In Brief

In Brief

Church Modifies Divestment Policy

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Under intense pressure from church members and Jewish groups, the Presbyterian Church (USA) has modified its controversial position calling for "phased, selective divestment" in companies involved in the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories.

While church leaders said divestment -- withdrawing church funds -- remains an option of "last resort," Wednesday's vote shifts the church's focus toward negotiation with companies rather than an all-out financial boycott.

The 500 commissioners, or delegates, meeting in Birmingham, said church funds could be invested "in only peaceful pursuits" and ordered the church's investments committee to continue dialogue with multinational firms operating in Israel and Palestinian territories.

The statement also apologized for the "hurt and misunderstanding" felt by Jewish groups, which have been longtime allies with the Presbyterians on many social issues, and appealed for "a new season of mutual understanding."

The new statement was adopted by the General Assembly after virtually no debate.

Rabbi A. James Rudin, the senior interreligious affairs adviser for the American Jewish Committee, praised the Presbyterians for stepping back from what he called a "reckless" policy.

The call for divestment was adopted by the 2.3 million-member denomination's convention in 2004.

-- Religion News Service

Tax Exemption For Fla. Bible Park

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Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (R) has signed into law a bill that would grant theme parks that display, exhibit, illustrate and interpret biblical manuscripts the same tax-exempt status as museums.

The law is the product of a four-year legal battle involving the Holy Land Experience, a live-action biblical museum in Orlando, developed by Zion's Hope, a nonprofit Christian ministry that oversaw it for its first four years.