OBIT-DEAN JONES-RELIGION
Disney actor Dean Jones, a Christian, dies at 84
LOS ANGELES (AP) β Actor Dean Jones, who died Tuesday at the age of 84, is better known for his roles in Disney films like “That Darn Cat” and “The Love Bug” than for the Christian faith he came to embrace.
In a 1999 Associated Press interview, Jones said his successful stage, TV and movie career left him feeling empty and unfulfilled. By the early 1970s, Jones said he had more wealth and possessions than he could imagine, but was depressed and “running out of enthusiasm to live” until he got down on his knees and gave his life to Christ.
In 1998 Jones founded the Christian Rescue Committee to help victims of persecution. It later became part of the Jubilee Campaign.
Jones’ later roles included “St. John in Exile,” Abraham in the video “God Provides,” and Scrooge in a made-for-TV film from the Rev. D. James Kennedy’s Coral Ridge Ministry.
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300-a-17-(Actor Dean Jones, in a 1999 Associated Press interview)-“out of time”-In a 1999 Associated Press interview, actor Dean Jones said that by the early 1970s, he was often depressed despite his success. (2 Sep 2015)
< 302-r-39-(Sound of theme from the 1968 film, “The Love Bug”)–Sound of theme from the 1968 film “The Love Bug.” (2 Sep 2015) < 299-w-36-(Steve Coleman, AP religion editor, with file tape of actor Dean Jones)–Actor Dean Jones, who died Tuesday at the age of 84, is better known for his roles in Disney films like “That Darn Cat” and “The Love Bug” than for the Christian faith he came to embrace. AP Religion Editor Steve Coleman reports. (2 Sep 2015) < 301-a-15-(Actor Dean Jones, in a 1999 Associated Press interview)-“life than this”-In a 1999 Associated Press interview, actor Dean Jones said wealth and success left him feeling empty. ((cut used in wrap)) (2 Sep 2015) < GAY MARRIAGE-KENTUCKY Kentucky Senate president asks judge to postpone gay marriage ruling FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) β The president of the Kentucky state Senate has asked a federal judge to withhold his ruling ordering a county clerk to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples against her religious beliefs. Republican Senate President Robert Stivers said in a court filing on Wednesday that U.S. District Judge David Bunning needs to give the state legislature time to pass a law that would exempt Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis from issuing marriage licenses. In his filing, Stivers notes the state legislature is not in session and won’t be until January. Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear has declined to call a special session. Davis has been ordered to appear today before Judge David Bunning, who could hold her in contempt of court and impose fines. Sound: 358-c-10-(Adam Beam, AP correspondent)-“harm her conscience”-AP correspondent Adam Beam reports that Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis has refused to comply with a court order to issue same-sex marriage licenses. (2 Sep 2015) < 359-c-08-(Adam Beam, AP correspondent)-“the county budget”-AP correspondent Adam Beam reports that federal Judge David Bunning could impose fines on Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis for contempt of court. (2 Sep 2015) < 361-c-06-(Adam Beam, AP correspondent)-“out of this”-AP correspondent Adam Beam reports that both of the state’s gubernatorial candidates have called for changing the law on issuing marriage licenses. (2 Sep 2015) < 360-c-13-(Adam Beam, AP correspondent)-“charges against her”-AP correspondent Adam Beam reports that Kim Davis is unlikely to be removed from office. (2 Sep 2015) < 357-c-08-(Adam Beam, AP correspondent)-“issue those licenses”-AP correspondent Adam Beam reports that Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis is to appear before a federal judge who ordered her to issue same-sex marriage licenses. (2 Sep 2015) < 272-w-30-(Steve Coleman, AP religion editor, with Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis)–A Kentucky county clerk who is defying court orders to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples says she’s under God’s authority. AP Religion Editor Steve Coleman reports. (1 Sep 2015) < GAY MARRIAGE-KENTUCKY Clerk in gay marriage fight had turbulent marital past MOREHEAD, Ky. (AP) β The Kentucky county clerk who says her religion won’t allow her to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples has had her own marriage issues. Court records show that Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis has had three husbands, three divorces, and two children when she was unmarried. Davis and her current husband married each other, divorced and later reunited. All of that would appear to make her an unlikely champion for a biblical view of marriage. But her attorney says that in a church service four years ago, Davis “asked for and received forgiveness,” and the “life she led before is not the life she lives now.” That Sunday morning, as the preacher spoke from the book of Galatians, she repented and pledged the rest of her life to the service of the Lord. Now, Davis is refusing to surrender in a battle over who can and can’t be wed. She invoked “God’s authority” Tuesday as she defied a series of federal court orders and once again denied marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Sound: 240-v-29-(Steve Coleman, AP religion editor)–The Kentucky county clerk who says her religion won’t allow her to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples has had her own marriage problems. AP Religion Editor Steve Coleman reports. (2 Sep 2015) < GOP 2016-KENTUCKY CLERK Kentucky clerk’s defiance is a test for GOP rivals ATLANTA (AP) β The Kentucky clerk who is refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples is winning support from some Republican presidential contenders. Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee said in a statement that he spoke Wednesday to Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis, offering her “prayers and support.” Huckabee said he believes she is on sound legal footing despite the Supreme Court’s ruling to legalize same-sex unions nationwide and a federal court order requiring her to comply. Huckabee said Davis is showing “courage and humility” and he praised her for not “bowing to the false God of judicial supremacy.” The Supreme Court declined Monday to block a federal district judge’s order requiring Davis’s office to issue licenses, a development that exhausts her legal options. Among the 2016 GOP rivals, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal also signaled approval of what Davis is doing but did not explicitly call for conscientious objectors to defy the courts. But South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham and former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina, both in interviews with radio host Hugh Hewitt, said Davis should follow the law. ARCHBISHOP-IMMIGRATION-TRUMP Archbishop assails Trump over birthright citizenship repeal PHILADELPHIA (AP) β The leader of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia says GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump’s call to end automatic citizenship for children born to immigrants living illegally in the U.S. “plays on our worst fears and resentments.” In remarks prepared for a church forum, Archbishop Charles Chaput (SHAP’-yoo) says he hopes immigration will be a key part of the discussions during this month’s World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia, which Pope Francis will attend. Without mentioning Trump by name, Chaput says, “At least one of our presidential candidates has already made the national immigration debate ugly with a great deal of belligerent bombast.” The pope has decried what he has called the “inhuman” conditions facing migrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border, and has encouraged communities to welcome them. MASS BAPTISM Officials investigate mass baptism on school football field VILLA RICA, Ga. (AP) β A school district says it’s investigating a mass baptism on a public high school football field after video footage was posted online. Officials say the incident happened Aug. 14 at Villa Rica (VIL’-uh RIK’-uh) High School, about 30 miles west of Atlanta. WXIA-TV reports that the First Baptist Church of Villa Rica posted the video on YouTube. It has since been removed, but WXIA says it showed football players being submersed in a water tub on school grounds. Church officials wrote that they had baptized players and a coach. The Freedom from Religion Foundation sent a letter to the district Tuesday asking that officials ensure there are no more religious events that violate students’ constitutional rights on school grounds. An official from the foundation says the coach misused his authority to promote religious beliefs. WXIA-TV says the Carroll County School District is investigating. Villa Rica High School is part of the district. POPE-CHAIR-NYC Chair built for Pope Francis for his Mass in NYC is unveiled NEW YORK (AP) β The Catholic Archdiocese of New York has unveiled the large wooden armchair that’s been built for Pope Francis when he celebrates Mass at Madison Square Garden. Cardinal Timothy Dolan displayed the armchair Wednesday at the Garden. It has a light brown finish with a darker mahogany trim and a white cushioned seat, back and arms. The pope will wear green vestments and preach in English and Spanish on Sept. 25. About 200 deacons and 150 volunteers will assist him. The readings will be said in English and Spanish. Other prayers will be in Gaelic, Polish, German and other languages. The chair was built by a group of day laborers in a suburban New York garage. Inmates at a Philadelphia prison are also building a chair for the pope’s visit there. Sound: 224-a-09-(Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archdiocese of New York, at news conference)-“prayerful reverential occasion”-New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan says 20,000 parishioners and 200 deacons will be at Pope Francis’ Mass at Madison Square Garden, and 150 volunteers will be on hand to help. (2 Sep 2015) < 223-a-11-(Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archdiocese of New York, at news conference)-“of our parishes”-New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan says Pope Francis’ Mass at Madison Square Garden will be celebrated in English and Spanish and other prayers will be in Gaelic, Polish and German and other languages. (2 Sep 2015) < 222-a-09-(Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archdiocese of New York, at news conference)-“represents teaching authority”-New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan says the simple large wooden armchair that Pope Francis will use during his Mass at Madison Square Garden was built by immigrants. ((cut used in wrap)) (2 Sep 2015) < 221-w-36-(Julie Walker, AP correspondent, with New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan)–The Archdiocese of New York has unveiled the wooden armchair that was built for Pope Francis to use when he celebrates Mass at Madison Square Garden on September 25th. AP correspondent Julie Walker reports. (2 Sep 2015) < 225-a-17-(Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archdiocese of New York, in AP interview)-“probably see some”-New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan says even though the pope’s schedule is tight, you never know what could be added to it. (2 Sep 2015) < POPE-FEDERAL WORKERS Federal agencies asked to allow telework during Pope’s visit WASHINGTON (AP) β The Office of Personnel Management is calling on federal agencies to allow teleworking during the pope’s visit to Washington to cut down on traffic. The federal government in the Washington area will remain open during Pope Francis’ three-day visit, but road closures and crowds will disrupt the usual commute. In a memo sent Tuesday, OPM Acting Director Beth Cobert asks agencies to let employees telecommute to avoid adding to the congestion and to reduce distractions for security officials. If employees must come in, Cobert recommends that they plan on extra travel time. Pope Francis is set to arrive in Washington on Sept. 22. His itinerary includes visits to religious sites, the White House and the Capitol, where he will address Congress. The pope leaves for New York on Sept. 24. LUTHERAN SYNOD-THEFTS Bishop’s ex-assistant charged with Lutheran synod thefts FRANKLIN, Pa. (AP) β A former bishop’s assistant has been charged with stealing more than $100,000 from the northwestern Pennsylvania synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Online court records don’t list an attorney for 64-year-old Mary Housholder, of Franklin. She declined comment Wednesday when reached at her dog-training business, which allegedly benefited from some of the money she’s charged with stealing. The Derrick newspaper reports that Housholder was an assistant to Bishop Ralph Jones based in Oil Creek Township when the thefts occurred since 2009. Troopers say Housholder stole $50,000 from the synod’s Mission Investment Fund by writing a check to her dog-training business. Church officials say Housholder acknowledged that and said she was trying to pay it back. Other thefts emerged as the investigation continued. SOCCER PLAYERS SUSPENDED Soccer players at Christian college suspended after blackface incident SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) β A private Christian university in Spokane, Washington, says it has suspended five members of the women’s soccer team after a social media post surfaced showing them dressed in blackface and afro wigs. Whitworth University says the players were suspended from a match Wednesday following their actions at an unofficial team event Monday night. Head coach Jael Hagerott said in a statement that while the players’ “intentions were not malicious, the outcome of their actions was painful for many” in the community. His decision was supported by the university’s administration. KXLY-TV reports (http://is.gd/RDMktS ) that no further punishment will be taken by the university athletics department. But a separate investigation involving student conduct is moving forward. An Instagram post showed the soccer players with faces painted black wearing afro wigs. The caption quoted a line from a Jackson 5 song.
