Kerry: Life begins at conception DUBUQUE, Iowa — Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) told an Iowa reporter that he personally opposes abortion and believes life begins at conception. However, he said, in an interview that appeared July 4 in the Dubuque…
Conservative, liberal groups react swiftly to Edwards pick
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Sen. John Edwards is now officially John Kerry's running mate, and the reactions among social-issues advocacy groups are as unsurprising as Kerry's choice. Reaction was swift July 6 to the Massachusetts Democrat's choice of his Senate colleague…
Presbyterians decide narrowly to keep bar on gay ordination
RICHMOND, Va. (ABP) — The Presbyterian Church (USA) rejected a recommendation July 2 that would have made it easier for non-celibate homosexuals to be ordained in the church. Delegates to the denomination's meeting also agreed to enter into a period…
Fellowship names task force to explore BWA partnership
ATLANTA (ABP) — The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship's new moderator has appointed a task force to explore ways the Fellowship can be a good partner to the Baptist World Alliance, which accepted the Fellowship into membership last year. Bob Setzer, pastor…
Concern for First Amendment rights on the rise, survey says
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (ABP) — Americans' confidence in the First Amendment, which fell after the attacks of 9/11, is up again, according to a new survey. The First Amendment Center of Nashville, Tenn., has released its 2004 survey results on the…
Educators ask, BWA agrees to recite Apostles’ Creed at 2005 congress
BUIES CREEK, N.C. (ABP) — A group of 28 theologians and educators is asking the Baptist World Alliance to recite the Apostles' Creed at the group's 100th anniversary meeting next year, which would replicate the first act of the BWA…
Supreme Court deals blow to law targeting Internet porn
WASHINGTON (ABP) — A federal law attempting to make it harder for kids to access Internet pornography cannot be enforced because it likely violates the First Amendment, the U.S. Supreme Court said June 29. The justices ruled that a lower…
Religious groups applaud Supreme Court decisions on war-on-terror detainees
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Religious groups praised the June 28 U.S. Supreme Court rulings that foreign detainees and “enemy combatants” must be given a “meaningful opportunity” to defend themselves in American courts. Both the National Council of Churches and the Council…
Colorado Supreme Court strikes down voucher law
DENVER (ABP) — Colorado's highest court has ruled unconstitutional a state law that would have set up a school-voucher program, including religious and other private schools. On a 4-3 vote, the Colorado Supreme Court ruled June 28 that the state's…