Christian Citizenship 2004

Hispanic Democrats hope party shifts toward pro-family stances
ERIN CURRY
Baptist Press
Published November 25, 2004

MIAMI (BP)—When President Bush received 9 percent more of the Hispanic vote this year than four years ago, some of those Hispanics were changing their vote over key social issues because they believe the Democratic Party has abandoned the views of its base in pursuit of an extremist agenda.

Broward County slots vote challenged
Published November 18, 2004

TALLAHASSEE (BP)– A pair of grassroots citizen groups have filed suit against the Broward County election canvassing board, asking that a judge order them to recount votes that swung a statewide election in favor of slot machines.

Suit claims invalid signatures tainted Fla. gambling petitions
KEN WALKER
Baptist Press
Published November 10, 2004

TALLAHASSEE (BP)--With a Nov. 15 deadline approaching for possible legal action against a vote to legalize slot machines in Miami-Dade and Broward counties, one challenge already is working its way through the courts.

Florida voters approve parental notice amendment
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor
Published November 11, 2004

TALLAHASSEE (FBW)—Florida took one step closer to putting parental involvement in minor’s abortions into state law Nov. 2 with a resounding victory for a constitutional amendment to permit the Legislature to enact a requirement for parents to be notified before minors have abortions.

Late surge of absentee ballots results in slots measure win
KEN WALKER
Correspondent
Published November 11, 2004

TALLAHASSEE (FBW)-A late group of absentee ballots from Broward County has apparently shifted the tide in favor of Amendment 4, a move that could eventually bring slot machines to South Florida.

Florida voters approve parental notice amendment
Slot machines measure too-close-to-call
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor
Published November 4, 2004

TALLAHASSEE (FBW)—Florida took one step closer to putting parental involvement in minor abortions into state law Tuesday with a resounding victory for a constitutional amendment to permit the Legislature to enact a requirement for parents to be notified before minors have abortions.

Gambling’s toll on Kathy’s family: prison, bankruptcy, suicide
DANA WILLIAMSON
Baptist Press
Published October 28, 2004

TOPEKA, Kan. (BP)--In a time frame of less than five months in 2003, Kathy Bassett sat in a courtroom and watched her son handcuffed and led off to prison; she stood by as her 73-year-old mother declared bankruptcy; and she dealt with the devastating news that her only brother had died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

GAMBLING TAKES ALL FROM CECIL FIELDER
ERIN CURRY
Baptist Press
Published October 28, 2004

In the early 1990s, Cecil Fielder was a notable slugger for the Detroit Tigers and also was known as a family man for the good treatment of his wife, Stacey, son, Prince, and daughter, Ceclynn.

iVote Values brings information to Florida voters
JONI B. HANNIGAN
Managing Editor
Published October 28, 2004

ORLANDO (FBW)-Ten-year-old Tyece Foster did a little dance in front of a computer screen Oct. 17. Glancing at her father, James, the young member of First Baptist Church, Orlando, laughed in delight when the flashing monitor in front of her confirmed she knew enough civics trivia to earn her flying colors.

Orlando pastor asks, answers: ‘Why would Jesus vote?’
JONI B. HANNIGAN
Managing Editor
Published October 28, 2004

ORLANDO (FBW)-In wrapping up a 4-part sermon series “Why would Jesus vote?” Jim Henry, pastor of First Baptist Church, Orlando, poised another question Oct. 24, “How would Jesus Vote?”

Castor vs. Martinez Senate race gains Dobson’s attention
Letter highlights candidates’ policy differences on abortion, ‘gay marriage’
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor
Published October 28, 2004

JACKSONVILLE (FBW) – Popular Christian radio talk show host James Dobson has entered the political fray of the too-close-to-call race for Florida’s open U.S. Senate seat – joining the presidential contest as the only other statewide race on the Nov. 2 ballot.

When you vote, think on these things
Editorial
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor
Published October 28, 2004

Perhaps like never before, this year’s election season has seen heightened attention to faith voters – both on the part of the presidential campaigns, as well as by various organizations seeking to register and educate religious voters. Some Christians – and many in the liberal media elite – fret over these developments, with some even suggesting religious voter outreach endangers church-state separation and entangles churches in matters unrelated to their proper mission.

Loving, confronting the citizens of the City of Man
Point of View
R. ALBERT MOHLER JR.
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Published October 28, 2004

Over the last 20 years, evangelical Christians have been politically mobilized in an outpouring of moral concern and political engagement unprecedented since the crusade against slavery in the 19th century. With the 2004 presidential campaign now underway, the issue of political involvement emerges anew with urgency.

First: Know your values; Second: Vote!
Point of View
JAMES T. DRAPER JR.
LifeWay Christian Resources
Published October 28, 2004

Religion and politics. It’s not difficult to get a conversation going about either and some people say you’d be wise to avoid them both to prevent an argument. Wise advice, but since it is the political season, and since I’ve already broached the topic, let me ask you a few questions.

BREAKPOINT: The inadequacy of presidential debates
Point of View
CHARLES COLSON
Breakpoint
Published October 28, 2004

All of the media buzz has been about who won, who didn’t, and who scored points in the three presidential debates. After the first, Kerry had momentum, so said the press. After the third, Bush had it. Why such a fuss over the debates? We’re not electing a debater-in-chief. We’re electing a president and commander-in-chief. The candidate who is best qualified is not necessarily the best performer. He’s the one with the best record and disposition—regardless of debating skills.

Kerry notes support of homosexual public policy agenda in wide-ranging interview with leading pro-homosexual magazine
MICHAEL FOUST
Baptist Press
Published October 28, 2004

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)—In an interview with the nation’s largest homosexual magazine just weeks before the election, Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry leaves open the possibility that he will change his position on same-sex “marriage” and says he will nominate judges who will fight for homosexual causes.

Bible is ‘objective, propositional tool’ for voting; believers should engage political process, leaders say
DAVID ROACH
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Published October 28, 2004

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)—Christians must work to uphold God’s standards, not withdraw from the civic arena, said Southern Baptist theologian Russell D. Moore.

BREAKPOINT: Imperfect people: Voting and the Christian
Point of View
CHARLES COLSON
BreakPoint
Published October 28, 2004

I have huge respect for Dr. Mark Noll. He’s a first-rate scholar, thinker, and historian. His book The Scandal of the Evangelical Mind, written ten years ago, remains a tough-minded challenge to develop a Christian worldview.

Candidates, issues on November ballot
Florida voters asked to approve parental notice of abortion amendment
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor
Published October 21, 2004

TALLAHASSEE (FBW)—Sixteen years ago, the Florida Legislature adopted its first bill requiring parental involvement in abortion only to see it and another bill overturned by the Florida Supreme Court and yet another bill vetoed by Gov. Lawton Chiles. Voters Nov. 2 will be asked to approve an amendment to the state Constitution permitting the Legislature to enact legislation requiring parents to be notified of a minor’s intention to have an abortion.

Religion playing critical role in election; Bush, Kerry reaching out to values voters
Published October 21, 2004

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)—It may not be front-and-center, but religion is taking on an ever-increasing role in this year’s presidential campaign.

Will Floridians be enticed by Amendment 4?
Editorial
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor
Published October 14, 2004

Have you noticed those slick televisions ads lately selling Amendment 4 to Floridians as a long overdue, painless and harmless way of regulating and taxing gambling to help with overcrowding schools and underpaid teachers? With a flush bank account of well over $13 million, if you haven’t noticed them yet, don’t worry—we’re going to be bombarded with them from now until Nov. 2.

Christian faith and public policy: Kerry’s contradictions
Point of View
R. ALBERT MOHLER JR
Crosswalk.com
Published October 21, 2004

How are we to relate our Christian beliefs to the political sphere? That question has demanded the most careful and faithful Christian thinking for centuries, but recent comments by Sen. John Kerry provide an illustration of how not to apply Christian truth to the great moral questions of our age.

BREAKPOINT: Why should they vote? Young people ponder the issues
Point of View
CHARLES COLSON
BreakPoint
Published October 21, 2004

A heated discussion took place recently at a teen center. What was the topic? Who’s going to win the Superbowl or which rock band was the best? No, the group was in deep discussion about the upcoming presidential election. And anecdotal evidence suggests this kind of discussion is going on all over the country.

Floridians turn attention to election issues
Southern Baptist agency analyzes parties’ platforms; excerpts offered
DWAYNE HAISTINGS
Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission
Published October 14, 2004

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)—As America draws closer to Election Day, some voters may be questioning the $270,000 the government has earmarked for potato storage research in Madison, Wis., or the $50 million approved for an indoor rainforest project in Iowa—both federal entitlements cited by the advocacy group Citizens Against Government Waste in its most recent report.

PLATFORM COMPARISON: REPUBLICANS
Published October 14, 2004

The following are excerpts from the Political Party Platform Comparison, a resource produced by the Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission’s iVoteValues.com initiative.

PLATFORM COMPARISON: DEMOCRATS
Published October 14, 2004

The following are excerpts from the Political Party Platform Comparison, a resource produced by the Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission’s iVoteValues.com initiative.

IS IT LEGAL?
Published October 14, 2004

Many are confused about what is and what is not legal given the IRS restrictions on political activity by tax-exempt organizations. While it is impossible to lay out a definitive list of do’s and don’ts since the IRS interprets what is and isn’t legal, the resource below is offered for general guidelines compiled by the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission:

Florida anti-gambling forces face ‘Goliath’ in Amendment 4 contest
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor
Published October 14, 2004

JACKSONVILLE (FBW)—Having failed three times in as many decades to win approval for casinos, gambling forces hope they will finally hit the jackpot next month with a proposed constitutional amendment requiring the approval of Floridians across the state to allow two south Florida counties to introduce slot machines at seven pari-mutuel facilities.

Will Floridians be enticed by Amendment 4?
Editorial
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor
Published October 14, 2004

Have you noticed those slick televisions ads lately selling Amendment 4 to Floridians as a long overdue, painless and harmless way of regulating and taxing gambling to help with overcrowding schools and underpaid teachers? With a flush bank account of well over $13 million, if you haven’t noticed them yet, don’t worry—we’re going to be bombarded with them from now until Nov. 2.

Point of View
Bill Clinton and the meaning of ‘values’
WILLIAM PERKINS
The Baptist Record
Published September 30, 2004

Well, well. Former U.S. Bill President Bill Clinton, the nation’s most prominent serial adulterer and liar, has just announced he has acquired values. Don’t get too excited, though, until you hear him out.

BP launches internet election resource guide
Published September 23, 2004

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)—In an effort to inform evangelical voters and contribute to the iVoteValues.com initiative, Baptist Press has launched an online election resource guide that includes information on registering to vote and on major issues facing the country.

Bunkley loses narrowly; legal challenge considered
Greer retains post easily
Published September 9, 2004

JACKSONVILLE (FBW)—In one of the most closely contested primary races in the state, Florida Baptist Convention legislative consultant Bill Bunkley lost his bid to represent District 47 in the Florida House of Representatives by 131 votes to incumbent Kevin Ambler. The Bunkley-Ambler contest drew more than 9,200 votes in the Aug. 31 Republican primary.

Convention legislative consultant Bill Bunkley runs for office
Opponent’s campaign manager makes issue of Bunkley’s childlessness
JONI B. HANNIGAN
Managing Editor
Published August 19, 2004

TAMPA (FBW)—Bill Bunkley is a familiar face in Tallahassee. Determined to keep Florida Baptists abreast of public policy issues before the state legislature, Bunkley has spent literally thousands of days walking the halls of the State Capitol.

Two members of Clearwater church vie for same seat
Lawyer opposing judge in Schiavo case says he didn’t know Greer was in the same church
JONI B. HANNIGAN
Managing Editor
Published August 19, 2004

CLEARWATER (FBW)—For the first time since he assumed the bench after an uncontested election 11 years ago, Pinellas-Pasco Circuit Judge George Greer, 62, a long-time member of Calvary Baptist Church in Clearwater, will face a challenger.

The Religious Left in Boston: Democrats get religion
Editorial
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor
Published August 12, 2004

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (BP)--God is cool again in the Democratic Party.