -- are themselves discriminatory. In a dissent, Justice Peter T. Zarella asserted that the majority opinion failed to address the real purpose behind the state's marriage laws -- procreation. "[The majority opinion] is based primarily on the majority's unsupported assumptions that the essence of marriage is a loving, committed relationship between two adults and that the sole reason that marriage has been limited to one man and one woman is society's moral disapproval of or irrational animus toward gay persons," Zarella wrote. "Indeed, the majority fails, during the entire course of its (85) page opinion, even to identify, much less to discuss, the actual purpose of the marriage laws, even though this is the first, critical step in any equal protection analysis. "I conclude, to the contrary, that, because the long-standing, fundamental purpose of our marriage laws is to privilege and regulate procreative conduct, those laws do not classify on the basis of sexual orientation and that persons who wish to enter into a same sex marriage are not similarly situated to persons who wish to enter into a traditional marriage. The ancient definition of marriage as the union of one man and one woman has its basis in biology, not bigotry. If the state no longer has an interest in the regulation of procreation, then that is a decision for the legislature or the people of the state and not this court." Alliance Defense Fund attorney Brian Raum, whose organization filed a friend-of-the-court brief on behalf of the Family Research Council, criticized the ruling. "Judges and politicians should never impose a system that knowingly deprives a child of a mom and a dad," he said in a statement. "We believe that Americans are growing weary of this form of judicial activism. This decision demonstrates -- as did the recent decision from the California Supreme Court -- the dire need for states to enact constitutional amendments to protect marriage from ongoing judicial attack. … We ask, which parent doesn’t matter: a mom or a dad?" In hindsight, the ruling may have hinged on a series of recusals. Chief Justice Chase T. Rogers recused herself from the case before it was even heard because her husband worked for a legal firm that sided with "gay marriage" supporters. She was replaced by former Chief Justice William J. Sullivan, who was described in some circles as a "devout Catholic" who had authored a rather pro-life opinion once. He may have sided with conservatives, but he, too, recused himself from the case before it was heard, and he was replaced by Appellate Judge Lubbie Harper Jr., who in the end sided with "gay marriage" supporters, providing the critical fourth vote. California and Connecticut aren't the only states embroiled in a debate over "gay marriage." The Iowa Supreme Court will hear arguments in a "gay marriage" case Dec. 9. --30-- Michael Foust is an assistant editor of Baptist Press. For updates on how conservatives in Connecticut are mobilizing against the ruling, visit www.ctfamily.org and www.ctfamily.org/blog. -------------------------------------------------------------------- ELECTION 08: 2 years after loss, Ariz. considers marriage amendment again by Michael Foust Date: October 10, 2008 - Friday EDITOR'S NOTE: This is part of a special series of stories focusing on the election that Baptist Press will run between now and Nov. 4. Stories will run on Wednesdays and Fridays. PHOENIX (BP)--Two years after Arizona became the first state to defeat a constitutional marriage amendment on the ballot, voters there will get another chance Nov. 4 to pass such a proposal, and supporters are far more confident this go-round. The 2006 amendment lost 52-48 percent, making Arizona the first and only state thus far -- 27 states have passed them -- to turn down an amendment protecting the natural definition of marriage. The defeat left pro-family leaders statewide and nationwide wondering what happened. Their conclusion? The debate -- despite attempts by supporters -- focused not on "gay marriage" but on side issues: Opponents ran a television ad claiming the amendment would limit Social Security income for seniors and take away medical insurance of the children of domestic partners. The tactic worked, with 46 percent of those ages 60 and over -- normally a strong supporter of marriage amendments -- voting against the proposal. Supporters tried to convince the public that the amendment simply was designed to ban "gay marriage" and same-sex civil unions, but failed. This time, the amendment -- and the debate on it -- is much simpler. Proposition 102, as it is called, seeks only to protect the natural definition of marriage, and leaves the debate over civil unions for another day. The issue of "gay marriage" is front and center. "This year, Proposition 102 is not about benefits," Michele Baer, spokeswoman for YesforMarriage.com, the main group supporting the amendment, told Baptist Press. "That's one concern that a lot of people have. This proposition does one thing and one thing only -- it simply defines marriage as the union of one man and one woman. It's pretty hard to construe anything else in there, because it's simple, clear and 20 words." The proposed amendment -- placed on the ballot by the legislature -- is short enough that it is featured prominently on the front page of YesforMarriage.com. It states, "Only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in this state." The amendment's simplicity -- and perhaps a desire to make up for the 2006 loss -- has helped Proposition 22 supporters gain a healthy fundraising lead. Through Sept. 22, YesforMarriage.com had raised $6.9 million, opponents only about $400,000. The fact that Arizona borders California -- a state that saw its Supreme Court legalize "gay marriage" -- certainly hasn't hurt supporters' warnings about activist judges. "We are receiving an overwhelming amount of support from people of all walks of life -- different political persuasions, ethnic backgrounds and religions are all standing up to stay yes on Proposition 102, because it's so simple and clear," Baer said. "Amending the Arizona constitution by voting yes on Proposition 102 is the only way that Arizonans can prevent judges or politicians from overturning the voice of the people regarding marriage in the states. There really is an important urgency to passing this. Look at what happened in California." The amendment led 49-42 percent in a Sept. 30 poll of 976 registered voters conducted by the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University and KAET-TV. --30-- Michael Foust is an assistant editor of Baptist Press. For more information about the Arizona marriage amendment, or to learn how you can help it pass, visit YesforMarriage.com. -------------------------------------------------------------------- AFA ends boycott of McDonald's by Erin Roach Date: October 10, 2008 - Friday NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)--The American Family Association announced Oct. 9 an end to the boycott it had organized against McDonald's, citing the restaurant chain's willingness to "remain neutral in the culture war regarding homosexual marriage." "McDonald's said McDonald's Vice President Richard Ellis has resigned his position on the board of [National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce] and that his seat on the board will not be replaced," AFA founder and chairman Don Wildmon wrote in an e-mail alert to the pro-family organization's 2.4 million supporters. "McDonald's also said that the company has no plans to renew their membership in NGLCC when it expires in December." The alert went on to say that McDonald's sent an e-mail to its franchise owners, stating, "It is our policy to not be involved in political and social issues. McDonald's remains neutral on same sex marriage or any 'homosexual agenda' as defined by the American Family Association." "We appreciate the decision by McDonald's to no longer support political activity by homosexual activist organizations. You might want to thank your local McDonald's manager," Wildmon wrote. AFA launched the boycott July 3 after Jack Daly, a McDonald's senior vice president, confirmed that the chain gave $20,000 to the chamber of commerce and that Ellis, an open homosexual, personally approved the contribution. Talks between AFA and McDonald's had been unsuccessful, so AFA urged its supporters not to give McDonald's their business. Despite AFA's declaration of victory, a news release on the website for the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce Oct. 9 said, "There has been no discussion between the NGLCC and McDonalds regarding continuing membership, nor has the NGLCC been notified of any move not to renew our work together." McDonald's still is listed as a corporate partner on the chamber of commerce website, but Ellis is no longer listed as a member of the board of directors. Michael Deprimo, an AFA spokesman, pointed Baptist Press to a Sept. 25 blog entry at PRWeek.com, which said Ellis returned to McDonald's Restaurants of Canada as senior vice president of communications and public affairs and president of Ronald McDonald House Charities. Baptist Press asked Deprimo for a copy of the e-mail from McDonald's to its franchise owners that Wildmon quoted in his alert, but Deprimo declined. "We obtained the information from a franchise owner. For obvious reasons, we will not name him/her," Deprimo wrote in an e-mail to BP. An Oct. 9 news release on the AFA website said AFA is ending the boycott because "McDonald's has notified the organization" that Ellis has resigned from the chamber of commerce. Baptist Press asked Deprimo how AFA was notified, and he said it was a telephone conversation between Daly and Tim Wildmon, AFA's president, Oct. 3. Baptist Press placed calls to check with both Daly's office and Wildmon's office to confirm the conversation, but those calls were not returned by press time. Felicia Powers, a spokeswoman for the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, told BP the statement on their website was the only statement they were making regarding AFA and McDonald's. When BP asked if Ellis was removed from the board of directors simply because he moved to Canada or if there was another reason, Powers said, "Pretty much the only thing we released today was this statement." According to the chamber's website, "Advocacy is a top priority for the NGLCC, whether it's lobbying Congress or the White House, commenting on regulatory issues or working with leaders throughout America's top corporations to bring about equality, opportunity and change. The NGLCC has quickly moved to become the LGBT business voice in Washington, on Wall Street, and down Main Street USA." In comments reported by The Washington Post in July, McDonald's spokesman Bill Whitman reiterated the company's commitment to inclusion. "Hatred has no place in our culture," Whitman said. "That includes McDonald's, and we stand by and support our people to live and work in a society free of discrimination and harassment." WorldNetDaily reported Oct. 9 that Whitman confirmed that Ellis "made a personal decision to step down" from the chamber of commerce after he took the new position in Canada, and a post by blogger Jeff Bercovici at portfolio.com reported that a McDonald's spokeswoman said, "McDonald's has no plan to fill his seat [on the board] because it's not our seat to fill." --30-- Erin Roach is a staff writer for Baptist Press. -------------------------------------------------------------------- IN THEIR OWN WORDS: Barack Obama & John McCain on immigration, border security by Michael Foust Date: October 10, 2008 - Friday EDITOR'S NOTE: This is part of a special series of stories focusing on the election that Baptist Press will run between now and Nov. 4. Stories will run on Wednesdays and Fridays. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)--This is the fifth in a series of stories focusing on one specific national issue and detailing where the two major presidential candidates stand. Called "In Their Own Words," the stories avoid commentary and instead present the candidates' views as they have stated them in the past -- either in interviews, speeches, debates or on their campaign websites. Baptist Press in recent weeks has spotlighted the issues of abortion, Iraq the Supreme Court and the energy crisis. Today, BP takes a look at the candidates' positions on immigration reform/border security. BARACK OBAMA -- Obama's overall view on immigration reform/border security: "The time to fix our broken immigration system is now.... We need stronger enforcement on the border and at the workplace.... But for reform to work, we also must respond to what pulls people to America.... Where we can reunite families, we should. Where we can bring in more foreign-born workers with the skills our economy needs, we should" (statement, U.S. Senate floor, May 23, 2007). "Barack Obama has played a leading role in crafting comprehensive immigration reform. Barack Obama and Joe Biden believe the immigration issue has been exploited by politicians to divide the nation rather than find real solutions. This divisiveness has allowed the illegal immigration problem to worsen, with borders that are less secure than ever and an economy that depends on millions of workers living in the shadows. Barack Obama and Joe Biden believe that our broken immigration system can only be fixed by putting politics aside and offering a complete solution that secures our border, enforces our laws and reaffirms our heritage as a nation of immigrants" (BarackObama.com). "This election is about the 12 million people living in the shadows, the communities taking immigration enforcement into their own hand. They are counting on us to stop the hateful rhetoric filling our airwaves, and rise above the fear, and rise above the demagoguery, and finally enact comprehensive immigration reform" (speech before Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, Washington, D.C., Sept. 10, 2008, as reported by The Wall Street Journal). -- Obama's plan for immigration reform (according to his website): "1) Create Secure Borders. Obama and Biden want to preserve the integrity of our borders. He supports additional personnel, infrastructure and technology on the border and at our ports of entry. 2) Improve Our Immigration System. Obama and Biden believe we must fix the dysfunctional immigration bureaucracy and increase the number of legal immigrants to keep families together and meet the demand for jobs that employers cannot fill. 3) Remove Incentives to Enter Illegally. Obama and Biden will remove incentives to enter the country illegally by cracking down on employers who hire undocumented immigrants. 4) Bring People Out of the Shadows. Obama and Biden support a system that allows undocumented immigrants who are in good standing to pay a fine, learn English, and go to the back of the line for the opportunity to become citizens. 5) Work with Mexico. Obama and Biden believe we need to do more to promote economic development in Mexico to decrease illegal immigration" (BarackObama.com). -- Obama's views on border security: "Barack Obama and Joe Biden want to preserve the integrity of our borders. They support additional personnel, infrastructure and technology on the border and at our ports of entry. Barack Obama and Joe Biden believe we need additional Customs and Border Protection agents equipped with better technology and real-time intelligence" (BarackObama.com). -- Obama's views on how a bill should address illegal immigrants already in the U.S.: "America has always been a nation of immigrants. There are millions of people living in the shadows who would like to fully embrace our values and become full members of our democracy. For the millions living here illegally but otherwise playing by the rules, we must encourage them to come out of hiding and get right with the law. Barack Obama supports a system that allows undocumented immigrants who are in good standing to pay a fine, learn English, not violate the law, and go to the back of the line for the opportunity to become citizens.... Every year, a million people enter the country legally and another 500,000-800,000 people come illegally or illegally overstay their visas. The overwhelming majority of immigrants, both legal and undocumented, come to this country with the hope that hard work and sacrifice will secure a better life for their children. Barack Obama and Joe Biden believe we must fix the dysfunctional bureaucracy to balance the needs of American workers and the U.S. economy. They also realize the need to increase the number of people we allow into the country legally to a level that keeps families together and meets the demand for jobs that employers cannot fill" (BarackObama.com). JOHN MCCAIN -- McCain's overall view on immigration reform/border security: "As you know, I and many other colleagues twice attempted to pass comprehensive immigration legislation to fix our broken borders; ensure respect for the laws of this country; recognize the important economic contribution of immigrant laborers; apprehend those who came here illegally to commit crimes; and deal practically and humanely with those who came here, as my distant ancestors did, to build a better, safer life for their families, without excusing the fact they came here illegally or granting them privileges before those who have been waiting their turn outside the country. Many Americans did not believe us when we said we would secure our borders [during congressional debate on a failed bill], and so we failed in our efforts. I don't want to fail again to achieve comprehensive immigration reform. We must prove we have the resources to secure our borders and use them, while respecting the dignity and rights of citizens and legal residents of the United States. When we have achieved our border security goal, we must enact and implement the other parts of practical, fair and necessary immigration policy. We have economic and humanitarian responsibilities as well, and they require no less dedication from us in meeting them" (JohnMcCain.com). -- McCain's plan for immigration reform (according to his website): "John McCain believes America's immigration system is broken. He is committed to a two-step process to reform. 1) Securing Our Borders First. John McCain's top immigration priority is to finish securing our borders in an expedited manner. Governors of border states will be required to certify that the border is secure.... 2) Comprehensive Immigration Initiatives for a Secure Nation. Once the borders are secure, John McCain will: a) Prosecute "Bad-Actor" Employers. John McCain will implement a secure, accurate, and reliable electronic employment verification system to ensure that individuals are screened for work eligibility in a real-time fashion. John McCain will use this new system in conjunction with other Department of Homeland Security resources to identify and aggressively prosecute employers that continue to hire illegal immigrants.... b) Meet America's Labor Needs. John McCain will implement temporary worker programs that will reflect the labor needs of the United States in both the high-tech and low skilled sectors while protecting the employment opportunities for US workers.... c) Address the Undocumented. John McCain will address the fact that we have a large number [of] undocumented individuals living in the United States and working in our economy.... d) Eliminate the Family Backlog. John McCain will commit to clearing out the backlog of individuals that are waiting legally outside of the country, some for up to 20 years, for their green card number to become available" (JohnMcCain.com). -- McCain's views on border security: "John McCain's top immigration priority is to finish securing our borders in an expedited manner. Governors of border states will be required to certify that the border is secure. Steps to border security include: Setting clear guidelines and objectives for securing the border through physical and virtual barriers; ensuring that adequate funding is provided for resources on the ground, but also training facilities, support staff and the deployment of technologies; dedicating funding to US Attorney’s offices in border states; implementing sound policies for contracting Department of Homeland Security software and infrastructure; deploy Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and other aircraft where needed and appropriate in the border region; continue implementation of the US-VISIT comprehensive visitor security program" (JohnMcCain.com). -- McCain's views on how a bill should address illegal immigrants already in the U.S.: "All undocumented individuals will be required to enroll in a program to resolve their status. This program will use background checks to identify criminal aliens for prosecution and deportation. [It will] a) Assure that the remaining undocumented immigrants learn English, pay back taxes and fines, and pass a citizenship course as part of a path to legal status. b) Guarantee that no person here illegally receives a green card before those that have been legally waiting outside the country. c) Do a proper accounting of all social security numbers used and attained illegally, rectifying the accounts and alerting those whose identity had been compromised. The program will also ensure that all undocumented aliens either leave or follow the path to legal residence. America cannot permit a permanent category of individuals that do not have recognized status -- a permanent second class. In addition, the program will provide a system that is fair, humane, realistic, and ensures the rights of the individual and families will be protected. [It will] a) Ensure that families are reunited. b) Address in an expedited manner the status of individuals brought here illegally as minors through no will or intention of their own" (JohnMcCain.com). --30-- Michael Foust is an assistant editor of Baptist Press. -------------------------------------------------------------------- NAMB commissions 108 for service by Mike Ebert Date: October 10, 2008 - Friday NEW ORLEANS (BP)--Declaring "you have been sent by the Father," North American Mission Board President Geoff Hammond and other NAMB leaders commissioned 108 missionaries and chaplains to the North American mission field during a celebration service at First Baptist Church in New Orleans. In 1845, Southern Baptists created the Domestic Mission Board in large part to reach and minister to people in the city of New Orleans -- at the time, the largest city in the South. "We were the city singled out in 1845 because we were so special," said David Crosby, senior pastor of FBC New Orleans. In this city where 2005's Hurricane Katrina still hovers as a prominent backdrop to so many things, Crosby thanked NAMB and Southern Baptists for the many ministry efforts that have focused on the city in the last three years. "New Orleans is still a mission field," he said during the Oct. 6 service. David Hankins, executive director of the Louisiana Baptist Convention, echoed Crosby's remarks. "There is no better example of partnership than the efforts we have seen here in Louisiana since Katrina," he said. "We are grateful that you came to our rescue. We are seeing thousands come to Christ who otherwise might not have, had it not been for this crisis." Some of those commissioned, like Shani Holland, Julia Parker, Stacy Rains and Debbie and Phil Smith, serve on the mission field in New Orleans or elsewhere in Louisiana. Others are serving as far away as Nome, Alaska, and Alberta and Newfoundland, Canada. Several commissioned are serving in and around NAMB's current Strategic Focus Cities -- Baltimore and San Diego. Jeff Christopherson, a national missionary for urban church planting in the greater Toronto area, said 10 million people reside in the region. "We have a goal of starting 250 churches by 2020," he told those in the congregation, asking for their prayers. Church planter Matt Smith of La Jolla, Calif., told of his efforts to share Christ among the intellectual elite. "We are boldly challenging the false faith of an unbelieving world," Smith said. He shared the story of the son of a prominent leader of a Middle East terrorist organization who has recently joined the church and is boldly speaking out against Islam. Smith asked for prayers as pressure and persecution from radical adherents to Islam are sure to come in the days ahead. The ministries of the missionaries commissioned were as diverse and widespread as their ethnicity and geographic location. Lois Sylvia points women to Christ at a crisis pregnancy center in Merced, Calif.; Hannah Schofield resources Hispanic pastors in Raleigh, N.C., helping them more effectively reach the community for Christ; Perry Robinson serves as a chaplain with the Arkansas Department of Community Correction in Little Rock; Stacy Rains leads children and teen Bible programs at the Rachel Sims Baptist Mission in New Orleans, the oldest Baptist mission in North America; Erica Mickels shares Christ through life coaching in Philadelphia; and Christopher Ortiz is reaching the urban area in Manhattan's Lower East Side. Danny Ray, a hospice chaplain in Tifton, Ga., told the service, "I don't teach people how to die. I teach people how to live." Woman's Missionary Union Executive Director Wanda Lee led the congregation in prayer for the missionaries. In his commissioning message, Hammond told the missionaries, "We are celebrating your calling tonight, but we also want to confirm that you have been sent by the Father." Jesus' ministry on earth was to "do the work of the Father," Hammond said in speaking from John 4. "Our prayer is that His plans become your plans and His work becomes your work," Hammond said. "It is an act of obedience," he noted. "You are not just called, you are sent. Your greatest challenge will be to do the will of Him who sent you. Not just what you want to do." Hammond reminded the missionaries "we cannot reap without sowing," challenging them to keep sowing the Gospel even when they don't see a harvest. "If we sow in tears, we will reap with joy," he said. --30-- Mike Ebert is publications and media relations coordinator for the North American Mission Board. Visit www.namb.net for a complete photo gallery of the New Orleans missionary commissioning service. -------------------------------------------------------------------- In Brazil, his fluency is missions catalyst by Emilee Brandon Date: October 10, 2008 - Friday EDITOR'S NOTE: This year's Week of Prayer for International Missions, Nov. 30-Dec. 7, focuses on missionaries who serve in South America as well as churches partnering with them, exemplifying the global outreach supported by Southern Baptists' gifts to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. This year's theme is "Go Tell the story of Jesus"; the national offering goal is $170 million. RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (BP)--When Phil and Donya Kesler started language school in Campinas, Brazil, in the late 1990s, neither knew a word of Portuguese. After the first few months of study, Phil was fluent, Donya recalls. So he headed to the favelas (slums) of the city with one of their daughters, Anna, then 9, to start a Portuguese-speaking church. They began a Bible study in a home before moving to a school. Anna taught children not much younger than herself Bible stories, while her dad shared the Gospel with adults. Soon Phil began inviting fellow language school students to practice their language skills by teaching Bible studies to the congregation. Two years later when the Keslers returned to Campinas to visit, the church was still thriving with an attendance of 150 people. For more than a decade, Phil's gift for learning languages has contributed to his success in training Brazilian missionaries in cross-cultural outreach. He can read, write and speak Portuguese, Arabic, French, Chinese and Spanish as well as read and write Greek and Hebrew. He has written Gospel tracts in Arabic, Chinese, Spanish and Portuguese. This year, Phil began serving as the Brazilian Home Mission Board's ethnic ministries coordinator, leading evangelism courses at Wake Up Brazil home mission conferences throughout the country. "We have [ethnic ministries] going on all over the country, but not as much as I would like," says Phil, a Virginia native. "This is why I am going around the country teaching. "I am working on a five-year plan to select, train and supervise up to 20 new Brazilian missionaries that will work with ethnic and immigrant groups -– Chinese, Japanese, Arabs -– in the nation." His love for reaching these groups grew, he says, over the seven years he and his family lived in Foz do Iguaçu –- home to not only some of the largest waterfalls in the world but also the largest mosque outside the Middle East. The city is located at the Tríplice Fronteira (Triple Frontier) in south Brazil, an area susceptible to black market dealings where the borders of Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina meet. Word quickly spread that Phil was reaching out to different ethnicities there and starting churches among them. "Many pastors ... knew someone who wanted to be trained," explains Donya, a native of Alabama. "That's how the whole [ministry] team was formed. God just did it -– just word of mouth." Phil began taking other believers with him when he spoke in house churches. The believers observed his preaching, then gradually began to lead the churches. A national believer guided the established church while Phil started another one, in a strategy called Churches Multiplying Churches (Igrejas Multiplicando Igrejas). The church-planting strategy encourages U.S. and Brazilian conventions, associations and churches to adopt people groups and population segments in Brazil that are unreached or under-engaged with the Gospel. When the Keslers and their four children -- Anna, Bethany, Carlos and Aline -- moved to Rio de Janeiro in 2006, trained nationals were leading all the churches Phil had planted. One of the first things the Keslers noticed when they moved to Rio de Janeiro in 2006 was the international connections the city offered -– produce shops managed by Chinese workers and Arabic mosques a short distance from their home. His hope is that churches and associations throughout Brazil will adopt the Churches Multiplying Churches strategy to spur a church-planting movement. Brazil, as Phil puts it, "is the next major country, we believe, to send waves of missionaries to help [spread] the Gospel from the unreached places in Brazil to the farthest nations on earth." --30-- To learn more about Churches Multiplying Churches, go to missionsnow.sambrazil.org. Gifts to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering provide vital support to the International Mission Board's more than 5,300 missionaries worldwide, including the Keslers. To give, go to imb.org/offering. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Not too young to share the Gospel by Emilee Brandon Date: October 10, 2008 - Friday EDITOR'S NOTE: This year's Week of Prayer for International Missions, Nov. 30-Dec. 7, focuses on missionaries who serve in South America as well as churches partnering with them, exemplifying the global outreach supported by Southern Baptists' gifts to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. This year's theme is "GO TELL the story of Jesus"; the national offering goal is $170 million. RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (BP)--It's become a family affair. Missionary Phil Kesler takes Brazilian believers with him when he shares the Gospel, in a strategy called Churches Multiplying Churches (Igrejas Multiplicando Igrejas). They learn from him and gradually take the lead. Meanwhile, Phil mentors other leaders, resulting in a continual multiplication of the number of people spreading the Gospel and training others to do the same. That is what happened when Kesler's four children -– Bethany, Anna, Carlos and Aline -– started accompanying Phil and his wife Donya on church-planting endeavors. They learned from them, joined in the efforts, then gradually took a lead in accompanying and encouraging others to share the Gospel. At age 9, Anna went with her father into the favelas (slums) of Campinas to start a Bible study. She taught the children Bible stories while Phil taught the adults. When the family moved to Foz do Iguaçu, Anna and her father planted another church together. It began meeting under a tree, then in a shack and finally a larger rented space. "She has led countless people to the Lord," Donya says of Anna, now 19. The Kesler family also led a backyard Bible club every Saturday at a Brazilian school in Foz do Iguaçu. Donya, dressed as Dizzy the clown -– complete with 'Pippy Longstocking' hair and red nose -– cruised around in her Ford Escort to carry children to the Bible club. The car always filled up quickly -– one trip was never enough. "Half [the children in the car] were speaking Arabic and the other half speaking Portuguese," Donya recalls. Five children from Arab families accepted Christ, but many of the Muslim girls who participated in the Bible club had to stop attending once they reached adolescence. It was considered inappropriate for them to associate with the boys, Donya explains. Their families wanted them to instead learn about home life and how to teach their future children about Islam. Unknown to the Keslers at the time, their oldest daughter Bethany began going to Avenida Brasil, the busiest street in Foz, with some of the children from the Bible club to share the Gospel with other children. Bethany, who rarely left home without a notepad and pen, had written an evangelism guide for the children to use. Phil soon learned of this and decided to drive them there himself. "Phil would drive all the kids to Avenida Brasil, park the car and then sit there and wait," Donya says. "When the students ran out of Bibles and tracts, they were able to come back to the car to replenish their supplies." Phil's travel throughout the country as an ethnic ministries coordinator in conjunction with the Brazilian Home Mission Board often takes him away from home, which can be hard on the family. But Donya says the family knows they are doing exactly what they've been called to do. "I know that ... no matter how tough it has gotten at times, I have never wanted to be anywhere else but where God put me," Donya says. --30-- To learn more about Churches Multiplying Churches, go to missionsnow.sambrazil.org. Gifts to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering provide vital support to the International Mission Board's more than 5,300 missionaries worldwide, including Phil and Donya Kesler in Brazil. Go to imb.org/offering for more information. -------------------------------------------------------------------- INTERNATIONAL DIGEST: Iraq's Christians protest abolishment of election law by Mark Kelly Date: October 10, 2008 - Friday NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)--Hundreds of Christians staged street protests around Iraq's northern city of Mosul Sept. 28, protesting the abolition of a quota system that guaranteed they would be represented in Iraq's parliament. Critics of the new law said it was designed to force the country's few remaining Christians and religious minorities to leave Iraq and Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki appealed for the decision to be reversed. "I think some political groups are pushing the remaining Christians to leave Iraq," Afram Razzaq-Allah told the Associated Press after he attended services at a Catholic church in Baghdad. "They want us to feel that we are no longer Iraqis." Many Iraqi Christians have fled the country because Muslim militants have relentlessly threatened and attacked them. Authorities have not moved decisively to protect them. The prime minister argued that lawmakers should not contribute to the marginalization of the country's religious minorities. "The minorities should be fairly represented in the provincial councils and their rights should be guaranteed," Maliki wrote in a letter to parliament, according to the AP. Lawmakers, however, said they did not have the census data needed to determine what the quotas should be. BRITAIN RECOGNIZES ISLAMIC COURTS -- A network of Islamic courts in Great Britain is now deciding some legal cases submitted to them under a 1996 law that allows arbitration tribunals to hand down rulings that are binding in law. The Muslim Arbitration Tribunal courts have been recognized by the British government to rule on cases ranging from divorce and financial disputes to those involving domestic violence, according to the Sunday Times newspaper. They operate in a manner similar to Jewish courts that have resolved civil disputes for more than 100 years. Critics have expressed concern that the establishment of Islamic courts could lead to a parallel legal system. Earlier this year, Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams suggested the establishment of Islamic sharia law in Britain seemed "unavoidable." In July, the head of Britain's judiciary, Lord Phillips, said sharia also could be used to settle marital and financial disputes, the Sunday Times reported. Advocates of women's rights are concerned that Islamic law favors men. Islamic law provides for sons to receive twice as much inheritance as daughters, whereas British law requires equal amounts. In domestic violence cases, husbands may be ordered to take anger management classes and receive mentoring, with no further punishment. BOLIVIAN TROOPS KILL EVANGELIST DURING PROTEST -- A Christian evangelist was killed by soldiers trying to put down anti-government protests in Cobija, Bolivia, Sept. 12. Family members said Luis Rivero had come to the area in an attempt to pacify the crowds of protestors. An ongoing conflict between Bolivia's president, Evo Morales, and the opposition party had degenerated into violence, looting and killings and brought the country to the brink of civil war, according to news reports. In Cobija, government soldiers had retaken the airport from protestors. Troops fired into the air to disperse the crowd, but some soldiers shot into the crowd, killing several people. Local television coverage of the atrocity prompted Christians to hold peace rallies in Santa Cruz, an opposition stronghold. "May God intervene to heal us of our hatred and bitterness, to heal us of our racism and divisionism, to heal us of our idolatry and paganism," pastor Julio Cesar Suarez said at the rally, according to Christian World News. Rivero's brother told a press conference that a coroner's report on his brother raised serious questions about the conduct of authorities in the incident. "He was shot at 6:30 p.m., and the coroner said 8 hours later he was shot with the second bullet.... [He] lived 4 more hours after that," the brother said, according to news reports. "What happened to the body of my brother during this time? Why was there a 16-hour delay before the military returned his body?" The provincial governor, Leopoldo Fernandez, was arrested for overseeing the shootings and is being investigated, news reports said. 'JEWEL OF MEDINA' PUBLISHER FIREBOMBED -- Three men have been arrested in a Sept. 27 firebombing directed at the London publisher of "The Jewel of Medina," a historical romance about A'isha, the 9-year-old who became the first wife of Islam's prophet Muhammad. In August, American publisher Random House canceled plans to publish the book, saying they feared the novel might offend Muslims. Beaufort Books, which published the controversial O.J. Simpson book "If I Did It," picked up the rights and released it Oct. 6. Denise Spellberg, a professor at the University of Texas at Austin, described the book as "an ugly, stupid piece of work" and "soft-core pornography," according to news reports. The Ramadhan Foundation, a Muslim organization in England, condemned the attack on Gibson Square but said the novel "is an attempt to belittle one of the greatest women in Islam," the Bloomberg news service reported. Author Sherry Jones said her book is "epic love story and a story about women's empowerment." PA. EPISCOPALIANS AFFILIATE WITH ARGENTINE CHURCH -- Episcopalians in Pittsburgh voted Oct. 4 to leave their diocese in Pennsylvania and affiliate with a conservative diocese in Argentina. Two other Episcopal groups in the United States -- in Fort Worth, Texas, and Quincy, Ill. -- are scheduled to vote on similar proposals in November. The Pittsburgh decisions mirrors the 2007 vote of Episcopalians in Fresno, Calif., to secede from the Episcopal Church over theological liberalism and disregard for the authority of Scripture in the national body. The action in Pittsburgh was motivated by the Sept. 18 vote of Episcopal bishops to remove Pittsburgh's bishop, Robert Duncan, for "abandonment of the communion," according to a press release from the Institute on Religion and Democracy, an alliance of Christians in the United States that seeks to bring Christian social witness into alignment with Christianity's historic biblical teachings. A spokesman for the conservative Convocation of Anglicans in North America praised the Pittsburgh decision. "We support the leaders and members of the diocese of Pittsburgh in their journey to abide by the clear teaching of Scripture and to remain steadfast in their faith," said Martyn Minns in a press release. "It is sad that the diocese was forced to come to this vote, but they could not in good conscience follow the direction embraced by the current leadership of the Episcopal Church." The CANA group was organized in 2005 as a missionary initiative of the Anglican Church of Nigeria, providing a means for Episcopalians alienated by theological compromise in the American church to remain with the global Anglican community without compromising their convictions about the authority of Scripture. 'MUSLIM' ALBANIANS RETURNING TO CHRISTIANITY -- More than 400 years ago, ethnic Albanians were forcibly converted to Islam when the Ottoman Empire conquered the Balkans. Many have lived as secret Christians for centuries but now their descendants are coming out of hiding and Catholicism is experiencing a revival in a newly independent Kosovo. "We have been living a dual life. In our homes we were Catholics but in public we were good Muslims," Ismet Sopi of Klina, Kosovo, told a reporter for the Reuters news service. "We don't call this converting. It is the continuity of the family's belief." Sopi was among hundreds of ethnic Albanians gathering on Sundays at a partially completed church. This year was the first time no one in his extended family had fasted during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, Sopi said. When the Ottoman Turks conquered the Balkans in the 15th century, heavy taxes were imposed on Christians and many people publicly converted to Islam, Jahja Drancolli, a professor at Pristina Public University told Reuters. Around 90 percent of Kosovo's Albanian population is Muslim, but 50 or 60 percent of the population is emotionally connected to Roman Catholicism, according to Muhamet Mala, who also teaches at Pristina Public University. Christian customs like coloring Easter eggs and celebrating Christmas continued to be practiced among Kosovo's Albanians for centuries. When the Ottoman Empire began to crumble in the 19th century, some secret Catholics began to emerge from hiding but now the process has gained speed. "We don't make appeals to anyone to convert. People call us," Don Shan Zefi, a leader in Kosovo Roman Catholic diocese told Reuters. "We are not talking about individuals any more. There are inhabitants from dozens of villages who have contacted us." --30-- Mark Kelly is an assistant editor with Baptist Press. -------------------------------------------------------------------- New Orleans seminary remembers Leavell by Gary D. Myers Date: October 10, 2008 - Friday NEW ORLEANS (BP)--New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary paused Oct. 7 to celebrate and remember the life, ministry and legacy of President Emeritus Landrum P. Leavell II. Leavell, who led the seminary from 1975-95, died Sept. 26 in Wichita Falls, Texas. He was remembered as a family man, a pastor, a preacher, a visionary leader and a Christ-follower who genuinely cared about people. The worship and memorial service included a eulogy from Nelson Price, former NOBTS trustee and longtime friend of Leavell, and a testimony from Leavell's son, Roland Q. Leavell II. Composer and musician Squire Parsons sang Leavell's favorite song, "Sweet Beulah Land." The service was held in the Roland Q. Leavell Chapel, named for Leavell's uncle who served as NOBTS president from 1946-56. The Leavell family legacy also is evident at the campus in the naming of Leavell College, the seminary's undergraduate college; the Leavell Center for Evangelism and Church Health; and an endowed faculty chair in New Testament and Greek. During the service, NOBTS President Chuck Kelley read John 1:1-16. Leavell was one who, like John the Baptist, pointed to the Savior, Kelley said, noting, "As was John the Baptist, so was Dr. Landrum P. Leavell II -– a herald of light, a herald of the truth." Kelley then sought to "paint a portrait" of the former seminary leader for the many students, professors and staff members who did not have a chance to personally know Leavell. Kelley did so by borrowing from one of Leavell's sermons. According to Kelley, Leavell once preached a sermon about the three books every student at NOBTS should know and understand. First and foremost, Leavell wanted his students to study, know and understand the Bible. "Truly he was a man of The Book," Kelley said. "He knew that the Bible was the Word of God. He knew it was inspired -– that it was absolutely true. He knew this Gospel had the power to transform any human life." Kelley described how Leavell spent time in God's Word each day and expected others to do the same and to hold the Bible above every other book. Then Kelley held up an English grammar text and a checkbook. In speaking and writing, Leavell always exhibited a command of language and had a firm desire for his students to have the same proficiency, Kelley said. With regard to the checkbook, Leavell wanted his students to be responsible with their finances -– that ministers, and institutions for that matter, should live within their means. "Grammar stands out when you don't use it properly. A checkbook stands out when you don't use it properly and lose control of your finances," Kelley said. "They become invisible and the message and the ministry you are performing take center stage when you master the basic fundamentals and let the mission be the priority of your life." Kelley added a few more items to help paint a more detailed portrait of Leavell. The first item was another book, "Don't Miss a Blessing" by Leavell's wife JoAnn. Simply put, Leavell cherished time with his wife and children in spite of his busy schedule. "There ought to be in the life of a godly man a passionate commitment to both your ministry and to your family," Kelley said. "I have never known a day in the life of Landrum P. Leavell II that his family was not at the top of his agenda. He loved them. He cared for them. And he incorporated them into his life in ministry." The last item Kelley used to illustrate Leavell's life and ministry was an ice cream maker. For Kelley it was a representation of Landrum Leavell's love and concern for people. "You can't really know the Leavell family if you haven't had their Butterfinger ice cream," Kelley said. "They learned how to [make ice cream] well, not for themselves, but for us. "And this is the one thing Dr. Leavell would want you to take away from his life in ministry is to understand that it's all about people," Kelley said. "People matter to God. Ministry is all about people. So many of us are here in this room because this man invested in our lives. I know he invested in mine." Kelley closed his message with the image of a relay race. In a relay race, many runners participate on a team, each passing a baton to the next runner when his or her portion of the race is done. "Dr. Leavell would want every one of us to know that we are not here to commemorate the finish of a race," Kelley said. "He would want you to know that we are celebrating the end of a leg of a relay, for he is passing the baton to you and me. The race isn't over until Jesus comes." --30-- -------------------------------------------------------------------- 'Fireproof' opening in 59 new cities by Michael Foust Date: October 10, 2008 - Friday NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)--"Fireproof" will open in 59 additional cities -- from Olympia, Wash., and Portland, Ore., to Binghamton, N.Y., and Fairmont, W.Va. -- this weekend thanks to its success during the first two weeks. All total, Fireproof will be shown in 869 theaters this weekend; 35 theaters no longer will show it. Additionally, officials also have released a list of 39 new theaters it will open in the weekend of Oct. 17 -- a list that could grow (A complete list of new theaters is available at www.fireproofthemovie.blogspot.com.) Meanwhile, "The Love Dare" book (B&H Publishing) -- which plays a central role in the movie's plot -- is in its fifth printing with 600,000 copies. It has ranked in the Top 5 among all books sold on Amazon.com. The movie stars Kirk Cameron and Erin Bethea and tells the story of how a firefighter captain works to save his failing marriage. The movie's success has caught the eye of several national media outlets, including CNN, ABC's "World News Tonight," The New York Times and the Associated Press. The film starred a mostly all-volunteer cast and was made by Sherwood Pictures, which is owned by Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Ga. "The best thing about this movie is not the audience numbers but the thousands of people writing to tell us the story hit them between the eyes and that the message is making a difference in their lives," Alex Kendrick, who directed the movie and co-wrote it with his brother, Stephen, the movie’s producer, said in a statement. The movie -- from the makers of the 2006 hit "Facing the Giants" -- opened at No. 4 and finished second nationally on a per-theater average. Last weekend it finished No. 8 and was fifth on a per-theater average. --30-- Michael Foust is an assistant editor of Baptist Press. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Br'er Bear & the Briar Patch by Mark Coppenger Date: October 10, 2008 - Friday EVANSTON, Ill. (BP)--Today's top Chicago Tribune headline screams, "All signs pointing to panic," and Matt Drudge crowns his webpage with the photo of a snarling bear. These are, indeed, tough bear-market times. But I'm reminded of and encouraged by remembrance of another bear, Br'er Bear. You know, the one in Joel Chandler Harris's "Uncle Remus" stories, brought to the screen in the old (and, yes, racially embarrassing) Disney picture, "Song of the South." As you recall, Br'er Bear and his pal Br'er Fox had tricked Br'er Rabbit into picking a fight with a figure fashioned from tar. Before long, the rabbit was hopelessly stuck. While the bear was considering his options (including knocking Br'er Rabbit's head "clean off"), the captive implored, "Do anything you want, but please, please, don't thrown me into that briar patch!" The reverse psychology worked -- and that's exactly what the fox did, only to discover that Br'er Rabbit loved the briar patch. After all, rabbits were born there. And so the clever hare made his escape, laughing all the way. Now, it seems that Christians, along with their unbelieving friends, are being thrown into the briar patch of economic difficulty. And while shouts of horror fill the airwaves and printed page, the redeemed in Christ should have another perspective, even a spirit of happy anticipation. Is this crazy? Not if we favor spiritual vitality over economic vitality, for Christians are at their distinctive best in tragedy and calamity. Where lost people are inclined to wail, "We've lost everything," "He wrecked our lives," and "My career is ruined," healthy Christians are apt to say things like, "God is good," "We know the Lord will provide" and "Sorry. Can't talk now. Got to check on my neighbor." In other words, it's a great day for shining testimonies of trust and peace. Furthermore, we may be on the brink of prayed-for awakening. It's happened before in the face of financial collapse. Go back to the fall of 1857, when banks and factories were closing everywhere in America. The little prayer meeting started by Jeremiah Lanphier in the Reformed church on New York's Fulton Street simply exploded. Starting with six, it topped 6,000 by late winter. And this was just in New York. Before than revival ran its course in 1858, a million people had been added to American church rolls. And that was with a national population of 30 million. In today's terms, it would mean a 10-million-person gain. As long as we're fat and sassy, we tend to fill our lives with entertainments, the acquisition of material things and ethically questionable activities. But when our fortunes come crashing down, we're more likely to seek God. We find ourselves in teachable moments, and Jesus has His lesson plans at the ready. That's why we speak of the "cycle of revival": The truth and Spirit of God rescue people from self-destructive lives. Renewed, they prosper in every way. Prosperity undermines consecration. Hence, the need for a fresh revival, which God is gracious to send. Circle complete. So maybe it's time again. Maybe this current anxiety will turn many eyes toward the Bible. Maybe the obstinate will let down their guard. Maybe we will have opportunities to witness we never dreamed would open. What a shame it would be to miss these chances. But we will miss them if we join the chorus of moaners and groaners or if we suffer spiritual paralysis. Keep praising the Lord. Keep encouraging the brethren. Keep tithing. Keep scanning the town for people freshly ready to hear a saving word from God. Start sharing your stuff. "Oh, please, please, Br'er Bear Market, don't throw us into the briar patch of economic recession, depression, compression, contusion, and laceration." But the church winks when it says this. After all, it was born and raised at the cross, in the Coliseum, in the Catacombs and through the Diaspora. What the world calls disaster, we call homecoming. --30-- Mark Coppenger is pastor of Evanston (Ill.) Baptist Church and professor of Christian apologetics at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Polls, polls, polls by Kelly Boggs Date: October 10, 2008 - Friday ALEXANDRIA, La. (BP)--"Opinion polls," someone once said, "measure the public's satisfaction with its ignorance." While that assessment might seem somewhat cynical, it is probably not too far from the truth. Which is why I have never understood the media's obsession with polls as a primary source of news. Let me draw an analogy to football. I am an avid fan of NCAA Division III football. This level of NCAA football does not offer athletic scholarships. Hence, the players at D-III are student-athletes in the purest sense, which is one of the reasons I like it. What does NCAA D-III football have to do with opinion polls? Unlike NCAA Division IA -- now known as the Football Bowl Subdivision -- D-III has a playoff system to determine its national champion. And while there are a couple of D-III "Top 25" polls that are conducted each week, in the grand scheme of things they are meaningless. Those who participate in the poll are fans of D-III and are very knowledgeable of the teams they vote on. One is even a poll of D-III coaches. I respect the voters' opinions. However, when it comes down to determining who the best team is, the polls don't really matter. When it comes to the current political polls -- whether they be on candidates or initiatives -- they might have a bit more relevance than a college football poll, but not much. While political polls are usually in the ballpark when it comes to predicting the outcome of elections, there are historical examples where they got it wrong. The most famous example of polls gone wrong is the 1948 presidential campaign that featured President Harry Truman, a Democrat, and Republican challenger Thomas E. Dewey. The three major pollsters of the day predicted a Dewey victory. The Crossley and Gallup polls had Dewey winning by five points. The Roper poll predicted Truman would be trounced by 15 points. Elmo Roper was so confident of a Dewey victory that he had his company cease polling the presidential campaign. "My whole inclination is to predict the election of Thomas E. Dewey by a heavy margin and devote my time and efforts to other things." The polls were wrong, very wrong. Not only did Truman defeat Dewey, he did so by more than four percentage points. That represents a nearly 10-point swing from the most conservative poll numbers and nearly 20 points from the Roper poll. While it is true that polling has become more sophisticated in the 60 years since the Dewey debacle, there are still elements of subjectivity to every poll that can cause them to be less than accurate. One element that can skew a poll is the very people that are polled. At least some of them change their minds after the polls have been conducted. Sometimes, as in the case of the 1948 election, many of them change their minds. "The so-called science of poll-taking is not a science at all but mere necromancy. People are unpredictable by nature," observed American author E.B. White. "And although you can take a nation's pulse, you can't be sure that the nation has not just run up a flight of stairs." The timing of a poll, the questions that are asked, how a question is asked and even the order in which questions are posed, all have a bearing on the outcome of a particular poll. Since pollsters don't always make public the aforementioned details, all polls should be taken with a grain of salt. "The techniques behind the numbers [in a poll] are a complex blend of probability studies, statistics, and sampling techniques that can easily and ruinously be thrown off target by a seemingly minor change and questionnaires that can be skewed by a word that hints at an expected answer," wrote Pulitzer Prize winning reporter Walter R. Mears in the forward of "A Journalist's Guide to Public Opinion Polls." He added, "In the age of polls, all those sins happen, all the time." A poll is nothing more than a snap-shot of what a segment of society, which pollsters hope is representative of the population at large, is thinking at that moment. It is only good at the time it is taken. Polls properly interpreted can have some value for political candidates. However, the average voter is not privy to the kinds of detailed information that make a poll relevant. And I would put most journalists in the same boat. "We are all ignorant," said Will Rogers, "just on different subjects." When it comes to political polls, the American humorist's observation is more than accurate -- most of us are just ignorant. As such, whether your candidate is ahead or behind in the polls, you would be wise to ignore them. --30-- Kelly Boggs is a weekly columnist for Baptist Press and editor of the Baptist Message (www.baptistmessage.com), newsjournal of the Louisiana Baptist Convention. -------------------------------------------------------------------- 'Billy' is inspiring, entertaining by Phil Boatwright Date: October 10, 2008 - Friday KANSAS CITY, Kan. (BP)--"I purchased the Love Dare book for my daughter and her husband. They saw it (Fireproof) Friday night and my son-in-law went to church today for the first time in about 5 years." A fellow church member sent that e-mail to me concerning the effect the film and the 40-day marriage saver featured in "Fireproof" are having on her family. Wow, if you'd made a movie, wouldn't you love to hear of such an effect made thanks to the Holy Spirit blessing your effort? For a change, there's some dynamic entertainment hitting the movie theaters. In addition to "Fireproof" (PG) -- which is in its third weekend -- "Billy: The Early Years," a bio on Billy Graham opens in theaters this weekend. I feared Billy: The Early Years (PG) would fall into the same trap as most biographical efforts by aggrandizing the spotlighted famous figure or reducing supporting characters to caricatures. But it somewhat surprised and definitely pleased me with the lush look and smart script. And the producers wisely peppered their cast of characters with seasoned showfolk. Martin Landau ("Ed Wood," "Crimes and Misdemeanors") is poignant as Charles Templeton and Lindsay Wagner, the one-time Bionic Woman, infuses her small but pivotal role as Billy's mother with dimension and a transcendent plainness. But you can't have a film about Billy Graham without an effective lead actor. Fortunately, Armie Hammer fits the bill. The young Mr. Hammer ("Veronica Mars," "Flicka") captures the look, the mannerisms, and most importantly, the inner motivation of Dr. Graham. The stand-out moment is Billy's conversion. I've seen enough conversion scenes in "church movies" (and even have been in a few) that seemed forced and phony. Here, the ethereal transformation is done so effectively that it will likely cause some viewers to summon up the moment the Holy Spirit introduced them to Christ. And very possibly, nonbelievers will sense something intangible but real, with the power to change a life's direction. Despite a limpid title that begs ridicule, this take on a man willing to say, "Take me Lord, just as I am," is compelling, inspiring and downright entertaining. --30-- Phil Boatwright reviews films for previewonline.org and is a regular columnist for Baptist Press. Billy: The Early Years is rated PG (we see historical film footage of holocaust victims, this is hard to view, but the scene is brief and serves a purpose; we see a dying, bloodied child wheeled on a gurney through a hospital -- these two tableaus are presented to raise Templeton's loss of faith as he can't find an answer to "How can a loving God ...") -------------------------------------------------------------------- Billy Graham returns home from hospital by Staff Date: October 10, 2008 - Friday MONTREAT, N.C. (BP)--Evangelist Billy Graham returned home Saturday after spending Friday night in an Asheville, N.C., hospital following a fall at his house. Graham, who turns 90 Nov. 7, was hospitalized after tripping over one of his three dogs at his house, but x-rays showed no broken bones, a news release stated. Doctors gave Graham the choice Friday night of returning home, but he chose to stay overnight instead of going home at such a late hour. “Of course we worry any time a patient takes a fall, especially an older patient,” Graham’s doctor, Lucian Rice, was quoted as saying. “But while Mr. Graham is somewhat bruised, with some extremely sore muscles, he seems to have suffered no serious injuries, and in fact he was able to work on his physical therapy regimen first thing the next morning. I am encouraging him to remain as active as possible, but to be mindful of his dog, who likes to keep faithfully at his feet. I expect Mr. Graham to recover fully.” Graham most recently was hospitalized in February for elective replacement of a brain shunt, the statement said. --30-- Compiled by Michael Foust, assistant editor of Baptist Press. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Comparación de las plataformas publicada por la CELR by Por Dwayne Hastings Date: October 10, 2008 - Friday NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)--Los electores tienen mucho en qué pensar al decidir a cuál candidato apoyar en la próxima elección presidencial -- una economía tambaleante, la guerra contra el terrorismo, la crisis energética, la creciente presión para redefinir el matrimonio como otra cosa que no es lo que dice la Biblia que debe ser. "Con tanto en juego, necesitamos hacer nuestra tarea antes de llegar al módulo de votación," dijo Richard Land, presidente de la Comisión de Ética y Libertad Religiosa de los Bautistas del Sur. Para Land, votar no es optativo. "No hay una razón para que un elector voluntariamente pierda su derecho a votar en esta elección o en cualquier otra elección," dijo Land. Incluso si ninguno de los candidatos que buscan la presidencia encaja exactamente con lo que el elector desea ver en un candidato, Land dijo que eso no da el derecho a obtener un pase para quedadse en casa el Día de la Elección. Los electores no tiene que hacer conjeturas acerca de cuál es la postura de los dos partidos políticos principales en los EE UU en cuanto a los asuntos actuales, dijo Land, haciendo referencia a una guía recientemente publicada por la CELR la cual compara las plataformas republicana y demócrata en dos columnas paralelas. La Guía Comparativa de la Plataforma de los Partidos, la cual cubre una amplia variedad de asuntos, presenta extractos seleccionados de las plataformas de ambos partidos acerca de asuntos tales como los derechos civiles, el tráfico humano, la inmigración ilegal, las nominaciones judiciales y la investigación de células madres, entre otros asuntos. La guía está disponible para ser bajada del internet en www.ivotevalues.com. También se pueden mandar pedir copias a todo color. "Muchos pastores naturalmente sospechan de las llamadas 'guías para el elector,'" reconoció Land. Pero, señaló, "La Guía Comparativa de la Plataforma de los Partidos no contiene análisis o comentarios. Este recurso fue diseñado para estar dentro de los lineamientos establecidos por el código de impuestos del IRS para la distribución dentro de organizaciones 501(C)(3)." La entidad de la Convención Bautista del Sur que trata los asuntos morales y éticos ha publicado una guía similar en cada elección presidencial desde 1992. Al desarrollar la guía, la CELR se enfoca en propuestas substanciales y promesas provenientes de las plataformas, a la vez que omite la retórica de campaña o los ataques partidistas, dijo Land. También señaló que las plataformas cubren muchos temas que no se han incluido en la guía comparativa, dado el límite de espacio en el documento. "Mientras que la Guía Comparativa de las Plataformas de los Partidos dará a los electores una buena idea de la postura de los partidos en una variedad de áreas, los electores más preocupados deben leer por sí mismos las plataformas directamente," dijo Land. "Estamos esperando que esto despierte el apetito de aquellos que se han comprometido a votar en acorde con sus valores el Día de la Elección. Un elector informado es un elector preparado para cumplir con sus obligaciones civiles," agregó. Se pueden encontrar enlaces a ambas plataformas en ivotevalues.com. Cada sección de la guía hace referencia a la página de la que fue tomada en la plataforma respectiva. La guía también contiene un resumen de "Qué Hacer y Qué No Hacer" en relación con las iglesias y pastores y el apoyo electoral durante la época de campaña. Una versión más completa se localiza en ivotevalues.com/legals. Land dijo que la guía refleja el compromiso de la CELR para ayudar a los bautistas del sur y a otros a que voten de acuerdo con sus valores, creencias y convicciones, no por el partido o por su chequera." Para accesar la Guía Comparativa de las Plataformas de los Partidos en formato digital, vaya a ivotevalues.com y haga un click en la frase "Party Platforms." Se puede comprar un número limitado de guías, en paquetes de 25, llamando a la CELR al teléfono 1-800-475-9127 o yendo al punto de venta de la CELR en el internet en familyresources.net. --30-- Dwayne Hastings es uno de los vicepresidentes de la Comisión de Ética y Libertad Religiosa de los Bautistas del Sur. -------------------------------------------------------------------- EN SUS PROPIAS PALABRAS: John McCain y Barack Obama opinan sobre la crisis energética by Por Michael Foust Date: October 10, 2008 - Friday NOTA DEL EDITOR: Ésta forma parte de una serie de historias enfocadas en la elección presidencial, la cual será publicada por Baptist Press los miércoles y viernes hasta el 4 de noviembre. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)--Esta es la cuarta parte de una serie que se enfocará en un asunto nacional específico y detallará la postura de los dos candidatos presidenciales principales. Bajo el título "En sus propias palabras," las historias evitan comentar y su lugar presentan las opiniones de los candidatos tal como ellos las han declarado en el pasado –ya sea a través de entrevistas, discursos, debates o su página de internet de campaña. Durante las semanas anteriores, Baptist Press se enfocó en el aborto, Irak y la judiciaria. Hoy, BP da un vistazo a las posturas de los candidatos sobre la crisis energética. Otros temas que aparecerán en el futuro en esta serie de dos meses incluyen la definición del matrimonio y los derechos de los homosexuales, Darfur, la inmigración y los impuestos. JOHN MCCAIN -- Lo que dice McCain acerca de la crisis energética actual: "El continuo aumento del precio del petróleo ha traído dificultades a nuestro país, y amenaza con traer aún más. La gasolina a más de $4 por galón es ya lo suficientemente malo, pero también afecta el precio de todo lo demás. El costo de la vida está aumentando. El valor de los cheques salariales está disminuyendo. Muchos de nuestros ciudadanos no pueden llevar el paso, y necesitamos pensar primero en ellos. Como país, nos encontramos atrapados con el precio tan alto de la gasolina, la provisión de petróleo es tan incierta, y dependemos demasiado del petróleo… La seguridad energética es una cuestión vital porque le importa a los intereses más fundamentales de los EE UU, y aún más importante la seguridad de nuestros ciudadanos ante la violencia en el mundo. Todo el tacto de la diplomacia no puede conciliar una cruda realidad. Cuando compramos petróleo extranjero, estamos enriqueciendo a algunos de nuestros peores enemigos. Y en el Medio Oriente, Venezuela, y otros lugares, estos regímenes saben cómo utilizar el poder de esa riqueza" (discurso, 25 de junio del 2008, Arlington, Va.). -- Lo que dice McCain que hará con respecto a la crisis energética si fuera electo presidente: "Cuando sea el presidente, nos vamos a embarcar en el proyecto nacional más ambicioso en décadas. Vamos a dejar de enviar $700 mil millones al año a países a quienes no les caemos tan bien. Atacaremos el problema desde todos los frentes. Produciremos más energía aquí en casa. Perforaremos nuevos pozos petroleros en mar abierto, y los perforaremos ya. Construiremos más plantas de poder nuclear. Desarrollaremos tecnología de carbón no contaminante. Aumentaremos el uso del viento, la marea, el sol y el gas natural. Apoyaremos el desarrollo y uso de automóviles de combustible Flex, híbridos y eléctricos" (discurso de aceptación, Convención Nacional Republicana, 4 de septiembre del 2008). "Como presidente, redirigiré a todo el cuerpo de gobierno hacia la independencia energética de nuestro país -- autorizando nueva producción, construcción de plantas nucleares, perfeccionando el carbón no contaminante, mejorando nuestra red de electricidad, y apoyando todas las nuevas tecnologías que un día pondrán en el pasado la época del combustible fósil" (discurso, 25 de junio del 2008, Arlington, Va.). -- Lo que dice McCain acerca de la propuesta de expansión de la excavación de pozos petroleros en mar abierto: "Pienso que esto, y quizás el proveer incentivos adicionales para que los estados permitan la exploración de sus costas, sería muy útil a corto plazo para resolver nuestra crisis energética" (boletín de prensa, 16 de junio del 2008). "En los depósitos de petróleo, gas y carbón, tenemos enormes reservas energéticas que son nuestras. Y estamos logrando los medios para usar esos recursos en maneras menos contaminantes y más responsables. En cuanto a perforar en mar abierto, es lo suficientemente seguro hoy en día que ni siquiera los huracanes como Katrina y Rita pudieron causar derramamientos significativos en las maltratadas plataformas petroleras en las costas de Nueva Orleans y Houston" (discurso, 17 de junio del 2008, Houston). -- Lo que dice McCain acerca de la propuesta del impuesto por ganancia inesperada que pudiera aumentar los impuestos en las ganancias de las compañías petroleras: "Si el plan suena familiar, es porque esa era la gran idea del Presidente Jimmy Carter también -- y vaya que nos benefició. Ahora tal como en ese entonces, todo lo que lograría un impuesto por ganancia inesperada es aumentar nuestra dependencia del petróleo extranjero, y dificultaría exactamente la clase de exploración y producción doméstica que necesitamos. Estoy a favor de reciclar – pero se aplica mejor al papel y al plástico que a las políticas fallidas de la década de 1970" (discurso, 17 de junio del 2008, Houston). -- Lo que dice McCain acerca de las creencias de Obama y sus propuestas pólizas sobre la energía: "El Senador Obama se opone a la perforación en mar abierto, se opone a la energía nuclear, se opone [a la] excepción de impuestos en la gasolina en los días festivos, se opone a dar un premio [de $300 millones a la primera persona que desarrolle] un carro que opere sólo con la batería. Así que es el Dr. No" (entrevista, "Hannity & Colmes," Fox News, julio del 2008). "El Senador Obama piensa que podemos lograr la independencia energética sin hacer más perforaciones y sin más poder nuclear. Pero los estadounidenses somos más listos. Debemos utilizar todos los recursos y desarrollar todas las tecnologías necesarias para rescatar nuestra economía del daño causado por el aumento continuo del precio del petróleo y restaurar la salud de nuestro planeta" (discurso de aceptación, Convención Nacional Republicana, 4 de septiembre del 2008). BARACK OBAMA -- Lo que dice Obama acerca de la crisis energética actual: "¿Permitiremos que nos tengan como rehenes los cobardes tiranos y dictadores que controlan los pozos petroleros del mundo? ¿O controlaremos nuestra propia energía y nuestro propio destino? ¿Los EE UU mirarán cómo florecen los trabajos e industrias de la energía no contaminante en países como España, Japón o Alemania? ¿O las crearemos aquí, en el país más grande de la Tierra, con los obreros más talentosos y productivos del mundo? Como estadounidenses, ya sabemos las respuestas a estas preguntas. Sabemos que no podemos mantener un futuro energizado sólo por el petróleo que está desapareciendo rápidamente. No cuando compramos $700 millones de petróleo por día a alguna de las naciones más inestables y hostiles del mundo—los regimenes del Medio Oriente que controlarán casi todo el petróleo del mundo para el año 2030" (discurso, 6 de agosto del 2008, Elkhart, Ind.). -- Lo que dice Obama que hará con respecto a la crisis energética si fuera electo presidente: "Si yo soy electo Presidente, pondré la totalidad de los recursos del gobierno federal y la totalidad de la energía del sector privado en apoyo de una sola meta global -- en 10 años, eliminaremos la necesidad de petróleo proveniente del Medio Oriente y Venezuela. Para hacerlo, invertiremos $150 mil millones en la próxima década y recaudaríamos millones más en capital privado para explotar la energía estadounidense y crear cinco millones de nuevos empleos estadounidenses -- empleos que paguen bien y no puedan ser hechos en el extranjero, con buenos sindicatos que apoyen a las familias y a las comunidades. Hay tres pasos principales que tomaré para lograr esta meta. Primero, nos comprometeremos a obtener un millón de automóviles híbridos que rindan 150 millas por galón de gasolina para que circulen en nuestras carreteras dentro de los próximos seis años. Y nos aseguraremos de que los autos del mañana sean construidos no sólo en Japón o China, sino aquí mismo en los EE UU. Segundo, duplicaremos el monto de nuestra energía proveniente de recursos renovables al final de mi primer periodo. Eso significa invertir en fuentes renovables como el viento y la energía solar, y también invertiremos en la próxima generación de biocombustibles. Tercero, llamaré a los negocios, gobiernos, y al pueblo estadounidense para que logremos la meta de reducir nuestra demanda de electricidad un 15 por ciento para el final de la próxima década. Esta es por mucho la manera más rápida, fácil y barata de reducir nuestro consumo energético –y nos ahorrará $130 mil millones en nuestras cuentas de energía" (discurso, 6 de agosto del 2008, Elkhart, Ind.). -- Lo que dice Obama acerca de la propuesta de expansión de la excavación de pozos petroleros en mar abierto: "Mi interés está en asegurarme que tenemos el tipo de política energética integral que pueda hacer que los precios de la gasolina bajen. Si, para lograr eso, tenemos que ceder en términos de una estrategia de excavación de pozos bien pensada que cuidadosamente evite el daño significativo del medio ambiente -- no quiero ser tan rígido al punto de no poder lograr algo" (entrevista, Palm Beach Post, 1 de agosto del 2008, Elkhart, Ind.). "Cuando sea presidente, tengo la intención de mantener en su lugar la moratoria aquí en Florida y alrededor del país, la cual evita que las compañías petroleras excaven pozos en el mar abierto de las costas de Florida. Así es como podemos proteger nuestra línea costera e incluso hacer las inversiones que reducirán nuestra dependencia del petróleo extranjero y disminuir el precio de la gasolina para bien" (conferencia de prensa, Florida, junio del 2008, citado en CNN.com). -- Lo que dice Obama acerca de la propuesta de impuesto por ganancia inesperada que pudiera aumentar los impuestos en las ganancias de las compañías petroleras: "[Si fuera electo] haría que las compañías petroleras como Exxon paguen impuestos en sus ganancias inesperadas, y usaremos el dinero para ayudar a las familias a pagar sus altísimos costos energéticos y otras de sus cuentas" (discurso, 9 de junio del 2008, Raleigh, N.C.). -- Lo que dice Obama acerca de las creencias de McCain y sus propuestas pólizas sobre la energía: "En todo el tiempo [que McCain estuvo en Washington], hizo poco por reducir nuestra dependencia de petróleo extranjero. Votó en contra del aumento de los estándares de eficiencia de la gasolina y se opuso a la legislación que incluía créditos de impuestos para hacer automóviles más eficientes en su uso de la gasolina. Votó en contra de las fuentes renovables de energía. En contra de biocombustibles no contaminantes. En contra de la energía solar. En contra de la energía eólica. En contra de una ley de energía que -- mientras está lejos de ser perfecta -- representaba la mayor inversión en recursos renovables de energía en la historia de este país. Así que cuando el Senador McCain habla acerca del fracaso de los políticos en Washington al hacer nada sobre la crisis energética, es importante recordar que él ha formado parte de ese fracaso" (discurso, 6 de agosto del 2008, Elkhart, Ind.). --30-- Michael Foust es un editor asistente de Baptist Press. -------------------------------------------------------------------- El Fondo para el Hambre Mundial ayuda al alcance extranjero by Por Shawn Hendricks Date: October 10, 2008 - Friday NOTA DEL EDITOR: El 12 de octubre, los bautistas del sur observarán el Domingo del Hambre Mundial y las congregaciones a lo largo y ancho de los EE. UU. recogerán una ofrenda destinada al Fondo para el Hambre Mundial. Desde su origen en 1974, los bautistas han dado $230.877.650 a través del fondo. En el 2007, los bautistas del sur dieron más de $5.5 millones; en los primeros seis meses del 2008, $2.3 millones han sido recibidos. Para obtener información en inglés sobre el Fondo para el Hambre Mundial de los Bautistas del Sur, visite worldhungerfund.com. RICHMOND, Virginia. (BP)--Los bautistas del sur son conocidos por responder generosa y fielmente en momentos de crisis alrededor del globo. El 12 de octubre, día dedicado al hambre mundial, ellos pueden continuar ese apoyo proveyendo fondos para que los misioneros los usen cuando atiendan los retos de la hambruna y los desastres naturales. Además de recibir apoyo del Programa Cooperativo y de la Ofrenda de Navidad Lottie Moon, muchos misioneros de la Junta de Misiones Internacionales usan las ofrendas del Fondo para el Hambre Mundial de los Bautistas del Sur para ayudar a proveer comida a la gente o para ayudar a la gente a cultivarla. De acuerdo a estudios recientes, una de cada 12 personas en todo el mundo está mal nutrida, incluyendo 60 millones de niños de menos de cinco años. Cada 3.6 segundos alguien en el mundo muere de hambre. En lugares como Ecuador, las donaciones del Fondo para el Hambre Mundial se usan para proyectos de agricultura que ayudan a la gente a encontrar soluciones a largo plazo en tiempo difíciles. La gama de soluciones va desde la vacunación de animales a asesoría a agricultores sobre mejores formas de cultivar alimentos. AYUDA A LOS QUECHUAS En las montañas de los Andes del Ecuador, los misioneros Darrell y Rogene Musick han encontrado maneras de ayudar al pueblo quechua -- muchos de los cuales a duras penas logran ganar algún dinero para proveer el sostén de sus propias familias. Los que tienen trabajo a menudo trabajan turnos de 12 horas por un equivalente de $5. Muchos tienen que caminar de ocho o nueve kilómetros para llegar a sus trabajos. "Solamente conozco a un quechua entre 500.000 que tiene carro," dijo Darrell, quien comenzó junto con su esposa a trabajar entre los quechuas en el 2004. Apoyados en las habilidades que aprendieron mientras operaban una finca en Nuevo México, los Musick usaron su entrenamiento en agricultura para ganarse la entrada a las comunidades quechuas. Los Musick llevaron a cabo revisiones en vacas, ovejas y cerdos y los trataron por parásitos o enfermedades. También entrenaron agricultores en la forma de tener sus propias cosechas y darle mejor cuidado al ganado. "Les mostramos que pueden ganarse el sustento con los recursos naturales que Dios ha provisto," dijo Darrell. Una vez que los Musick completaron el entrenamiento local, hicieron que ellos firmaran un acuerdo de enseñar a otros lo que habían aprendido. "Nos aseguramos de que todo lo que hacemos sea reproducible," dijo Darrell. "Como dice el viejo adagio, es mejor enseñarles a pescar que darles un pescado." El trabajo de los Musick no ha sido fácil. Los quechuas a menudo son escépticos hacia los forasteros —- especialmente hacia los cristianos. La mayoría de los quechuas tienen su fe puesta en el animismo -- mezcla de creencias en espíritus y supersticiones. Solamente el 2 por ciento de los 300.000 quechuas de la provincia afirman tener una relación con Jesucristo. "Hay muchas comunidades a las que no podemos ingresar debido a la persecución [a los cristianos], así que usamos la agricultura para entrar a esos lugares y mostrarles que nos importan,"dijo Darrell. Los Musick han encontrado que su trabajo entre los quechuas no solamente ayuda a éstos a cultivar su propia comida sino a ser más receptivos al evangelio. Desde el inicio del proyecto, los Musick han visto comenzar 42 iglesias casa en el norte del Ecuador. "A través de estos proyectos podemos ganarnos su confianza," dijo Darrell. "Ellos preguntan: '¿Por qué se interesan en nosotros?' Usamos esa conversación como una puerta abierta para compartir… que Dios tiene interés en ellos, y como resultado, nosotros tenemos interés en ellos." En meses recientes, los Musick han dejado el campo por una asignación en los EE. UU. Ellos planean comenzar un trabajo similar en Bolivia. Para obtener más información sobre cómo apoyar estos tipos de proyectos de ayuda humanitaria a través del Fondo para el Hambre Mundial, pulse sobre el enlace a español y luego pulse en la página Principal en imb.org. Lea más sobre los Musick en los próximos materiales de la Semana de Oración de este año. --30-- Shawn Hendricks es escritor de la Junta de Misiones Internacionales. -------------------------------------------------------------------- COMPENDIO INTERNACIONAL: Cristianos iraquíes protestan por ley electoral;... by Por Mark Kelly Date: October 10, 2008 - Friday NASHVILLE, Tennessee. (BP)--Cientos de cristianos escenificaron una protesta alrededor de Mosul, norteña ciudad de Irak el 28 de septiembre. Dicha protesta fue por la abolición de un sistema de cuota que garantizaba que serían representados en el parlamento iraquí. Críticos de la nueva ley dijeron que ésta estaba diseñada para forzar a los pocos cristianos restantes y minorías religiosas a dejar Irak y que el primer ministro Nouri al-Maliki apeló que la decisión fuera revertida. "Creo que algunos grupos políticos están empujando a los cristianos restantes a dejar Irak," le dijo Afram Razzaq-Allah a la Prensa Asociada después de asistir a un servicio en una iglesia católica de Bagdad. "Ellos quieren que sintamos que dejamos de ser iraquíes." Muchos cristianos iraquíes han huido del país debido a que los militantes musulmanes implacablemente los han amenazado y atacado. Las autoridades no se han movido en forma decisiva para protegerlos. El primer ministro argumentó que los legisladores no deberían contribuir a la marginalización de las minorías religiosas del país. "Las minorías deben estar justamente representadas en los concilios provinciales y sus derechos deben ser garantizados," escribió Maliki en una carta al parlamento, de acuerdo a la PA. Los legisladores, sin embargo, dijeron que no tienen la información necesaria del censo para determinar cuáles deben ser las cuotas. GRAN BRETAÑA RECONOCE LAS CORTES ISLÁMICAS -- Una red de cortes islámicas en Gran Bretaña decide ahora algunos casos presentados ante ellos bajo una ley de 1996 que permite la mediación de los tribunales para legar decisiones que están ejecutadas en ley. Las cortes del Tribunal de Mediación Musulmán han sido reconocidas por el gobierno británico para fallar en casos que van desde divorcios y disputas financieras a aquellos que involucran violencia doméstica, de acuerdo al periódico Sunday Times. Ellos operan de una manera similar a las cortes judías que han resuelto disputas civiles por más de 100 años. Críticos han expresado preocupación de que el establecimiento de las cortes islámicas pueda llevar a un sistema legal paralelo. A inicios de este año, el arzobispo de Canterbury Rowan Williams sugirió que el establecimiento del código islámico legal en Gran Bretaña parecía "inevitable." En julio, la cabeza de la magistratura británica, Lord Phillips, dijo que la ley musulmana podría ser usada para establecer disputas maritales y financieras, reportó el Sunday Times. Seguidores de los derechos de las mujeres están preocupados ya que la ley islámica favorece a los hombres. La ley islámica estipula que los hijos reciban el doble de herencia que las hijas, mientras que la ley británica precisa que sea por partes iguales. En los casos de violencia doméstica, los esposos pueden recibir la orden de tomar clases de manejo de la ira y recibir consejería, sin ningún otro castigo. TROPAS BOLIVIANAS MATAN A EVANGELISTA DURANTE UNA PROTESTA -- Un cristiano evangélico fue asesinado por soldados cuando trataban de desintegrar una protesta en Cobija, Bolivia, el 12 de septiembre. Miembros de la familia dijeron que Luis Rivero había llegado al área en un intento por pacificar la turba de manifestantes. Un conflicto en marcha entre el presidente boliviano, Evo Morales, y el partido opositor había degenerado en violencia, pillería y asesinatos y llevó al país al borde de una guerra civil, de acuerdo a los reportes de las noticias. En Cobija, soldados del gobierno les habían recapturado el aeropuerto a los manifestantes. Las tropas dispararon al aire para dispersar a la multitud, pero algunos soldados le dispararon a la multitud y mataron a varias personas. La cobertura de la televisión local de la atrocidad impulsó a los cristianos a llevar a cabo concentraciones de paz en Santa Cruz, un baluarte de la oposición. "Que Dios intervenga para sanarnos del odio y la amargura, para sanarnos del racismo y el divisionismo, para sanarnos de la idolatría y el paganismo," dijo el pastor Julio Cesar Suárez en la concentración, de acuerdo a Christian World News. El hermano de Rivero dijo en conferencia de prensa que el informe de un coronel sobre su hermano levantó serias preguntas acerca de la conducta de las autoridades en el incidente. "Él fue herido de bala a las 6:30 p.m., y el coronel dijo ocho horas después que había sido herido con una segunda bala… Él vivió cuatro horas más después de eso," dijo el hermano, de acuerdo a los informes de las noticias. "¿Qué pasó con el cuerpo de mi hermano durante ese tiempo? ¿Por qué estuvo ahí 16 horas antes de que el ejército devolviera el cuerpo?" El gobernador provincial, Leopoldo Fernández, fue arrestado por supervisar los tiroteos y está siendo investigado, dijeron reportes de noticias. BOMBARDEADA LA EDITORIAL DE 'JEWEL OF MEDINA' (La Joya de Medina) -- Tres hombres han sido arrestados por el bombardeo del 27 de septiembre dirigido a la editorial londinense de "The Jewel of Medina" (La Joya de Medina), una novela histórica sobre A'isha, la niña de nueve años que llegó a ser la primera de las esposas de Mahoma el profeta del islamismo. En agosto, la editorial estadounidense Random House canceló los planes de publicar el libro diciendo que temían que la novela ofendiera a los musulmanes. Beaufort Books, que publicó el controversial libro de O.J. Simpson "If I Did It" (Si lo Hubiera Hecho), adquirió los derechos y la publicó el 6 de octubre. Denise Spellberg, profesora de la Universidad de Texas en Austin, describió el libro como "una pieza de trabajo tonta y fea" y "pornografía suave," de acuerdo a reportes de noticias. La Fundación Ramadán, una organización musulmana de Inglaterra, condenó el ataque en Gibson Square pero dijo que la novela "intenta menospreciar a una de las grandes mujeres del mahometismo," reportó el servicio de noticias Bloomberg. La autora Sherry Jones dijo que su libro es una "novela épica de amor y una historia acerca del poder de la mujer." EPISCOPALES DE PENNSYLVANIA SE AFILIAN A IGLESIA ARGENTINA -- Los episcopales de Pittsburgh votaron el 4 de octubre dejar su diócesis en Pennsylvania y afiliarse a la conservadora diócesis de Argentina. Otros dos grupos episcopales en EE. UU. -- en Fort Worth, Texas, y Quincy, Illinois -- tienen programado votar propuestas similares en noviembre. Las decisiones de Pittsburgh replican el voto del 2007 de los episcopales de Fresno, California, de separarse de la iglesia episcopal por liberalismo teológico y desdeño de la autoridad de las Escrituras en el cuerpo nacional. La acción en Pittsburgh fue motivada por el voto del 18 de septiembre de los obispos para destituir al obispo de Pittsburgh, Robert Duncan, por "abandono de la comunión," de acuerdo a un comunicado de prensa del Instituto de la Religión y la Democracia, una alianza de cristianos de EE. UU. que busca llevar un testimonio social cristiano en coordinación con las enseñanzas bíblicas históricas del cristianismo. Un portavoz de la conservadora Convocación de Anglicanos en Norte América alabó la decisión de Pittsburgh. "Apoyamos a los líderes y miembros de la diócesis de Pittsburgh en su jornada por cumplir con la clara enseñanza de las Escrituras y a permanecer firmes en la fe," dijo Martyn Minns en un comunicado de prensa. "Es triste que la diócesis fuera forzada a llegar a este voto, pero en buena conciencia ellos no podían seguir la dirección adoptada por el actual liderazgo de la iglesia episcopal." El grupo CANA (por sus siglas en inglés) fue organizado en el 2005 como una iniciativa misionera de la Iglesia Anglicana de Nigeria, y provee medios para los episcopales alienados por el compromiso teológico en la iglesia estadounidense a permanecer con la comunidad anglicana mundial sin comprometer las convicciones acerca de la autoridad de las Escrituras. 'MUSULMANES ALBANOS REGRESAN AL CRISTIANISMO -- Hace más de 400 años, los albanos fueron a la fuerza convertidos al islamismo cuando el imperio Otomano conquistó a los balcánicos. Muchos han vivido como cristianos secretos durante siglos, pero ahora sus descendientes están saliendo del escondite y el catolicismo está experimentando un reavivamiento en la recién independiente Kosovo. "Hemos estado viviendo una doble vida. En el hogar éramos católicos pero en público éramos buenos musulmanes," Ismet Sopi de Klina, Kosovo, le dijo a un reportero del servicio de noticias Reuters. "No le llamamos a esto conversión. Es la continuidad de la creencia familiar." Sopi estaba entre los cientos de albanos que se reúnen los domingos en una iglesia completada a medias. Este año fue la primera vez que nadie en su familia ayunó durante el mes santo musulmán del Ramadán, dijo Sopi. Cuando los turcos otomanos conquistaron a los balcánicos en el siglo XV, se les impusieron pesados impuestos a los cristianos y mucha gente públicamente se convirtió al islamismo, Jahja Drancolli, profesor de la Universidad Pública Pristina le dijo a Reuters. Alrededor del 90 por ciento de la población albana de Kosovo es musulmana, pero el 50 ó el 60 por ciento de la población está emocionalmente conectada con el catolicismo romano, de acuerdo a Muhamet Mala, quien también enseña en la Universidad Pública Pristina. Costumbres cristianas como colorear huevos de pascua y celebrar navidad continúan practicándose entre los albaneses de Kosovo por siglos. Cuando el imperio Otomano comenzó a desmoronarse en el siglo XIX, algunos católicos secretos comenzaron a emerger del escondite, pero ahora el proceso ha ganado velocidad. "No apelamos a nadie para que se convierta. La gente nos llama," Don Shan Zefi, líder en Kosovo de la diócesis católica romana le dijo a Reuters. "No hablamos más en forma individual. Hay habitantes de docenas de pueblos que nos han contactado." --30-- Mark Kelly es editor asistente de Baptist Press. -------------------------------------------------------------------- EDITORIAL: ¿Qué haces los domingos por la tarde? by Por Óscar J. Fernández Date: October 10, 2008 - Friday NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)--En estos días nos encontramos en medio de la batalla final de los aspirantes a la presidencia de los Estados Unidos de Norteamérica. Los debates presidenciales, los anuncios, la retórica y la demagogia política llenan los espacios televisivos y radiales. Es ahora frecuente escuchar muchas promesas, que todos sabemos que nunca se cumplirán. Es interesante ver cómo los aspirantes se atacan unos a otros, tratando de hacer ver que el oponente está menos calificado para el cargo. No es menos interesante observar cómo se rebusca en el pasado para tratar de mostrar el lado oscuro del adversario. Es en verdad una lucha similar a la de los gladiadores romanos. En esta campaña presidencial en particular, ambos partidos han tomado la "bandera" de los "cambios". Sí, ahora todo el mundo habla de la gran necesidad que hay de que haya cambios. Y en medio de todo este agitado ambiente electoral me pregunto: ¿Y la iglesia de Dios que está haciendo? ¿Cuál es nuestro papel? ¿Qué debemos hacer? Por eso vino a mi mente la pregunta: ¿Qué hacemos los domingos por la tarde, después que salimos de la iglesia? ¿Nos vamos a almorzar con algunos miembros de nuestra clase de la Escuela Dominical? ¿Hacemos una visita para charlar de béisbol o fútbol? ¿Nos vamos a cortar el césped? ¿Nos ponemos a ver televisión? ¿Nos vamos al cine? A veces me da la impresión de que para algunos es como si dijeran: ¡Voy temprano a la iglesia, y el resto del día es mío! Es frecuente ver que algunas iglesias tienen servicios de adoración temprano en la mañana, de modo que para algunos es más conveniente asistir a esos servicios porque les queda "el día libre". Hace unos años era miembro de una iglesia que tenía un culto de adoración a las 8 de la mañana del domingo, y era frecuente ver en el estacionamiento camionetas con botes, para irse a pescar después del culto de adoración. Leyendo el libro de Hechos, en el capítulo 3 versículos 1-10, veo una historia bien diferente. Pedro y Juan empleaban mejor su tiempo, veo aquí una lección poderosa de lo que cada uno de nosotros debe de hacer; y por cierto, no sólo el domingo por la tarde, sino todos los días de nuestra vida: "¡Tenemos que salir a CAMBIAR el mundo!" En el capítulo 2 de Hechos encontramos la manifestación del Espíritu Santo en el día de Pentecostés. Vemos a Pedro predicándole a los presentes, y vemos al Espíritu en acción en la conversión y bautismo de unos 3,000 que luego "perseveraban en la doctrina". En Hechos capítulo 2 vemos cómo vivir el cristianismo, y en Hechos capítulo 3 vemos cómo todo comienza con la "adoración"; estando conectados a Cristo y afirmados en la adoración a Él. Es cierto que hoy enfrentamos muchos obstáculos, como la presión de los amigos, la incitación a hacer las cosas indebidas, el miedo al "que dirán", el tratar de hacer las cosas como los demás, etcétera; pero Pedro y Juan, y los primeros cristianos también sufrieron de esas presiones, y de otras mucho peores. La iglesia cristiana primitiva fue capaz de estremecer los cimientos del imperio más grade de la historia: el Imperio Romano. Y no fue por su vinculación política sino por su poder como un verdadero agente de cambio y transformación. Los nuevos creyentes eran transformados por el poder del Espíritu Santo, de tal manera que los que les habían conocido antes, quedaban perplejos por la diferencia que notaban en la nueva manera de vivir de ellos. ¿Cuándo fue la última vez que usted participó con su iglesia en un esfuerzo para comprar alimentos y donarlos a los hambrientos en su comunidad? ¿Cuándo fue la última vez que socorrieron a una viuda o a unos huérfanos? ¿Cuándo fue la última vez que visitaron una cárcel? Tal vez el problema fundamental es que nosotros "hablamos mucho y la gente ya está cansada de oír" y por lo tanto no quieren escuchar. Pero cuando nosotros actuamos, la gente "observa y presta atención". La gente agradece cualquier simple acto que muestre amor y nuestra preocupación por ellos. Creo que estamos viviendo en un tiempo en el cual la iglesia que Cristo redimió con su sangre tiene que salir de las cuatro paredes de los edificios del templo y mostrar el amor de Dios de manera activa. Pedro mirando al paralítico y tomándole de la mano, le dijo "…en el nombre de Jesucristo de Nazaret, levántate y anda". Pedro y Juan compartieron el evangelio y le ministraron a la necesidad más grande que aquel hombre tenía. Hechos 3:8 muestra de manera maravillosa el resultado de la acción de Juan y Pedro. Dice que el hombre entró con ellos en el templo, con el propósito de adorar porque dice que "andando y saltando, y ALABANDO a Dios. Y he aquí otro importante asunto que debemos tener siempre presente: Cualquier cosa que hagamos por o para otros, deber ser para que ellos ALABEN a Dios y no a algún hombre o institución. Los que observaron el milagro del paralítico quedaron atónitos. Hechos 2:47b dice: "... y el Señor añadía cada día a la iglesia los que habían de ser salvos". ¿Cuándo fue la última vez que usted le presentó el evangelio a un inconverso? ¿Cuándo fue la última vez que se convirtió una persona en su iglesia? ¿Piensa que el pastor es el que tiene que hablar del evangelio? ¿Cuándo fue la última vez que vio la obra del Espíritu Santo transformando la vida de una persona? ¿Cuándo fue la última vez que bautizaron a una persona en su iglesia? ¿Cuándo fue la última vez que fue a un viaje misionero? ¿Cree con toda sinceridad que está haciendo todo lo que para expandir el evangelio? Es evidente que nuestra nación necesita un cambio. Estoy convencido de que es un cambio mucho más profundo que el cambio del que hablan los políticos. Es un cambio en el corazón de los hombres y mujeres. Uno que sea verdadero y que lleve a la transformación. Pero es necesario que entendamos que ese proceso tiene que comenzar con nosotros. El mundo tiene que ver lo que hacemos y no lo que decimos. Hemos sido elegidos para ser elementos e instrumentos para cambiar la sociedad en la que vivimos. Debemos ser responsables y estar concientes de la importancia que tiene todo cuanto hacemos. Esa responsabilidad incluye nuestra participación asistiendo a votar el día 4 de noviembre por aquel candidato que pueda guiar a nuestra nación, de la mejor manera en los próximos cuatro años. El mundo nos observa, tal vez no preste atención a lo que decimos, pero nos observa y espera que nosotros actuemos de manera diferente al resto. Es imprescindible que entendamos que no sólo tenemos que adorar a Dios un rato el domingo en la mañana, si no cada día de nuestra vida. Pienso que los domingos en la tarde deben iniciar una semana en la que cada día, con renovado ánimo, salgamos a mostrar el amor de Dios a otros. Debemos ir a contar a otros la historia de lo que Dios ha hecho y está haciendo en nuestras vidas. Cada uno de nosotros tiene una historia que contar y el mundo necesita oírla. Y lo más importante, que cada domingo en la tarde sea, de ahora en adelante, una nueva oportunidad para comenzar a vivir con un espíritu renovado y fortalecido por el poder del Espíritu Santo. Si por algún tiempo hubiésemos estado "paralizados" espiritualmente, el llamado de Pedro se repite hoy con el poder del Espíritu de Dios y también nos dice: "... en el nombre de Jesucristo de Nazaret, levántate y anda". A veces también nosotros tenemos que levantarnos, saltar y comenzar a alabar a Dios, si es que no lo hemos estado haciendo. ¿Qué vas a hacer este domingo por la tarde? --30-- Oscar J. Fernandez es el editor jefe de LifeWay Español para Adultos de Leadership & Adult Publishing, LifeWay Church Resources en Nashville, Tenn.