c. 1996 Religion News Service

(Following is a collection of domestic religion stories compiled from RNS staff, wire and denominational reports).

Supreme Court allows $1.5 million judgment against Christian Scientists

(RNS)-The Supreme Court Monday (Jan. 22) let stand a Minnesota appeals court’s $1.5 million damage judgment against four Christian Scientists, including the mother of a Minnesota boy who died from diabetes treated with prayer instead of medicine.

Without comment, the court rejected arguments that the award won by the boy’s father violated religious freedom. The boy’s parents are divorced.

The case had been closely watched since the death of 11-year-old Ian Lundman of Independence, Minn., in 1989. It is an example of the clash between Christian Science belief, which relies on spiritual healing rather than conventional medicine, and secular law.

The case involved the mother, her son’s stepfather, a Christian Science practitioner and a Christian Science nurse. They called the case an urgent issue of religious freedom with an importance to Christian Scientists that “can scarcely be overstated.”

M. Victor Westberg, an official at the church’s headquarters in Boston, said the court’s decision penalized the members but did not threaten the church itself. “We’ll still continue to practice our religion as we have done for over 100 years,” he was quoted in The New York Times.

The justices also turned down, without comment, an appeal filed by Douglass G. Lundman, the boy’s father, to reinstate a jury award of $9 million in punitive damages against the Christian Science church. The Minnesota appeals court had overturned the award.

Religious leaders declare Bosnia prayer day Thursday

(RNS)-People of all faiths were asked by Protestant, Catholic, Jewish and Muslim leaders to pause at noon Thursday (Jan. 25) to pray for peace in the former Yugoslavia and for peacekeepers providing aid to the region.

The appeal for prayer began with the Rt. Rev. William Swing, Episcopal bishop of California, but was endorsed by leaders of the National Council of Churches, Catholic Relief Services, the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, the American Muslim Council, and individual Roman Catholic and Episcopal bishops.

They asked that bells at places of worship be tolled for three minutes at noon.

“Bosnia is a particularly tortured and torn land,” said Swing. “We all want to help the peacekeepers bear the risks of mines, military accidents and hostile fire. A time-honored form of support for those on a dangerous military mission is a day set aside for special prayer.

NCC General Secretary Joan Brown Campbell asked leaders of the council’s 33 Protestant and Orthodox member groups to “find appropriate ways to observe this within the practices of your own traditions.”

House of Representatives passes bill to honor Grahams with Gold Medal

(RNS)-The House of Representatives voted Tuesday to honor evangelist Billy Graham and his wife, Ruth Graham, with a Congressional Gold Medal.

The House of Representatives approved the legislation 403-2, and it will now be considered by the Senate.

“Rev. Billy Graham’s character and strength have made him America’s most admired man,” said Rep. Charles Taylor, R-N.C., who introduced the bill. “He has used his immense popularity to confront major social problems such as racism, the homeless and hunger.”

Rep. Pat Schroeder, D-Colo., voted against the measure, as did Rep. Louise Slaughter, D-N.Y. Slaughter later said she supported the bill and voted no by mistake, the Associated Press reported. Schroeder’s spokeswoman did not immediately return phone calls to RNS for comment.

The medal, one of the nation’s most distinguished recognitions, has been bestowed about 100 times since the 18th century and is reserved for those whose achievements have had a significant effect on American history and culture.

Religious leaders urge Clinton to support Palestinian human rights

(RNS)-Clergy and lay leaders from a variety of faith groups have called on President Clinton to press the Israeli government and the Palestinian Authority to cease human-rights violations against Palestinians.

The human rights petition was delivered to U.S., Israeli and Palestinian officials last week by SEARCH for Justice and Equality in Palestine/Israel, a Boston-based human-rights group.

“We are disturbed by human-rights violations by Israel and the Palestinian Authority, violations which preclude justice for Palestinians and security for Israelis,” the leaders stated. They cited documentation from several human-rights organizations, including Amnesty International and the International Committee of the Red Cross.

The religious leaders called for Clinton to “publicly urge Israel and the Palestinian Authority to abide by international law and human-rights conventions.” They also asked U.S. government officials to withhold financial aid to Israel and the Palestinian Authority, headed by Yasser Arafat, until they comply with human-rights covenants.

“The U.S. government should make sure that any aid to the regions supports, rather than undermines, human rights,” the leaders said. “Unless human rights are upheld, the opportunity for peace will vanish.”

Signatories included representatives of the Antiochian Orthodox Church, the Catholic peace group Pax Christi, the American Muslim Council, and officials of Presbyterian, Muslim, Catholic and Buddhist peace groups.

Foundation for New Era Philanthropy founder agrees to sell assets

(RNS)-John G. Bennett Jr., founder of the collapsed Foundation for New Era Philanthropy, has agreed to sell his home and other assets to help resolve bankruptcy claims.

Bankruptcy trustee Arlin M. Adams filed a motion Tuesday (Jan. 23) for approval of a settlement under which Bennett would turn over about $1 million from a house, car, stocks, retirement savings and other sources, the Associated Press reported. The settlement agreement will be considered by Bankruptcy Judge Bruce Fox.

Bennett described the holdings in a letter as “everything I own-literally all of my assets.”

Evangelical ministries were among the organizations that bought into a “matching grant” program offered by New Era, which was based in Radnor, Pa. The program has been called a Ponzi scheme by federal investigators, who allege it created the illusion of financial success by using contributions from new investors to pay previous ones.

A lawsuit by the federal Securities and Exchange Commission is pending. Bennett, who is also the subject of a federal grand jury investigation, has denied any wrongdoing.

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