PROSECUTOR CREDITS JESUS WITH AVERTING DISASTER IN JENA SIX PROTESTS JENA, La. (AP) A Louisiana prosecutor credits "the Lord Jesus Christ" with averting a disaster last week when 20,000 protesters descended on the small town of Jena (JEE'-nuh).

LaSalle Parish District Attorney Reed Walters also says Christians' prayers helped him and the community weather accusations that young blacks were prosecuted more harshly than whites.

Walters told reporters he won't challenge an appeals court ruling that set aside the battery conviction of a black teen in the beating of a white classmate. The decision in the "Jena Six" case means 17-year-old Mychal Bell will be retried in juvenile court.

Bell has been released from jail.

Walters told reporters that during last week's massive protests, "Had it not been for the direct intervention of the Lord Jesus Christ last Thursday, a disaster would have happened."


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Reed Walters, district attorney for Lasalle Parish, speaking to reporters Lasalle Parish, Louisiana, District Attorney Reed Walters says Jesus Christ answered the prayers of Christians in Jena (JEE'-nuh).

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:15 "this community (second reference)" Reed Walters, district attorney for Lasalle Parish, speaking to reporters Lasalle Parish, Louisiana, District Attorney Reed Walters says last week's massive protests in the 'Jena (JEE'-nuh) Six' case could have been disastrous.

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:13 "on that" Reed Walters, district attorney for Lasalle Parish, speaking to reporters Lasalle Parish, Louisiana, District Attorney Reed Walters says disaster was averted during last week's massive protests through the direct intervention of Jesus Christ.

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:06 "responded accordingly"


KENNEDY CITES CLERGY SUPPORT FOR HATE CRIMES LAW CAPITOL HILL (AP) Senator Ted Kennedy says the Interfaith Alliance and "14-hundred members of the clergy" support extending hate crimes laws to include sexual orientation and gender identity.

Kennedy convinced the Senate to attach his amendment to a Pentagon spending bill, although opponents predict it will fail, either in negotiations with the House or by presidential veto.

Senator Orrin Hatch calls it "bad legislation" because the reference to gender identity "would criminalize violence based on the perpetrator's perception of the victim's self-perception." Many ministers also have expressed concern that they could be prosecuted for a hate crime if someone who hears them preach against homosexuality then attacks a gay or lesbian.

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Senator Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., during debate Senator Ted Kennedy says his hate crimes legislation has broad religious support.

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:11 "and violence" Senator Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, during debate Senator Orrin Hatch says the hate crimes law shouldn't cover gender identity.

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:07 "victim's self-perception"


CLERGY CALL FOR MARRIAGE AMENDMENT TO Iowa CONSTITUTION DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) A coalition of church leaders say they'll lobby Iowa lawmakers to pass an amendment to the state constitution defining marriage as the union of a man and a woman.

About 15 central Iowa clergy gathered at a Baptist church in Des Moines to announce a new statewide initiative defending traditional marriage.

The Reverend Keith Ratliff said the group came together because traditional marriage is under attack after a Polk County judge struck down Iowa's law against gay marriage last month.

Judge Robert Hansen stayed his ruling while it's under appeal to the Iowa Supreme Court.

GOVERNOR LAUNCHES 'FAITH-BASED Missouri' INITIATIVE JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) Missouri Governor Matt Blunt has launched an initiative aimed at strengthening cooperation among government and religious groups that provide social services.

Blunt's "Faith-Based Missouri" initiative will send members of his staff and three appointees to meet with church and charity leaders about ways the state can improve its relationship with them.

The Republican governor said government anti-poverty and welfare programs have been expensive and "in many cases, they have made life worse for our most vulnerable citizens." By contrast, Blunt added, "faith- and community-based charities often provide services that deliver much better results than government could, because they have a holistic approach to rehabilitation," are less bureaucratic and are more in touch with human needs.

BISHOPS SAY Catholic HOSPITALS CAN GIVE PLAN B TO RAPE VICTIMS HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) Connecticut's Roman Catholic bishops have reversed course and agreed to administer emergency contraception to all rape victims at Catholic hospitals just days before a new state law requiring them to do so takes effect.

The church, which runs four of the state's 30 hospitals, had argued that lawmakers were forcing medical personnel to violate their religious beliefs and perform chemical abortions by providing Plan B contraceptives to women who are ovulating.

But the bishops and Catholic hospital officials said in a joint statement Thursday that "since the teaching authority of the church has not definitively resolved this matter and since there is serious doubt about how Plan B pills work," the hospitals will be allowed to provide Plan B to rape victims without first requiring ovulation tests.

atheistS HOLDING WEEKEND CONVENTION IN Washington WASHINGTON (AP) About one-thousand atheists are celebrating their movement's growing prominence at a conference in Washington this weekend.

The three-day convention of the Atheist Alliance International features best-selling atheist authors Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens, Sam Harris and Ayaan Hirsi Ali.

A group called the Rational Response Squad is on hand to Film atheists who want to take part in "The Blasphemy Challenge," which invites people to condemn themselves by denying the Holy Spirit.

Also scheduled is a secular parenting workshop, a session on "Snappy Answers to Religious Questions," and a showing of the Monty Python film "The Life of Brian." Atheist Alliance President Margaret Downey says the controversial authors in attenDance insisted that she provide expensive security, including bomb-sniffing dogs.

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Margaret Downey, president of Atheist Alliance International, addressing convention fund-raiser Atheist Alliance International President Margaret Downey says hundreds of atheists are attending the weekend convention in Washington.

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:04 "about unity" Margaret Downey, president of Atheist Alliance International, addressing convention fund-raiser Atheist Alliance International President Margaret Downey says they're a non-profit educational group.

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:15 "yearly conventions" Tom Schottmiller, auctioneer for Atheist Alliance International, addressing convention fund-raiser Tom Schottmiller says that if states printed currency, they could have substitutes to 'In God We Trust.' CUT ..408 (09/27/07)


:09 "we trust (second reference)"


HAYFORD TO SPEAK TO CHRISTIANS CELEBRATING FEAST OF TABERNACLES LOS ANGELES (AP) The Reverend Jack Hayford is flying to Israel, where he'll speak to thousands of Christians celebrating the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles this weekend.

Hayford, who heads the Foursquare International Church and pastors the Church on the Way in Southern California, says he and other pilgrims are honoring Christianity's Jewish roots and showing support for Israel.

Hayford regrets that some Israeli rabbis have told Jews to stay away from the Christians, for fear of being proselytized.

Hayford says that while he's convinced that "a relationship with the living God" ultimately leads "to the Savior," he's "got a lot of space for people to find their way there."


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Reverend Jack Hayford, president of Foursquare International Church, in AP interview The Reverend Jack Hayford says it's Biblical for him and thousands of other Christians to help Israelis celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles.

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:08 "Jewish heritage" Reverend Jack Hayford, president of Foursquare International Church, in AP interview The Reverend Jack Hayford says Christians visiting Jerusalem want to show support for the Jewish people and nation.

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:07 "about everybody" Reverend Jack Hayford, president of Foursquare International Church, in AP interview The Reverend Jack Hayford says he's sorry that some Israeli rabbis have urged Jews to shun the Christian celebration for fear of being proselytized.

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:12 "by them" Reverend Jack Hayford, president of Foursquare International Church, in AP interview The Reverend Jack Hayford says it's God who wins converts.

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:13 "way there"


MUSLIM WHO PRAISED JIHAD RESIGNS FROM STATE PANEL RICHMOND, Va. (AP) The president of the Muslim American Society has resigned from Virginia's state Commission of Immigration, a few hours after Governor Tim Kaine was told about online videos showing the appointee condemning Israel and advocating "the jihad way." Kaine learned of the videos from a caller to his live monthly radio program and accepted the resignation of Dr. Esam Omeish (oh-MEESH') about three hours later.

The governor said Omeish resigned because he did not want the controversy to distract from the work of the commission.

Omeish said late Thursday that his comments were taken out of context and that his reference to "the jihad way" was not a call for violent attacks.

LAWYER PLEADS GUILTY TO DESTROYING EVIDENCE IN CHURCH-PORN CASE BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (AP) A lawyer has admitted that he destroyed a computer containing child pornography that was evidence in an investigation at a Connecticut church.

Philip Russell pleaded guilty in federal court to failing report his knowledge of a felony. He faces up to 14 months in prison when he's sentenced in December.

Russell, a former lawyer for Christ Church in Greenwich, was accused of obstructing an FBI investigation that led to the January conviction of the church's music director, Robert Tate, for possessing child pornography.

Former President George H.W. Bush attended the church while growing up, and funeral services for his parents were held there.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 09-28-07 0230CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list