Briefs: The World

Roman Catholics and Protestants in Belgium are protesting a bill that would legalize euthanasia even for conditions that are not terminal, such as mental illness. Some are calling for increased palliative care instead of euthanasia. According to a poll published in the newspaper La Libre Belgique, about 72 percent of Belgians support euthanasia. The bill, currently in the Belgian Senate, could be adopted by the end of the year. The Evangelical Alliance of Flanders opposes the measure.

The Roman Catholic Church recently announced that it will no longer accept the baptisms of Mormons who convert to Catholicism. Citing serious deficiencies in Mormon theology, especially regarding the Trinity, the church says future converts will be rebaptized. The Presbyterian Church (USA) and the United Methodist Church also have declined to accept Mormon baptisms. The Roman Catholic Church accepts Protestant baptisms. Craig Blomberg, a professor at Denver Seminary and coauthor of How Wide the Divide? (InterVarsity, 1997), says that Mormons do not accept the baptisms of converts from Christian churches. “To my knowledge none of the mainline Protestant denominations nor the evangelical denominations have ever issued a statement accepting the lds [Latter-day Saints] church as fully Christian or accepting their baptisms as valid,” Blomberg told Christianity Today.

Baptist, Pentecostal, and other Protestant churches in Serbia say a proposed law on religion would discriminate against them (CT, Aug. 6, p. 28). Serbia’s Ministry of Religion recognizes only the Serbian Orthodox Church, the Roman Catholic Church, Lutheran and Reformed churches, and Islamic and Jewish communities as “historical and traditional.” The law, which may be voted on by November, would allow these religious bodies to provide religious education in schools.

Copyright © 2001 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Also in this issue

Possessed or Obsessed? Many Christians say they are in need of deliverance, but some may be giving demons more than their due.

Cover Story

Possessed or Obsessed?

Mercy Impaired

Nigeria: Orphaned and Widowed

Jordan: Evangelical Seminary Remains in Limbo

Greece: Socialists Give Evangelicals Some Relief

New Zealand: Christians Divide Over Sex-Worker Law

Learning English from MTV

Letters

Two Cheers

Dismantling the Salvation Army

Why Rules Rule

Yahoo! Users Shun Christian Shopping Mall

Zarathustra Shrugged

Dying Together

'I'm Not in It for the Money'

Hagiography for Moderns

Compassion Confusion

Evangelical Bungles Party Leadership Resigns

Khmu Christians Arrested

Laos: Christians Arrested

Suffering

Suffering

Judeo-christian Mutual Funds

News

Cinema Verities

Wire Story

Episcopal Church: Legal Ping-Pong

Excerpt

The 'Ample' Man Who Saved My Faith

Exorcism Therapy

Alter Possession

Pandora's Box of SRA

Exorcism 101

Risking Life for Peace

Christ's Returns

News

Reel School for Real Christians

Resources for Clean Investments

How Shall We Then Invest?

What Has Jerusalem to Do with Mecca?

Stem Cells: Embryos Split Prolifers

Charitable Choice: Charity Bill Scaled Back

Biotech: House Backs Human Cloning Ban

Briefs: North America

Canadian Anglicans Nearly Broke

School Prayer: Court Okays Mandatory Moment of Silence

View issue

Our Latest

News

Northern Seminary Presidential Installation Goes Awry

It’s unclear whether Joy Moore resigned her leadership at the suburban Chicago school.

‘The Chosen Adventures’ Educates Our Smallest Bible Scholars

The animated spinoff on the adult show is a heady attempt to disciple kids on the life of Jesus.

News

How Abortion Pills Change the Fight for Life

Texas pregnancy centers adjust their services as women increasingly access mifepristone by mail.

Review

Suffering Comes in Many Forms. So Does Theodicy.

Scripture attests to God’s distinct plans to wipe individual tears from individual eyes.

The Bulletin

Hamas Crackdown, Rural Hospitals, and Why Brides Wear White

Hamas punishes political enemies, the importance of rural hospitals, and how purity culture influences modern weddings.

Naomi Raine Isn’t Playing Games

The founding member of Maverick City Music is releasing new songs as a solo artist with an impressive roster of guests.

News

Shrinking Palestinian Christian Population Wary of Cease-Fire

“As people, we can live together … because this is what Jesus asked us to do.”

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube