Joel Belz apologizes for World editorial
After The Weekly Standard called World's September 22 editorial "over the edge" and "contemptible," one might have expected World publisher Joel Belz to issue a response defending "biblical journalism." Instead, readers of the magazine will receive an apology in their mailboxes this week. "While it was right to say that such monstrous evil as occurred on Sept. 11 was the result of sin—both specific and general—it was wrong to allow the inference to be drawn that we know whose sin was involved," Belz says. "When we said under a picture of New York going up in flames that this was 'The wages of sin,' I can appreciate how some readers thought we were also saying that the victims had gotten exactly what they deserved." Belz laments that his editorial was unfortunately lumped in with Jerry Falwell's comments, but says he should have "gone to extra pains to stress that we don't know the mind of God on such matters." And like Falwell, Belz's apology explicitly says, "The blame belongs to the terrorists—and only the terrorists."
In a separate editorial, World editor Marvin Olasky seems to disagree with Belz's apology. "[Belz] was presenting an orthodox biblical view that should not have brought forth rejoinders such as 'contemptible,'" he says. "Overkill remarks of that kind suggest that the language of repentance, once spoken by most Americans, is now a foreign tongue. … Was Lincoln contemptible in 1863 when he called for a national day of prayer by asserting that all people should 'confess their sins and transgressions in humble sorrow'?"
Sheldon: Don't give gays relief funds
When Jerry Falwell blamed homosexuals for helping to cause the 9/11 terror attacks (yes, yes, he apologized), many criticized him, saying they had nothing to do with the tragedy. Now Lou Sheldon says homosexuals really shouldn't have anything to do with the tragedy. Well, that's not exactly what he's saying. The Traditional Values Coalition chairman says gay rights organizations are "taking advantage of this national tragedy to promote their agenda," and that surviving members of same-sex couples shouldn't receive aid from public and private relief agencies.
Finally, cross photos Nearly two weeks ago, Weblog noted Rod Dreher's New York Post column on the crosses of the World Trade Center wreckage. "You are looking at what some people believe is a miracle," Dreher's column began. But the supposedly multimedia Web let us down: the text was there, but no photos. Likewise, today's edition of The New York Times notes an informal ceremony yesterday where Franciscan priest Brian J. Jordan blessed one of the crosses. In print, the paper runs a 8.5"x6" photo. Online? Nothing. Fortunately, the Associated Press comes through with multiple shots, both day and night. Here's a muddier photo.
God, country gain fragile new toehold | America today is about God and country, but then it always has been. We just lost track (Kathleen Parker, USA Today)
The gospel according to Dubya | The idea of George W Bush as the instrument of God's intervention in history, his commander-in-chief in the coming contest between good and evil, is something new, and to some Americans a bit troublesome and odd (London Evening Standard)
Faith after the fall | Newcomers flock to church after the terror. Is this a revival or just a quick hit of community? (Time)
God is back | In the wake of an atrocity, he shows he hasn't forsaken New York. (Peggy Noonan, The Wall Street Journal)
Keeping the faith | Religious leaders are hoping to keep post-9/11 newcomers coming back for more (Marketplace, NPR)
Religion at work is seeing a revival | A growing number of organizations incorporate religion into their business plans, trying to stay on the spiritual path of righteousness and still turn a profit—without offending anyone along the way (The News & Observer, Raleigh, North Carolina)
Bible Belt arrives in New York City | Many denominations had at least a small presence here before Sept. 11. But now they have reinforcements. (Associated Press)
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Crossing America: 'We need to pray deep' | Birdella and Ollie May Walls have God on their minds. And they notice that much of America seems to be thinking of God right now, or at least dropping his name. (The Seattle Times)
Reaching for God | Henry Blackaby says the attack "turned the nation and leadership back to taking life more seriously, turning in a strong way back to God" (Honolulu Star-Bulletin)
Robertson suggests religious revival | "The Lord is getting ready to shake this nation," he says at CBN's 40th anniversary celebration. "We have not yet seen his judgment on America." (Associated Press)
Toward peace | There's prayer, and then there's the wife and money trouble and Billy Graham (Alan Rifkin, Salon.com)
Terror attacks could change paths of faith | Amid a surge of religious feeling among Americans, clerics see an opportunity to draw in people seeking answers to the incomprehensible (The New York Times)
Near ground zero, unbowed spires | St. Paul's may one day be designated a memorial to the catastrophic attack on New York (The New York Times)
With corporate consolidation in worship music, more entities are invested in the songs sung on Sunday mornings. How will their financial incentives shape the church?
Ministers may now use the title “pastor” regardless of gender.
With corporate consolidation in worship music, more entities are invested in the songs sung on Sunday mornings. How will their financial incentives shape the church?español
With shootings on the rise, more churches are dropping no-firearms policies and turning to gun-carriers in their flock, survey finds.
