In today's edition:
- New NIV Bible Still Has Gender Issues, Critics Say
- Churches Lose Vicars as Anglicans Leave for Rome
- China Bans Prayer Meetings during Asian Games
- 14 Sentenced for India Anti-Christian Violence; More Walk Free
New NIV Bible Still Has Gender Issues, Critics Say
The updated NIV Bible - which replaced the controversial TNIV translation -shows "significant improvements" over the TNIV's flaws, but critics are still uneasy. Publishers of the New International Version, Biblica and Zondervan, previewed the updated version online this month. The Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood, one of the leading critics of the TNIV, said Friday that the version still contained major errors due to its gender-inclusive language. "Our initial analysis shows that the new NIV(2011) retains many of the problems that were present in the TNIV, on which it is based, especially with regard to the over 3,600 gender-related problems we previously identified," the group said in a statement, according to The Christian Post. "In spite of the many good changes made, our initial analysis reveals that a large percentage of our initial concerns still remain."
Churches Lose Vicars as Anglicans Leave for Rome
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams, has warned that parishes will be left without vicars as hundreds of Anglicans "jump ship" for the Catholic Church. According to the UK Telegraph, Williams implored conservatives within the Church of England to consider options besides joining Rome in a special agreement known as the English Ordinariate. Five bishops recently tendered their resignations to Williams for this purpose. "Obviously my reaction to the resignations is one of regret but respect - I know the considerations they've been through," Williams said. "There are still a great many Anglicans in the Church of England who call themselves traditionalist who have no intention of jumping ship at this point, who are at the moment in considerable confusion and distress.
China Bans Prayer Meetings during Asian Games
Christians in Guangzhou, the capital of China's Guangdong province, claim authorities are using the upcoming Asian comes to crack down on faith communities. Worthy News reports that officials have banned house churches from holding services during the 16th annual Games and have sought out pastors individually to give the orders. But house churches don't really pose a security threat, according to Wang Dao, pastor of the Guangzhou Liangren church. "There isn't an issue with security," he said. "I think it's just an excuse, so they can undertake a total crackdown and cleanup of house churches." Officially atheist, Chinese officials scrutinize any faith-based activity; party officials officially oversee Catholics, Buddhists, Taoists, Muslims, and Protestants.
14 Sentenced for India Anti-Christian Violence; More Walk Free
Judges in Orissa, India, have sentenced 14 people to three years of "rigorous imprisonment" for their role in the 2008 Kandhamal riots. However, Christian Today reports that other alleged perpetrators of anti-Christian violence still walk free after a murder trial. Another court recently acquitted 31 people charged with joining a mob that attacked and killed two Christians in the state. Two people were convicted in the matter, but one Bharatiya Janata Party official connected to the killings was among those acquitted. Christians say the lack of conviction was a result of intimidation and coercion. "Christians have lost confidence in the police and local councils. They work hand in glove with the assailants," said Father Ajay Singh, who was part of a fact-finding mission in the state.
