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Alpha course show okayed
Remember earlier stories about the British reality TV series based on the Alpha evangelistic course? The National Secular Society brought a complaint against it, saying it violated British law prohibiting mainstream networks from airing evangelistic shows. Fortunately, the Independent Television Commission dismissed the complaint, saying the Alpha show didn't put any pressure on viewers. (Premier Christian Radio hasn't fared so well against such ridiculous complaints.)

More articles

Life ethics:

• Bush message enlivens antiabortion crowd | Cloning, U.S. funding issues raised; counterdemonstrators hold vigil supporting Roe v. Wade (The Washington Post)
• Plus: Bush backs rallying anti-abortionists (BBC)

Crime:

• Colombian nun jailed for sister's murder | Authorities were finally able to prove her guilty with the aid of forensic tests by the American FBI (BBC)
• Senate agrees to widen abuse bill | Clergy would be required to report past evidence (The Boston Globe)

Church and state:

• In home of 'Scopes Monkey Trial,' suit targets Bible classes | Judge is asked to stop biweekly 'ministry' in public schools (Associated Press)
• Religious schools' use of tax-free bonds spurs church-state debate | Some groups claim allowing tax exemption for parochial institutions amounts to state endorsement of religion (Associated Press)
• Constitution doesn't square religious debate | Supreme Court rulings are unclear, but in the meantime we urge the group of churches to find a way to make display of its nativity scene constitutional, if it isn't already, so those who wish may continue to see it. (The Bay City Times, Michigan)

Working together:

• Jewish, Christian institutions come together | Hebrew College, Andover Newton forge relationship (The Boston Globe)
• Nine churches join in unity pledge | Churches Uniting in Christ focuses on racial reconciliation (Associated Press)

Mormonism:

• In Olympic glare, a quieter Mormon mission | A church that has translated its scripture into hundreds of languages in the hope of winning converts worldwide has decided not to promote its faith when the Olympics shine a global spotlight on Utah in three weeks (The New York Times)
• Mormon mission | The church hopes to show the world it's in the mainstream. And no proselytizing-promise! (U.S. News & World Report)
• In admiration of Mormons | They are honest patriotic, caring, dedicated, conscientious, dependable, wise and frugal (Clotilde Bowen, The Denver Post)

Catholicism:

• Roman Catholic Church schism ends | Followers of the late Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre were welcomed back into the fold (Associated Press)
• Pope calls Internet an opportunity | Cyberspace "a summons to the great adventure of using its potential to proclaim the Gospel message" (Associated Press)

Popular culture:

• Spitfire Grill producer stepping down from Sacred Heart League to devote more time to film making | Roger Courts says 1996 film "has given hope to other independent film makers that they too can pierce the veil of Hollywood" (Desoto Times, Mississippi)
• Satire diluted in 'God's Man in Texas' | Laughter deities scarcely bless heavenly comedy (The Denver Post)
• Modern gospel music gains new believers | Terror attacks, aging population cited in rise of Christian genre (Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel)
• Interview with the 'new' Tammy Faye | There is life after scandal, and Tammy Faye says she's happy now (South Florida Sun-Sentinel)

Other stories of interest:

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January (Web-only) 2002, Vol. 46