News

Christianity Today News Briefs

Newdow and InnerChange rejected in court, archeologists debate new find’s support of the Bible.

• Archaeologists working in Jordan have determined that Edom became a complex society as early as the 12th century B.C. This dating supports the biblical claim that King David fought a powerful group of Edomites, descendants of Esau. The excavation turned up arrowheads and hammers among the ruins in Edom’s former lowlands. Many archaeologists previously believed that Edom did not become a complex society until the eighth century B.C.

• A federal district judge in Sacramento ruled that “In God We Trust” is a secular national slogan, dismissing a lawsuit by Michael Newdow. The atheist, who earlier gained fame for suing over the Pledge of Allegiance, said the motto violated his First Amendment rights. The judge cited a prior Ninth Circuit Court opinion to uphold the constitutionality of the motto, which has appeared on all U.S. currency since 1955.

InnerChange Freedom Initiative appealed a federal judge’s June ruling that the Prison Fellowship program in Iowa is unconstitutional because it uses tax dollars to rehabilitate prisoners with evangelical Christianity. The appeals process suspended the order to disband the program and refund about $1.5 million that Iowa granted the program since 1999. Prisoners represented by Americans United for Separation of Church and State said inmates of other faiths feel uncomfortable participating in the voluntary Bible-based program. Proponents said InnerChange improves inmate behavior and reduces recidivism rates. The federal Bureau of Prisons has temporarily withdrawn a proposal to implement single-faith rehabilitation programs in six federal prisons, according to Prison Fellowship.

Copyright © 2006 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Related Elsewhere:

Weblog commented on the archeological discovery and Michael Newdow’s suit.

CT reported on and Charles Colson commented on the InnerChange decision.

Also in this issue

The CT archives are a rich treasure of biblical wisdom and insight from our past. Some things we would say differently today, and some stances we've changed. But overall, we're amazed at how relevant so much of this content is. We trust that you'll find it a helpful resource.

Our Latest

The Bulletin

An Alleged Drug Boat Strike, the Annunciation Catholic School Shooting, and the Rise of Violence in America

The Bulletin discusses the attack on an alleged Venezuelan drug boat and the recent school shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church in the context of politics of violence.

The AI Bible: ‘We Call It Edutainment’

Max Bard of Pray.com details an audience-driven approach to AI-generated videos of the Bible, styled like a video game and heavy on thrills.

Review

A Woman’s Mental Work Is Never Done

Sociologist Allison Daminger’s new book on the cognitive labor of family life is insightful but incomplete.

News

In Rural Uganda, a Christian Lab Tech Battles USAID Cuts

Orach Simon tests blood and finds hope amid suffering.

From Our Community

Storing Up Kingdom Treasure

Greenbriar Equity Group chairman and founding partner Regg Jones urges fellow Christians to invest in the next generation of Christ followers.

Gen Z Is More Than Just Anxious

What the church gets wrong—and what it can get right—about forming a generation shaped by screens and longing for purpose.

Don’t Pay Attention. Give It.

Attention isn’t a resource to maximize for productivity. It’s a gift that helps us love God and neighbor.

Faith-Based Education Is Having a Moment

I’m excited to see churches—particularly Black congregations—step boldly into teaching.

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