Scholars Crossing 1998 -- 1999 Liberty University School Newspaper 12-8-1998 12-08-98 (The Liberty Champion, Volume 16, Issue 12) Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/paper_98_99 Recommended Citation "12-08-98 (The Liberty Champion, Volume 16, Issue 12)" (1998). 1998 -- 1999. 10. https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/paper_98_99/10 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Liberty University School Newspaper at Scholars Crossing. It has been accepted for inclusion in 1998 -- 1999 by an authorized administrator of Scholars Crossing. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Liberty University, Lynchburg, Va. Tuesday, December 8,1998 Vol. 16, No. 12 THE LIBERTY HAMPI NATIONAL National controversy touches TRBC u D T Kansas pastor protests church, Falwell over remarks about homosexuals BY RICK BOYER The Rev. Fred Phelps of Westboro to be preached to. He needs to be Phelps cited several Scripture pas­ Former Gov. Allen will Editor in Chief Baptist Church in Topeka, Kan. reminded." sages and a sermon by early brought his anti-homosexual crusade His complaint with Falwell and American preacher Jonathan run for Senate in 2000 Thomas Road Baptist Church was to the doorstep of TRBC Just two days BJU has to do with their preaching Edwards that he said buttress his Former Virginia Governor George Allen the scene of an unusual protest after also picketing the strictly funda­ the message that God loves everyone, point, though he did not explain why announced Saturday he would explore a run for Sunday morning Nov. 29. About 15- mentalist Bob Jones University in and yet hates their sins. Phelps he feels God hates one group of sin­ the United States Senate In 2000. 20 demonstrators, including several Greenville, S.C. believes God hates the sinner as well. ners more than another. Running under the Republican banner, Allen children, carried signs denouncing Demonstrators carried signs with "It's a great evil to say that God loves Falwell spokesman Mark DeMoss will attempt to oust Democrat Charles S. Robb. Rev. Jerry Falwell and the Southern such slogans as "God hates fags," fags," Phelps said. "That's a profound was disgusted by the protest. "I did Allen's first step Is the formation of an Baptist Convention. But the demon­ "Judas Falwell" and "Your pastor Is theological statement. This nation not know anything like that existed in exploratory committee. A steeper challenge Is strators' identity was the most lying." Phelps said he came to needs that message more than oxy­ raising funds for his attempt Under Federal elec­ unusual part of the event. Lynchburg because "Falwell needs gen, water or bread." Please see ACTIVISTS, on Page 6 tion laws, unlike Virginia, private giving Is limited. Warm weather hurts local Chancellor business, Christmas spirit endows new The unseasonable weather In Virginia recently has made a deep Impact on Christmas prepara­ O Christmas Tree scholarship tions and businesses. Real animals The state, Including the city of Lynchburg, is currently under a burning ban. This hampers enliven annual BY JASON INGRAM some types of Christmas decorations, including Champion Reporter lumlnaria, which are candles in bags anchored event at TRBC by •sand. Liberty students who were Also, while behind In snowmaklng, Wlntergreen BY CHRIS EDWARDS adversely affected by last year's Ski Resort will open on Dec 11. News Editor sweeping scholarship cutbacks now have a new way to help pay After 28 consecutive years ol for their college education. College students taking producing the "Living Jerry Falwell Ministries Christmas Tree" at Thomas announced Friday that it will be longer to earn diploma' Road Baptist Church (TRBC), offering a new scholarship to A recent USA Today report says the number those involved must have Liberty students as a means of of college students In America graduating In attempted every new thing they offsetting the rising cost of five years or less has hit an all-time low. could think of by now, right? attending college. In 1997, 52.8 percent of students earned Well, how about live camels, Nicole Spencer, president of the degrees in five years or less, compared with falling snow and a dynamic Liberty Broadcasting Network, the 57.5 percent in 1983, according to statistics new real-life mountain set, division of JFM that will award the from ACT. „ along with a complete dramat­ scholarship to students, said that The decline Is attributed to the fact that 42 ic gospel presentation, making the decision to offer LU students percent of students now attend school part-time. this edition of the "Tree" one of funding from outside the university the best ever. was a simple one. On Wednesday night Dec. "As a ministry, we want to be able 2, a capacity crowd of Liberty to offer scholarships to students Drug documentary found University students was above what they get from the uni­ treated to a free taste of this versity," Spencer said. faked after investigation year's production at the Dubbed the JFM Scholarship, the Portions of a British documentary that TRBC auditorium. grant will be awarded to students won eight national and International awards Using the theme "Beyond the based on factors such as leadership were faked, according to an article In Season," Director Robbie Hlner ability, testimony, academic standing London's "Guardian." devised the first half of the pro­ and financial need. The scholarship The Connection" claimed there was a new duction around the gathering will be awarded for either one or two heroin route from Colombia to Britain. and celebration of family and semesters and the number of schol­ CBS showed the film on its popular program friends during Christmas time arships awarded will be determined "60 Minutes." The show plans to air the latest at the Snowdrift Ski Lodge. by available funds. The amount of findings on its Dec. 13 program. The second half of the pro­ each scholarship will be determined duction illustrates the reenact- by the number of recipients selected. ment of the entire life of Christ. Spencer said that the funding for Missouri man found guilty In previous years, the life of the scholarships is made available Christ was followed Just to the by gifts from various donors, includ­ of attempt to kill son manger scene. This is the first ing members of the Board of Regents A Missouri man will face 15 years to life for year Christ has come out from and the 15,000 Club, a group of attempting to kill his illegitimate 11-month-old the tomb on stage. donors dedicated to providing the son by Injecting him with blood tainted by the The complete gospel story is funds necessary to "train young AIDS virus through a needle. an expansion Hiner has want­ champions for Christ." Brian Stewart, 32, of St Charles, plans to ed for a long time, according to Students interested in the JFM appeal the conviction of first-degree assault. George Bleri from the TRBC Scholarship must fill out an applica­ tion and provide a written essay of Stewart was trying to avoid making child sup­ music department. SHAWN bLORIOOB port payments. "Robbie Just kept telling 500 words or less describing the The boy, now seven, suffers from AIDS and Is us this year he wanted to CAMELS CAME TOO - A baby camel parades down the aisle with the wise men applicant's future goals; an official, being kept alive by drugs given around the clock. make It a clear part of the during "Beyond the Season", this year's production of the Living Christmas Tree certified high school transcript a presentation," said Bleri. at TRBC. Sheep and other animals were also used for the first time this year. written letter of reference from the "We've had it (the entire applicant's pastor and a financial Bradley, Ashcroft look to gospel) in other years, but it has Creating an equal stir during the the auditorium. There a baby camel aid worksheet. not been this compact." performance was the addition of the fought crowd noise and fright to Applications for the scholarship the White House in 2000 Student reaction was positive. "I live animals. The production utilized walk on stage. are available at the LBN offices, Missouri Sen. John Ashcroft apparently will enjoyed the performance tremen­ live camels, goats, sheep, horses "I thought the camels were great I located at the old TransAmerica announce his candidacy for the next presidential dously. It helped to convey the Joy­ and birds. Most noticeable were the have never seen a camel up close InService building below the election, along with a run to retain his Senate seat ous aspect of Christianity illustrat­ camels. As the wise men paraded to before," said Suzie Barnett, who Reber-Thomas Dining Hall. All Ashcroft, who will run as a Republican, spoke at ing the birth and resurrection of our see the baby Jesus during the attended the event. information must be returned to Liberty University last fall. Savior," said freshman Jonathon manger scene, the attention of the LBN before 5 p.m. on Friday, Dec. On the Democratic side, former Sen. Bill Bradley Allen afterwards. ground floor focused on the back of Please see ANIMALS, on Page 5 18 for the applicant to be consid­ has formed an exploratory committee to begin rais­ ered for the scholarship. ing money for a possible campaign. Bradley, from New Jersey, will challenge the cur­ rent front-runner, Vice President Al Gore. Contemporary artists storm Vines BY JKNNH-KK PAUI.KS 3 waiting for the doors to open. Champion Reporter The crowd definitely got Its WEATHER money's worth, with a show that C 0 R N E R The finale in the Student Life lasted more than three hours.