c. 2007 Religion News Service

Study: Atheists Think `Radical Christianity’ a Threat

(RNS) More than half of atheists and agnostics think “radical Christianity” is just as threatening in the United States as “radical Islam,” according to a new study.

The Barna Group, a Ventura, Calif.-based research firm, found that 56 percent of atheists and agnostics agree with that view. The firm, which often looks at opinions of religious Americans, delved into the beliefs of people of no faith and compared them to religious adults over a two-year period.

Researchers found that the proportion of atheists and agnostics increases with each younger generation. They make up 6 percent of Elders (those 61 and older); 9 percent of Boomers (ages 42-60); 14 percent of Busters (ages 23-41) and 19 percent of those between 18 and 22.

Those of no faith tend to be younger and are more often male and unmarried, researchers found. They are less likely to be registered to vote (78 percent versus 89 percent of believers). They are also less likely to serve or personally help a poor or homeless person (41 percent versus 61 percent of believers).

Researchers also found that these disparate groups had some commonalities. They were equally as likely to consider themselves to be good citizens, as placing their family first, and as being reliable and loyal individuals.

The findings were based on a series of nationwide telephone surveys between January 2005 and January 2007. The studies included a total of 1,055 adults who identified themselves as agnostics or atheists, giving the overall sample a margin of error of plus or minus 3.2 percentage points. The cumulative sample of 3,011 adults with an active faith had a margin of error of plus or minus 1.8 percentage points.

_ Adelle M. Banks

Trinity Broadcasting Network Acquires Biblical Theme Park

(RNS) Trinity Broadcasting Network has become the new owner of the Holy Land Experience, a biblical theme park in Orlando, Fla.

“This marriage will bring an unprecedented synergy to both ministries and the production that is done there will be seen by a worldwide audience,” said Paul F. Crouch Jr., vice president of administration for the Santa Ana, Calif.-based TBN.

Crouch said the acquisition comes as the network offers local programming through Orlando’s WGTL-TV Channel 52, which it acquired last year, and will simultaneously “provide `The Holy Land Experience’ with much-needed promotion to bring more people to the theme park and Orlando as a whole.”

The ownership change came as five members of the network’s leadership, including Crouch, and his parents and TBN founders Paul F. and Janice W. Crouch, were announced as new board members of the theme park.

“The mission of The Holy Land Experience is to bring the Bible to life for everyone who comes through our gates,” said Tom Powell, president of the theme park. “The strength of the TBN leaders will empower The Holy Land Experience to carry on this important mission, in new and creative ways utilizing 12,000 television stations and 67 satellites.”

The Orlando Sentinel reported that the tourist attraction _ which features music, drama and portrayals of Jesus’ ministry, death and resurrection _ has experienced financial troubles and declining attendance.

_ Adelle M. Banks

Hindus Eye Canadian Rivers for Scattering Ashes

TORONTO (RNS) Ontario’s growing Hindu community is eyeing several rivers for the religious disposal of cremated remains _ possibly including one that flows into Niagara Falls.

The Niagara River would be ideal for the scattering of ashes because of its fast-flowing water and proximity to the Greater Toronto Area, Roopnauth Sharma, president of the United Hindu Federation of Canada, told the St. Catharines Standard newspaper.

Sharma said other rivers are also being considered _ to the east, west, south and north of Toronto and the surrounding area, where people can hold brief ceremonies.

“We don’t not want to have people just go dumping ashes here, there and everywhere,” he said. Ontario’s 230,000 Hindus have been quietly disposing of loved ones in rivers and streams for years.

Sharma and other Hindu officials are working on the initiative with Ontario’s Government Services Ministry, which regulates cemeteries and burials.

There are no laws against scattering cremains into public bodies of water in the province, said government spokesman Paul de Zara. “But newcomers often don’t know that, and there were concerns they were breaking some law,” de Zara said in an interview.

He said the ministry is considering the Hindu federation’s request as part of a larger review of the religious practice of scattering ashes.

The Hindu faith considers the scattering of ashes into rivers and flowing bodies of water a final cleansing and a means of bringing peace to the deceased. In India, the river Ganges is considered the most holy place for cremation ceremonies and the disposal of ashes.

De Zara said Ontario is looking to England, which has designated certain rivers and streams for the practice.

Ontario’s environment ministry has said it has no problem with the practice so long as it is carried out with “dignity, decorum and consideration of other members of the community.”

But conservation authorities have said it is not allowed and is subject to local bylaws. Worried about the potential environmental impact, local conservation agencies earlier this year began discussions with Hindus.

_ Ron Csillag

New CRC President Favors Women’s Ordination

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (RNS) In a signal they may be ready to approve historic changes for female ministers, delegates to the Christian Reformed Church Synod on Saturday (June 9) elected a president who favors full clergy rights for women.

The Rev. Joel Boot of Jenison, Mich., said he hopes this week’s Synod removes all restrictions from female clergy. Women are allowed to serve as ministers in some churches but not to serve as delegates at Synod, the CRC ruling body.

“I hope and pray the occasion of our 150th anniversary will be the time we courageously step forward and say, `It’s time to settle it. Now we’re going to move into the future together and concentrate on the mission of the church,”’ Boot said as the Synod opened on Saturday.

Boot said he favors allowing any church to hire a female pastor, as proposed by the 2006 Synod. But he opposes other stipulations that prohibit women from serving as delegates to Synod.

“I understand the desire to keep the peace,” said Boot, following the morning session at Calvin College. “But I don’t think we have the luxury of keeping the peace at the expense of others’ rights.”

In electing Boot and the Rev. Cecil Van Niejenhuis of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, as vice president, delegates voted down a women’s ordination opponent, the Rev. Joel Nederhood, former director of the Back to God Hour.

One CRC leader said Boot probably was elected more for his Synod experience than for his position on women in office.

“I would consider Joel as the center of the church,” said the Rev. Peter Borgdorff, former executive director. “That gives him a lot of credibility.” At a pre-Synod prayer breakfast attended by about 100 people, some said they believe this Synod will open the way for women once and for all.

“I have been having a feeling that something big is going to happen this week,” said Carol Rottman of Greenville, Mich., who helped organize the Committee for Women in the mid-1970s. “We’re starting to feel that this is the moment.”

_ Charles Honey

Quote of the Day: Creation Care Magazine Editor Lowell “Rusty” Pritchard

“You may see what look like differences between Christian brothers here, but this is not the sort of thing that church splits are made of. This is an interfamily squabble.”

_ Lowell “Rusty” Pritchard, editor of Creation Care magazine and national director of outreach for the Evangelical Environmental Network, speaking at a debate on global warming at the Family Research Council offices in Washington.

KRE/CM END RNS