DATE: Saturday, November 29, 1997           TAG: 9711290032

SECTION: DAILY BREAK             PAGE: E5   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: FROM STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS

                                            LENGTH:   63 lines

NEWS AND NOTES

Regent will sponsor

international seminar

VIRGINIA BEACH - Regent University School of Law will sponsor the International Seminar in Jurisprudence and Human Rights this summer in Strasbourg, France, school officials have announced.

The annual symposium on human rights has been held for 20 years, always in Strasbourg, where the Council of Europe and the European Court of Human Rights is located. This is the first time Regent has sponsored it.

The seminar will be July 1-31, and Regent professors and students will participate.

CBN to begin annual

Grand Illumination

VIRGINIA BEACH - The Christian Broadcasting Network and the Founders Inn will begin their annual Grand Illumination next Saturday.

The celebration on CBN grounds will feature more than 200,000 lights, a live nativity scene and a live, 40-foot Christmas tree. Visitors can take horse-drawn trolley rides for free if they bring a can of food for Operation Blessing.

The illumination begins Saturday at 4 p.m. with a tree lighting ceremony and an appearance by CBN founder Pat Robertson and his wife, Dede.

Conservative Christians

criticize Eisner interview

Walt Disney chairman Michael Eisner's comments on ``60 Minutes'' last Sunday about a boycott of his company by some Christians didn't make conservative Christian leaders any happier.

Eisner said claims that Disney has an anti-Christian agenda are ``ridiculous'' and that anyone who considers the movie ``Pocahontas'' to be anti-Christian is ``nuts.''

The Southern Baptist Convention this summer began a boycott of Disney products and theme parks.

Focus on the Family president James Dobson said earlier this week: ``Mr. Eisner's disparaging comments against those who are boycotting Disney as a matter of conscience reveal that he doesn't seem to understand - or care - that families no longer trust Disney.''

Richard Land, president of the Southern Baptist Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, also interviewed in the ``60 Minutes'' segment, said on the show that Disney is ``pushing a Christian-bashing, family-bashing, pro-homosexual agenda.''

Southern Baptists and others have criticized Disney for allowing Ellen DeGeneres to come out as a lesbian on ``Ellen,'' which airs on the Disney-owned ABC-TV network and for letting gays hold celebrations at Walt Disney World in Orlando.

Eisner said Disney doesn't sponsor the gay celebrations and can't put up a sign telling groups of people to stay out of the theme park. The story line on ``Ellen'' has been handled tastefully, he said, and viewers who don't want to watch know what the show is about.

Land said the boycott is having an influence on the company: ``If the boycott was not a source of concern for (Eisner), then why would he consent to go on `60 Minutes?' ''

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