A Baptist preacher joined other community leaders June 5 in a Louisville, Ky., mosque for an interfaith service memorializing the boxing icon and world humanitarian Muhammad Ali. “He was a miracle worker in the ring, where he used his fists violently…
Seminary prof to lead Mid-Atlantic Baptists
A seminary professor was elected June 7 as executive director of the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware, also known as the Mid-Atlantic Baptist Network. Kevin Smith, assistant professor of church history and Christian preaching at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and teaching pastor…
Baptist editor says Muslims don’t deserve religious freedom
A Baptist state newspaper editor criticized a Southern Baptist Convention official for defending the building of a New Jersey mosque, suggesting that Islam should not be given First Amendment protection. Gerald Harris, editor of the Georgia Baptist newspaper Christian Index, wrote an…
Bill Clinton says ‘Make America Great Again’ code for turning back clock on civil rights
Former President Bill Clinton told worshipers at an African-American church in California that Donald Trump’s “Make America Great Again” campaign slogan is code language for taking the country back to where it was before the struggle for civil rights. “What’s that…
Asian-born social worker tapped to lead CBF
A product of Southern Baptist missionaries in Singapore is in line to lead the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, a group that separated from the Southern Baptist Convention 25 years ago over differences including women’s leadership in the church. Shauw Chin Capps,…
Baylor mum on details of Pepper Hamilton probe
Baylor University won’t be releasing details of the independent review of the university’s response to reports of sexual and gender-based violence, interim president David Garland said in a statement June 3. Garland’s statement came in response to calls from groups including the…
Activists encouraged by shareholder votes on climate change
A faith and values-based coalition for socially responsible investing says votes at the recent annual meetings of three energy corporations indicate shareholders are increasingly dissatisfied with the fossil fuel industry’s response to climate change. Shareholders at Exxon Mobil and Chevron…
Ethicist says football got the best of Baylor
A Texas Baptist ethicist compared the Lone Star State’s obsession with football to idol worship in the wake of the unfolding sexual assault scandal at Baylor University. “Football has become one of our false gods,” Ferrell Foster, director of ethics and…
Victims’ group asks Southern Baptists to create ‘safe place’ for reporting sexual abuse
As the Southern Baptist Convention prepares to gather for its annual meeting June 14-15 in St. Louis, leaders of a support group for survivors of institutional sex abuse called on denominational leaders to take action to prevent the next “Spotlight”-style…
Reins on payday lending called good start
Consumer advocates welcomed new rules proposed by the federal government to rein in abuses in payday lending, a nearly $40 billion industry currently regulated by the states. Regulations released June 2 by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, a five-year-old federal…
Candidates rebuff ‘say something nice’ challenge
A South Carolina Baptist layman voiced disappointment after the three remaining candidates for U.S. president rebuffed his challenge to a one-day moratorium on incivility. For the 10th anniversary of Say Something Nice Day, founder Mitch Carnell asked presidential candidates to…
Baylor shakeup continues with Starr’s resignation as chancellor
Days after being demoted as president of Baylor University over the university’s mishandling of sexual assault among its students, former Whitewater special prosecutor Ken Starr told ESPN June 1 he is resigning as chancellor. Starr, elected president of the world’s…