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But Davenport doesn't wholly reject the statement. "The studied opinion of 100 Christian ethicists about the morality of a war is an important word, but not the last word on the matter. There is ample room for Christians, and others, to find solid moral ground for military action against Saddam," he writes. "Sometimes Christianity demands its followers to be proactive, not merely reactive or passive. Frequently it requires tough choices between shades of good and evil. Most of all, it requires us to adapt ancient moral principles to modern realities, which fairly includes the pre-emptive removal of weapons of mass destruction, as well as the evildoer who controls them."

Meanwhile, Henry G. Brinton, pastor of Fairfax Presbyterian Church, writes in The Washington Post, "It is hard for me to chart a straight course for myself and my parishioners when respected religious leaders are recommending an approach that is so different from the president's. … For a worldwide Christian church that rarely agrees about anything, this is quite a consensus. … The president needs to address these misgivings, using both political and theological language, if he is to win the support of Christian leaders at home and abroad."

It's not just a problem in the U.S., either. The Daily Telegraph of London reports that Prime Minister Tony Blair will call a "faith summit" on the issue. "We've got a tricky situation at the moment," an unnamed official who is setting up the summit said. "The peace-loving Christians and the Muslims are getting jittery. We need to get them in and calm them down. Tony agrees."

Bush announces fetus rights rule:

• Bush to extend health care benefits to fetuses | New rule stirs abortion debate (The Washington Post)
  
  
• Also: Bush plan on fetus benefits sparks debate (The Boston Globe)
  
  
• Also: White House issues regulation that defines fetuses as children (Los Angeles Times)

Politics and law:

• Religious, charitable groups get exemption on campaign finance | The move was sought by activist groups on the left and right but opposed by reform advocates, who cite the highly political activities of some churches and of such organizations as the Christian Coalition. (The Washington Post)
  
  
• Showing faith in discretion | The Fellowship, which sponsors the National Prayer Breakfast, quietly effects political change. It acts with the blessing of many in power (Los Angeles Times)
  
  
• Bishop trains pastors to win grants | Harold Ray, who three years ago opened the National Center for Faith Based Initiative at his West Palm Beach, Fla., megachurch, passed through Washington last week for a two-day "economic empowerment" forum, funded partly by federal grants to impart management skills to grass-roots religious workers (The Washington Times)
  
  
• Regional faith differences affect politics, study says | Glenmary's "religious census" suggests why vouchers are popular in Cleveland and domestic partner benefits are big in the Pacific Northwest (The Plain Dealer, Cleleveland)
  
  
• Frustrated U.S. Muslims feel marginalized again | "On the political scene, we are back to square one." (Los Angeles Times)
  
  
• French bishops against church protests | Senior Roman Catholic clerics in France have asked illegal immigrants to stop occupying churches and cathedrals in their effort to win residency papers (BBC)

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September (Web-only) 2002, Vol. 46