Signs and Wonders 03.09

Syrian Christians caught in the middle. As Syria descends into full-scale civil war, the emerging picture for its Christian population-one of the largest in the Middle East-is grim. More than 11 months since street demonstrations against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad began, the government's reaction has become increasingly violent. Three days after a resolution condemning Assad's government failed to win passage by the UN Security Council, intensified fighting forced the United States to close its embassy and recall all diplomatic personnel. Less reported, another form of violence is unfolding, according to Christian groups with reliable sources in Syria: Government protesters are targeting unarmed Christians deemed sympathetic to the regime. If opposition forces take control of Syria, that aggression could grow worse and threaten one of the last sizable populations of Christians in the Middle East.

Protecting an endangered species: conservative professors. Arizona may become the first state to pass an affirmative action bill protecting university professors from viewpoint discrimination. Republican State Rep. Tom Forese decided that the state's broad anti-discrimination policy didn't offer enough protection to religious conservatives on campus. Forese, chairman of the Higher Education Innovation and Reform Committee, said conservative professors must mask their religious or political views to protect their jobs and promotional opportunities. Forese's bill, filed Feb. 8, prohibits state schools from hiring, firing, or denying promotion or tenure based on political or religious belief. It has already passed out of committee, and Forese expects the bill to pass easily in both Republican-controlled houses. He anticipates Gov. Jan Brewer, a proponent of religious liberty, will sign it into law as soon as it hits her desk.

Pharmacists protected. A federal court ruled Feb. 22 that pharmacists in Washington state have the right to refuse to dispense "emergency contraception" drugs that could take the life of a preborn baby. Instead, pharmacists who object for religious or moral reasons to dispensing possible abortifacients can refer customers to other pharmacies. The "decision sends a very clear message: No individual can be forced out of her profession solely because of her religious beliefs," said Luke Goodrich, deputy national litigation director for the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, one of the legal firms on the case.

Downsized. The North Carolina-based Billy Graham Evangelistic Association is laying off nearly 50 workers, or about 10 percent of its staff, as it shifts focus to its online ministry and other initiatives. The Charlotte Observer said it's the second time in three years that the 62-year-old organization has cut jobs. The organization currently has roughly 500 employees spread across dozens of programs, ranging from the Billy Graham Library to online evangelism.

Wheaton prof arrested. Donald Ratcliff, who taught at Wheaton College, has been charged with two counts of aggravated child pornography, as well as handgun and ammunition violations. His bail was set at $750,000. Ratcliff had taught Christian education at the Illinois college since 2006, according to news reports. A spokeswoman for Wheaton said the college had no comment other than a short statement posted online Thursday saying the school was aware of Ratcliff's arrest and charges.