Departments

Imagine the scene.

Imagine the scene. The Sunday school class crowds around in a circle, waiting for the morning Bible story. The teacher sits down, opens the Holy Book, and with a whoosh the word of God ignites before the astonished faces of impressionable youth.

Robert Roth 8-01-2005
Among a people of faith, giftedness changes the world.
On Capitol Hill in May,

On Capitol Hill in May, faith-based organizations announced the "I Will Not Kill" campaign to educate youth targeted by military recruiters.

In May,

In May, Taiwan’s legislative branch was pressured to revise its Genetic Health Law to require a six-day waiting period, rather than three days, before an abortion.

In this month of dehydration,
we keep our eyes skyward, both to watch
for rain and to avoid the scorn
of the scorched succulents who reproach
us silently, saying, "You promised to care."

And so, although we thought we could stick
these seedlings in the ground and leave
them to their own devices, we haul
hoses and buckets of water to the outer edges
of the yard where the hose will not reach.

Joel Kurz 8-01-2005

Michaela Bruzzese is to be commended for her article regarding the Sabbath ("The Sabbath Promise," May 2005). Christians have much to benefit from its restoration in life and practice.

  • Always Low. The Wal-Mart clan-America's wealthiest family with $84 billion-joined forces with 65 other "high-wealth families" organized by the Policy and Taxation Group in Santa Ana, California, to seek a permanent repeal of the estate tax.
  • Abolish Me. The New York State Assembly's Codes Committee defeated a bill to reinstate New York's death penalty. Out of 170 witnesses who testified at five public hearings, 148 opposed the death penalty, nine argued for it, and five supported it with changes.
  • About Time.
Louis Templeman 7-01-2005

Against the ugly annals of
Bible-thumper politics bounce the echoes
of Bad-Eye Thomas' lonesome cry.
His tears collect against the
coffers engineered by Robertson's broadcasts;
the retention walls defined by Falwell's broadsides.
Such rhetoric trickled down from
palatial headquarters (funded from small contributions)
to the votes of the faithful tithers.
Mrs. Thomas, Christopher's mother,
having deposited her social security check,
found his money coupon, kept neatly between
her phone bill and her monthly offering

Claire McKeever 7-01-2005

Contrary to popular belief, teenagers actually do care-about religion.

Talking Bible Dolls has released its newest product -

Talking Bible Dolls has released its newest product - a huggable, washable, and talking Jesus plush doll.

Three hundred Israeli high-

Three hundred Israeli high-school students signed a letter refusing to participate in the occupation of the Palestinian territories, according to a letter they sent to Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon in March.

Manchester and Salford,

Manchester and Salford, England, jointly became the 100th Fairtrade Towns in March, ushering fairly traded coffees, teas, and chocolates into local cafés and achieving a landmark victory for the growing trade justice movement in Great Britain. "The towns raise awareness and sales of fair trade, which both contribute to tackling

Brazilian churches have taken on that country'

Brazilian churches have taken on that country’s handgun epidemic by organizing their parishes and community centers to host drop-off sites for weapons - no questions asked. "Christian churches have adopted an active and committed position with civil society in the struggle against the weapons industry

War veterans,

War veterans, families with relatives in the military, peace activists, and others met in Washington, D.C., in March to publicly sign a statement of support for U.S. soldiers in Iraq who are refusing orders to fight for reasons of conscience. Signers could be charged with violating U.S.

Robert Roth 7-01-2005
Watching for Seeds and Pearls

When the faithful welcome the breaking of God’s word into relationships, politics, and economics, hope arrives. Adopted as God’s sons and daughters, people begin to make the reign of God their greatest loyalty.

I found Jim Wallis'

I found Jim Wallis’ recent article "For the Heath of the Nation" (May 2005) disappointing. Besides the disapproving tone it takes toward more "fundamentalist" evangelical Christians, it came across as flawed on several points. What troubled me most was a misplaced focus on environmental protection.

Herb Edwards 7-01-2005
Peter Henriot,

Peter Henriot, like so many others, totally dismisses the potential of GMO crops in favor of organic agriculture for feeding Zambia’s population ("The Zambia Experiment," April 2005). Zambia will double its population in 25 years. Are they going to double the acreage for crop production? At whose expense?

Mark Libby 7-01-2005
I appreciated Scot DeGraf'

I appreciated Scot DeGraf’s article ("Less is More"), as it is always good to get practical tips on being better stewards. I want to point out something minor regarding the use of compact florescent bulbs instead of incandescent bulbs.

Martin Johnson 7-01-2005
Scot DeGraf'

Scot DeGraf’s article ("Less is More," May 2005) was great, but he missed a critical mode of transportation: the bicycle. I am in my mid-50s, and co-workers—including people in their 70s—and I bicycle up to 10 miles one way to work.

Rose Marie Berger 6-01-2005
The Riggio-

The Riggio-Lynch Interfaith Chapel, designed by internationally renowned architect Maya Lin, is located at the Children’s Defense Fund’s 157-acre Haley Farm in Clinton, Tennessee.