A report in the October issue of Christianity Today provides some interesting statistics on sexual abuse in Christian churches. You may have been under the impression that church leaders are responsible for sexually molesting their congregations but suprisingly, half of all offenses are committed by volunteers. Pastors have such busy schedules.

A survey conducted in 1984 reported that 38.6% of the ministers surveyed had made "sexual contact" with a member while 12.7% had experienced carnal knowledge. The rate of child molestation reported in surveyed churches rose to 2% in 1996, from 0.8% the year before.

While volunteer church service is a good way to work off parking tickets we encourage the civic minded to let the church leadership do their own dirty work.

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The Russian parliment has given official approval to a bill that protects existing religions in Russia from competition with foreign boutique beliefs. Covered in this bill are the traditional Orthodox Church, Judaism, Islam and Buddhism.

While Catholics, evangelical Christians and Orthodox sects may "carry out financial transactions and charitable activities," they can't run schools, pass out religious literature, invite foreigners to man the pulpit or enlist volunteers to molest their congregations.

In other news...
John Travolta appeared before Congress to protest religious persectution aimed at him and fellow actor Tom Cruise because of their belief in Scientology. Pat Robertson, ever grasping at coattails, showed his support for the bad actors by threatening a boycott of Mercedes and BMW from his armchair at the 700 club.

Does this mean I have to BUY a luxury car now to show my support?

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Reverend Wiley Drake, responsible for the last summer's Disney Boycott has been slapped on the hand by city officials for feeding and housing the homeless at his church outside the gates of Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm.

The Disney boycott was called to protest Disney's depiction of drunken and homosexual priests in the movie Priest (?#?), Disney's pro-family policies that include health benefits for same sex relationships and for the blaphemy in Disney's new TV show Nothing Sacred.

Curious about Nothing Sacred I watched last week's episode about a priest harassed by city government officials for feeding the homeless in his church. Other than Disney's predicatable and treacly presentation there was nothing objectionable or blasphemous to be seen

Does this mean I have to start watching Disney features to show my support?

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Sadly, Rich Mullins, Christian songwriter and singer famous for his song 'Awesome God' met with that big Dude in the sky last week. Tossed from a sports utility vehicle he was killed by a tractor trailer. The world will miss his touching poetry.

When He rolls up his sleeves
He ain't just putting on the ritz
Our God is an awesome God
There's thunder in his footsteps
And lightning in His fists
Our God is an awesome God
And the Lord wasn't joking
When he kicked 'em out of Eden
It wasn't for no reason
That He shed His blood
His return is very close
And so you better be believing that
Our God is an awesome God

Hear the song: Awesome God (28K), the very tinny version
The Rich Mullins Fan Page

In other news...
Two people were killed and 17 injured when a pickup hit the back of a hay wagon in Somerset, KY last week. A local church had sponsored the hay ride.

Thank God I'm a couch potato.

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