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Meanwhile, other papers have been busy explaining where various churches stand on the issue (against embryonic stem-cell research: the Roman Catholic Church, Southern Baptist Convention, and United Methodist Church; for the research: Presbyterian Church U.S.A., United Church of Christ). The Dallas Morning News suggests the debate is getting too emotional. In the face of daily discoveries, syndicated columnist Ann Coulter denies there's much hope in embryonic stem cells: "This whole debate is a hoax designed to trick Americans into yielding ground on human experimentation." And most media are ignoring adult stem cells or stem cells from umbilical cords as an option.

Persecution:

• Sharia meant to stop Christianity, says Christian Association of Nigeria | Islamic law implementers also seek overthrow of Nigerian government, group asserts. (The Post Express, Lagos, Nigeria)
• Pressure on Sudan | That pushing Sudan's war has been pushed to the forefront of the Bush administration's agenda is to be welcomed. But some of the ideas being urged on the administration are misguided. (Editorial, The New York Times)
• France's anti-cult law undermines religious-liberty rights | It appears that the French define "cult" as a religious group the government doesn't like. (Charles Haynes, Freedom Forum)
• 2 Indonesia churches hit by bomb blasts | Police blame unidentified forces wanting to disrupt impeachment proceedings (Associated Press)

Kidnapped missionaries:

• U.S. missionary couple's children appeal to Philippine kidnappers | Taped pleas of children, 14, 12, and 10, aired on Radio Mindanao Network (AFP)
• Abu Sayyaf Group again threatens to harm hostages | Response to military crackdown (ABS-CBN)
• Also: Abu Sayyaf threaten hostages over government crackdown (AFP)

Church and state:

• Indianapolis Baptist Temple leader must pay $136,610 | U.S. District Judge hits church's patriarch with judgment for delinquent taxes (The Indianapolis Star)
• L.A. police academy to drop prayer | A divided commission cites a Supreme Court ruling in voting to substitute a moment of reflection at graduations. (Los Angeles Times)
• Sims vetoes rural limits, lifts growth moratorium | Seattle area goes back to square one on regulating construction of churches and schools on rural land (The Seattle Times)
• Also: A good veto halts rural land compromise (Editorial, The Seattle Times)

Religion and politics:

• Pastor refrains from more royal criticism | Bishop tells minister to stop criticizing prince's choice of bride (Aftenposten, Oslo)
• Bush's speechwriter relies on faith | Evangelical Christian Michael Gerson infuses his work for President Bush with a gentle spirituality. (Associated Press)
• Ashcroft defends his ardent faith | At Crystal Cathedral, attorney general says he imposes his faith on no one (Associated Press)

Education:

• Louisiana Bible study class proposal draws its foes, supporters | But class has already been implemented around the state and country (The Baton Rouge Advocate)
• High court to mediate in school lifestyles dispute | Instead of issuing a ruling, the Federal Constitutional Court offered on Friday to help find a compromise in a dispute over a state's required school course on religion and ethics (Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung)

Sexual ethics:

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July (Web-only) 2001, Vol. 45