MEMORIAL DAY-TRIBUTE SONG
Twila Paris song honors Jesus and fallen heroes
UNDATED (AP) β A song by Twila Paris offers a Memorial Day tribute to the fallen heroes, and the crucified Christ, whose blood was shed for others.
In a 1999 Associated Press interview, Paris said she wrote the song “What Did He Die For?” as a tribute to America’s World War II veterans and as a reminder that freedom bought so dearly must not be wasted.
The song compares their ultimate sacrifice to Jesus Christ’s crucifixion, which Christians believe offers spiritual freedom from sin and condemnation.
In both cases, Paris says she believes people will answer to heaven for how they spent “this precious liberty.”
Sound:
258-a-17-(Twila Paris, Christian singer and songwriter, in 1999 AP interview)-“that for me”-Christian singer Twila Paris says she wrote the song ‘What did he die for?’ in honor of America’s World War Two veterans. (24 May 2015)
< 259-a-15-(Twila Paris, Christian singer and songwriter, in 1999 AP interview)-“a high price”-Christian singer Twila Paris says freedom bought so dearly must not be wasted. (24 May 2015) < 260-a-24-(Twila Paris, Christian singer and songwriter, in 1999 AP interview)-“made for us”-Christian singer Twila Paris says her song “What did he die for” is also about salvation. (24 May 2015) < 257-w-39-(Steve Coleman, AP religion editor, with Christian singer Twila Paris)–A song by Twila Paris offers a Memorial Day tribute to the fallen heroes, and the crucified Christ, whose blood was shed for others. AP Religion Editor Steve Coleman reports. ((Opens and closes with sound)) (24 May 2015) < 261-r-43-(Twila Paris, Christian singer and songwriter, singing “What Did He Die For?”)–Sound of Christian singer and songwriter Twila Paris singing “What Did He Die For?” (24 May 2015) < BIBLE VERSE-CHARTER SCHOOL School apologizes to 6th-grader for barring Bible verse LAS VEGAS (AP) β A public charter school in North Las Vegas has apologized to a sixth-grader after telling her she couldn’t use a Bible verse for a classroom assignment. Non-profit legal group the Liberty Institute said the Somerset Academy issued a formal apology Friday. Mackenzie Fraiser can now resubmit her technology class assignment with the Bible’s John 3:16 verse. The assignment asked students to include an inspirational quote in a PowerPoint presentation about themselves. The Liberty Institute sent a demand letter to the school on Wednesday asking for an apology within 10 days. Somerset Academy board chairman Cody Noble says in the letter that the teacher and assistant principal made an inadvertent error interpreting the Department of Education’s guidelines on religious expression. GOVERNOR PRAYER APPEARANCE Gov. Haley’s upcoming appearance at prayer rally questioned NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) β South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley is preparing to headline a massive Christian-themed prayer rally next month. The Post and Courier reports that Haley, a converted Methodist, will be the keynote speaker at an event called The Response. It will be held June 13 at the North Charleston Coliseum in front of up to 10,000 people. Amy Monsky of the group Secular Humanists of the Lowcountry says Haley’s involvement is an endorsement of Christianity over other religions. The American Civil Liberties Union has voiced similar objections. Haley’s press office says the governor is inviting South Carolinians “of all backgrounds and faiths to join her.” Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal and former Texas Gov. Rick Perry have spoken at similar prayer rallies. IRELAND-GAY MARRIAGE UPDATE Gay rights supporters celebrate marriage vote in Ireland DUBLIN (AP) β Catholic leaders and gay rights activists alike are calling the gay marriage vote in Ireland a sign of a “social revolution.” More than three out of five voters gave their approval to changing the nation’s constitution to allow same-sex marriage. Ireland becomes the first country to approve gay marriage in a popular national vote. Many gay couples are taking the opportunity to declare their intentions, or to renew their vows after being married earlier in another country. The archbishop of Dublin says the Catholic church “needs to do a reality check.” He says the rejection of church teaching means Catholic leaders need to urgently find a new message and voice for reaching Ireland’s young. Analysts credited the “yes” side with adeptly employing social media to mobilize young voters, tens of thousands of whom voted for the first time Friday. Sound: 171-a-10-(Archbishop Diarmuid Martin, Catholic Archbishop of Dublin, in AP interview)-“and the church”-Catholic Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin says the vote against the church teaching on gay marriage meant that Catholic leaders in Ireland need to find a new voice for reaching Ireland’s youth. (24 May 2015) < 170-a-15-(Archbishop Diarmuid Martin, Catholic Archbishop of Dublin, in AP interview)-“have to ask”-Catholic Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin says Pope Benedict XVI asked him whether the church in Ireland was engaging enough in the dialogue with the country’s culture. (24 May 2015) < 169-a-17-(Archbishop Diarmuid Martin, Catholic Archbishop of Dublin, in AP interview)-“from the church”-Catholic Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin says the church has to carry out a reality check about its relationship with young people after Ireland voted “yes” on gay marriage. (24 May 2015) < 063-a-10-(Noeleen Cummins, “Yes” supporter, in AP interview)-“of years ago”-”Yes” supporter Noeleen Cummins says she is overjoyed that voters backed a constitutional amendment to legalize gay marriage. (24 May 2015) < 064-a-05-(Sinead Dolan, “Yes” supporter, in AP interview)-“felt like this”-”Yes” supporter Sinead Dolan says it’s wonderful to have the equality of gay marriage rights. (24 May 2015) < 070-a-11-(Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny, at news conference)-“all future marriages”-Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny says the landslide vote in favor of gay marriage is good for Ireland. (24 May 2015) < VATICAN-POPE Pope says Romero was killed out of hatred for his faith VATICAN CITY (AP) β Pope Francis has urged pilgrims filling St. Peter’s Square to emulate “the heroic examples” of two Catholics who were beatified this weekend, a slain El Salvadoran bishop and an Italian nun who worked in Kenya. Addressing the crowd on Pentecost Sunday, Francis stressed that Archbishop Oscar Romero of El Salvador was killed out of hatred of his faith, saying “he chose to be among his people, especially the poor and the oppressed, even at the price of his life.” Romero was assassinated as he celebrated Mass in 1980. The pope said Irene Sefani served the people of Kenya with “joy, mercy and tender passion.” Beatification is the first step toward sainthood. Francis also expressed “extreme worry and pain” for the plight of thousands of migrants in southeast Asia facing “great suffering and danger.” Sound: 150-r-29-(Sound of Pope Francis, speaking in Italian, from Apostolic Palace window overlooking pilgrims at St. Peter’s Square)–Sound of Pope Francis telling pilgrims gathered at St. Peter’s Square he is “extremely worried” about the plight of thousands of stranded migrants in southeast Asia and urging international community to provide humanitarian assistance. (24 May 2015) < 151-r-17-(Sound of choir singing, during Mass at St Peter’s Basilica)–Sound of choir singing during Mass marking Pentecost Sunday, celebrated by Pope Francis at St Peter’s Basilica. (24 May 2015) < 149-r-14-(Sound of Pope Francis, speaking in Italian, during Mass at St Peter’s Basilica)–Sound of Pope Francis urging faithful to follow “the heroic examples” of a slain El Salvadoran bishop and an Italian nun who worked in Kenya who were beatified this weekend. (24 May 2015) < POPE-CLIMATE CHANGE Catholics organize to promote pope’s climate change message NEW YORK (AP) β When Pope Francis releases his much-anticipated teaching document on the environment and climate change in the coming weeks, a network of Roman Catholics will be ready. There will be prayer vigils and pilgrimages, policy briefings and seminars, and sermons in parishes from the U.S. to the Philippines. Environmental advocates who work with bishops, religious orders, Catholic universities and lay movements have been preparing for months to maximize the effect of the statement, hoping for a transformative impact in the fight against global warming. Francis is issuing the encyclical by the end of June with an eye toward the end-of-year U.N. climate change conference in Paris. RUSSIA-ORTHODOX SAINTS Russians celebrate the saints who gave them their alphabet MOSCOW (AP) β Thousands of Russians have filled Moscow’s Red Square to join the patriarch of Russia’s Orthodox Church in celebrating Slavic literature and the two ninth-century monks considered to be the creators of the Cyrillic alphabet. Sunday’s religious and patriotic holiday celebrations were in keeping with Kremlin efforts to promote national pride and consolidate society as Russia is under pressure from the West and its economy is heading toward recession. The Orthodox Church, which has grown close to the Kremlin under President Vladimir Putin, plays a vital role in these efforts. In a meeting with Putin on the holiday, Patriarch Kirill said the “consolidation of our society around fundamental moral principles” was the “result of our joint labors.” The patriarch also held church services on Sunday’s holiday celebrating Saints Cyril and Methodius. AGING NUNS-ELDERCARE Aging Catholic nuns get care at Jewish nursing home NEW YORK (AP) β Three orders of Roman Catholic nuns that traditionally took care of their own aging sisters have sent 58 members to live at an elderly-care complex that was originally a nursing home for Jews. The orders’ decision reflects a trend that has left the church in America with more nuns over age 90 than under age 60. Very few women are going into the religious life, while health care needs are escalating for those who joined earlier. The nuns are ages 73 to 98. They appear to have overcome some initial resistance and say they’re very happy at Jewish Home Lifecare. They have taken over a couple of floors so they can be together, but they’re also taking part in open-to-all activities. The home says they’ve been a boon to other residents. ISRAEL-PALESTINIANS Israeli police say Palestinian stabs teens on Jewish holiday JERUSALEM (AP) β Israeli police say a 19-year-old Palestinian man stabbed two Israeli teenagers as they walked to a holy site on a Jewish festival. Spokeswoman Luba Samri said the Palestinian stabbed the two 17-year-old boys from behind Sunday. Samri says officers later apprehended the suspected attacker and the two boys remain hospitalized. The assault came on the Jewish Shavuot holiday, when Jews traditionally stay up all night studying religious texts. The teens were on their way to the Western Wall, a remnant of the biblical Jewish Temple compound and the holiest site where Jews can pray. Nearby is Jerusalem’s most sensitive holy site. Revered by Jews as the Temple Mount, it’s the most sacred site in Judaism. Muslims know it as the “Noble Sanctuary,” and is Islam’s third-holiest site. MYANMAR-POPULATION LAW Myanmar president signs off on contested population law YANGON, Myanmar (AP) β Myanmar’s president has signed a law requiring some mothers to space their children three years apart despite objections by a visiting senior U.S. diplomat and rights activists, who worry it could be used not only to repress women, but also religious and ethnic minorities. The bill β drafted under pressure from hard-line Buddhist monks with an anti-Muslim agenda β was passed by parliamentarians last month. U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said he warned Myanmar leaders during face-to-face talks last week about the dangers of the bill. On Saturday, hours after the diplomat left, state-run media announced President Thein Sein had signed it into law. As predominantly Buddhist Myanmar started moving from dictatorship to democracy four years ago, newfound freedoms of expression lifted the lid on deep-seeded hatred for minority Muslims β including Rohingya Muslims now arriving on Southeast Asian shores in crowded, rickety boats. Many are fleeing persecution and violence that has left up to 280 people dead and forced another 140,000 from their homes in western Myanmar.
