God's Word Prevails
The Cincinnati Reds baseball organization agreed to a financial settlement with Rev. Guy Aubrey as penalty for refusing to allow his religious banner at their baseball games.
The case began on October 17, 1990 when Aubrey of Cleveland, Tenn. attempted to display a "John 3:16" banner during Game Two of the 1990 World Series between the Reds and the Oakland Athletics. Aubrey was escorted out of Riverfront Stadium after being told that his sign violated Major League Baseball policy. However, the U.S. District Court ruled that the Red's policy was vague and overbroad.
The Reds changed their policy to permit only "baseball related" signs in 1993, so Aubrey returned with a sign that read "Go Reds — John 3:16." He was once again escorted from the stadium. However, the U.S. District Court ruled this policy unconstitutional. The Reds have since rewritten their policy to permit fan signs without discrimination.
The Rutherford Institute assisted Aubrey in his settlement, and U.S. District Judge S. Arthur Speigel dismissed the case as settled on June 5 after the Reds, the City of Cincinnati, and Hamilton County paid Aubrey $20,000. Aubrey said that his portion of the settlement was going to a church in Chihuahua, Mexico to buy land for a sanctuary.
The Rutherford Institute News Release, June 17, 1997
A National Crisis
Seventy-one percent of Americans say the U.S. is "facing more of a moral crisis than an economic crisis," according to an April survey by Public Opinion Strategies.
The Pastor's Weekly Briefing, April 25, 1997
The Gospel's Power to Deliver
A previously unreached tribe of people in Borneo is leaving its occultic religion and becoming Christians, according to recent reports. The Iban people in Sarawak have been burning their amulets, which are supposedly possessed with mystical powers, and are being set free of demonic oppression. The move started when two Anglican vicars brought a translated version of a Christian book to the Ibans. Dramatic results came as they preached the message of spiritual freedom. Earlier this year, some 1,000 Borneo Christian leaders prayed that the Iban would be freed from curses.
Religious News Service, June 30, 1997
Silly Putty Theology (Shape It However You Want)
A regional panel of the United Church of Christ (UCC) stripped Benjamin Chavis Muhammad of his clergy standing in April, saying the controversial civil rights activist has joined "another faith" by joining the Nation of Islam.
In an interview in the April 19 edition of the Sacramento Bee, Chavis Muhammad said his decision to join the Nation of Islam is not a sign he has forsaken his Christian roots.
"My foundation is Christian. I am not turning against the church. I'm not turning against Jesus. I still have Jesus in my heart," he said. "Islam has given me a context to live Jesus."
Religion News Service, April 24, 1997
Media Violence and Children
"More than 1,000 studies attest to a causal connection between media violence and aggressive behavior in some children. Parents should limit the amount of TV their children watch … and prohibit them from having televisions in their bedrooms." ~ Joseph Zanga, M.D., President-elect of the American Academy of Pediatrics
USA TODAY, May 5, 1997
