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IN THE NEWS (WINTER 2000) |
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Any news service graphics are links to their sites, some pictures too. |
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Mixed up church kids Christian teen-agers are moving further away from the truths of the Bible. Teens appreciate the value of faith, but cling to erroneous doctrines that "lead to bad choices and spiritual confusion," according to a study by the Barna Research Group.... Teens are more likely than adults to reject the existence of Satan, to believe in salvation by good deeds, and to contend that Jesus was a sinner, Barna found. They accept distorted theology from their parents, friends, and popular American entertainment. Most teens are complacent and even arrogant about their faith, Barna found. Teens say they already know all the major teachings of the Christian faith, and don't expect their religious beliefs to change. Thirty-three percent believe "most adult Christians are hypocrites." ...Something radical has got to happen to fix the problem, Barna said. The solution is beyond the capabilities of churches, and the answer rests with families, which "must become more diligent and reliable in the religious training they provide to their children." These are all things that we have seen in youth ministry for a number of years. Barna hit the root of the problem when he pointed to the need of parents to get involved. Most kids' beliefs are an offshoot of their parent's. Sound Bible teaching at home goes a long way! Proverbs 22:6
TV: What's new? NBC-TV has canceled God, the Devil and Bob because of low ratings, The Associated Press said. The animated comedy drew the ire of religious groups that considered it blasphemous because it depicted God drinking beer and cursing. More than two dozen NBC affiliates had refused to air the show because of its content.... Sex, violence, and foul language on television have increased three-fold since 1989, The Parents Television Council said in a report released March 30. The study found that since 1989 references to sex organs have increased seven-fold, foul language has increased five-and-a-half times, and references to homosexuality are 24 times more common. It took something pretty universally blasphemous before a network listened. These days shows use sex and coarse language as selling features. Even kids movies, like the remake of the Grinch who stole Christmas, added some to get a PG rating.
Magic: the religion A large Christian prayer rally has been followed by a small pagan rally in Asheville, N.C. About 300 pagans and curious Christian onlookers attended a "We Still Work Magic" rally at Reynolds High School's football stadium this week. It came in response to a "We Still Pray" rally Aug. 17 at which thousands of Christians converged to protest a U.S. Supreme Court ruling banning school-sponsored prayers before high school football games.... The pagans, who came from several states, called for the freedom to practice what they said was their misunderstood religion, emphasizing that the United States was founded on principles of liberty. "We are not devil worshipers because we do not acknowledge a devil," Thomas Pendragon Brice, a member of the Appalachian Pagan Alliance, said. Saying that they don't follow the devil because they don't believe he exists is like saying that water isn't white because you don't believe in wetness. The spiritual fact, given by the Bible, is that all who do not follow Jesus Christ are captives of the devil. 2 Corinthians 4:4, 2 Timothy 2:26. This is not a popular message in a society that teaches, in the name of "tolerance" that all religions are right.
Christianity: A religion of hatred? Ted Turner delivered a sermon to 1,000 swamis, ministers, monks, and other spiritual leaders from around the world. The CNN founder, who once said publicly that Christianity was "for losers," addressed a cheering crowd on the subject of religious intolerance August 29 at the United Nations. This came during a meeting of the Millennium World Peace Summit of Religious and Spiritual Leaders, which Turner suggested three years ago and has helped sponsor financially.... "We are all one race, and there is only one God that manifests himself in different ways," Turner said. The religions that have survived "don't have hatred behind them. The ones that have done the best are the ones based on love."... Turner said he remembers the "intolerance" within his family's Christian community, according to the Post. He told the delegates he had planned to become a Christian missionary but turned away from the church when he learned about other religions. "We thought we were the only ones going to heaven," he said. "Now I believe there may be one God who manifests himself in different ways to different people."... Delegates gave an icy reception to one who urged protection for unborn children, according to an evangelical who attended the meeting. They also reacted coolly to another speaker who urged recognition of marriage only between a man and a woman. A Buddhist master received a standing ovation when he condemned all attempts at religious conversion, something at the heart of Islam and Christianity.
More Christians? The demographics of the "born-again" population are changing, researcher George Barna says. The biggest growth in the last 10 years has occurred among Asian-Americans, he said. "If spiritual revival has occurred among any group of people in the U.S. in the past decade, it is undeniably among Asians." In 1991, 5 percent of Asian-Americans had made a personal commitment to Jesus Christ that they believed would give them eternal life, Barna's working definition of a born-again Christian. That figure has increased to 27 percent.... The last 10 years have seen tremendous spiritual growth in the South, already the heartland of born-again American Christianity, Barna said. There has been no increase in the likelihood of adults professing faith in Christ in either the Northeast or in the West, but a 22 percent increase in the South.... Nationally, the percentage of born-again adults 50 or older has risen from 31 to 41 since 1991, Barna said. Meanwhile, it is even harder to penetrate the ranks of those under 30. In 1991, 28 percent of adults ages 18 to 29 had professed faith in Jesus Christ, but today, just 26 percent do, Barna said. "Baby Busters have proven to be the most gospel-resistant generation the church has seen in many years."... The past decade has seen a lot of religious activity among men, but there is little evidence of significant spiritual change among them, he said. In 1991, 32 percent of men had accepted Christ as their savior, a figure that has increased to 36 percent.... The 1990s brought about 10 million more adult born-again believers, because of population growth, Barna said. Most of the growth comes from among individuals making $60,000 a year or more, many of whom are "living 'the good life' and, upon analyzing the salvation proposal, determined that inviting Christ into their life is a smart choice," he said.... "For many of these individuals, faith in Jesus is simply a good deal. They are not likely to view their faith decision as the catalyst of a lifestyle that demands sacrifice, selflessness, and service. Faith in Christ represents an eternal insurance policy for them rather than a significant change of heart about the ultimate meaning of life, or how to honor Christ through their decisions, behavior, and resources." Religious activity doesn't equal changed lives, neither does hollow professions (2 Timothy 3:1-5). Notice that younger age ranges appear to be the most un-reached group. This is where we have to start. Other statistics of previous years have shown that a vast majority of Christians made their decision before they were 18. It's time we starting reaching out to children and teens!
School Shooter Video Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold blasphemed Christ and directed invectives at Christian students and others in a video prior to the killings at Columbine High last year. The two made five videos before the shooting, venting their rage at athletes, minorities, and Christians, Christianity Today said.... "Go Romans. Thank God they crucified that [expletive]," Harris said, making a vulgar reference to Jesus, CT said. Both teens then began chanting, "Go Romans" and cheering. "What would Jesus do?" Klebold yelled. "What would I do?" he said, pretending to fire a gun at the camera, the publication said.... The boys singled out Christian student Rachel Scott on the tape, calling her a "godly whore" and "stuck-up," it continued. Harris mimicked her faith. "Yeah. 'I love Jesus. I love Jesus.' Shut the [expletive] up," he said. Scott had told Klebold and Harris about Christ during a class they shared, and confronted them about a violent video they made, her father, Darrell, said. She was one of the first to be killed in the attack.... The killers hated God, Darrell Scott said. "There seemed to be an extra element of hatred and vengeance there." Police allowed victims' parents to see the videos, which have not been released to the public, CT said. A Time magazine report included some details from the tapes but did not mention the anti-Christian elements. Do not be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you (1 John 3:13). In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted... (2 Tim 3:11-13)
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Edited by Brent
MacDonald of Lion Tracks Ministries. All editiorial comment is in italics. |
