BRF Jeopardy

1000 Points of Darkness

This just in from or correspondents Ken Jennings and Bernie Neis... While “What is 1000?” is the Jeopardy answer to “The number of U.S. deaths in Iraq recently topped this figure”, the answer to the question “What do 1000 and September 11 have in common?” has nothing to do with the war in terrorism. While the tragedy of 9/11 spurred the war in Afghanistan, any links to Iraq are, at best, tenuous.

Protection from Universities

COBCOA Closure

Ian Hargrave announced today that COBCOA will take the first steps in shutting down its operations. Although the current Brethren schools are in no jeopardy of closing down, their affiliation with the Church of the Brethren is in question. Once COBCOA realized that Brethren beliefs are not conducive to higher education, they decided that their mission would be difficult, if not impossible, to implement. Devout followers of the Christian-based religion founded 300 years ago in Germany believe their children should be protected from universities, television, radio and the internet. Girls are banned from wearing trousers, the theory of evolution is not taught and non-believers cannot attend some Brethren schools.

Sudan Funds in Jeopardy

Sudan Funds in Jeopardy

Funds slated for the New Sudan Council of Churches are now in question as financial scandals wrack that small country and others. While Nigeria has long been noted for its internet money scams, it seems that Kenya has troubles of its own. And where there's a Kenya connection there is also a Sudan connection.

What is "Any Publicity is Good Publicity?"

The Church of the Brethren figured in a "Jeopardy!" question in an October broadcast of the popular TV game show. The contestant who got the question, related to the denomination's early nickname of "Dunkards," answered it correctly.

Then Again...

A reader recieved the following crank mail:

From: "Mary D. Nolen"
Subject: Your religion
Date: Fri, 1 Nov 2002 23:28:38 -0600

If this is the Church of the Brethren that I saw on one of the hour news shows on TV (ie. 20/20, 60 minutes), you were depicted as taking in young adults, especially college students, and brainwashing them, and keeping them from contact with any of their family, etc. I am a Christian washed in the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. I pray for you and your church. I got a horrible feeling about your organization when I watched the show and I plan to spread this bad news whenever I can. It may be until the end of the world that the truth about you is revealed. Many will come in Jesus name but Jesus will say at the last judgment, "Away from me, I never knew you." Please do not communicate with me as I think you are wolves in sheep's clothing! If you are guilty of the accusations I saw on TV, God have Mercy on your souls. You would be just another religion, and religion is man trying to reach God. Christianity is God reaching down to man. Many are called but few are chosen. It would help for you to have a study of the five points of John Calvin and read C.H. Spurgeon and Arthur Pinck's writings along with the scriptures.

--- Mary D. Nolen
--- mdnolen@earthlink.net

[Don't take the bait and respond to this email, you're almost guaranteed an increase in canned luncheon meat. - the Editors]