Religion Today Summaries - May 8, 2007

Compiled & Edited by Crosswalk Editorial Staff | Updated: May 08, 2007

Religion Today Summaries - May 8, 2007

Daily briefs of the top news stories impacting Christians around the world.
 
In today's edition:

  • Christians, Atheists to Debate the Existence of God
  • Resolution Calls for More SBC Churches to Start Christian Schools
  • 'God' Removed From Classroom by San Diego School District
  • New Full-Color Student Bible Directs the Visual Generation towards Spiritual Success


Christians, Atheists to Debate the Existence of God

CNSNews.com reports that two Christian evangelists and two atheist activists are squaring off in a 90-minute debate about whether God really exists - in a program to be shown on the ABC News website Wednesday afternoon. An abbreviated version will be broadcast during the evening edition of "Nightline." "We are very grateful to ABC for taking this courageous step," said Ray Comfort of the "Way of the Master" ministry. The debate was recorded before a live audience in New York City on Saturday. "As far as we know, nothing like this has ever been done before." Comfort claims he can prove the existence of God, scientifically, without mentioning faith or the Bible. Comfort's partner in ministry, actor Kirk Cameron, said, "We will not only prove that God exists, but as an ex-atheist, I'll show that the issue keeping so many people from believing in God -- Darwinian evolution -- is completely unscientific."
 
Resolution Calls for More SBC Churches to Start Christian Schools

OneNewsNow.com reports that a joint resolution calling on more Southern Baptist churches to start Christian schools has been introduced for the denomination's upcoming meeting in San Antonio. Drs. Voddie Baucham and Bruce Shortt, who have led the SBC to develop an exit strategy from the public school system, brought the resolution. Last year, SBC president Dr. Frank Page called upon churches to start more Christian schools, because, as Baucham says, the public school system is hostile to the Christian message.

'God' Removed From Classroom by San Diego School District

According to The Church Report, a federal civil rights lawsuit has been brought against the Poway Unified School District in San Diego. The suit, brought by the Thomas More Law Center, accuses school officials of violating Johnson’s constitutional rights by ordering him to remove several educational banners from his classroom because the officials deemed them to promote a “Judeo-Christian” viewpoint. Johnson had been displaying the banners - carrying such patriotic themes as "In God We Trust" and "One Nation Under God" - for nearly 25 years before he was ordered to remove them. Richard Thompson, President and Chief Counsel for the Law Center, commented, “Cleansing our Nation’s classrooms of our religious heritage and history and imposing viewpoint restrictions on speech to silence such expressions advance no legitimate educational purpose. In fact, such actions undermine the primary purpose of public education: to prepare students for citizenship in our Republic.”

Full-Color Student Bible Directs the Visual Generation towards Spiritual Success

Born between 1977 and 1994, members of the Visual Generation have grown up in an increasingly secular, media-saturated culture where stress is the emotion of choice and instant gratification is the answer to all of life’s troubles. Now, a groundbreaking new resource helps set these contemporaries back on course — both spiritually and morally — positioning them to make a positive, eternal impact on their lives and those around them. The Holman Student Bible is the first and only full-color student Bible that speaks to this emerging generation in their own language — visually. With more than 500 photos, 200 maps, biblical reconstructions, topical quotes, and photos that help bring the Bible to life, The Holman Student Bible bursts with brilliant, four-color prints on every single page.  The HSB also includes insightful commentary sidebars and innovative quick guides on biblical characters, how to study the Bible, world religions and cults, and how to identify spiritual gifts.

Religion Today Summaries - May 8, 2007