The Philistines

Archaeologist in southern Israel are piecing together the history of the people known in the Bible as the Philistines. A report from Associated Press is here.

Evangelicals, Republicans and the Civil War

A New York Times article takes a look at the influence of Evangelicals in the foundations of the Republican Party and the Civil War. Read about it here.

School Prayer Dispute Settled

A Florida school district has hashed out an agreement over prayer and the use of religious phrases in schools. The Santa Rosa School District school board voted unanimously to approve the agreement between the district, the ACLU and Liberty Counsel. The school district has dropped its ban on teacher-led prayer and religious activities within the district. Criminal indictments had been filed against school employees. The issue came to the public view when the ACLU filed a complaint against the district, saying it was illegally sponsoring prayer and proselytizing at school events. The Liberty Counsel is holding a victory rally at Pace Assembly Ministries today.

SCOTUS to Consider Church School Case

This fall, the Supreme Court will hear arguments as to whether an elementary school operated by a Michigan unfairly fired a teacher attempting to return to work after a disability leave related to narcolepsy. The Hosanna-Tabor Evangelical Lutheran Church where the woman worked is a part of the Missouri Synod Lutheran church. U.S. courts have generally held that federal employment discrimination statutes do not apply to church employees performing religious functions. The question is whether this applies not simply to religious leaders, but also to teachers at a religious elementary school.

Megachurch Responds to Stories about Founder

The Crystal Cathedral says it's not true. A spokesman for the megachurch says Robert H. Schuller was not voted off the board of the ministry, even though Schuller's son has said that he was voted off. Robert Anthony Schuller had said his 84-year-old father was booted off after proposing putting adding more seats to the board. But the spokesman says Schuller is now board chairman emeritus. However, the church spokesman admitted that Schuller lost his vote and now has only a non-voting position.

Schuller Out

The Crystal Cathedral board of directors have voted founder Robert Schuller off the board. Because of bankruptcy brought on by massive debts, the Southern California megachurch is in the process of selling its famous glass-spired sanctuary.