The notion cherished by Christian nationalists that the United States enjoys divine favor is not shared by most Americans, according to new research from Public Religion Research Institute. Among a myriad of topics covered by PRRI’s 12th annual American Values…
Terrorism experts say U.S. faces even greater danger from domestic religious extremism
The United States is in greater danger of politically, religiously and racially fueled violence now than it was when supporters of Donald Trump attacked the U.S. Capitol in January, a panel of security experts said during a recent webinar. “I’m…
Baptism is a call to social action, not a genteel ceremony, Braxton says
Baptism services should not be polite affairs or genteel ceremonies. Instead, they should be provocative political statements that agitate more than comfort and call believers to action, according to Brad Braxton. “Baptism services should not be polite. On the contrary,…
Louisiana College changes name to boost academic reputation while hosting creationist conference
A Louisiana Baptist institution preparing to host a conference by creationist Ken Ham has announced a new name intended to boost its academic reputation and Christian witness. Louisiana College is set to become Louisiana Christian University, the Baptist institution announced…
Lifelong calling leads Merritt Johnston to lead BWA Women
Merritt Johnston surrendered her life to ministry as a high school senior, although her options may have seemed limited, growing up in a small-town Baptist church in Texas. “On that day, I had people asking me, ‘Does this mean you…
Georgetown College president fired over assault allegations
Georgetown College trustees fired the school’s president, William A. Jones, Nov. 1 following accusations of sexual assault. “On Sunday afternoon, Oct. 31, the college was informed of allegations of a sexual assault of a female college employee, inappropriate behavior with…
Afghan refugees are being screened safely, security experts assure governors
National security experts have urged American governors to disregard conservative news reports denigrating the vetting process for Afghan allies resettling in the United States. Instead, they asked governors to trust screening procedures for arrivals and to welcome the evacuees into…
Most Americans favor church-state separation, but many evangelicals do not
Most Americans support the principle of church-state separation, but fascination about their merger exists among minorities of some political, religious and ethnic groups, the Pew Research Center has documented. Pew’ latest American Trends Panel revealed 55% of U.S. adults favor…
Survey paints scary, hopeful picture of U.S. political divide
A large group of Republicans, including those who trust far-right news sources, say violence may be necessary to solve the nation’s political divisions, a new survey shows. Almost one of every three (30%) Republicans agree “true American patriots might have…
Baylor, Harvard team up to study faith’s role in human flourishing
Baylor and Harvard university scientists are looking for the factors that contribute to human flourishing around the world. They announced their five-year, $43.4 million study Oct. 29. The project will evaluate 240,000 individuals from 22 nations over an extended period…
Global migration isn’t just about the U.S., but the U.S. needs to keep its commitments, U.N. commissioner says
The global migration crisis isn’t just about people trying to come to the United States, the top refugee official from the United Nations said. Yet amid this massive worldwide migration, the U.S. must adhere to its treaty and legal obligations…
Trump didn’t dupe evangelicals; they chose him, Baptist author says
Author and Baptist pastor Rodney Kennedy is no fan of Donald Trump or of the evangelicals who helped put the former president into the White House in 2016. But he’s equally disdainful of those who portray Trump’s conservative Christian base…