Religion Today Summaries - Apr. 5, 2007

Columnist Says NAE's 'Carbon Crusade' May Lead to its Undoing

A Christian columnist and church renewal advocate says the National Association of Evangelicals is following the "same historical path" that led to the liberal downfall of the National Council of Churches, OneNewsNow.com reports. Mark Tooley of the Institute on Religion and Democracy (IRD) believes the NCC mis-stepped more than 40 years ago when it became more concerned with left-wing issues than those favored by its moderate to conservative constituency. Now that the NAE has chosen to rally around causes like global warming, Tooley argues they have chosen the same route. "However you may feel or think about the issue of global warming," the IRD spokesman says, "I think it is a very bad mistake for the National Association of Evangelicals to get out front of its own church members."

New Orleans Volunteers Set Monthly Record in March

Baptist Press reports that it was "March madness" of a different kind in New Orleans last month, when record numbers of Southern Baptist volunteers from across the nation worked together to rebuild flooded homes. Students and other volunteers from all over the country joined the workforce. "In terms of man-hours of labor, our volunteers produced the equivalent of well over a half million dollars' worth of work" in March, Steve Gahagan, NOAH construction manager said. "It was an incredibly productive month." Many students gave up their spring break to be part of the 5,000-plus volunteers working with Operation N.O.A.H. (New Orleans Area Homes) Rebuild. NOAH volunteers hung more than 1,500 sheets of sheetrock in March and worked on a record number of roofing, electrical and plumbing rough-in jobs, Gahagan said. The 301 work orders the teams completed represent 116 New Orleans homes, seven churches, two ministry centers and five homes of local pastors. Many volunteers have served multiple times in New Orleans.

Episcopal Mistrust Raises Conservatives' Concern

The Christian Post reports that Anglican laity and clergy in Colorado expressed concern over allegations of financial misconduct against the leader of a breakaway church. The Steering Committee of The Communion Laity and Clergy of Colorado clarified its understanding of circumstances surrounding the Rev. Donald Armstrong, who was accused by Colorado Bishop Robert O'Neil of theft and mishandling hundreds of thousands of dollars over about 10 years. "Sadly, mistrust in the councils of the church is at such a low point that it is difficult to know whom to believe during periods when the needs of confidentiality and due process limit communications," said a statement by the conservative laity and clergy group on Monday. As parish leaders criticized the action against Armstrong as the product of a "kangaroo court," according to the Associated Press, the accused bishop said he is confident he will be cleared of the accusations.

Study: Religion May Reduce Spread of AIDS

A UPI story says: "A U.S. study says people with HIV who have strong religious ties are less likely to spread the virus that causes AIDS. The RAND Corp. study says HIV-positive people who say religion is an important part of their lives are likely to have fewer sexual partners and engage in less high-risk sexual behavior. 'Moral beliefs may indicate an underlying altruism and a desire to make sure no one else is infected with HIV,' behavioral scientist David Kanouse said in a release. 'Promoting these feelings could then be used as a component of HIV prevention programs.'" Lead author Frank H. Galvan said, "Religiosity is an untapped resource in the whole struggle against HIV and AIDS, and should be looked at more thoroughly."