BIBLE SURVEY
Survey finds Americans more skeptical of the Bible
NEW YORK (AP) β A new poll finds a sharp increase in the number of Americans who consider the Bible merely the teachings of men rather than the word of God.
The fourth annual State of the Bible survey was conducted just over two months ago by the Barna Group for the American Bible Society.
It found that while about one in five Americans continue to read the Bible at least four times a week and view it as divinely inspired, an equal percentage doubt the Bible’s relevance and authority. That’s almost twice the percentage of those who were skeptical of the Bible in 2011.
The survey found the greatest increase in indifference toward the Bible was among Americans between the ages of 18 and 29.
Spokesman Geof Morin (jeff MOHR’-in) says the American Bible Society hopes to reach more of that generation through their cell phones with daily verses and Bible studies.
Society President Roy Peterson says he hopes more Americans will turn to the Bible to “make sense of life” and reverse what many see as the nation’s “moral decline.”
Online: http://www.americanbible.org/features/state-of-the-bible-research-2014
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256-w-34-(Steve Coleman, AP religion editor, with Geof Morin, spokesman for the American Bible Society)–A new poll finds a sharp increase in the number of Americans who consider the Bible merely the teachings of men rather than the word of God. AP Religion Editor Steve Coleman reports. (9 Apr 2014)
< 259-a-09-(Geof Morin (jeff MOHR’-in), spokesman for the American Bible Society, in AP interview)-“like never before”-American Bible Society spokesman Geof Morin says Americans don’t have to buy a Bible from a book store anymore. (9 Apr 2014) < 257-a-09-(Geof Morin (jeff MOHR’-in), spokesman for the American Bible Society, in AP interview)-“one in five”-American Bible Society spokesman Geof Morin says a new survey finds Americans are increasingly skeptical of the Bible’s authority and relevance. (9 Apr 2014) < 258-a-08-(Geof Morin (jeff MOHR’-in), spokesman for the American Bible Society, in AP interview)-“would read it”-American Bible Society spokesman Geof Morin says the poll found the greatest increase of indifference toward the Bible is among young adults. (9 Apr 2014) < 260-a-14-(Geof Morin (jeff MOHR’-in), spokesman for the American Bible Society, in AP interview)-“coming at you”-American Bible Society spokesman Geof Morin says people can now read Scripture on their cell phones. (9 Apr 2014) < BIBLE COINS Calif. desert school to let kids give Bible coins APPLE VALLEY, Calif. (AP) β A Southern California school district will allow students to hand out Bible coins outside class, saying teachers who banned them violated the children’s rights of free expression. The San Bernardino Sun reports that four children from one family had been handing out the plastic coins with Bible verses during recess at Desert Knolls Elementary School in Apple Valley. But earlier this year, a teacher banned them and another removed the coins from Valentine’s Day goodie bags. Notified by a nonprofit group, the school district investigated and concluded that the teachers had suppressed the children’s First Amendment rights. The children’s father, Allen Peterson, says he’ll let his sons bring the coins to school again next week. HIGH SCHOOL STABBINGS-VIGIL Prayer vigil held after high school stabbings MURRYSVILLE, Pa. (AP) β Some residents of Murrysville, Pa., have gathered for prayer at a church after yesterday’s stabbings at their high school. Flailing away with a “blank expression,” a 16-year-old boy stabbed and slashed 21 students and a security guard in the crowded halls of the suburban Pittsburgh school before an assistant principal tackled him. At least five students were seriously wounded, including a boy whose liver was pierced by a knife thrust that narrowly missed his heart and aorta. Doctors also say others also suffered deep abdominal puncture wounds. The suspect, Alex Hribal, was charged with multiple counts of attempted homicide and aggravated assault. He was jailed without bail, and authorities said he would be prosecuted as an adult. The Rev. Dan Hertzler, pastor of Cornerstone Ministries in Murrysville, said local residents need assurance that God is good even when people’s deeds are evil. Sound: 287-r-15-(Reverend Dan Hertzler, pastor, Cornerstone Ministries, at prayer vigil held after high school stabbings)–The Reverend Dan Hertzler of Cornerstone Ministries conducted a prayer vigil after the high school stabbings. (9 Apr 2014) < 288-r-18-(Students singing, at a prayer vigil conducted at Cornerstone Ministries after the high school stabbings)–This is the sound of students singing at a prayer vigil conducted at Cornerstone Ministries after the high school stabbings. (9 Apr 2014) < 282-a-05-(The Rev. Dan Hertzler, pastor of Cornerstone Ministries, in AP interview)-“share and talk”-The Rev. Dan Hertzler, pastor of Cornerstone Ministries, says his church is offering prayer and support to the people of Murrysville after Wednesday’s stabbings. (9 Apr 2014) < 283-a-08-(The Rev. Dan Hertzler, pastor of Cornerstone Ministries, in AP interview)-“a bad decision”-The Rev. Dan Hertzler, pastor of Cornerstone Ministries, says people need reassurance after events like Wednesday’s stabbings. (9 Apr 2014) < OBAMA-FORT HOOD Obama and Fort Hood chaplain quote Scripture after shootings FORT HOOD, Texas (AP) β President Barack Obama has told families and uniformed comrades of those killed during last week’s Fort Hood shooting spree that “with God’s amazing grace, we somehow bear what seems unbearable.” Obama noted that the Bible says, “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” Three soldiers died and 16 others were wounded in the rampage last week by another soldier, who killed himself. Wednesday’s memorial took place at the same spot where Obama eulogized victims of another mass shooting in 2009. Fort Hood Chaplain Matthew Goff said the Bible offers assurance that “God walks with us and even carries us when life hits us hard.” Sound: 236-w-35-(Sagar Meghani (SAH’-gur meh-GAH’-nee), AP national security correspondent, with President Barack Obama and sound of memorial service)–For the second time in five years, President Obama has traveled to a central Texas military post to grieve victims of another shooting. AP National Security Correspondent Sagar Meghani reports from the Pentagon. (9 Apr 2014) < 227-w-38-(Sagar Meghani (SAH’-gur meh-GAH’-nee), AP national security correspondent, with sound from Fort Hood memorial service and President Barack Obama)–The commander-in-chief has returned to Fort Hood to help it mourn another deadly shooting. AP National Security Correspondent Sagar Meghani reports from the Pentagon. ((opens with music)) (9 Apr 2014) < 228-a-17-(President Barack Obama, speaking at memorial service)-“to seek help”-President Obama says the nation needs to do more to help Americans living with mental illnes — civilian or military. (9 Apr 2014) < 229-a-08-(President Barack Obama, speaking at memorial service)-“civilian and military”-President Obama says nobody should be stigmatized for seeking help for mental troubles. (9 Apr 2014) < 222-a-14-(President Barack Obama, speaking at memorial service)-“what seems unbearable”-President Obama says the Army and the nation will use the lessons learned during years of war to get through this tragedy. (9 Apr 2014) < 224-r-34-(Sound of soldier performing ‘Amazing Grace’, during memorial service)–Sound of soldier performing ‘Amazing Grace’ during memorial service. (9 Apr 2014) < 225-r-32-(Sound of bugler playing ‘Taps’, during memorial service)–Sound of bugler playing ‘Taps’ during memorial service. (9 Apr 2014) < 220-a-06-(President Barack Obama, speaking at memorial service)-“us together again”-President Obama says the Fort Hood community is grieving once again, and the nation mourns with it. (9 Apr 2014) < 221-a-18-(President Barack Obama, speaking at memorial service)-“shakes our soul”-President Obama says the three soldiers killed last week were true American patriots. (9 Apr 2014) < 223-a-12-(President Barack Obama, speaking at memorial service)-“to be safe”-President Obama says what makes this especially painful is that Fort Hood suffered a similar tragedy earlier. (9 Apr 2014) < 226-r-10-(Sound of gun salute, during memorial service)–Sound of gun salute during memorial service. (9 Apr 2014) < 203-r-32-(Sound of military band performing ‘America the Beautiful’, before memorial service)–Sound of military band performing ‘America the Beautiful’ before memorial service. (9 Apr 2014) < US-BRANDEIS-ISLAM-CRITIC Islam critic: Brandeis turned honor into a shaming BOSTON (AP) β A women’s advocate who has been critical of Islam says Brandeis University has transformed an accolade into “a moment of shaming” by withdrawing a plan to give an honorary degree. The university decided Tuesday not to honor Somali-born Ayaan Hirsi Ali (ah-YAHN’ HUR’-see AH’-lee) at the May 18 commencement after receiving complaints from some students, faculty members and others. Ali was raised in a strict Muslim family but renounced the faith in her 30s after surviving a civil war, genital mutilation, beatings and an arranged marriage. In a 2007 interview with Reason Magazine, she said, “I think that we are at war with Islam. And there’s no middle ground in wars.” In a statement Wednesday, Ali called Brandeis University’s reversal a “slur on her reputation.” But she added, “More deplorable is that an institution set up on the basis of religious freedom should today so deeply betray its own founding principles.” CRASH-MOB ATTACK-PRAYER SERVICE Prayer service planned after Detroit mob attack DETROIT (AP) β Clergy from Detroit and its suburbs have scheduled “A Night of Healing” and prayer following the brutal mob beating of a man after he struck a boy who stepped from a curb in front of his pickup truck. Fifty-four-year-old Steve Utash suffered severe head injuries when a mob of at least six people beat and kicked him April 2 when he stopped to help 10-year-old David Harris on Detroit’s east side. Utash remains hospitalized. Harris was treated for a leg and other injuries. Five people, including two teens have been arrested. A news release says Utash’s family will attend tonight’s service at Little Rock Baptist Church in Detroit. Mayor Mike Duggan also is expected to attend. DEACON BEATEN-TRIAL 2 convicted in beating death of 96-year-old deacon BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) β Two Buffalo men have been convicted in the fatal beating of a 96-year-old church deacon during a break-in at his home. Authorities say 18-year-old Shaquar Pratcher and 23-year-old Elhajii Elshabazz (ehl-HAH-zhee ehl-shuh-BAHZ) were part of a group that set out to rob Levi Clayton’s house in 2012, believing Clayton’s caretaker had money inside from drug sales. A state Supreme Court judge convicted them Wednesday of second-degree murder and burglary. Surveillance cameras captured the pair in the deacon’s backyard with a knife and gun and the deacon throwing a lamp out a window trying to thwart the break-in. Clayton suffered severe head injuries from the beating and died about four months later. 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Online: http://bit.ly/1qmWLNv VATICAN-POPE-MIGRANTS Pope blesses cross made from migrant boats VATICAN CITY (AP) β Pope Francis has blessed a wooden cross made from the boats of migrants who have come ashore at the tiny Italian island of Lampedusa. Francis visited Lampedusa last August and denounced the “globalization of indifference” that greets migrants seeking a better life for themselves and their families. He celebrated Mass that day on an altar made from a boat, and his pastoral staff and chalice were similarly crafted from planks of boat wood. The large blue cross that Francis blessed on Wednesday at the Vatican is due to travel around Italy, making stops at any church that wants it, according to the Vatican newspaper L’Osservatore Romano. The plight of migrants trying to reach Europe has made headlines anew with authorities rescuing about 4,000 people in the last few days. 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No more destruction!” MEXICO-DISAPPEARED CHILDREN Mexico: Sect had kids from 2008 disappearance MEXICO CITY (AP) β Mexican authorities have confirmed that members of a small evangelical church took and kept about a dozen children who vanished from a Mexico City children’s shelter in 2008. Prosecutors announced Tuesday that three more of the children had been found. A federal official says they showed up last week at prosecutors’ offices in Puebla state, not far from Mexico City. They identified themselves as children taken from the shelter, though two are now adults. Like some of the other recovered children, they had been given in a sort of illegal adoption to members of a group called The Restored Christian Church. The official said many of the youths have expressed desires to see their real families. SEXUAL ASSAULTS-MINISTER CHARGED Cicero Police looking for more victims in sex case CICERO, Ill. 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