c. 2008 Religion News Service

Billy Graham returns home after brief hospital stay

(RNS) Evangelist Billy Graham is out of the hospital and resting at home after tripping over his dog.

Graham spokesman A. Larry Ross said the 89-year-old evangelist spent Friday night (Oct. 10) at Mission Hospital in Asheville, N.C., in part because of the late hour of his treatment. But, with no broken bones, he was ready to resume his regular physical therapy the next day.

“He’s experienced some muscle soreness and bruising, but I think overall Mr. Graham is stronger than he was six months ago due, in part, to his faithful exercise and physical therapy,” Ross said. “Also, prayer support from many individuals across the country and the world.”

Graham tripped over Sam, a golden retriever that sticks close to the evangelist’s side.

“I am encouraging him to remain as active as possible, but to be mindful of his dog, who likes to keep faithfully at his feet,” said Dr. Lucian Rice, who treated Graham. “I expect Mr. Graham to recover fully.”

Ross said Graham, who turns 90 on Nov. 7, continues to be treated for macular degeneration, which reduces his vision, and hearing loss, for which he uses hearing aids. He has a pending book project and continues to write for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.

_ Adelle M. Banks

Survey: Catholics split on abortion, gay marriage

WASHINGTON (RNS) U.S. Catholic voters are split on the issues of abortion and same-sex marriage between those who attend church at least twice a month and those who attend church less often, according to a survey released Tuesday (Oct. 14) by the Knights of Columbus.

The survey found that both Catholics (73 percent) and non-Catholics (71 percent) agreed that America needs a “moral makeover.” Non-practicing Catholics _ defined as those who attend church less than twice a month _ were more likely to support abortion rights and same-sex marriage than the American population at large.

“Catholics should not be viewed as undifferentiated,” said Carl Anderson, head of the Knights of Columbus. He said labeling Catholics as a monolithic voting block ignores the disparity between practicing Catholics, who lean more conservative, and non-practicing Catholics, who tend to be more liberal.

Seventy-five percent of practicing Catholics oppose same-sex marriage, compared to 54 percent of non-practicing Catholics. Sixty-five percent of non-practicing Catholics identified themselves as “pro-choice” on abortion, compared to 36 percent of practicing Catholics.

The survey revealed that 76 percent of pro-choice non-practicing Catholics said abortion should be significantly restricted. Anderson said the pro-choice label “needlessly polarizes the discussion of abortion.”

“The term `pro-choice’ is obsolete,” he said.

The survey focused on the issues of abortion and same-sex marriage because they are “fundamental values that resonate more strongly among Catholics,” Anderson said. Still, the economy ranked as the top issue, with 60 percent of practicing Catholics saying the financial situation is the most critical issue facing the country.

“It’s an issue of the moment,” Anderson said, but even the financial crisis is a reflection of the nation’s “crisis of character,” he added.

The survey of 1,733 American adults was conducted by the Marist College Institute for Public Opinion. The margin of error for the overall survey was plus or minus 2.5 percentage points, and varied for individual subgroups, including up to plus or minus 6 percentage points for non-practicing Catholics.

_ Ashley Gipson

American Family Association ends boycott of McDonald’s

(RNS) The American Family Association has dropped its boycott of McDonald’s after learning a representative of the restaurant chain is no longer serving on the board of the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce.

The Mississippi-based conservative Christian organization called for the boycott last May.

“We appreciate the decision by McDonald’s to no longer support political activity by homosexual activist organizations,” said American Family Association Chairman Donald E. Wildmon.

William Whitman, a vice president of McDonald’s, said Richard Ellis, a former McDonald’s USA vice president, “made a personal decision to step down” from the board of the Washington-based gay organization after accepting a position with the Canadian branch of the restaurant chain.

“Diversity and inclusion are integral components of our brand and our heritage,” Whitman said. “We continue to have strong employee networks throughout our company and will continue to align our brand with individuals and organizations that share our belief in supporting our people and the communities we serve.”

In an Oct. 9 statement, the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce said McDonald’s “has been a good partner with the Chamber. There has been no discussion between the NGLCC and McDonald’s regarding continuing membership, nor has the NGLCC been notified of any move not to renew our work together.”

In its Oct. 8 statement announcing the end of its boycott, the AFA said Ellis’ seat on the board would not be taken by another McDonald’s representative, and said the company did not have plans to renew its membership, which expires in December.

A representative of McDonald’s did not immediately respond to a request to confirm AFA’s understanding of its future role with the chamber.

_ Adelle M. Banks

Quote of the Day: Iowa pastor Arnold Conrad

“There are millions of people around this world praying to their god _ whether it’s Hindu, Buddha, Allah _ that his (John McCain’s) opponent wins, for a variety of reasons. And Lord, I pray that you will guard your own reputation, because they’re going to think that their god is bigger than you, if that happens.”

_ Arnold Conrad, the former pastor of Grace Evangelical Free Church in Davenport, Iowa, delivering an invocation at a rally in his city for GOP presidential nominee John McCain, quoted by CNN.com. The McCain campaign later distanced itself from his comments.

KRE/PH END RNS