National Notes
___
Methodists speak on gambling. United Methodist bishops, many of whom have been in the vanguard of efforts to stop legalized gambling in their respective areas, passed a resolution Nov. 4 calling on church members to refrain from gambling "in any form." They also encouraged United Methodists to lobby government officials to vote against gambling initiatives, support the National Coalition Against Legalized Gambling and converse with Native American leaders on issues related to gambling and economic empowerment.
___ Velasquez tops "Hot Latin Tracks." A Latin single by Christian music artist Jaci Velasquez has topped Billboard's "Hot Latin Tracks," marking the first time a Christian artist has topped that list. "Llegar A Ti" reached the No. 1 position during the first week in November. It is the title song on Velasquez's third album, also titled "Llegar A Ti." An English version of the song, titled "Love Will Find You," is featured in the motion picture soundtrack for "Music of the Heart."
___ Groups endorse guide on Bible and schools. A range of religious and secular organizations has endorsed a new guide on teaching about the Bible in public schools. "The Bible and Public Schools: A First Amendment Guide," announced Nov. 11, is published by the First Amendment Center at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., and the National Bible Association. The guide urges moving beyond the debate over whether any one religion should be emphasized in public schools, or whether religion should be completely ignored. It suggests a third way, where religious-liberty rights of students of all faiths--or no faith--are protected, and curricula include study about religion as part of a full education. The guide has been endorsed by 18 groups, including the Anti-Defamation League, the Baptist Joint Committee, the American Jewish Congress, the Council on Islamic Education, the National Association of Evangelicals and the National Council of Churches.
___ More stations carrying Christian programming. The number of radio and television stations broadcasting Christian programs has increased for the third year in a row. Radio stations carrying Christian programming increased from 1,616 in 1998 to a record 1,731 in 1999, reports the 2000 NRB Directory of Religious Media, published by the National Religious Broadcasters. The number of TV stations airing Christian programs grew from 242 in 1998 to 285 in 1999.
___ Court allows rejection of Ten Commandments. A federal appeals court has ruled that a California school district's refusal to display the Ten Commandments on a baseball field can be justified. "We find that the district's decision to exclude ads on certain subjects, including religion, was reasonable, given the district's concerns regarding disruption and controversy," the three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Nov. 8. The panel's unanimous decision allows the Downey Unified School District to refuse to sell billboard space to a private party seeking to post the Ten Commandments.
___ Christian Coalition moving to Washington. Christian Coalition officials have announced plans to relocate from Virginia Beach, Va., to the Washington, D.C., area. The organization said relocation happen soon and would help the Religious Right's leading political organization work more effectively.___
___ More babies born to unwed parents. The percentage of babies born to unwed parents has increased fivefold since the 1930s, a new U.S. Census report reveals. The report examined first births to women between the ages of 15 and 29. In the period from 1990 to 1994, 41 percent of these births were out-of wedlock, compared to just 8 percent in the period from 1930 to 1934. The report also gave details about how many couples marry after learning they have conceived a child but before it is born. Until the 1960s, about 50 percent to 60 percent of couples married after discovering a pregnancy. That figure dropped to 29 percent in the early 1980s.
___ Court won't review damage award to atheist. The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to disturb a symbolic $1 damage award to an atheist who claimed he was forced to participate in religious exercises at Alcoholics Anonymous meetings as part of his probation sentence. Orange County, N.Y., officials recommended probation for Robert Warner, charged with his third alcohol-related driving offense in one year, on the condition that Warner attend AA meetings. Warner, who had begun attending AA meetings voluntarily before his sentence, later filed suit against probation officials alleging his First Amendment rights were violated by being forced to attend the meetings.
Contents/ Masthead / Why We're Here / Links / Archive / E-mail us/ SUBSCRIBE!