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65 Percent of Americans Support Prayer in Public Schools.
Sixty five percent of American adults favor prayer in public schools, according to a new survey. And only 24 percent of
U.S. adults say they are opposed to prayer in schools, finds the Rasmussen Reports survey released Friday. The national
telephone survey conducted on 1,000 adults from Feb. 3 to 4 simply asked, “Do you favor or oppose prayer in public schools?
”Compared to last year’s findings, this year’s prayer in public school survey results are slightly higher.
Last April, 61 percent of Americans said they favor prayer in public schools. About the same proportion of Americans who
say they pray at least once every day (61 percent) support prayer in public schools (65 percent).But less American adults
this year say religious faith is at least somewhat important in their daily life compared to last year (73 percent
versus 80 percent, respectively). The new survey finds 54 percent of Americans say religious faith is very important in
their lives, while 23 percent say faith is not very or not at all important in their everyday lives. But despite activists’
efforts, every year millions of students gather at their schools’ flagpoles to pray. In 2010, more than 3 million students
participated in the “See You At the Pole” grassroots prayer movement that allows students to intercede for their leaders,
schools , and families.
Former Anglican Bishops Ordained into Catholic Church
Three disaffected Anglicans were ordained as Catholic priests on Saturday.Keith Newton, Andrew Burnham and John
Broadhurst – all former Anglican bishops – were welcomed into the Roman Catholic Church during a ceremony at Westminster
Cathedral in London.The three left the Church of England – the mother church of the global Anglican Communion – because they
were "distressed" by the developments in the communion which they found to be "incompatible" with Christian tradition.They
may be the first of at least 50 making the switch to Roman Catholicism.
The Vatican announced in 2009 that it would introduce a new church structure that would allow former Anglicans to enter
"full communion" with the Catholic Church while preserving their Anglican traditions. Pope Benedict XVI made the provision
in response to the numerous requests he received from Anglicans who were unhappy with the ordination of women and
noncelibate gay bishopsArchbishop of Canterbury Dr. Rowan Williams – the spiritual leader of the Anglican Communion – has
maintained that he does not view the new structure as "an aggressive act, meant to destabilize" the relations of the two
global church bodies.He also stated that he does not perceive the Vatican's move as "a commentary on Anglican problems.
Many in the Anglican Communion have declared the global body impaired, particularly since the 2003 ordination of openly
gay bishop V. Gene Robinson of New Hampshire.
Since then, a small but growing minority of parishes have severed ties with their national churches.Separate orthodox
Anglican bodies have also been established to house those unhappy with the liberal direction of the national churches,
including The Episcopal Church in the U.S.The three new Catholic priests will be responsible for helping other former
Anglican clergy to prepare for full communion with the Catholic Church. Those who are married will be allowed for ordination
as Catholic priests but they cannot become Catholic bishops.
Churches Mark 100th Year of Ecumenism
Christian leaders have convened in New Orleans this week to celebrate 100 years of ecumenical cooperation.More than
400 people from the National Council of Churches and its humanitarian arm, Church World Service, opened the three-day
anniversary event on Tuesday with the aim of unifying the church.The gathering in New Orleans comes months after a global
celebratory event in Edinburgh, Scotland. There, hundreds of leaders from across Christian denominations and traditions
reaffirmed their commitment to witnessing to Christ as one.
They were marking the 100th anniversary of the World Missionary Conference held in Edinburgh in 1910.While the 1910
conference brought together leaders mainly from the Protestant community, invitations for both the global and
U.S. centennial celebrations this year have gone out to those of other traditions including Roman Catholics,
and Orthodox and Pentecostal leaders.Some of the issues participants at this week's event will be discussing are:
unity in an age of radical diversity, interfaith relations, the environment, terrorism, and inequality. NCC had formed
study groups to compile vision papers on each of these issues. The groups' study documents are not position papers but
points from which to dialogue from and to start taking action.One of the papers proposes that the goal of the ecumenical
movement is to celebrate the diversity "of our God-given oneness as the people of God, the body of Christ and the temple
of the Holy Spirit." And as the movement enters its next century, it must find new ways of holding unity and diversity "in
appropriate and creative relationship.
"The document notes that in the early decades of the ecumenical movement, participants were more likely to place emphasis
on unity "as if diversity were a problem to be resolved" and to compromise confessional identities. But over the last two
generations, more emphasis has been placed on diversity in which churches preserved their historic identities while sharing
in sacraments ministry and mission."It is not the purpose of this study to argue for or against various models of
Christian unity, but rather to suggest that overemphasis on diversity, like overemphasis on unity, can have destructive
consequences," the paper points out.The document further laments ongoing conflicts within churches – not just among churches
– over the issue of unity and diversity. While some denominational establishments suppress diversities when invoking unity,
others are invoking diversity as justification for departure to alternate church bodies.Participants are expected to
discuss ecumenical cooperation that values both the church's unity and its diversity while acknowledging the "indispensable
relationship between them."
Over 50 Religious Leaders Call for 'Soul Searching' in Letter to Congress
More than 50 prominent religious leaders, including megachurch pastors T.D. Jakes and Joel C. Hunter, have signed an open
letter to members of Congress encouraging national "soul searching" and urging civil discourse in the aftermath of the
tragic Arizona shooting. The letter – signed by leaders across evangelical, mainline Protestant, Catholic, Jewish,
and Muslim faiths – was published in a full-page "Roll Call" ad on Thursday. Notable also included notable Christian
leaders The Rev. Canon Peg Chemberlin, president of National Council of Churches, which represents 45 million people;
Rev. Jim Wallis, president and CEO of Sojourners; and Rev. Richard Cizik, president of New Evangelical Partnership for
the Common Good."As Americans and members of the human family, we are grieved by the recent tragedy in Tucson, Arizona.
As Christian, Muslim and Jewish leaders, we pray together for all those wounded, including Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords
as she fights for her life," opens the letter put together by Faith in Public Life, an organization that helps emerging
religious leaders advance faith in the public square as a common good.
"Our hearts break for those lives lost and for the loved ones left behind. We also stand with you, our elected officials,
as you continue to serve our nation while coping with the trauma of this senseless attack."On Jan. 8, Jared Loughner opened
fire at a public meeting organized by Giffords, who was shot in the head and remains in critical condition. The 22-year-old
gunman shot 19 others, killing Federal District Judge John Roll, one of six who died during the rampage. Many politicians
and Christian leaders, including Franklin Graham, have issued statements to strongly denounce the finger pointing and urge
public leaders to model civility in acts and speech. The joint letter by faith leaders echoed the same sentiment."This
tragedy has spurred a sorely needed time of soul searching and national public dialogue about violent and vitriolic
political rhetoric," stated faith leaders. "We strongly support this reflection, as we are deeply troubled that rancor,
threats and incivility have become commonplace in our public debates."Religious leaders also called upon Congress members
to rather engage political adversaries in a spirit of shared American values of civility and cooperation.
"We appreciate the sacrifices you make and risks you incur by accepting a call to public service, and we urge you to
continue to serve as stewards of our democracy by engaging ideological adversaries not as enemies, but as fellow Americans,
" they urged in the letter.Speaking at a Arizona memorial service for a shooting victim Wednesday, President Obama
challenged Americans not to make "simple explanations."
“The truth is none of us can know exactly what triggered this vicious attack,” he said. “What we cannot do is use this
tragedy as one more occasion to turn on each other.”Signers of the open letter pledged to "foster an environment
conducive to the important and difficult debates so crucial to American democracy."Their letter concluded, "In our
churches, mosques and synagogues, we come together not as members of a certain political ideology or party, but as children
of God and citizens called to build a more perfect union. We pray that you do the same."
Most British Evangelicals Say Jesus Is the Only Way to God
The U.K.-based Evangelical Alliance and Christian Research surveyed 17,000 British evangelicals on a range of issues, from
their beliefs concerning miracles and the Bible, to their stance on abortion and homosexuality. There was clear consensus
on the uniqueness of Christ, with 91 percent of evangelicals strongly agreeing that Jesus is the only way to God.
Evangelicals in the U.K. also proved to be devoted believers, with 96 percent attending a church service at least once a
week and praying at least a few times a week. Eighty-eight percent strongly agreed that faith was the most important thing
in their life, while 83 percent strongly agreed that faith was an important factor in decision making.
A majority (83 percent) of those surveyed also believe that the miraculous gifts of the Spirit did not come to an end in
the first century. Ninety-four percent of evangelicals agreed that Christians have a duty to care for the environment and
81 percent said they did some kind of voluntary work at least once a month. On other issues, opinions were more divergent.
While evangelicals generally agreed that the Bible is the inspired Word of God, only 54 percent said they believe the Bible,
in its original manuscript, to be without error. On evolution, six out of 10 evangelicals believe evolution and Christianity
are compatible while 18 percent agreed strongly that you cannot believe in both.
Regarding abortion, the differences were also considerable, with 20 percent strongly agreeing that abortion can never be
justified and nearly as many strongly disagreeing with the statement (17 percent).Less than half of evangelicals strongly
agreed that assisted suicide is always wrong (42 percent), while 24 percent said they were uncertain about what to believe
on this issue. Evangelicals were even more uncertain when it came to hell, with 31 percent saying they were unsure what to
believe, although half either strongly agreed or agreed that it was a place where the condemned would suffer eternal
conscious pain. The findings also revealed a range of opinions in relation to homosexuality. A majority of survey
respondents did not agree that having homosexual feelings was wrong (55 percent) but a majority said homosexual actions are
always wrong (73 percent).In other findings, four out of 10 strongly agreed that 10 percent of a Christian's income should
be given to the church they attend and six out of 10 evangelicals said they talk to a non-Christian about their faith at
least once a month.
Churches to Begin 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting.
More than 800 churches, including some of the nation’s largest congregations, have signed up to participate in a 21-day
prayer and fasting initiative that begins Monday. The Awakening initiative, led by Pastor Stovall Weems of Celebration
Church in Jacksonville, Fla., calls on Christians to refocus and reconnect spiritually to God through 21 days of prayer
and fasting.
Weems explained that the number 21 was chosen because of its biblical significance, pointing out that Daniel fasted for 21
days. He also noted that 21 days is the time period that psychologists and doctors say is needed to start a new habit and
get rid of an old one.“Weems shared that he began the practice of fasting after he surrendered his life to Jesus Christ at
the age of 20. Some of his friends in church at the time had fasted regularly and that was how he also developed the habit.
The Florida pastor, whose church is ranked on Outreach Magazine’s top 100 fastest growing church and largest churches in
the country, said he has found fasting to be “a tremendous benefit” to his walk with God, including vibrancy and freshness
in his spiritual life.
The 21-day Awakening initiative is only in its third year, but has attracted the participation of hundreds of churches.
Last year, more than 1,000 churches, collectively representing 1 million people, participated in the Awakening. Weems said
the initiative this year is on pace to surpass the 2010 participation level.“My heart is to help pastors, leaders, and
churches establish a culture of prayer and fasting in their churches. It is not just like, ‘Hey, let’s fast for an event
or a certain thing to happen or a revival in America,’” said Weems. “It is more of a culture of prayer and fasting where
we set out to seek God and make this year the best year ever by making it your best year spiritually.”“If it’s your best
year spiritually, regardless of what challenges come on the outside, you are going to have a great year.”The 21 days of
prayer and fasting begins Jan. 10 and ends Jan. 30.
Archbishop of Canterbury Celebrates 400th Year of King James Bible
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams is celebrating the influence the King James Bible has had worldwide as
its 400th anniversary approaches. In his New Year’s address to the public, he urged people to see some kind of “big picture”
in a “big society” paralleled to their lives regardless of their personal beliefs.
“Whether you're a Christian or belong to another religion or whether you have nothing you'd want to call a religion at all,
some kind of big picture matters,” he said. “If we're going to talk about a 'big society,' that'll need a big picture,
a picture of what human beings are really like and why they're so unique and precious. This year's anniversary is a chance
to stop and think about the big picture – and to celebrate the astonishing contribution made by that book four hundred
years ago.”Williams reminded the public that the King James Bible is like the story of the universe that remains relevant
to people today despite its antiquity. “So reading the King James Bible told you that your life story was set within the
biggest of pictures, the story of the whole universe.”
“Four hundred years on that may feel quite remote,” he continued.“You may be the sort of person who feels that you can
make sense of your own story in your own terms. Or you may feel that there's only one big story and that's about money
and whether I've got a job tomorrow or whether my children can afford higher education..“But the trouble is that we so
often don't have the kind of big picture that simply tells us that we matter, never mind what happens, that tells us there
is something quite outside ourselves that can eventually make sense of things – even if, like some of the writers of the
Bible, specially the Psalms, there are moments where all we can do is shout out in protest.”
He ended his message by challenging readers to rediscover the words in the King James Bible by envisioning them in each
person’s life. The King James Bible project began in 1604 and was published on May 5, 1611 by instruction from the King of
England at that time, James I.
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