Debating what is — and isn’t — the truth has become a worldwide phenomenon, new research shows. “In France, the U.S., Italy, Spain and Belgium, half or more think that most people in their country disagree on basic facts more…
This Bucket Challenge offers DIY cleanup relief for disaster victims
The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship has turned to the bucket to counter the pandemic limits placed on disaster response ministry, said Daynette Snead-Perez, CBF’s U.S. disaster response manager. A “1,000 Bucket Challenge” seeks individuals and churches to fill 1,000 5-gallon buckets…
CBF state organizations in Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi to merge
Cooperative Baptist Fellowship state organizations in Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi have voted to merge into a single regional organization in a process facilitated by CBF leaders. “Our coordinating councils have all unanimously approved this and in each of our separate…
Amid the pandemic and racial reckoning, most Americans give clergy high marks
A majority of Americans, churchgoing or otherwise, believe pastors are trustworthy and aware of the challenges faced by their local communities, new research by Barna shows. Among U.S. adults, 59% either “disagreed strongly” or “somewhat disagreed” that local clergy are…
CBF Oklahoma prepares to welcome influx of Afghan refugees
The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Oklahoma will participate in an unfolding interfaith effort to welcome 1,800 Afghan evacuees expected to arrive in the Sooner state by the end of the year, Coordinator Kyle Tubbs said. “We will absolutely be involved…
Young people make their mark at Religions for Peace conference
The 2021 Religions for Peace conference, which closed on Thursday (Oct. 7), will be remembered as the first hybrid meeting, with most observers looking in via internet as 130 participated in person. It was also the most youth-oriented gathering in…
Were there baby dinosaurs on Noah’s Ark, and how does that relate to COVID?
With their fundamental denial of evolutionary science, young earth creationists helped set the stage for the evangelical rejection of vaccines and mask-wearing to combat COVID-19, college biology teacher and Christian Janet Kellogg Ray said. “We are without a doubt reaping…
Religious minorities and others at grave risk in Afghanistan and urgent action needed, U.S. panel declares
The United States and the global community must pressure the Taliban to cease persecuting Afghanistan’s religious and ethnic minorities, women, LGBTQ communities and even Muslims, said a virtual panel of experts convened Oct. 6 by the U.S. Commission on International…
Pandemic illustrates global and ecumenical interdependence, Welby declares
The COVID-19 pandemic has provided “the clearest possible illustration of our interdependence,” Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby said this week. For example, “COVID has exacerbated suffering in war zones. Climate change has marginalized the suffering even further, forcing people to…
Panelists reflect on their experiences as female ministers influenced by Hispanic and Latin American culture
Growing up female in a Hispanic Baptist family and community influenced by white Texas culture exposed Alyssa Aldape to the influences of colonialism, race and sexism on her faith and identity, she said during a recent webinar hosted by Baptist…
Although still a problem, people of faith experienced less mistreatment in latest global data
People and organizations of faith encountered less overall resentment and mistreatment globally in 2019 than in the previous decade, according to Pew’s 12th annual survey on global restrictions of religion. The research found that 43 countries (22% of all those…
Attorney and author believes death penalty is wrong, even for the guilty
Death penalty opponents must not shrink from challenging capital punishment even for those suspects factually guilty of committing heinous crimes, says attorney Donald Cameron Clark Jr. “To defend against the death penalty is not to be dismissive of crime. It’s…