7B
RELIGION/tCte CtatUittt $ot
Thursday, February 23, 2006
Advocacy group calls for response to church burnings
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
ATLANTA —Several pas
tors of burned Southern
churches came tc^ther Fri
day to call on President Bush
to make the issue of church
burning a national priority
The recent fires that have
damaged or destroyed 10
rural Alabama churches hi^-
li^t a serious problem that is
hardly new, said Rose John-
son-Mackey program director
for the National Coalition of
Burned Churches and Com
munity Empowerment. She
noted there have been 59
church fires in Alabama in
the last five years—an aver
age of about one a month.
“Until President Bush
denounces the church burn
ings in Alabama, it is not a
national priority Then the
resources will flow. The
nation needs those resources
to be brought to bear,” she
said.
The Charleston, S.C.-based
coalition, ^^^hich claims 200
member churches, was estab
lished in 1997 following a
series of church arsons.
“We knew churches would
continue to bum across this
country and somebody needed
to be there to help them recov
er,” said the Rev Tferrance G.
Mackey Sr , president and
^ecutive director of the coali
tion.
It was at the ruins of Mack
ey's charred church, Mount
Zim A.M.E. in Greeleyville,
S.C., in 1996 that former
President Clinton condenmed
church burnings and made
their investigation and prose
cution a priority Clinton
established a church burning
task force and pushed for fed
eral legislation against
church arsons.
Race was found to be the
motivation in a relatively
small number of arson cases
during a period in the mid-
1990s in which arson
increased at both black and
white churches.
Southern Christian Leader
ship Conference spokesman
Dexter WTmbish said every
American citizen should be
allowed to worship without
feai* or intimidation. He
added that cliurch burnings
should qualify as hate crimes.
Five Alabama churches
were bmiied on Feb. 3, and
four more were burned on
Feb. 7. Anotliei'was burned
Feb. 11, Investigator have
said they don’t know a motive,
but there is no racial pattern,
Five of the churches had
white congr^ations and five
black All were Baptist, tlie
dominant faith in the region.
The Rev, Glenn Hanis of
Spiing Valley Baptist Chiuvh
in Gainesville. Ala. one of
the four biuiied Feb. 7 _ said
those who biuncni his
cluueh’s sanctuary have not
discoiu-aged the congi'egation
that has worliippetl then*
since 1876.
“You have failed in that
effort," he said at a news con
ference Friday. "We are
detenuined to rebuild. We ai^e
praying for tlie peipeti'atore.
TV’s portrayal of Christians
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Canceled
‘Book’
prompts
debate
Continued from page 5B
as wealthy snobs or, in one
instance, racist. The black
maid was a thief Priest and
parishioners took the Lord’s
name in vain.
With ‘TDaniel,’’reactions of
particular interest appeared
on two Web sites:
• www.blogofdaniel.com,
operated by the liberal Wash
ington, D.C., Episcopal dio
cese.
• www.titusonenine.classi-
calanglican.net, a must-read
blog for church insiders from
conservative priest Kendall
Harmon. (The title refers to
biblical Titus 1:9, which says
bishops must "hold firm” to
“sound doctrine” and “confute
those who contradict it.”)
Episcopalians smirked
about NBCs gaffes in attire,
terminology and other church
details. Apparently, television
exerts little effort on religious
accuracy
More significant, there was
a striking religious divide
over the program’s device of
having Jesus materialize reg
ularly to chat with Daniel.
Conservatives complained
that NBCs Jesus was offen
sive fiction, unrelated to the
morally commanding figure
in the four Gospels. Liberals
tended to ei\joy Jesus’ boys-
will-be-boys, noiyudgmental
attitude.
Some of the Daniel chatter
firom titusonenine:
‘Tt was as if the character of
Christ was there for comic
relief It’s all a gospel of
self-help,”
Jesus " acts like a wacky Dr.
Phil.”
“Jesus is nothing but a
reflection of (Daniel’s) own
ego.
“This is how people see us:
The Episcopal Church—just
trying to get by with a cool
and groovy relevant’ Jesus.”
“My wife and I think it por
trays (the Episcopal Church
and its) Jesus very truthfully
and unfortunately”
“Nothing about Jesus bear
ing our pain, shame, sin.”
“I was amazed at the lack of
respect or reverence for the
holy Son of (jod. He is por
trayed as if he were an old col
lege pal. ... Tb portray Jesus
in this comedy as unable to
heal, and tolerant to sin, is
wrong.”
Among the postings sent to
the Washington diocese:
‘T, for one, want to believe in
a Jesus to whom I can talk
and relate — just like the
Jesus on this superb TV
show.”
‘Tor all we know (Jesus)
Trinity Park Baptist Church
“The Church where Prayer is Essential and
Application is the Ke\.”
We are doers of the Word and not hearers only.
Revelation based on James 1:22
9115 Trinity Rd., Charlotte, NC 28216
704.393.0130
Sunday School 9:30 AM
Sunday Worship 11:00 AM
Wednesday Bible Study. 7:(M) PM
Rev. Eric R. Miller,
Pastor
Weeping Willow AME Zion Church
“Moving FnHn Salxation To Disc^eship''
2220 Mitai RA • Charfciltc. North Cwfliui 2S215
Mornb^ Worskip; iitSU .AM
Sunday Sckotd; 9t.A0.AM
Wed. PriHsc & Praver. 7:09 PM
(704)532-9125
•THE CULKIII WATCHtES"
it
(greeniiille fRemorial 3.itl.€. Son Qurtl)
“A Teaching Ministry Making Spiritual Disciples”
Sunday Worship Savicc 10A.M. Sunday School 9A.M.
Bible Study: Tuesday 7 P.M. & Wednesday 12 Noon
Child Development Center
6116 Montieth Dr. Charlotte, NC 28213
(Ph) 704-5964742 (Fax) 794-597-8314
“A Word of Hope” Televisicm Ministry
Wednesdays @ 8 p.m. Channell 21 (I^blic Access TV)
Rev. Dr. Sheldon R. Shipman, .Senior Pastor
Macedonia Baptist Church
of CHARLOTTE, INC.
"A Ministry of Love and Excellence"
Dr. John H. Walker, Pastor dr
Minister, Rosie Walker
New Sunday 10am Worship Experience
“Family First Worship”
'*As For Me and My House
We Shall Worship The Lord"
SUNDAY
* Physical Food - (serving breakfast.) 8 a.m.
Spiritual Food - Christian Education School 9 am.
' Main Course - “Family First Worship" 10 a.m.
WEDNESDAY .
"Hour of Power" .Midday Worship 12 Noon
W.O.W. - Word On Wednesday Bible Study. 6:30 p.m.
TVand RADIO BROADCAST .MINISTRY:
CMPAC 21 - 'ni*«l|Tn* • Rejoice Radio 1370am • Wed. 10:45a
704-392-8496 •\'SWi Hattcras Avc..* www.maccdoniaofchaHottc.org
was the warm, loving, forgiv
ing person portrayed in the
show.”
‘T loved the C^hrist figure
with his advice. I didn’t find
him at all namby pamby”
“Everything that Jesus
said, I can imagine Jesus say
ing.”
“The portrayal of Christ
was the best thing about the
show. He is shown as a
Friend, a Confidant, an
Adviser.”
“If Jesus were too perfect
and untouchable tlie conver
sations between him and
Daniel wouldn’t work as
well.”
“Jesus is a perfect listener.”
“Jesus did seem a little dull,
but maybe that’s the point.”
CTiristians are named for “a
man whose single most
important message was DO
NOT JUDGE. Shame on
you.”
From an Episcopal priest:
Jesus was "inclusive and lov
ing,” which “will drive the
Fundies crazy”
But then there was this:
“As a Muslim, I am offended
by this movie’s depiction of
our beloved Jesus CTirist,
may (jfod’s peace be upon
him.”
On the Net:
NBC “DanieT publicity:
htTp://w\v\\’j\hc£oni/The_Bookj:}f
_Daniel
The Prophet's Column, Inc.
9626 Feldbank Drive
Charlotte, NC 28216-2131
The Saddest Day In All The World
J.M. Little, Teacher
Part III
And let me pause here to say that when we brought those studies on this subject back
in the 70's, many were here that are no longer here. My wife and dad are no longer
here with us. Many others in the family are no longer here. Many I worked with at the
office are no longer here. They have gone out into eternity. And most of them are now
in the presence of the God they never desired nor loved. Oh, the sadness of it all!
Then, during those years, in the 70's and 80's, they were here just like you. But now
they are gone to never return to this earth, unless they died in Christ. Will you die in
Christ? Now, you may ask the question: "Brother teacher, why will the earth and
heaven flee away?" My friend, do you not know that sin can't stand in the presence of
God? This earth and the heaven immediately above it are defiled with sin, just like you
if you are not redeemed by the Blood of Christ. Therefore, they have to be destroyed,
Read II Peter 3 to see the destruction of this earth and heaven. The vast majority of
you live for this earth only. And that is true of every soul born of woman if you are not
in Christ. You may be a preacher, teacher, deacon, bishop or just a member in the
church pew. But if you are not in Christ, you live for this world only. But the born-again
believer says: *I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet not I but Christ
liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son
of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." (Gal. 2:20) My cousin said to me
sometime back: "You are putting your name in the Bible as if this is real to you." Yes,
Christ is real to me. That is why I can put my name here. Ana if you are ever saved,
you'll be able to put your name here also. The trouble is you don't want Christ. But you
are going to come to Christ here in your life and be broken at His Feet in repentance,
or come before Him at the Great White Throne to be judged by Him. Now, which is it
going to be? Now you answer that question. You'll come to Christ here or there!
JfirsJt ilt. Bon Cljurcl)
1515 Remount Rd,
(Tel.)332-8335 (Fax)372-7548
28208
Sunday Morning Worship Services... 8:30 - 9:30 -11:00am
Sunday School 9:45 - 10:45am
Singles Ministries (Mon.) 6:30 - 7:30pm
Senior Citizens (Mon.) 10:30-4:00pm
Dr. C.V. Oweas
Office Hours: Mon. - Fri. 9:00am - 4:00pm
You are cordially invited to worship with us!
Greater Gethsemane A.M.E. Zion Church
‘The ChmiiwitiiiiieCommuriity at Heart'
531 Campus Street • Ouulotbe, NC 28216
Om)375-39O0 ■ Fax 372-0614
Worship Service I1:00AM
Sunday School: 9:30AM
Bible Study: Wed. 10:30AM £r 7PM
Daycare & Afterschool Available
E-mail: gamez531@beHsoutii.net
The Reverend CaMn L Miller ■ Pastor
Reverend Karen Roberts Miller - Spouse
I
4
SIMPSON-GILLESPIE
UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Open Hearts, Open Minds. Open Doors"
-Join l)s For Service -
Sunday School, 9'.30am • Sunday Worship, llani
Wednesday: Bible Study, 7pni
Isi & 3rd Saturday: "Contemporary Vt'orship.” 6pm..,"Jeans Allowed'
Rev. Walter Pegues, Pastor
3545 Beatties Fd Rd, Char., .NC 28216 ' 704-399-2717 • VanMinistry
“We Can Do All Things Through Christ Who Strengthens Us"^
Mayfield Memorial Baptist Church
"A Church Putting Love Into Action"
700 SUGAR CREEK ROAD, WEST
Charlotte, north Carolina 28213
Sunday Church School 9:30a.m.
Warship Service 11:00a.m. and 6:00p.m.
Baptist Training Union 5:(X)p.m.
Prayer Meeting & Bible Study Wedneilays 7:30pm
Office (704)596-7935 • Fax (704)596-1204
Residence (704)597-1249
Greater Myers Chapel
PENTECOSTAL FELLOWSHIP MINISTRIKS
- You’re Invited to Worship With Vs ■
Interces.sory Prayer. 8:30am
Victory in The Word 9:1 Sam
Worship 10;30am
Sunday Evening Total Praise 7:00pm
Hour of Powerfliitorial avail.Wed....7:00pm
Visit our WebSite: www.greatermyerschapel.org
6(M) Jordan Place, C:harlotte,'NC 28205
“WAR Fellowship Ministry Covenant Partner”
For Van .Ministry
704-377-1799
Ills la.st
'err commandmrtit IS
oiir first
viiww skukBmbcorg aSSIglllllCnt.
Missionlary Baptist Church
Svnday Wortliip Serrice*....
8«aiid*]r flehoel
WnAtyowdmy,
• lltOOuB • 8e30pn
Xmq Day Waraliip 9Urily>19iCW
Evaoiing Worthtp
Rev. Clifford Mailheum, Paetor • 97S-9650
1600 Norn* Ava. • OipHoHa, NC 28206 • FAX: 376-8367
PARKWOOD INSTITUTIONAL
Chri.slian Methodist Episcopal Church
802 Tom Hunter Road • Charlotte, NC 28213
704-9214915 (Ph) • 704-9214917 (Fax)
Wedsite: www,parkwoodcine,coni
Sunday Worship 8:00 & 11:(K) AM
Sunday .Schrxil 9:30 A.M
Bible Study
Wednesday 12 Nrxm Thursday 6:30 P.M
TRANSPORTATION A VAt TABLE
Roderick D. Lewis. Sr.
Pasitjr
To advertise your
church,
call 704 376 0496
-
St. Paul Baptist Church
Our Purpose: “To convince the unconvinced
to be convinced and make disciples”
Sunday Worship at 7:30 A.M. and 10:30 A.M.
Sunday Morning Breakfast 8:45 A.M.
Sunday Schott at 9:25 A.M. - 10:25 A.M.
Radio Broadest Sunday 11:00 A.M. (1370 A.M. Dial)
Bible Study Wed. 12 Noon - 6:45 P.M. - 8:00 P.M.
Youth Oiuith 2nd & 3rd Sunday 10:30 A.M.
1401 North Allen Street, CJiarloltc. NC 28205
Office: 704-334-5309
Gregory K. Moss Jk.
Pastor