“The safest road to hell is the gradual one — the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts.”
— C.S. Lewis (1898 to 1963), author and scholar
Rebuilt Joplin church closes
JOPLIN, Mo. — Dwindling membership has led to the closure of a Joplin church that was rebuilt after being destroyed by a 2011 tornado.
The Rev. Sharon Freeman, pastor of St. James United Methodist Church, said, that when the church reopened in April 2013, members believed the area around the church also would be rebuilt. She told the Joplin Globe that hasn’t happened, with neighborhoods near the church still undeveloped and a nearby business corridor largely empty.
Freeman called the congregation’s vote to close the church a “very difficult decision.” The church had about 30 members and its last service was held earlier this month. Freeman has since been named as a pastor at a Nevada church.
The church building, property and remaining assets will be transferred to the United Methodist conference, according to Mark Statler, superintendent of the southwest district for the United Methodist Church.
— THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Religious liberty order challenged
BATON ROUGE — A lawsuit has been filed challenging Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal’s executive order that aims to give special protections to people who oppose same-sex marriage. Gay rights advocates argue it’s unconstitutional and should be thrown out.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana, the Forum for Equality Foundation and six New Orleans residents are challenging the governor’s May 19 order in state court in Baton Rouge.
Jindal, who is running for the Republican presidential nomination, describes the legal challenge as a “left-wing lawsuit.” He said religious liberty is fundamental to “our freedom as Americans,” and he won’t back down from defending it.
— THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Young Catholics’ beliefs surveyed
WASHINGTON — A new poll asks Catholic members of the millennial generation about their beliefs and how they square with some major social issues.
The poll found that 82 percent of those surveyed believe abortion should be legal in at least some circumstances. Seventy-seven percent agreed all women should have the same access to no-cost birth control no matter where they work.
As for gay rights, 69 percent of millennial Catholics supported making same-sex marriage legal.
The poll surveyed 819 Catholics ages 18 to 34 and was sponsored by Catholics for Choice. Spokesman Jen Girdish said the poll shows millennial Catholics have strong convictions about equality and individual freedom for all people.
— THE ASSOCIATED PRESS