Spirituality
Judge: ‘Lord’s Prayer’ can’t be sung at graduation
Des Moines, Iowa A federal judge has ruled the Woodbine High School choir cannot sing “The Lord’s Prayer” at graduation ceremonies because the tradition violates the separation of church and state.
“Our Constitution prohibits state-compelled religious conformance,” U.S. District Judge Charles Wolle said in a written opinion last week.
The Iowa Civil Liberties Union sued the school district on behalf of Ruby Skarin, who sang with the choir, and her twin brother, Donovan. The siblings are sophomores at Woodbine and come from an atheist family.
Choir director Jo Schmitz had said the Skarins could have made up the required performance with an alternate activity, but Wolle said that would not change his ruling.
Eugene holds ‘Om’ festival to mark Dalai Lama visit
Eugene, Ore. A hundred voices, all chanting together, made the room hum with the language of meditation: “Om.” Then chimes rang, ending the first annual “Great Om In” Sunday at the Lord Leebrick Theatre.
Alan Stein, owner of the Star Gate bookstore, organized the event in honor of Gov. John Kitzhaber’s proclamation of May as a month of peace. Kitzhaber first made the declaration last year to commemorate the visit by the Dalai Lama, above, to Oregon. The governor renewed the proclamation this year, saying, “There is a great need for peace in the world: starting with peace in ourselves, our homes, community, city and state.”
In addition to meditation, the event included dances, music and chanting.
Evangelical advocacy group consolidates offices
Washington The National Association of Evangelicals plans to close its California office and consolidate operations in its Washington office.
The organization’s board approved the move this month to bolster its work with other Christian evangelicals and lobbying efforts with the federal government.
It is the latest in a series of major changes the group has made.
Last year, the NAE president, the Rev. Kevin Mannoia, quit abruptly as fund raising declined and opposition grew to his efforts to work with more liberal Protestants.
The Rev. Leith Anderson is now serving as interim president.
The evangelical association claims a constituency of about 50 denominations, 43,000 local congregations and millions of Christians.