CLIMATE-FAITH AND SCIENCE
Theologians, scientists question threat of global warming
WASHINGTON (AP) — Some Christian theologians and scientists are questioning the threat of global warming in advance of next week's U.N. climate summit in Copenhagen.
Leaders of the Cornwall Alliance for the Stewardship of Creation say alarms over an increase in greenhouse gases are based on unproven assumptions that Earth's climate is fragile rather than robust.
Climatologist Roy Spencer argued that complex interactions of sunlight, clouds and atmospheric pollutants are imperfectly understood and susceptible to misinterpretation.
The Reverend Calvin Beisner said believing that human activity can drastically disrupt the climate is like believing that leaning on a wall will cause an entire building to collapse.
Beisner said that like the human body, the Earth is "fearfully and wonderfully made" by God.
Sound:
<<CUT …306 (12/03/09)>> 00:15 "wants it here"
The Reverend Craig Mitchell
The Reverend Craig Mitchell says viewing the Earth as fragile is unbiblical.
<<CUT …305 (12/03/09)>> 00:09 "worship our creator"
The Reverend Calvin Beisner (BYZ'-nur)
The Reverend Calvin Beisner says the Earth and its climate are robust rather than fragile.
<<CUT …304 (12/03/09)>> 00:21 "resilient it is"
Roy Spencer
Roy Spencer says climate change scientists may be exaggerating the threat of greenhouse gases.
<<CUT …303 (12/03/09)>> 00:16 "they interpret data"
Roy Spencer
Roy Spencer says fears of global warming may be based on scientists' world view.
US-MORAL DECLINE
Congressman: US has lost its moral bearings
WASHINGTON (AP) — "In the name of the most holy and undivided Trinity."
Congressman Louie Gohmert says those are the opening words of the 1783 Treaty of Paris in which Britain recognized the independence of the American colonies after the Revolutionary War.
The Texas Republican, in a House floor speech, lamented that a nation founded in such explicit faith seems to have lost its moral bearings and now believes that "if it feels good, do it."
Gohmert linked the loss of Christian faith to youth crime and even school shootings.
He noted that Christian leader Chuck Colson once observed that "when you have the morals of Woodstock, you'll have to expect some Columbines."
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<<CUT …310 (12/03/09)>> 00:18 "in my school"
Congressman Louie Gohmert
Congressman Louie Gohmert says America seems to have lost its moral bearings.
<<CUT …309 (12/03/09)>> 00:14 "expect some Columbines"
Congressman Louie Gohmert
Congressman Louie Gohmert says America has changed drastically since its founding.
<<CUT …308 (12/03/09)>> 00:14 "break their oath"
Congressman Louie Gohmert
Congressman Louie Gohmert says that in the 1783 Treaty of Paris, Britain recognized the American colonies' independence.
<<CUT …307 (12/03/09)>> 00:11 "an undivided Trinity"
Congressman Louie Gohmert
Congressman Louie Gohmert says he was surprised to read the opening words of the 1783 treaty that recognized the American colonies' independence.
NATIONAL TREE LIGHTING
Obama: Christmas message has universal appeal
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama says the National Christmas Tree "has come to represent more than any one holiday or religion."
Thursday's lighting of the 40-foot spruce between the White House and the Washington Monument included a pastor's prayer thanking God for what she called "the greatest gift" -- his "son Jesus."
Obama later said the holidays are a time to celebrate "the story of a child" whose enduring message is to "love one another." He added that "while this story may be a Christian one, its message is universal."
The president, in his own message to U.S. troops stationed far from home, said: "We will be thinking of you and praying for you during this holiday season."
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<<CUT …316 (12/03/09)>> 00:14 "overcome our differences"
The Reverend Cynthia Hale
The Reverend Cynthia Hale says Christmas is a time to celebrate God's gift of his son, Jesus.
<<CUT …315 (12/03/09)>> 00:12 "your son Jesus"
The Reverend Cynthia Hale
The Reverend Cynthia Hale asks God to bless the tree lighting ceremony.
<<CUT …314 (12/03/09)>> 00:19 "this holiday season"
President Barack Obama
President Barack Obama says many American troops won't be home for Christmas.
<<CUT …313 (12/03/09)>> 00:08 "our fellow citizens"
President Barack Obama
President Barack Obama says the Christmas season is a time for good deeds and sharing.
<<CUT …312 (12/03/09)>> 00:10 "lesson is universal"
President Barack Obama
President Barack Obama says Christmas celebrates the birth of a child whose message lives on.
<<CUT …311 (12/03/09)>> 00:16 "than 2000 years"
President Barack Obama
President Barack Obama says Christmas is about the birth of a child.
HOLIDAY DISPLAY RESTORED
Town does about face on 'Merry Christmas' sign
NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. (AP) — After protests over its removal, a "Merry Christmas" sign is back on display at the fire station in North Andover, Massachusetts.
Five days after ordering firefighters to take down the sign that has adorned the fire station during the holidays for a half century, the town gave the go-ahead to hang it back up on Wednesday.
The 2-foot by 4-foot wooden sign made by firefighters 50 years ago was ordered removed by town officials because of lawsuit fears after somebody complained about it.
Fire Chief William Martineau tells The Eagle-Tribune that putting the sign back up has "put a little joy back in the holidays."
North Andover officials say they'll also reconsider their decision limiting the placement of a menorah on the town common to just one day.
CHRISTMAS PARTY-ATHEISTS
Sheriff invites atheists to Christmas tree party
DENVER (AP) — Larimer County, Colorado, sheriff Jim Alderden is making room for atheists at his self-described politically incorrect Christmas party.
Alderden drew national attention during the investigation of the balloon boy case this fall. Locally, he's also known for his an annual Christmas tree trimming party. The tradition started two years ago after Fort Collins officials recommended an end to holiday decorations that favor a single religion.
Alderden invited two atheist groups to participate after they asked him to stop the display. He says he wants to be inclusive and told them he had a "big, empty spot for the atheists" at Saturday's party.
The Colorado Coalition of Reason says it will erect a sign urging people to illuminate their minds with reason during the winter-solstice season.
CONSERVATIVE BIBLE
Conservatives translate the Bible their way
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — Was Jesus a liberal?
Contributors to the Conservative Bible Project say some modern translations of the Bible could make you think so, or could suggest that God prefers socialism.
Led by New Jersey's Andy Schlafly, son of conservative activist Phyllis Schlafly, they're producing an online translation of the Bible that they say reflects its true conservative core. Editing the King James Version, they're changing some passages and throwing others out altogether.
Biblical scholars are skeptical. They say translating the Bible from ancient texts takes years of training and study, and that most translations are produced with accuracy in mind rather than politics.
ABORTION-CATHOLIC SENATORS
Abortion opponents urge church to press Catholic lawmakers
ST. LOUIS (AP) — Anti-abortion activists are urging Roman Catholic bishops to rebuke Catholic lawmakers if they support publicly financed abortion in the national health care bill.
As part of a 14-state tour, members of Insurrecta Nex were in St. Louis on Wednesday urging Archbishop Robert Carlson to send Sen. Claire McCaskill, a Catholic, a public warning against a vote that would allow public funding of abortions, and to deny the Missouri Democrat Holy Communion if she does.
The group's Diana Roccograndi said they're calling on bishops in Missouri and throughout the U.S. to enforce a church law that denies Communion to those "who obstinately persist in manifest grave sin."
A spokeswoman for Archbishop Carlson said he was on vacation and the archdiocese had no response.
CENSUS BOYCOTT
RI ministers vote to support census boycott
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Some Hispanic pastors in Rhode Island have voted to support a national boycott of next year's census.
The Hispanic Ministerial Alliance of Rhode Island represents dozens of Latino evangelical churches.
Alliance President the Rev. Eliseo Nogueras told the Providence Journal that the 14-to-4 vote was taken after a two-hour closed meeting.
The National Coalition of Latino Clergy and Christian Leaders is urging illegal aliens to boycott the 2010 census as leverage to press Congress for immigration reform.
Opponents of the boycott say it will leave Latinos underrepresented and their communities underfunded.
VATICAN-RUSSIA
Pope, Russia agree to upgrade diplomatic ties
VATICAN CITY (AP) — The Vatican says Pope Benedict and visiting President Dmitry Medvedev have agreed to establish full diplomatic ties between the Russia and the Vatican.
The step forward on the diplomatic front comes at the same time as a warming in relations between the Vatican and the Russian Orthodox Church.
The Vatican says Benedict and Medvedev also discussed "themes of mutual interest such as the value of the family and the contribution of believers to the life of Russia."
MOSQUE SPY
Records of man claiming to be mosque spy unsealed
WEST COVINA, Calif. (AP) — A judge has lifted a seal on court records and transcripts that a Southern California man says will prove he was an informant for the FBI.
Craig Monteilh (MON-tay) claims he has not been fully paid by the FBI for spying on mosques -- an activity that angered the Muslim community and brought accusations that worshippers and clerics were being targeted instead of potential terrorists.
The court records from 2007 were related to a theft case against Monteilh. He says they include testimony from an FBI agent confirming that Monteilh worked with the agency as an informant.
FBI agents and prosecutors say spying on mosques is one of the best weapons to uncover lurking terrorists or threats to national security.
