| OCR Text |
Show The Salt Lake Tribune RELIGION COMMENTARY Jehovah's Witnesses Renew Faith vah God,” said Neil Mingo, a North Ogden elder. Jehovah's Witnesses eschewinfant baptism, but have no minimum age requirements for baptism. “The faith you have, the faith ® Continued from B-1 i TOM EHRICH Jehovah's Witnesses do not view baptism as a sacrament and even spurn the commonChristian Mars Discovery Could Expand View of God the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. But they see the rite as an important public dedication of one’slife to God. Pathfinder’s discovery of evidence of water on the planet Marsforces the faithful to de- the firm and infirm, were baptized by immersion in a small, portable pool. They wore swim suits and many also woreT-shirts. cide: Is Mars beyond the realm of God,or is God's realm astonishingly larger and more ancient than we believed? Findingsigns of a flood on Marsisn’t the same as finding organic life, but it's a megaleap closer, for wateris a pre- conditionfor life as we knowit. The questions rain upon the tidy world of theology, whose conflicts are deep but stay within relatively narrow bounds.If a flood happened a billion years ago on Mars, should the biblical flood of Genesis be considered as more than a sign to israel of God’s judgment and forgiveness, a sign of vast sweeps of divine intention such that whatever happened on Mars might be in the process of being paralleled now on Earth? Beyond Reason? The strange plural of Genesis — “Let us make man in our image” — has beenseen, various- ly, as a remnant of Israel's , July 12, 1997 Utah Diocese to show your dedication to Jeho- incantation of baptizing people in Platt and the others, ranging from youngsters to the elderly, “Baptism is an outward symbol of our personal commitment,” said Jim Keithley, Midvale, who oversaw the baptisms.“There are no prayersorritual involved with it” The pool was placed on vinyl tarps and two menin white shirts and ties — one even worehis suit coat — periodically swabbed the tarps with cotton mops as the newly baptized emerged splashing from the water. “T was brought up as a Jehovah’s Witness butI've been studying,” said Allison Hinton, 18, of Pocatello, Idaho. “This [baptism] is anotherstep I can take, to show Jehovah thatI really love him.” Jehovah's Witnesses believe that Jehovah is God’s name and useit often in referenceto the deity. Before the ceremony, attendees were treated to a recapitulation of the purposesof baptism for Jehovah's Witnesses. “You'll be taking a visible step that you have developed, is a rare possession,” Mingo said. “It is part of a worldwide brotherhood that extends well beyond the brothers within the walls here.” ‘Thereare about5.3 million Jehovah’s Witnesses in 233 countries organized into 81,908 congregations. In Utah there are about 3,400 church members. “Baptism is a symbol of our dedication to do God's will,” Mingosaid.“It is not a sacrament, but a manifestation of your faith.” It alsois a pledge. “After baptism,it is essential to follow the Christian life,'’ Mingo said. ‘Don’t forget the routine — study, meetings, ministry — you followed to get here. Remember that Satan is out stalking, wanting to consumethe faith you havecultivated, “Baptism is not the end, but just the beginning of yourlife as a faithful witness of Jehovah God.” Another staple of the convention was a dramatic presentation to teach the faith’s precepts. Sunday’s presentation, “Keep Your Eye Simple,” portrayed people concerned about losing their material advantagesif they carried on Christian activity. The conclusion? Witnesses can best survive, and spiritually thrive,if they keep theirlives simple. “Do not let life’s anxieties erode your spirituality,” admon- ished director Owen Robinson of Salt Lake’s Holladayarea congregation. ‘‘Keep a simple eye.” Sci-Fi Explores Creation Being Downsized Disney is planning a fall release of “Rocket Man,” a comedy about a HOLLYWooD — As planet Earth hurtles to- mission to Mars. Warner lywood has turned, once again, to outer space to explore the mysteries of “Sphere,” starring Dustin Hoffman and Sharon Stone, is based on a Michael Crichton novel creation and the meaning about a 400-year-old oflife. sunkenalien spaceship. ward the year 2000, Hol- Bros.’ forthcoming “T think there’s more of America’s appetite for aninterestin sciencefiction as we approach the millennium,” says D.C. Fontana, one of TV’s top sci-fi writers, whose long list of credits includes “The Six Million Dollar Man,” “Logan's Run,” and “Star Trek.” aliens, it seems,is insatiable. “Today, there’s a good senseofalternative worlds,” says Martin E. Marty, a professor of Religion History at the University of Chicago. “Everything today is ‘out there,’ and, therefore,the “Theres a rise in su- imagination is open to a century,” Fontana says. The coming new millennium — if that’s Hollywood's excuse — has filmmakers probing the makers and authors is broader.” Hollywood, it seems, jas moved light years into that new, broader ap- perstition and feelings[as we] change into a new cosmic unknown atafurious pace. From last summer’s “Independence Day” and “Mars Attacks!" to this summer’s ‘Fifth Element,” “Men in Black,” and ‘Contact,’ sci-fi films of the ‘90s are exploring the questions that have baffled humankind for centuries: Where did we come from? Why are wehere? Are we alone? According to Hollywood, extraterrestrials hold the answers. And this summer's intergalactic offering is just the beginning. @ Continued from B-1 has moved to outsource as many function as possible.” In addition to the cutbacks and layoffs. Windersaid some additionalcuts will come throughattrition. “The staff will be 50 percent of wha atit has been,” he said. “We'll get down to 15 20 people, and someofthese will be part time.” The Rev. Mary Allen, pastor of Grac Episcopal Church in St. diocesan downsizing w likely will occur at the national level once a new presiding bishopis elected “Tt’s normal and natural, and necessary wider range. The repertory of options for film- to bring in newlife,” Allen said. possible “But it is difficult when you’ see people you know and like leaving.’ Adding murkiness to the leadershi) sition has been a lawsuit filed ov year’s dismissal of Stewart M. Hanson Jr proach to explain the celestial unknown — and God’s George, said ae omethi ni “felt was necessary, even before elected.” She predicts that similar chang: as diocesan chancellor. Hanson and Batessigned a 10-year con involve- tract in 1994. While a future bishop could fire him, the contract requires that the dio cese pay him 110 percent of his salary, plu inflation-related increases, throughits ex piration in June 2004. Honoring it would mentin it. Unlike science fiction of the 1950s, today’s films no longer con- tain obscure references to and symbolic represen- cost the diocese $1.5 to $2 million. tations of God and his involvement with humankind and the universe. Fontana believes all science fiction substantiates, rather than eclipses, traditionalreligion. The 6,000-member Utah dioce: also i grappling with plain old money — lion sitting in an endowment. Even though it has been 10 years sincc the diocese cameinto the wealth through the sale of St. Mark’s Hospital, it is stil “If you believe that God is the creator, why pondering the theological, moral and ethi other intelligent beings?” she says. Just last May, Irish sponsoreda retreat in ParkCity in which church members ex plored the “the theology of abundance cal meaning of the money not assume [he] created and “the theology of poverty.” polytheistic past or a precursor to Trinitarian theology. In view of Pathfinder’s discovery,is it beyond reason to imagine the Yahweh of Earth consulting with the deity of Mars on divine plans for a new communi- ty? Ancient Israel’s triumphant view that even the creation of the planets and stars was mere- ly a stagein the callingofIsra- Episcopal Church at A Crossroads Trust Group, has demandeda full audit of the church’s 200 trusts, totaling $200 million. The group is notsatisfied with an Executive Council decision to conduct its own audit, which is expected to be completed trie. If Mars was living and dying before Earth even Rather than seeing God standing astride the Fertile Crescent fashioning a garden, we could as easily imagine God weeping over the loss of whateverlife he created on Mars. TheBibleitself comes under new scrutiny. The Reformation’s battle cry of “sola scriptura” — only Scripture! — has produced in our day an entire industry of Bible publishers, Bible colleges and preachers whose assertion is that all meaningful answers can be found within a book whoselast new word was written nearly 1,850 years ago. Answering Questions: In a microview oflife, such an assertion is as arguable as ever. For life as we know it comes down to issues oflove,fidelity, loneliness, greed, fear and pur- @ Continued from B-1 bishop will have in the church, caused two possible candidates for Browning’s post — Bishops Peter J. Lee of the diocese of Vir- As Presiding Bishop Edmond ginia and Roger White of the dio- siding bishop, the person whowill for the next nine years. Browning steps down andhis replacementis elected July 21 by the church’s House of Bishops, however, the new leader mayface a sharply altered church struc- ture. Possible changes ahead for the denomination are nestled in 51 proposals for structural change that will be presented by the de- nomination’s Standing Committee on the Structure of the Church. than it was a generation ago, haps Pathfinder's discoveries will help all believers move beyond the worry that it is un- faithful to question Scripture. southern Ohio. Since the republic was founded, ing new priests to local congregaions. on the church, the General Convention will also face a barrage of controversial issues that are certain to make the 2.5 million-member denomination a continued @Same-sex marriages. A 15page report by the Standing Liturgical Commission and the theology committee of the House of Bishops offers delegates a series of options, ranging from traditional insistence on heterosexual marriage to a rite that blesses same-sex relationships. @ Adulterous priests. Deputies will weigh a proposal to prohibit clergy from sexualrelations outside of marriage. @ Women priests, In an effort to finally put to rest an issue pitting traditionalists against modernists since the church authorized women's ordination in 1976, delegates will be asked to no long- For complete information on weekday and other Sunday services, please call the numbers listed below. dressing the needs of local con- dent missionary groups have sprung up, each representing it own viewthat maynot reflect t! d of the overall chureh, he gregations, the symposium sug- gested the church be turned upside down by changing the role of the presiding bishop. A strong days when the head of the church also was primarily in charge of a local diocese. on the wall for sometime, accord- type executive director for the church center in New York. The proposed changes have their genesis : a 1994 “Shaping Our Future” posium in St Louis. There, 1‘300 Episcopalians from across the nation gathered indepen call was madefor a return to the Council; and the hiring of a CEO- www.newsong.org 531-9671 St. James Church “a Concordat with Lutherans.In ConChurch and the Evangelical Lu- theran Church in America would move the two churches closer to unity by instituting interchangeability of ordained clergy and es- (— FIRST UNITARIAN 582.8687 ee 569 So. 13th Fast Summer Forum: Faith And The see lity I in Life Dr. Peter Appleby That kind of writing has been ing to Bishop Heath Light. Said Light, who recentlyretired Unityatoetoa Spiritual Center | A Rendezvous With Freedom| as head of the Diocese of South- western Virginia: “The church has become increasingly localized. The money has not been flowing to the national church | Rev. Mike Fotheringham | “Listen to our message on KTALK 630 Meeting at Murray High School Audit 5300 S. State 281Awakening t0 the Spicit of Love Within Hi sae € FIRST CHURCH 252 E. THieo 50. SUN, SCHOOL & SERVICE 17 AM. epi SECOND CHURCH 1145 FOOT SUN. SOOOL SEE 1090 AR WED. 720 PM, ‘THIRD CHURCH 1306 & SPRING LX. (5000 5) SUN. SCHOOL 8 SERVICE 10 ALM. WED. 7.30 FM. FIRST UNITED METHODIST 203 S, 200 E. - 328-8726 a. tail Si SouthOOO Bast SaltLakeCity, UT 84102 Christ Is More Than An Option. Rev. Robert R. Sewell, Pastor aimelice maoual-anius 10:00am& Spm Ps aa Sunday Schoo! 990 Proves West Valigy Cy, UT 8419 House 900 Sunday Holy Ruchsriat 10:00am, Worse Serve 0:90, 030 4 1100 4m Crom 620) hatoneond b Messtery_ Hodges, Kner Sonyondtal=tenga trust of church. Much of that distrust has fo- cused on wotsamie em bezzlemen! 4 SisStgorena,Snore 968-2751 Church of The Regurrection Comervilte UY 84014 295-1360 Sunday Holy Ruchariet 9 80mm He Leadeth Me Cooke, Even though Cooke currently i serving a five. Sunday Services Meraphrysca! Bookwore echin aod nde Ouchign, AProye, S600 ALIVE FELLOWSHIP one es Same Women Cid Car Proiens ar Le WESTVALE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Tae ecg Rev. WesNordman ta |e. wn wetiorasoaian JAPANESE CHURCH OF CHRIST 268 Wert 100 Suh SLC 363-3251 —_ CTTIAN sagt aoe ce ata Sundays10:30 am, Wednvedaye 7:15 pn ~anemse cee mon aiaamare oF Chvtetian Family Church Gpey . CvtetienPemiyChart “a Rev. Bob Link Worwhip Ger ee 816, 0:30, 100 nua, dteenen on rom pas hy fee aggcol ei er y bali) CONGREGA shAe is aPHSsco Guest Speaker: Rev. Barbara Hayes For more intor motion pleare « contact the 21 969-0115 9 969-3618 Sunday Holy Burhnrist 6:00 de of the decisions the two Houses — , and hich is 484-0220 se ChiMd Care Provided] Gahan "2378 €.Gari 3300 Go. MERSORT - 406-5473 some 225 | | 507 E, 1700 So., Suite A, SLC WORSHIP SERVICES 2 catch SCHOOL anes 9:30 & 11:00 AM Sunday Holy Holy Eucharist Bucharin: Rite Rie 111 10,000 8:00am Sunday the House of Bishops, made up of 1 HU - A Love Song To God Worhip Service 0‘om Public Welcome Jonah wTThe Belly Of His Anger Rev. TomTaylor tablishing tion jointof participation in new id at Gacinetin thicyaakiceses Me ECKANKAR| Religion of the Light & Sound of G: Panel Discussion: | FIRST PRESBYTERIAN E, So, Templeat “C” Street All Saints Church 1710 Foothill Drive Salt Lake City, UT 84108 581-0380 Sunday Holy Eucharist £00 & 10:00 a.m. serving churches in their dioces- Tom Bhrich is an Episcopal it also weakensthe abil national church to global needs. Meanwhi' ties; increased responsibilities for the church’s interim Executive hands-on ministry. But, he Church of Religious Science |The Episcopal Church Welcomes You men priests to prevent them from priest in Winston-Salem, NC, an ai president of the House of Depu- bad because it involves the laity i church into one moreenticing to baby boomers. In addition to the church ad- Among the high-profile proposals awaiting the Episcopalians er allow bishops opposed to wo- exceed ancient bounds. This leap into space might even make us humble. Just as the brashest certainties stand aside at the moment of death and less “hands on” presiding bishop; a greater role for the Stuy ppk® faith, isn't all that can be known, Maybe Pathfinder will be remembered as the moment fied and we saw ourselves em- the convention in Philadelphia comein the form of resolutions that will mandate a less powerful 272 S Main St have known up to now, even in our conceptions of God magni- Structural decisions awaiting seemed simple: restructure the WwW SON, ‘Sun 10a) VeenG un loam While the structuralissues may have a more longstanding impact ‘The Cathedral Church of St. Mark 231 East 100 South Salt Lake City, UT 84111 322-3400 Sunday Holy Bucharist Rite 1 8:00am ta Bucharis $:00am Holy Bucharist Rite 1 10300 Maybe now, a small vehicle trav areality beyond our imagining will bring to our TV screens, and thus to our minds, the possibility that what we their numbers.In recent decades, however,both their numbers and their influence have shrunk,foreing churchleaders to rethink the church's structure and organization. and has been used moreforlocal ministries.” In onesense, he said, that isn't als, for example, is a recommendation requiring local bishops to are: not to mention 3,000 years ago when Genesis was written. Per- Calif; Don Wimberly of Kentucky; and Herbert Thompson of drop in merabership, while evangelical churches grew. At that meeting, the solution give up their control over select- center of controversy. the vast sweepof time and mat- cese of Milwaukee — to pull out ofthe election. Five candidates remain in the running: Bishops Frank Griswold of Chicago; Robert Rowley Jr. of northwestern Pennsylvania; Richard Shimpfky of El Caminio Real, to address the church’s consistent Among thosestructural propos- tions in ways that drive us to ter, our human place in that restless drama, the ground of being, indeed the natureof being — is profoundly larger the — perhaps — steer its direction pose. The parable of the Prodigal Son and the Sermon onthe Mountstill answer such ques- our knees. But the macroview oflife — before General Convention convenes. The church's uncertain future, including what role the presiding el now looks absurdly egocen- breathedits first, ancient assumptions about the order of things must be re-examined. shortly Episcopalians have played a sig- ership, often disproportionate to nificant role in the nation’s lead- 2 iin ft. Letela Cares fev tae Nartagion ana mean” Techofthe money hasbeen re "May; fay Ruane ta tion . aa “lind the 2 pan. HoneCabin (wor Valliry Mus TRINITY ‘CHURCH dino en $0i8 SoS Kean SOO-8eei Yu ie temrener ter 08 8:00 & 108m Tongan Wi shap 2:00 Pm } |
