Faith Digest

Posted: 1/18/08

Faith Digest

Evolution and religion compatible, scientists insist. A top panel of scientists has published a new book asserting that belief in the theory of evolution and religious faith “can be fully compatible,” and creationism has no place in science classes. The 88-page Science, Evolution, and Creationism, produced by the National Academy of Sciences and the Institute of Medicine, is an updated version of two previous books supporting evolution scholarship. The 2008 version is different, according to the 15-person committee that designed it, because it is aimed at clergy and school board members and discusses the role of faith in human knowledge. “Science and religion address separate aspects of human experience,” the book says.

‘In God We Trust’ will move from edge to surface of coins. By popular demand, the national motto “In God We Trust” will move from the edge of new dollar coins honoring U.S. presidents to the front or back of the currency. A provision in the $555 billion domestic spending bill for 2008 calls for the change to take place “as soon as is practicable.” The U.S. Mint began producing presidential one-dollar coins in 2007. The words “In God We Trust” were placed along the edge of the coins, as instructed by Congress. But critics complained about the placement and thought the words belonged on the front or back of the coins instead. The dies already have been produced for the 2008 coins, so those will still have the motto along the edge. But the motto will be moved on 2009 coins.

Polls should count evangelical Democrats, advocates insist. Several influential evangelical leaders have called on pollsters to ask Democrats—and not just Republicans—if they are evangelicals when future primaries occur. Nine evangelical spokesmen, including Sojourners founder Jim Wallis and Christianity Today editor David Neff, sent a letter to polling and political directors of media outlets that are represented by the National Election Pool, which supplies poll data to ABC, CBS, CNN, Fox, NBC and the Associated Press.

Two Georgia ministries not cooperating with probe. Two of the six ministries with finances under investigation by Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, have been unwilling to cooperate, citing privacy rights and questioning Grassley’s focus on groups that preach the “prosperity gospel.” Creflo Dollar Ministries in College Park, Ga., and Eddie Long’s New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Lithonia, Ga., have refused to submit financial records first requested by Grassley last November. Dollar’s attorney had told Grassley the church would not comply by the original Dec. 6 deadline. In an op-ed column in Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Long’s attorney James M. Hunter called Grassley’s inquiry an “inquisition.” Two of the six ministries—Kenneth Copeland Ministries in Newark, near Fort Worth, and Joyce Meyer Ministries in Fenton, Mo.—have provided materials that are being reviewed by Senate staff, Grassley said. Two other ministries—Without Walls International Church in Tampa, Fla., and Benny Hinn Ministries in Grapevine—have sent mixed signals about their plans to cooperate.