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Ecumenical
meeting left hoping for peace
Aix-la-Chapelle, September 25th, 2003 (ACPress.net).
More than 500 religious
leaders from 50 countries meeting at the home of the Catholic
San Egidio community have completed their meeting with a predictable
call for peace.
San Egidio is known by some as 'the organ of parallel and unofficial
Vatican diplomacy.' It has 40,000 members in more than 60 countries
and its intervention in the Mozambique peace process in 1992
saved that land from a bloodbath. In the aftermath of the 2001
attacks on the USA, it organised meetings with Islamic leaders
to avoid tensions between the Muslim world and the West.
The role of Europe in war and peace was one of the subjects
under discussion, as were the future of Latin America and the
situation in Israel and Palestine. Protestant, Catholic, Orthodox
and Muslim representatives attended the meeting, as well as
delegates from a host of minority religions and several leading
politicians. Lots of talk, but without the centrality of Jesus
Christ and the Bible, little hope of any lasting solutions.
Source: Agencias. Editing: ACPress.net
German Protestants protest
at worldwide persecution of Christians
Hannover, September 25th, 2003 (ACPress.net).
German Protestant churches
have issued a statement denouncing religious persecution, especially
that of Christians, in various parts of the world. It is the
first time they have done so publicly.
In a press conference held at Hannover, Protestant leader Manfred
Kock underlined the importance of religious liberty and the
need to press for human rights. He said that, tragically, many
Christians do not enjoy these basic conditions and that their
religious freedom is frequently violated. This is true in many
Muslim countries, as well as India, China and Russia.
Kock referred to attempts by the Russian Orthodox Church to
recover a religious monopoly in many parts of the ex-Soviet
Union. Kock said it was unacceptable that a church should consider
itself the owner of a whole country. (Try telling that to the
Vatican too.) Hermann Groehe, Christian Democrat spokesman on
human rights, expressed his concern at the growing discrimination
and persecution of Chrsitians in some Islamic countries such
as Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. He also warned of rising Hindu
nationalism in India.
In China, although in general the situation has improved since
the times of the Cultural Revolution, in some regions Christians
are placed under great pressure. Many church leaders are held
in 're-education camps' and others have been tortured and executed,
which makes the German information seem a little over-optimistic.
There were calls for the German government not to stop raising
its voice in protest at the persecution of Christians around
the world.
Source: ALC. Editing: ACPress.net
Scientists and faith are not always in conflict
London, September 25th, 2003 (ACPress.net).
A conference has been
held in England at which scientists and theologians debated
the relationship between scientific thought and religious faith.
Colin Humphreys is a recalcitrant materialist who believes science
can explain the nature of matter. He believes humans, just like
all other living creatures, have evolved by natural selection
through a process of mutation. But he is also a member of a
Baptist Church who believes in the story of Moses and the Exodus.
"I think the scientific vision of the world can explain
almost everything. But I also think there is another vision
of the world."
The Science and Religion Forum, founded 25 years ago by a group
of scientists, meets to discuss questions such as the place
of mankind in the universe, and is made up of what one of its
founders, Arthur Peacock, calls 'nostalgic agnostics'. Peacock,
British pioneer in DNA research, is joined by sceptics, Christians
and members of other religions. The universe may be incomprehensible
and life still a mystery, but secular scientists do not believe
there is a scale to creation in which humans are at the top.
They see no purpose to our existence. We are here simply because
we are here, through an accident of fortune - fortunate for
us - and there is nothing inevitable in the evolution or the
survival of the human race. God does not come into the equation.
Yet modern science did not spring from a desire to challenge
Christianity, but from a desire to know more about the wonderful
world God has created. Scientists, many of whom were men of
the Church, wanted to discover how God had created such a marvellous
universe. Modern physics set out to learn the mechanics of creation.
Modern geology, at least in part, came out of a search for proof
of Noah's flood. Modern biology owes much to researchers of
the complexity of divine providence.
Yet 'scientists' - a term which has only existed since 1833
- have by and large now left God out of the picture. By the
end of the 20th century, they were sure they understood the
whole history of the universe except for the first milli-second.
A couple of mysteries remain: what really happened at the Big
Bang and how living creatures were able to multiply from a jumble
of organic compounds. Yet few believe solutions will not be
found, and though science did not start out confronting faith,
this is how many see it today.
However, there are still many scientists who do not share the
now-traditional theory that science and faith are in conflict.
According to a 1997 survey published in 'Nature', four out of
ten scientists believe in God. A slightly higher proportion,
just over 45%, said they did not believe in God, while 14.5%
considered themselves agnostics. The surprising truth is that
the proportion of believers to atheists has not changed in the
last 80 years.
Source: El Mundo. Editing: ACPress.net
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Argentinian
Christians make clear statement on homosexuality
Buenos Aires, September 24th,
2003 (ACPress.net).
The Christian Alliance
of Evangelical Churches in Argentina (ACIERA) has produced a
document setting out its position on homosexuality, conscious
of the high profile this issue has in the media currently.
The document, entitled 'Reaffirming Evangelical Values', comments
that "the phenomenon of homosexuality, with its affects
on society and church life, is a problem which forms part of
the pastoral work of the Christian Church." This is why
pastors and Christian leaders must study the issue and come
to a balanced, theological position.
ACIERA, one of the most important evangelical groupings in Argentina,
adds that "as shepherds of souls we must show prudence,
compassion and sensitivity when judging homosexual tendencies
and acts, especially due to the complexity of the issue."
ACIERA says it has studied the subject, given that in recent
times some people have developed a new hermeneutic which claims
that the Bible does not condemn homosexuality, and in some cases,
even approves of it. ACIERA says such opinions are seriously
flawed and misleading, and must be rejected out of hand.
ACIERA goes on to say in the document that "a clear and
firm position on this issue must be maintained, which cannot
be modified under pressure from secular law, the fashion of
the times or coercion by groups" in favour of, or at least
not against, homosexuality. The document adds that it deplores
any violence against homosexuals and says such attacks should
be condemned by all evangelical Christians.
Source: ALC. Editing: ACPress.net
Evangelical news service
forced to close by Protestants
Buenos Aires, September 24th,
2003 (ACPress.net).
Citing the classic 'circumstances
beyond our control', the Argentinian evangelical news service
of 'Prensa Global' (Global Press) has ceased operations.
'Prensa Global' (PG) began early this year, based in Argentina,
but with an international scope. During this period of operation,
"certain sectors of historic Protestantism have energetically
expressed their opposition to a news service run by Evangelical
Churches based on the Bible, whose moral stand and numerical
majority threaten the religious status quo", according
to a PG spokesman.
PG managed to get the secular media to take notice of news put
out by Evangelical Churches, especially in the case of the help
they gave to the Santa Fe flood victims, or their stand on the
law regarding civil marriage in Buenos Aires, or the relationship
between evangelicals and the state. PG hope the disappearance
of the service is only temporary, and that they can overcome
the domination of Protestant communication networks by ecumenically-minded
liberals who operate far from the teachings of the Bible.
It is the height of irony when Protestants cause an evangelical
organisation to stop their work.
Source: Prensa Global. Editing:
ACPress.net
Evangelical among top 100
Venezuelans
Caracas, September 24th, 2003
(ACPress.net).
The Venezuelan magazine
'Gerente' has included an evangelical among its '100 Leaders
in Society', a list of the most influential people in their
country.
Evangelical pastor Samuel Olson is joined in the 'religion'
section of the list by a rabbi, a Catholic priest and two Catholic
bishops. Olson has been singled out for his untiring work with
the Evangelical Council of Venezuela, the 'New Life' home, the
Pentecostal Church of Las Acacias, and other social projects.
The list is compiled after consulting various organisations,
businesses, advisors and public opinion. The inclusion of Olson
among figures such as the President, leading businessmen, sociologists,
journalists and scientists is an indication of how the Christian
community has gained in profile in Venezuela.
Source: Prensa Global. Editing:
ACPress.net
TV evangelist starts campaign
for organ donors in Chile
Santiago, September 25th,
2003 (ACPress.net).
TV evangelist Alejandro
Martínez has begun a campaign on his programme to find
5,000 organ donors.
Martínez is the Director of Channel Two 'VidaVisión'
and obtained 250 positive replies to his request for organ donors
on the first day of the campaign, which is being run in conjunction
with the Transplant Promotion Corporation. There is a huge shortage
of organs in Chile and Martínez comments: "as donating
is giving love, those who do are much more blessed." He,
his wife Nadia, and their two children, aged 4 and 6, set the
example by being the first to complete organ donor forms.
Martínez believes transplants are "a modern miracle"
and that "saving someone's life through a transplant is
one of the greatest tokens of human love."
Source: ALC. Editing: ACPress.net
Indignation growing at persecution
of evangelicals in Mexico
San Cristóbal de las
Casas, September 25th, 2003 (ACPress.net).
José Luis Soberanes
Fernández, Chairman of the Mexican Human Rights Commission,
Catholic bishop Felipe Arizmendi and a government official from
the Religious Affairs department, Javier Moctezuma Barragán,
have jointly recognised that there are serious problems of religious
intolerance in Chiapas.
They made their comments at the presentation by the Mexican
Bible Society of a leaflet written in the indigenous tzotzil
language and entitled 'Discover human rights in the Bible'.
The government says it is working hard to create a climate of
tolerance and respect in Chiapas. In areas such as San Juan
Chamula, many children are not even allowed to attend school
simply because their parents are Protestants.
The solution of the authorities is to create special schools
for evangelical children, so as to avoid conflict and guarantee
them an education. Soberanes agreed with this government suggestion,
saying it was a matter of urgency. He regretted the existence
of religious intolerance among indigenous groups whose cultures
promote co-existence in an atmosphere of fraternity and equality.
Things are not that simple, though. In San Juan Chamula, the
authorities prepared three buildings for schools but had to
close them due to a lack of teachers for the 111 evangelical
children for whom they had been opened. Soberanes added that
opening special schools is only a provisional move "because
in an ideal world, every child - whatever religion they profess
- should have the same rights. The Commission does not endorse
segregation." The government insists that President Fox
is committed to protecting freedom of conscience and the right
to worship through the use of the Law.
Source: ALC. Editing: ACPress.net
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Psychiatrist
bemoans the loss of spirituality
New York, September 25th,
2003 (ACPress.net).
Enrique Rojas, a Spanish
psychiatrist based in New York, believes spirituality is one
of the missing ingredients in today's society. Many people simply
do not know the Bible, because they have replaced it with gossip
magazines. For them, this is all they have.
"In the developed world, we psychiatrists have become GPs.
Forty years later we were nerve doctors. Today we are the most
common of doctors beause the disorientation of people is so
widespread." Rojas thinks people are returning to church
in places like the USA after the terrorist attacks, just as
they did in Russia after the 1917 revolution. "The changes
are not massive but gradual and fragmented. But there is a return
to religion."
The French Education ministry is studying the importance of
religion, and 15% of the population of Paris is Muslim. Rojas
adds that "lots of people have lost the values of life:
love, professional life, culture, friendship." The loss
of direction leads to depression and anxiety, and this affects
personality. Rojas identifies various factors: rapid changes
in society and what it believes on major issues, the degradation
of TV programme content, postmodernism and its moral vacuum
and 'open' ethics, hedonism, consumerism, permissiveness and
materialism.
Parental authority has been eroded and now children are running
the show. Marriages break down because people have forgotten
that it requires effort, that love requires sacrifices. "We
must not forget that the hardest thing in this life is living
together."
Source: La Razón. Editing:
ACPress.net
Catholic Church in the USA
disappearing fast
New York, September 25th,
2003 (ACPress.net).
The Catholic Church in
the United States of America is on the skids. Figures collated
by Ken Jones, a Catholic barrister in Missouri, USA, show the
alarming drop in membership.
Jones has published his findings in a book, the 'Index of Leading
Catholic Indicators: The Church since Vatican II'. His verdict
coincides with that of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who said in
1984: "We are facing a progressive process of decline.
It is undeniable that the period has been unfavourable for the
Catholic Church."
Jones says "The crisis in the priesthood is of great importance
to all Catholics, because the lack of priests limits our access
to the sacraments." (If only the Catholic Church would
read the Bible and discover the doctrine of the priesthood of
all believers.) In a projection of current trends, Jones calculates
that in the USA by the year 2020, there will only be 15,000
priests under the age of 70. To gain an idea of the significance
of this figure, in terms of priests per head of population,
this is the equivalent of there being just 2,100 priests under
the age of 70 in the whole of Spain, or about 30 priests per
diocese.
Source: ESD. Editing: ACPress.net
Carbon dating confirms Jerusalem
tunnel built by Hezekiah
Jerusalem, September 25th, 2003 (ACPress.net).
The arguments are over.
The ancient Siloam tunnel which runs under Jerusalem up to a
depth of 52 metres below the surface is that built by Hezekiah,
and mentioned in 2 Kings 20:20, according to carbon-dating done
on it recently.
Hezekiah reigned in Jerusalem from about 727 to 698 BC, and
built an aqueduct and tunnel from the springs outside the city
walls so that the city might withstand a siege. Some modern
scholars have questioned the antiquity of this paradigm of engineering
skill - which was re-discovered in the late 19th century complete
with an inscription by the builders relating how the two teams
of diggers met in the middle - and so a team of investigators
from Hebrew University in Jerusalem, and Reading University
in England, set to work. Their conclusions are that the tunnel
does indeed date from around 700 BC.
Using the Carbon 14 dating method on samples of plaster and
fragments of wood from the tunnel, and the uranium-torium test
on stalactites found there, they have confirmed its antiquity
and published their results in 'Nature' magazine. This is the
first time a structure mentioned in the Old Testament has been
dated by radio-chemical methods which are based on the disintegration
of radio-active elements.
The tunnel is 533 metres long, between 58 and 65cm wide, and
whose height varies from 1.1 metres to 3.4 metres. It was built
without using iron supports, which adds to the engineering achievement,
and meanders its way through the hill, which experts attribute
to its cutting a path through softer rocks.
In 701 BC, Jerusalem was threatened by the Assyrians under Sennacherib
and this highlighted the need to supply the city with water
in times of siege. Hezekiah hit on the idea of building a canal
from springs just outside the city in the Kidron Valley, at
the same time thus denying the enemy access to this water. The
canal, after flowing through the tunnel, poured into the Pool
of Siloam, which centuries later is where Jesus healed a man
born blind. In 1880 AD, some Arab boys bathing in the tunnel
entrance discovered on a stone a six-line Hebrew inscription.
It describes how two groups of workers, each digging from opposite
ends of the tunnel, met in the middle and how the water started
to flow along it.
Source: El País. Editing:
ACPress.net
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