The Associated Press
Thursday, July 13, 2000; 12:03 p.m. EDT

Adventists report adding a million members in a year, elect leaders

TORONTO (AP) – The rapidly growing Seventh-day Adventist Church added 1,090,848 new members in 1999, an increase of nearly 11 percent, and now has a following of more than 11 million, said a report to the faith's international meeting.

Of those members, 91.6 percent now live outside North America, where the church originated.

The meeting elected the Rev. Jan Paulsen to a five-year term as world president. Paulsen, a native of Norway, assumed the post last year when his predecessor resigned over a church investigation of his business dealings. The Rev. Don Schneider was chosen new president of the North American division.

Adventist delegates passed a revised policy on divorce and remarriage. It says abandonment or physical abuse can justify divorce. The church permits remarriage only in cases of adultery by a spouse, but now specifies that this includes incest, child sexual abuse and homosexual practices.

–––

On the Net: www.adventist.org

–––

Ecclesiastical charges filed against Chicago's Methodist bishop

ELGIN, Ill. (AP) – A lawyer and conservative lay member of the United Methodist Church, John Juergensmeyer, has filed ecclesiastical charges against Chicago Bishop C. Joseph Sprague.

One charge accuses Sprague of promoting writings about Jesus Christ that Juergensmeyer says violate church doctrine.

Sprague is also charged with joining a pro-gay protest that disrupted the church's national conference in May, with using church funds to promote homosexuality and with neglecting proper church administration.

A spokesman for Sprague declined to comment on the proceedings, saying they are confidential.

–––

Internal Revenue Service issues warning against churches in politics

WASHINGTON (AP) – An election-year advisory from the Internal Revenue Service warns tax-exempt churches and other charities that tax policy forbids campaign activity.

The IRS said groups that are exempt under section 50l(c)(3) of the tax code are "prohibited from participating or intervening in any political campaign on behalf of, or in opposition to, any candidate for public office."

Banned activities include endorsements, donations, fund-raising and even programs that are "nonpartisan and in the public interest" but help or hurt a candidate, the IRS stated. Educational forums that do not take sides are allowed.

Violators could be taxed on non-exempt activity or lose tax exemption entirely.

The IRS issued similar warnings during the 1992 and 1996 campaigns.

In May, a federal appeals court ruled that the IRS was justified in removing tax exemption from the Church at Pierce Creek in Binghamton, N.Y., for running 1992 campaign ads attacking Bill Clinton.

–––

Survey indicates many Muslims are undecided in presidential race

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations says a non-random survey of Muslim activists shows a fourth are undecided or dissatisfied with candidates in the presidential race.

Some 33 percent favored Al Gore, 28 percent were for George W. Bush, 7 percent for Pat Buchanan and 5 percent for Ralph Nader.

In the survey, 755 respondents returned questionnaires that were sent to 800 Islamic organizations and mosques to distribute among active members.

Though 64 percent backed Republican Party stands on moral issues like abortion and homosexuality, 31 percent favored the Democrats and only 17 percent the Republicans, while 43 percent said neither party reflected Muslim interests.

The council also announced a monthlong national voter registration drive.

–––

On the Net: www.cair-net.org

–––

High schoolers study theology at 26 campuses

ATLANTA (AP) – Summertime theology study by high school students, an idea originated at Emory University in 1993, has expanded by this year to 26 universities and seminaries from Massachusetts to California.

Participants in Theological Programs for High School Youth are either considering clergy careers or have an academic interest in theology.

The program is coordinated by the Atlanta-based Fund for Theological Education and funded by the Lilly Endowment of Indianapolis, Ind.

At Emory, a month of course work at the Methodist-related seminary is oriented to Christianity but Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist and Hindu students and those of no religion have participated.

–––

On the Net: Fund for Theological Education: www.thefund.org

–––

Lutheran teens help build a house during national rally

ST. LOUIS (AP) – Hundreds of Lutheran teen-agers helped Habitat for Humanity build a house for a needy family in East St. Louis, Ill., spruced up 22 city parks and visited dozens of homes for seniors, homeless shelters and day care centers.

In addition to service projects, the Youth Gathering of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America featured worship, study and fun.

A total of 40,000 youths and adult advisers from across the nation attended two five-day sessions.

–––

On the Net: www.elca.org

–––

Greek court lifts ban on book on Christ dubbed 'blasphemous'

THESSALONIKI, Greece (AP) – A book banned after the Greek Orthodox Church condemned it as "blasphemous" is back on sale.

In March, a court for northern Greece temporarily banned sales of "M to the Power of N" by Mimi Androulakis, a former Communist parliament deputy. That ban has been lifted, pending a final ruling expected in August.

The book consists of women's fictional dialogues, mostly about misogyny, and has passages on Jesus Christ's possible sexual longings for Mary Magdalene.

The injunction was filed by history professor Marios Pylavakis and two others who argued that Christ's life could not be subject to fictional reinterpretation.

In June, an Athens court threw out a demand to ban the book.

–––

Evangelist completes 50-day, 50-state preaching tour

PLEASANT GARDEN, N.C. (AP) – A thousand people clapped and prayed as evangelist Alex McFarland completed a 50-day preaching tour to all 50 states with a sermon at his home Baptist church.

McFarland opened his "Tour of Truth" May 20 in Hawaii, then traveled the U.S. mainland in a recreational vehicle, logging 17,000 miles and visiting one church in each state.

McFarland, wife Angie and seven unpaid college interns, computer specialists and drivers took the trip.

Some days were difficult. On Day 32, lightning fried the computer modem in Easley, S.C., jeopardizing the tour's live Internet feed. And a German shepherd bit the evangelist's arm outside a church in Chase, Md. With teeth marks still fresh, McFarland delivered his 50th sermon.

"It was a last-ditch attempt by the devil to keep me from getting my preaching done," McFarland said.