Conservative Christians question House inquiry
WASHINGTON — Nearly two-dozen conservative Christian leaders have signed a letter to the Senate Finance Committee questioning an investigation into six large ministries that preach a gospel of prosperity.
The letter argues that the 6-month-old inquiry sets a dangerous precedent. It also suggests that the ministries were targeted for sharing “the same branch of evangelicalism” and promoting “socially conservative public policy positions such as support for the traditional definition of marriage.”
Although the ministries under scrutiny are conservative theologically, they are not at the forefront of the culture wars issues championed by the leaders who are now rallying to their side.
“The ministries have been asked to produce financial records and internal documents in what appears to be an exercise in disproving their alleged guilt,” the letter states.
The six ministries in question — led respectively by Kenneth Copeland, Creflo Dollar, Benny Hinn, Eddie Long, Joyce Meyer and Paula and Randy White — have denied wrongdoing.
Archbishop deflects communion denial issue
WASHINGTON — Washington Roman Catholic Archbishop Donald Wuerl, responding to questions about the pro-abortion rights Catholic politicians who accepted Holy Communion during Pope Benedict XVI’s American visit, said any decision about denying the sacrament to those politicians should be made in their home diocese.
Wuerl wrote in his archdiocesan newspaper column that he does not believe the Washington archdiocese should intervene when such a public figure is taking Communion in the nation’s capital. He suggested that doing so would supersede the authority of those politicians’ bishops in their home districts.
Wuerl’s comments came after New York Cardinal Edward Egan issued a statement saying former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, another abortion rights supporter, had broken “an understanding” the two shared by accepting Communion at a papal Mass in New York.
Evolution teaching bills die in Florida legislature
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Hotly debated evolution bills that critics said would inject religious doctrine into public schools in the guise of science died on the final day of the legislative session.
House and Senate supporters, mostly Republicans, were unable to resolve their dispute over two versions of the legislation before the close of the session.
The Senate favored a bill that would have prohibited school officials from punishing teachers who used “scientific information” to challenge evolution. A House bill would have gone further, requiring that schools teach “critical analysis” of evolution.
