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German
churches critical of 'The Passion'
Berlin, March 31st, 2004, (ACPress.net).
German Christians have
reacted with criticism of Mel Gibson's film 'The Passion', accusing
it of being 'brutal'.
The German Evangelical Church (EKD) commented: "The film
lacks theological depth and that is why the brutality shown
on the screen is not balanced." In a letter to their pastors,
they recommend that if they are thinking of having a church
showing, the pastors should watch it first on their own to decide
if their congregations can cope with the violence. Overall,
the evangelical reaction seems to be not to recommend seeing
the film, but not to make a scandal out of it either.
Gibson himself said in an interview with German magazine 'TV
Today' that the film contained the worst scenes of violence
that he had ever seen in a film. The EKD said that the film
centres excessively on the physical suffering of Christ, but
is equivocal when dealing with the accusation of anti-Semitism
made against the picture. They appear to conclude that the film
is not anti-Semitic, but that certain scenes could be used to
fuel it.
The German Catholic Church has also criticised the torture and
bloody scenes in the film. Episcopal Sources say the film offers
an overly simplistic view of the Bible and could be misinterpreted,
especially by people who do not know much about Christianity.
Source: Agencias. Editing: ACPress.net
World's best-seller marches
on
Berlin, March 31st, 2004, (ACPress.net).
Fifty-two new translations
of the Bible were published last year, most of them in Africa.
God's Word now exists in 665 African languages, 585 in Asia,
and 414 in Oceania.
The Bible, either in part or in full, is now out in 2,355 languages
worldwide, and is by far the most translated book. This total
is made up of the aforementioned continents, and 404 languages
in Central and South America, 209 in Europe, and 75 in North
America. There are also three translations available in 'artificial'
languages like Esperanto. Currently, work is underway on a further
600 languages. It is estimated that there are about 6,500 different
languages spoken in the world today.
Source: DPA. Editing: ACPress.net
Unemployment
reaches Swiss churches
Berne, March 27th, 2004, (ACPress.net).
An economic crisis and
falling religious taxes have led churches in Switzerland to
lay off workers.
The Canton of Berne has one of the largest number of churches,
257 counting Protestant and Catholic ones, and has decided to
cut the amount it gives them via its budget by 5 million francs.
The effect has been almost immediate; 25 pastors in the Reformed
Church will be laid off at the end of the year, and some Catholic
priests face the same prospect. The official churches in Switzerland
are financed through an ecclesiastical tax, which fewer and
fewer people are happy to pay.
There have been budget cuts in health and education, but this
is the first time they have affected churches. Yet the situation
in Berne is paradoxical, given that across Switzerland as a
whole, there is a shortage of clergy. Last Christmas some churches
had to cancel services, and priests rushed from one to another
to cover as many parishes as possible. In the German-speaking
part of the country, there is one priest per every two Catholic
churches, and lay members fill in in many cases. Recruitment
of new clergy is proving difficult, as the traditional churches
are facing a severe drop in attendance.
The authorities claim that they must reduce the money they give
the two state churches - Reformed and Roman Catholic - because
they receive less and less money through the ecclesiastical
tax paid by those who confess to belong to one of the two churches.
In Basle, for instance, almost half the population are not members
of either. Ironically, the Protestant stronghold of Geneva,
along with Neuchatel, are the only Cantons which do not have
the compulsory church tax. The worsening financial situation
is leading some churches to think about some kind of 'marketing'
strategy to regain members and improve finances.
Source: SWISSINFO. Editing: ACPress.net
Islamic message threatens France with terror
Paris, March 27th, 2004, (ACPress.net).
The shadow of Islamic
terrorism hangs over Europe. The 'Servants of Allah' have threatened
to "submerge France in terror and make its blood spill
over its borders" because of its decision to ban religious
symbols, including the Muslim headscarf, from state schools.
The dark message was sent to two newspapers and addressed to
Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin. It was signed by the Chechen
terrorist who kidnapped hundreds in a Moscow theatre in October
2002 and subsequently died when Russian troops stormed the building.
In the letter, the radical groups accuse France of joining "the
list of Islam's bitterest enemies." In a thinly-veiled
reference to the recent atrocity in Madrid, they say: "We
are going to respond following the success of our brothers"
in the attacks in New York in 2001 and Madrid earlier this month.
They threaten to use methods imported from Gaza and Chechnya.
European leaders meeting in Paris to discuss the problem of
terrorism agree that vigilance and controls must increase, as
well as developing European and trans-Atlantic cooperation.
Italy and Britain fear they could be the next target. Suspicious-looking
packages have been investigated in Italy and security forces
are on special alert regarding possible targets of attack.
Source: LE PARISIEN. Editing: ACPress.net
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Mixed
reaction to revised Chilean marriage law
Santiago, March 31st, 2004,
(ACPress.net).
A new Marriage Law has
just been passed in Chile which will make it easier for poorer
people to get a divorce as cost made it hard for them before.
According to an MP, Isabel Allende, there are more than a million
people who have been unable to regulate their physical separation
legally and who will now be able to do so.
Both evangelicals and Catholics have protested at the law, but
from different viewpoints. Cardinal Errázuriz, Catholic leader
in the capital, Santiago, expressed his disappointment and has
campaigned against divorce on the basis that marriage is a sacred
union. He claims that the drastic solution of divorce to solve
marital problems will only lead to new relationships without
commitment to permanence and even less so to the state of marriage
itself.
Meanwhile, an evangelical leader, Bishop Francisco Anabalón,
said he was happy that the new law would put a stop to fraudulent
marital annulments, but worried at the fact that the secular
authorities will now have to validate church weddings. He said
this was a backward step as he believes religious and secular
issues should be kept firmly apart.
Source: LAC. Editing: ACPress.net
Moonies buying up football clubs
Sao Paulo, March 31st, 2004,
(ACPress.net).
According to a Brazilian
newspaper, the Moonies are investing heavily in football to
lessen the attacks against them all over the world for money-laundering,
tax evasion and other offences.
In Brazil, the powerful sect led by Sun Myung Moon owns two
football clubs, Deportivo Nueva Esperanza and Socoraba, and
apparently aims to obtain twelve worldwide. This would add a
dimension to its other investments in pharmaceuticals, hotels,
cattle and the media - the Moonies own the American paper, the
'Washington Post.' The Brazilian tax authorities accuse the
sect of evading almost 10 million euros' worth of tax a year,
of aiding illegal immigration and of laundering money to the
tune of 150 million euros.
The sect, which is staunchly anti-Communist, is accused of laundering
money from organised crime in the 200 countries where it has
groups. Moon, 83, set up his first 'church' in 1952 and wrote
the book 'Divine principle', which argues against much of Christian
teaching, gives its own version of Jesus' life and presents
Moon as God's messenger. None of this has prevented him from
making an immense fortune and dealing in all sorts of legal
and illicit business.
Source: COMIMEX. Editing:
ACPress.net
Pentecostals call for social
responsibility in Venezuela
Caracas, March 31st, 2004,
(ACPress.net).
The Evangelical Pentecostal
Union of Venezuela (UEPV) says Christians must not lose sight
of their responsiblity towards the needy in these difficult
times for this South American country.
In a Pastoral letter, the UEPV says "We are living at a
decisive time...an opportunity from God for the poor and oppressed
sections of society...(with) the constitutional proposal for
a more just society, which will be built legally and progressively."
Although the letter, signed by Rev. Gamaliel Lugo, Chairman
of the UEPV, among others, does not name the government of Hugo
Chávez, it is clearly in agreement with its policies. It talks
about the establishment of a responsible democracy and initiatives
to help the poor with regard to education, health, food and
work. Although conscious of living in hard times where there
are forces at work which oppose God's order, the letter adds:
"In the midst of this context, we look for God's glory
which inspires us to fight and go on."
The UEPV alludes to the increasing polarisation in Venezuelan
society, and calls for "those obstacles which prevent true
reconciliation and peace" to be discerned and dealt with.
"We aspire to live in a nation where education, health,
housing, culture and recreation guarantee a true democracy for
the whole population of Venezuela."
Source: ALC. Editing: ACPress.net
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Minister
brings enemies together in Nepal
Katmandu, March 31st, 2004,
(ACPress.net).
A guerrilla war has been
waged against the Nepalese government by Maoist rebels for the
best part of 10 years. Yet both insurgents and security forces
were present at a recent Hindu festival where a Christian minister
was distributing gospel tracts.
The Maoists approached him with questions and were told that
there was only one fight, that between Light and darkness, and
that believers would win the war with Love. The insurgents became
interested, and more and more gathered to hear the missionary.
This, in turn, attracted the security forces who also approached.
The insurgents started to run away, but the missionary told
them to remain and listen without fear. The security forces
then questioned the minister about what he was doing and asked
for some of the tracts to investigate. The missionary again
shared the Message and stated that peace would be returned to
the country. Both sides heard the gospel and some in the security
forces asked for prayer.
Source: Religion today. Editing:
ACPress.net
Billy Graham preaching on
at 85
Washington DC, March 31st,
2004, (ACPress.net).
Aged 85, Billy Graham's
diary shows no sign of emptying. He remains in demand as a big-meeting
speaker.
"I never imagined I would still be preaching", said
Graham after recent hip surgery. "God has given me renewed
strength, energy, freedom and the desire to share the Gospel."
Graham is booked to speak at a crusade in Kansas City in June,
and in Los Angeles the following month. It will be his seventh
effort in Los Angeles, where more than 1,000 churches from 50
denominations have joined forces to sponsor the event. Previous
missions there have resulted in 75,000 'decisions' for Christ,
including many well-known names from Hollywood.
Source: MILAMEX. Editing:
ACPress.net
American Catholics ban pro-abortion speakers
Washington DC, March 31st,
2004, (ACPress.net).
40 million legal abortions
in the USA are enough for the Catholic Church to insist that
politicians who claim to be Catholics make clear their position
on the issue. The 'Kerry case' is coming to the boil.
One by one, North American Catholic dioceses are making life
difficult for pro-abortion Catholic politicians, by reminding
them that they cannot leave their ethics behind once they get
into public office. In Kansas, in central USA, Catholic institutions
under episcopal jurisdiction have been instructed not to invite
any pro-abortionist to speak at any functions they host. All
so-called 'pro-choice' (ie. the woman's, there's no choice for
the unborn child) advocates are henceforth banned.
The anti-abortion movement has grown considerably in the USA
in recent years and receives significant support from the Bush
government. It has become an important electoral factor, and
could prove extremely harmful to pro-abortionist and nominally
Catholic, John Kerry, one of the leading Democrat candidates
for the presidential nomination of his party.
Source: ESD. Editing: ACPress.net
300 lashes for Saudi teacher
who renounced Islam
Riyadh, March 31st, 2004,
(ACPress.net).
A court in Saudi Arabia
has sentenced a Religion teacher to 300 lashes and three years
in prison, after he was found guilty of apostasy. The teacher,
who pleaded not guilty, had been accused by colleagues and students.
The Prosecutor-General has objected to the sentence on the grounds
of its being too lenient, given that apostasy in Saudi Arabia
warrants public decapitation, as do murder, rape, drug trafficking
or witchcraft. Both sides have a month in which to appeal.
Source: El País. Editing:
ACPress.net
American Methodists allow
lesbian minister
New York, March 31st, 2004,
(ACPress.net).
A United Methodist Church
tribunal in the USA has cleared a minister, Karen Dammann, of
any inappropriate behaviour by admitting she is involved in
an active, lesbian relationship. She has been allowed to return
to her congregation near Seattle, in the north-west of the country.
The verdict was apparently well-received by her congregation
but it took the 13-man tribunal hours and hours of deliberation
to reach, Dammann lives with another woman, Meredith Savage,
and together they 'double-mother' a child. The Methodist Bishop
of Seattle, Rody Rowe, admitted that the decision would anger
some of his church's members. "Methodists do not all think
the same way. I think this issue will continue to be discussed
until society finally accepts it." So, the yardstick is
what society thinks, rather than what the Bible teaches.
Dammann had risked losing her job by telling her bishop by letter
in 2001 that she was a practising homosexual. The United Methodist
Church, which has 8 million members in the USA, has been arguing
about homosexuality since 1972. In that year they recognised
the value of homosexuals as people, but ruled that homosexual
practice was incompatible with Christian teaching. It established
in its rules that practising homosexuals could not serve as
clergy. It has now ignored and gone against its own rules.
Source: EL PAÍS. Editing:
ACPress.net
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