In Brief: July 12, 1999

  1. Feed the Children dismissed 14 employees at its distribution center in Nashville last month after a local news telecast showed staff members driving home with numerous boxes of donated goods. A May 24 raid by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation at the homes of administrative workers yielded shoes, videos, blankets, food, and other items. “I will not tolerate this isolated incident to malign our years of good works,” Larry Jones, founder of the Oklahoma City–based charity, said. “I am shocked and saddened.” The 20-year-old organization receives $150 million in donated goods and $150 million in cash annually. The organization installed a video surveillance system at the Nashville warehouse in June.
  2. Nebraska Gov. Mike Johanns on May 26 vetoed a law that would have made the state the first in the nation to enact a moratorium on the death penalty. Nebraska’s unicameral legislature had passed a bill 27 to 20 to halt executions for a two-year study period to determine if they are exercised fairly. But Johanns, a Republican who backs capital punishment, said he is obligated to enforce the law. Various religious leaders have opposed executions in the state (CT, March 1, 1999, p. 19).
  3. The largest collection of genealogical records in the world—the names of 2 billion deceased people—can be accessed at a new Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Web site, www.FamilySearch.org. Demand for the site reached 40 million hits a day after its May introduction. The church encourages members to trace their ancestors as a religious obligation because Mormons believe family relationships do not end at death but continue into eternity.

Copyright © 1999 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Also in this issue

The Triumph of the Praise Songs: As praise bands and worship teams replace organs and choirs, the boomer tastes that reshaped our society are ruling our worship as well.

New Song, Familiar Tune

New & Noteworthy: Biography

Karon’s Agenda

Writing the Trinity

Christian Coalition Loses Exepmt Status

Praying for Movers and Shakers

Wiccans Practice on U.S Bases

Voucher Plan Draws Mixed Reviews

God Speaks to Commuters

Classic & Contemporary Excerpts from July 12, 1999

Religious Liberty Bill's Passage Uncertain

Bountiful Believers in the Bayou

Fidelity Urged to Fight AIDS

In Brief: July 12, 1999

Evangelicals Resent Abandonment

Anglicans Recognize Papacy as 'Gift'

Slave Girls Find Redemption

Christians Held As Hostages

The Triumph of the Praise Songs

Letters

Pain Relief

Truth-Telling on Trial

The Ministry of Safe Play

Indianapolis: Graham Touts Muscular Christianity

Southern Baptists: City-Focused Evangelism Launched

The Biotech Temptation

Editorial

There Is Room in the Inn

Balkanized by Music

The Profits of Praise

We Are What We Sing

One Church, Two Faiths

Integrating Mars and Venus

Coming to a Neighborhood Near You

Stuck on the Road to Emmaus

Escape from Fantasy Island

A Cracked Code

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