farbtopf, just wanted to say that I've encountered this little limitation too. I think MAYA add's FX as a post-process, maybe that's why. It's annoying since something like that is so easy with MAX and other 3D applications. Someone told me once to use Mentla Ray but that didn't seem to help.

I'd suggest you try getting the effect in compositing. Maybe render the text and BG separately and add a flare or some rays in your favorite compositing package.

Or maybe have two sets of text, one black and the other slightly bigger and glowing?

Good luck. And if you find a solution within MAYA using the lights, please let me know, that's been bugging me for the longest time too