c. 2006 Religion News Service
Literal Belief in Bible Down 10 Points in 30 Years
(RNS) A little more one quarter of Americans believe the Bible is the literal word of God, down 10 percentage points since 1976.
According to a recent survey by the Gallup Poll, 28 percent of Americans believe the Bible is literally true, compared to 38 percent 30 years ago. The survey was conducted among 1,002 adults, aged 18 or older.
Nearly half, 49 percent, said the Bible was the “inspired word of God,” while 19 percent called it an “ancient book of fables.” Only 3 percent had no opinion.
Eddie Gibbs, professor of church growth at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, Calif., said the “responses are cultural rather than reflecting of a deeper personal belief; the Bible has lost its position of cultural prominence.”
The survey asked respondents if they believed the Bible was the actual word of God and should be taken word-for- word; whether it was inspired by God, but should not be taken literally; whether it is a book of fables and legends; or whether the person has no opinion of the Bible.
Between 1976 and 1984, the same poll showed between 37 percent and 40 percent of Americans chose the “actual word of God” option.
Gibbs said “broader culture has cast doubts and raises questions about all Scripture, leading to pluralism all around.”
The research considered age, geographic region, education level, political views, and religious identity as predictors to a person’s view about the Bible.
Literal belief in the Bible was highest among older Americans (36 percent), those with lowest levels of education (39 percent), Southerners (39 percent), Republicans (33 percent), and Protestants and other non-Catholic Christians (37 percent).
“Older Americans grew up in a time where the Bible was more culturally relevant,” Gibbs said, “which leads to a very significant emotional hold later in their lives.”
The poll carried a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.
ÆÂ? Preetom Bhattacharya
Pastor Completes Cross-Country Tour for Lou Gehrig’s
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (RNS) As a sports car fan, the Rev. Ed Dobson had to admit he had a ball driving across the country in a Corvette.
“Corvettes are just unbelievable machines,” said the retired pastor recently at the end of a cross-country convoy along Route 66.
“I will not plead innocent or guilty to speeding,” he added with a laugh. “We had a deadline to meet.”
Dobson, accompanied by 40 friends and a dozen Corvettes, pulled into Santa Monica, Calif., after leaving Grand Rapids on May 18. Their mission was to raise awareness of and funds for ALS, better known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
Raising nearly $275,000 for ALS research and to assist patients was more important than any sports-car thrill, said Dobson, who was forced to retire from his pulpit last year because of the disease.
Along the way, the group met several other “PALS” ÆÂ? people with ALS. They included a female body builder, a Los Alamos, N.M., nuclear scientist and the former police chief of Flagstaff, Ariz.
However, he was disappointed few reporters showed up along the route.
“It’s just a reminder that this disease does not rank very high on the radar screen,” said Dobson, expressing hope that will change with a photo exhibit of the tour.
“I’m just praying this trip will be the beginning of a journey that will lead to greater awareness and to greater research to find a cure, probably not for me but for others.”
ÆÂ? Charles Honey
Dutch Teachers Learn Essentials of Islam for Schools
PARIS (RNS) Dutch officials have handed out diplomas to the first three graduates of an innovative program that aims to train primary school teachers about Islam and Muslim cultural sensitivities.
Roughly 80 teachers are now enrolled in the two-year training course that will allow them to better understand and respond to needs of the growing number of Muslim students in their midst.
“The idea is to teach them how to deal with the parents, how to deal with the children ÆÂ? and how to work with other teachers in the school.” says Koos Rusting, spokesman for IPABO, a teacher training institute in the
Netherlands that is spearheading the initiative.
“They learn about the Koran, but also about the differences and similarities between religions.” Rusting adds, “and that there are more similarities than
differences.”
So far, the program is limited to teachers from primary schools in Amsterdam and Almere ÆÂ? Dutch cities with flourishing Muslim populations.
Its target ÆÂ? to bridge cultural and religious divides ÆÂ? is particularly apt in the Netherlands, where rising anti-Islamic sentiments have been fueled by droves of new immigrants from Turkey and North Africa, and the 2004 killing of Dutch filmmaker Theo Van Gogh.
An estimated 945,000 people (5.8 percent of the Dutch population) are Muslim.
Among other subjects, students in the program study the Koran and religious opinions about controversial issues, such as whether head scarves are mandatory for Muslim women.
The program’s graduates are all primary school teachers from public schools, along with private Islamic ones ÆÂ? the Netherland’s Islamic schools administration, ISBO, recently recognized the new certificates.
They will return to teaching reading, writing and arithmetic, but will also be on hand to work as mediators of sorts between the school system and Muslim pupils.
IPABO, the training institute, offers similar programs for the Roman Catholic and Protestant religions.
Diplomas to the first three graduates were passed out last week by Job Cohen, Amsterdam’s Jewish mayor who has worked hard to reduce tensions between the city’s Muslim immigrants and its long-time, majority-Christian
inhabitants.
ÆÂ? Elizabeth Bryant
Bishop Removes Gay Priest After Long Absence
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (RNS) The local Roman Catholic bishop has removed from ministry a priest who stunned his parishioners nine years ago by announcing he was gay.
In a memo sent to priests on Friday (May 26), Grand Rapids Bishop Walter Hurley said he removed the Rev. Martin Kurylowicz from public ministry “with great reluctance.” The removal takes effect Tuesday (May 30).
Kurylowicz has been absent from the diocese since coming out to parishioners in Sparta, Mich., in 1997. The action means he no longer can publicly celebrate Mass, wear his clerical clothes or present himself as a priest.
Hurley said he removed Kurylowicz because the priest did not comply with repeated requests or orders to meet with the bishop about his status in the diocese.
“It’s just unacceptable to have someone gone for nine years and absolutely refuse to meet with the diocesan bishop under whose authority he functions.” Hurley said.
Kurylowicz, who lives and works outside Detroit, countered it is difficult to find the time or money to meet with Hurley. He said he is busy “24/7” working as a psychotherapist, studying and receiving therapy himself.
“I didn’t refuse to come there.” said Kurylowicz, 56. “I can’t just up and leave. I’m not trying to avoid him.”
He called Hurley’s action “wrong“ and an attempt to silence his criticism of the church’s treatment of gays.
“I think the underlying stimulus for all of this is the issue of homosexuality.” Kurylowicz said. “This is a silence thing.”
Hurley rejected that charge. “The issue has nothing to do with sexual orientation. It’s time for us to clarify what his relationship with the diocese is going to be.”
Kurylowicz has not worked in the diocese since July 1997. After Kurylowicz announced he was gay and celibate, he took a one-year sabbatical. However, he did not return, earning a master’s degree and entering the therapy practice.
His status remained in limbo while the diocese continued to pay his health insurance and pension. Hurley said his leave was extended several times.
Kurylowicz said he will pray about whether to meet with Hurley or appeal his decision to the Vatican.
“If I go back to Grand Rapids, I’m just going to be put in another closet.” he said. “Where are they going to put me? Send me up north?“
ÆÂ? Charles Honey
Quote of the Day: Pope Benedict XVI
(RNS) “To speak in this place of horror, in this place where unprecedented mass crimes were committed against God and man, is almost impossible ÆÂ? and it is particularly difficult and troubling for a Christian, for a pope from Germany.”
ÆÂ? Pope Benedict XVI, speaking during a visit to the Auschwitz concentration camp in Poland on Sunday (May 28). He was quoted by The New York Times.
KRE END RNS
AP-NY-05-30-06 1656EDT
