c. 2005 Religion News Service
Atheists Decry Lowering of Flags in Pope’s Honor
(RNS) Two atheistic groups have found fault with the government’s decision to lower the American flag in honor of the late Pope John Paul II.
The president of American Atheists called on President Bush to rescind his order that flags at the White House and other public buildings be flown at half-staff.
“It’s inappropriate for the American flag to be lowered as a salute to a foreign religious leader,” said Ellen Johnson, head of the Parsippany, N.J.-based organization, in a statement.
“The flag should represent all Americans, and not all Americans believe that the pope deserves such a special, government-sponsored recognition.”
The Freedom From Religion Foundation had a similar reaction to Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle’s executive order that both the U.S. flag and the state flag be flown at half-staff at state buildings and military installations until sunset Friday, the day of the pope’s funeral.
“Let’s reserve the honor of half-masts for true American heroes,” said Annie Laurie Gaylor, co-president of the Madison, Wis.-based foundation, in a statement.
The Wisconsin governor’s executive order mentioned Bush’s directive and called the pontiff “an inspirational spiritual leader” who “made a significant impact on social issues and was a champion of peace.”
Bush’s order, which said the flags should be lowered “as a mark of respect,” applied to a wide range of public buildings and grounds, including military posts, naval stations and vessels and U.S embassies abroad. It also ends at sunset Friday.
_ Adelle M. Banks
United Methodist Regional Group Settles Camp Sex Assault Claim
(RNS) A regional body of the United Methodist Church recently approved a settlement of nearly $1 million in response to an allegation that a 12-year-old girl was sexually abused at a church-run camp.
The Tennessee Annual Conference, meeting in a special session Saturday (April 2), approved the settlement of $952,027, United Methodist News Service reported.
The agreement includes payments over a seven-year period for medical care and counseling for the girl, who was 12 when the alleged assault occurred in the summer of 2000 at Camp Cedar Crest south of Nashville, Tenn.
The decision followed a similar settlement in 2003 that resolved another abuse case at the same camp in 2001. In each case, the assaults were allegedly committed by camp counselor Carl Steven Bentrup, 21, who was arrested after the 2001 incident. He later was found hanged in his jail cell and his death was ruled a suicide.
The 2001 assault, which also was alleged to involve a 12-year-old girl, was the subject of a lawsuit against the conference. It was settled out of court for $1 million, the news service reported.
Conference staffers screen camp counselors, but Bentrup’s juvenile record was sealed and not available during his screenings. A task force reviewed camp procedures and made recommendations for improving hiring and camp security, which have been implemented.
The early April special session passed a resolution expressing concern for “all who have been affected by this experience” and stating that prayers for healing would continue for the victim and her family.
“Jesus was very concerned about people and their welfare, particularly people who suffer,” Bishop Richard Wills, leader of the Tennessee conference, said after the settlement was approved. “We want to reconcile the world to Jesus Christ, and this is a good way to practice that.”
The girl’s family, in a statement released by the conference, affirmed the action taken by the church.
“We are pleased that our church has responded to this situation with compassion and understanding,” the family stated. “The changes the camp is making will improve the safety of the camp for all children.”
_ Adelle M. Banks
Jewish Group Launches Campaign to Combat Divestment From Israel
(RNS) The American Jewish Congress (AJC), an advocacy group, has launched a campaign to counteract an effort by some church groups divesting from companies that do business in Israel.
The divestment effort, which has been spearheaded by the Presbyterian Church (USA) and other church groups that are unhappy with Israel’s policies toward Palestinians, has drawn fire from Jewish groups.
In response, the AJC is urging Jewish groups and financial professionals to purchase stock in companies that are in the process of divesting, in an attempt to convince those companies to continue to do business in Israel.
Paul Miller, the AJC president, criticized the divestment campaign as misguided and dangerous.
“Preying on the emotions of well-meaning individuals who think that they are contributing to peace, these divestment campaigns coincide with other efforts which seek to undermine Israel’s self-defense, its economy and its legitimacy,” Miller said in a statement.
“It is time to make it clear that these tactics will not work,” he said.
In addition to launching a letter-writing campaign to church leaders in various denominations, the AJC is trying to forge a coalition to oppose the divestiture program, pulling together Christian and Jewish leaders to unite in their effort.
The AJC says it will seek pledges from financial institutions willing to purchase stock in companies targeted for divestment.
The AJC itself bought shares of Caterpillar Inc., the construction equipment company, and is working to defeat a shareholder resolution that opposes the sale of equipment to Israel or any entity of the Israeli government.
_ Holly Lebowitz Rossi
Federal Funding of Faith-Based Groups Nearly Doubled in 2004
WASHINGTON (RNS) “Faith-based” groups received more than $2 billion in federal funding for the 2004 fiscal year, compared to $1.17 billion in 2003, according to statistics recently released by the Bush administration.
President Bush has pushed to give religious groups equal opportunities to compete with nonsectarian groups for federal contracts since entering office in 2001 and has vowed to make sure the government does not act as a “roadblock.”
On Friday (April 1), Bush spoke to participants in a faith-based group that mentors children of prisoners.
“We strongly believe at the federal level that federal money ought to be accessible on an equal playing field, level playing field to faith-based programs,” Bush said.
Some of the federal funding was funneled through state governments.
New York received the most of any state, with more than $150 million targeted to faith-based groups. Illinois and California also received more than $100 million for such groups. New Jersey, Florida, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Texas, Georgia and Ohio rounded out a top 10 list of states receiving the most funds for faith-based efforts.
“The faith-based program is one that is going to … remain a constant part of my administration,” Bush said.
Bush said he wants to expand opportunities for people to choose faith-based options and has applied pressure on Congress to pass legislation for increased funding, while encouraging state governments to support faith-based organizations.
According to Bush, religious organizations are better equipped to serve the poor, mentor at-risk youth and meet other social needs than secular organizations because of the shared values of the groups’ volunteers and employees.
_ Helena Andrews
Secluded Monks to Get Satellite TV to Watch Pope’s Funeral
LONDON (RNS) Not only do the Cistercian monks of Caldey Island live cut off from the mainland of south Wales by at least a mile of sea, but they are also cut off from the rest of the world by having no television.
But this Friday (April 8) that will change. A local supplier is lending the monks a television set so they can watch the funeral of Pope John Paul II.
The set, with an accompanying satellite dish to ensure proper reception, will be installed Thursday when TV supplier Lyn Roberts sails over to the island in the morning. After the funeral, he will be back to dismantle everything and take it back to his shop at Llandybie, near Ammanford.
Boats normally sail from Tenby to take visitors to and from the monastery, but on Friday the sailings are to be canceled.
_ Robert Nowell
Quote of the Day: Gordon B. Hinckley, president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
(RNS) “In all too many cases this practice, which appears innocent, can lead to actual addiction. … Please do not fritter away your time or talents on an aimless pursuit. It will disappoint your parents, and as the years pass and you look back, you will be disappointed with yourself.”
_ Gordon B. Hinckley, president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, speaking about the dangers to youth of Internet poker and other games of chance during the 175th Annual General Conference of his church on Saturday (April 2). He was quoted by the Associated Press.
MO/PH END RNS
