Scholar to lecture in isles on modern Christianity

Internationally known Bible scholar Marcus Borg, who has appeared on national network television news shows as an analyst of Christian beliefs and trends, will speak in Honolulu next weekend on “;Being Christian in the 21st Century.”;

Borg, the author of 18 books on Jesus and Christianity, is a fellow of the Jesus Seminar and former chairman of the Historical Jesus Section of the Society of Biblical Literature. He is canon theologian at Trinity Episcopal Church in Portland, Ore., and former chairman of religion at Oregon State University.

He will speak at St. Clement's Episcopal Church, 1515 Wilder Ave.

» A free talk at 7 p.m. Friday on “;Two Visions of Christianity Today”; will be followed by open discussion.

» He will lecture on “;Being Christian in the 21st Century”; in a seminar from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. next Saturday. The cost is $75. To register, call 955-7745, or go online to http://www.stclem.org.

» Borg will lead a conversation from 8:30 to 10 a.m. March 14 on “;Open Hearts and Thin Places.”;

His books include “;Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time”; and “;Jesus: Uncovering the Life, Teachings and Relevance of a Religious Revolutionary,”; which was on the New York Times best-seller list.

Tennessee county schools halt promotion of religion

NASHVILLE, Tenn. » The Cheatham County schools have agreed to stop teachers and officials from promoting religion during school hours.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee announced the settlement after the school board approved the deal in a vote Monday night.

“;Now the students of Cheatham County can exercise their constitutional right to make religious decisions with their families and faith communities, free from fear of coercion by school officials,”; ACLU cooperating attorney George Barrett said in a news release.

ACLU-TN Executive Director Hedy Weinberg has said not all religious displays in school violate the Constitution, but to be legal, it cannot be compulsory and must be student-led.

Representatives of the school district did not return phone calls seeking comment Tuesday.

The ACLU sued the Cheatham County schools last November after six months of negotiations failed.

Jonas Brothers to appear at special Easter service

LAKE FOREST, Calif. » The Jonas Brothers will be busy on Easter Sunday.

The Rev. Rick Warren, pastor of Saddleback Church in Orange County, has told congregants that the pop group will perform at a special Easter service in Angel Stadium in Anaheim marking the mega-congregation's 30th anniversary.

A spokeswoman for Warren confirmed Monday that the group will perform. The April 4 event will be broadcast live online.

Warren and his wife, Kay, founded the church, which has grown to become one of the most influential evangelical congregations in the country.