Ashcroft wants leadership from Christians

ForAshcroftmer U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft encouraged Christian retailers on Monday to become leaders in their communities. He was in Denver for the International Christian Retail Show at the Colorado Convention Center. "America is great not because of what happens on Pennsylvania Avenue but because of what happens on Main Street," Ashcroft told an audience made up of Christian retailers and distributors of Christian products.The event and trade show, which runs through Thursday, has attracted more than 10,000 members of the Christian retail and publishing industries. It is not open to the public. A devout Christian who once held prayer meetings in his Justice Department office, Ashcroft encouraged the audience to exemplify their faith rather than force it on others.  Read more....... 

________________________________________________

Massachusetts Court Clears Way to Ban Same-Sex Marriage

Associated Press
Tuesday, July 11, 2006; Page A03

BOSTON, July 10 -- The same court that made Massachusetts the first state to legalize same-sex marriage ruled Monday that the state legislature and voters can decide whether to ban such unions in the future through a constitutional amendment.Supporters of gay rights tried to block the proposal by arguing in a lawsuit that the state constitution bars any citizen-initiated amendment that seeks to reverse a judicial ruling.

The Supreme Judicial Court rejected that argument, ruling unanimously that the measure is not a reversal of its earlier ruling legalizing same-sex marriage because it would leave intact the marriages of same-sex couples who already had wed. 

Read more.....

_____________________

Tampa Bay Online

Jul 9, 2006

Scientologists describe their religion as a cathartic journey toward happiness and clarity of mind. Church of Scientology critics call it kooky science fiction disguised as religion.Whatever you believe, the church says it is growing.Although the church's membership remains a much-debated mystery, its land holdings tell the story of a robust organization in the midst of a new chapter of growth.Worldwide, Scientologists say they have bought 21 buildings they plan to turn into churches.

Still, some former Scientologists and observers insist the church's membership is depleted, down dramatically over the past 20 years. They contend the church is using its financial muscle to buy buildings and create a false sense that the organization is thriving.

_________________ 

Billy Graham, Cliff Barrows & Bev Shea revisit Baltimore with unchanging Gospel
Jul 11, 2006
By Shannon Baker
Baptist Press BALTIMORE (BP)--Though frail and ailing, 87-year-old Billy Graham deBilly Grahamlivered a strong message of hope to more than 33,000 people gathered in Baltimore’s Camden Yards during the last night of a July 7-9 Metro Maryland Festival.

“Unfortunately, I'm getting too old to do this, and I thought on my way out, this may be the last opportunity to preach to an audience like this,” said the elder Graham, who was driven to the platform in a golf cart.In a historic moment for Marylanders, the evangelist shared the stage with longtime crusade associates Cliff Barrows, now 83, and George Beverly Shea, now 97, in vintage crusade fashion, offering a clear grasp of the Gospel of Jesus Christ through messages and songs.  Read more.......

___________________________________________

Leaders must stir passion for God’s Kingdom, Hemphill notes
Jul 11, 2006
By John Yeats
Baptist Press

ALEXANDRIA, La. (BP)--At least 80 percent of evangelical American churches are plateaued or declining, Ken Hemphill said, noting that the only true church growth is occurring in Asia and Africa today, not in the United States or Western Europe.

“We have had 30 years of church growth emphasis and, based on statistical evidence, the church growth movement has failed,” Hemphill said during a leadership summit for the Louisiana Baptist Convention’s missions staff and a number of local church leaders in early June, focusing on the revitalization of the local church using Empowering Kingdom Growth principles.  Read more........