===============================================================

WEEKLY BULLETIN for September 24, 2006

The Times and the Scriptures

A Christian citizenship curriculum for developing people with an understanding

of the times, to know what America ought to do (cf. First Chronicles 12:32)

=======================================================================

Pope’s Quote Sparks Renewed Islamic Violence

Pope Benedict XVI quoted a 14^th century Byzantine emperor in a speech this month, and set off a new firestorm of threats and violence against himself, the Catholic Church, and Christianity in general. It was not the first time that the fundamental irony of Muslims becoming violent because they are accused of being violent has been observed.

The 700-year-old quotation cited by the Pope said that Mohammed had brought “evil and inhuman” things into religion, specifically the command to spread his religion by violence. The Pope has since apologized and said he does not even agree with the quote, but was merely using it to illustrate a point. Despite the apology, some Islamic leaders have demanded that the Pope convert to Islam or be assassinated. A council of Sunni Islamists declared, “We tell the worshipper of the Cross [the Pope] that you and the West will be defeated… May God enable us to slit their throats, and make their money and descendants [our] bounty.” Several other radical Muslim organizations released similar statements. A Muslim lawyer in London, at a protest outside Westminster Cathedral, repeated the theme that all who insult Islam should be killed.

Vatican security was tightened as the threats piled up. Cardinal George Pell dared to say that the incidents “show the link for many Islamists between religion and violence, their refusal to respond to criticism with rational arguments, but only with threats and actual violence.”

Going beyond mere words, rioters burned seven churches in the Gaza Strip and West Bank in or near Israel, and in Somalia an Italian nun who had served as a nurse for 38 years was shot in the back and killed along with her bodyguard as she left the hospital. Sister Leonella is reported to have whispered “I forgive, I forgive,” with her dying breath. Many observers also believe that the execution of three priests in Indonesia Thursday was hastened by the controversy. They had been tried in an Islamic court, and many Christians had appealed for their questionable convictions to be reconsidered, but the executions came quickly.

For discussion: Review Backgrounder #10, Islam in P.C. America, and our 2-12-06 Weekly Bulletin article on Muslim violence sparked by critical cartoons. Discuss Rev. 22:17, one of many biblical examples of how Christianity is spread by invitation, not intimidation. Consider also the characteristically Christian spirit behind Sister Leonella’s dying words. What do you think of the Byzantine emperor’s words?

State Amendment Would Hold Erring Judges Accountable

The small state of South Dakota is solidifying its reputation for bold legislative efforts with a proposed amendment on this November’s ballot that could put the clamps on out-of-control judges. The state legislature earlier passed a controversial near-total ban on abortions and the governor signed it into law, but a repeal initiative put the issue on this fall’s ballot. It will be joined by “Amendment E,” also known as the “Judicial Accountability Plan,” that would create a procedure for citizens to challenge rulings they consider grossly unfair and unconstitutional.

A “super grand jury” chosen randomly from registered voters would be the first step in hearing complaints. At the other end of the process is a three-strikes rule that could result in a judge being reprimanded, fined, or even fired. Polls show the measure leading three-to-one.

For discussion: Review Backgrounder #32, Judicial Tyranny: Judges without Limits, taking time to study the scriptures cited there on appropriate behavior by judges. Imagine the irony if South Dakota’s voters add this amendment to their constitution, and a judge rules it unconstitutional. (Don’t bet against it!)

Website to check: The full text of Amendment E and other information about the proposal are at www.southdakotajudicialaccountability.com.

T&S WEEKLY BULLETIN, September 24, 2006, Page 2

NBC Hopes “Crucified Madonna” Will Boost Ratings

The artist known as “Madonna” has banked millions of dollars from concerts around the world while offending Christians with her new signature song in which she appears on a glittering cross with a crown of thorns on her head. The tour just ended Thursday in Tokyo. Now NBC-TV will apparently air the parody during the November “sweeps month” when audience-measurement surveys are done. One executive says the decision is not yet finalized, but NBC official Kevin Reilly (kevin.reilly@nbcuni.com) has viewed the video and “didn’t see it as inappropriate.”

Critics point out that Madonna has made a career of juxtaposing sexuality and the Christian faith in shocking ways, starting with the emphasis on her one-word stage name that is supposed to evoke the virgin mother of Christ. In 1989 she made a music video in which she appears in the role of Christ freeing a saint from his sexual repression by seducing him. Later, she said, “Crucifixes are sexy because there’s a naked man on them.” And now, the NBC special.

National Clergy Council’s president Rob Schenck asked, “I wonder if NBC would approve of Madonna’s mocking a major event in the life of Mohammed?”

Conservative leaders have recommended various ways to effectively protest, such as pressuring companies that sponsor the program if it airs. This was very effective earlier this year when NBC offered up “The Book of Daniel,” a grossly anti-Christian TV series. (See our Weekly Bulletins for 1-1-06, 1-8-06, and 1-29-06.) Another suggestion is for viewers to warn local NBC stations that they will file petitions against their annual station license renewal if they carry the program. Viewers can also email NBC directly at nbcshows@nbc.com to express their protest.

For discussion: Does this kind of exploitation of the cross for financial gain qualify for Paul’s denouncement in Phil. 3:18-19? How about Heb. 10:29? Consider NCC president Schenk’s question in light of our top story on page 1. Maybe we should relay that question to our NBC station? To enhance discussion, you might find it helpful to review Backgrounder #28, Entertainment, Prostitution & Frog-Boiling.

Website to check: www.nbc.com/nbc/header/Local_Stations to contact your local NBC affiliate.

MICHIGAN GOV. CANDIDATE SUPPORTS INTELLIGENT DESIGN

Dick DeVos, Republican gubernatorial candidate in Michigan, may have helped his campaign or he may have hurt it by coming out strongly for including Intelligent Design (ID) in public school science classes. We might find out in November, when voters choose between DeVos and incumbent Democrat Gov. Jennifer Granholm, who opposes any such teaching.

The State Board of Education has delayed adopting new science standards, probably until after the election, as the ID issue has heated up in the state. The Thomas More Law Center based in Ann Arbor threatened recently to sue a school district that would not allow two of its teachers to include scientific arguments for ID in their classes. (ID argues that the universe, especially considering the life in it, is too complex to have arisen by blind evolutionary chance.)

DeVos says he would not require school districts to teach ID, but would protect the right of any district that wanted to do so. Some states have absolutely forbidden any questioning of evolution.

For discussion: Review Backgrounder #40, Evolution and Public Policy. Discuss Prov. 20:12 and Ps. 94:8-11 in terms of a cause being necessarily superior to its effect. How does this relate to ID?

UPDATE on an item from a previous Weekly Bulletin

(Dates indicate editions containing the original information & discussion material)

(7-30-06, 9-10-06 Update) The Lubbock, TX, city council, ridiculed by some news media outlets for asking citizens to pray for an end to their drought and then ignored by the same media when the abundant rains came, asked its citizens last week to join in a day of prayer and thanksgiving, with the slogan “Thank the Lord for Every Drop!”

___________________________

NEXT WEEK: Leaders of two countries took the stage at the United Nations last week to savagely insult President Bush, leader of the one nation that hosts the U.N. and pays a disproportionate percentage of its bills. More than ever, Americans are questioning whether their nation should feel any obligation to continue its United Nations sponsorship.