Muslims, evangelicals not so apart. Muslim Americans and white evangelicals have more in common than other religious groups when it comes to religious fervor, scriptural literalism and social morality, according to the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life. They…
Vatican says Protestants not churches in ‘proper sense’
VATICAN CITY — The Vatican on July 10 reasserted the primacy of the Roman Catholic Church, calling other Christian churches defective and saying Protestant denominations are not even churches “in the proper sense.” The statement, which was “ratified and confirmed”…
Vatican’s claim has parallels in Baptist successionism
RICHMOND – The Vatican's recent reaffirmation that the “true church” lies in an unbroken line of succession from Christ and his apostles might resonate in an unlikely place — conservative Baptists who trace the roots of their denomination back to…
Bloggers consolidate efforts to create ‘premier site’ for issues
ARLINGTON, Texas — Reforming bloggers who have challenged the Southern Baptist Convention establishment for the past two years are consolidating their efforts to create a new Internet presence they say will be the “premier site for Southern Baptist news and…
California Baptists create competing state convention to support SBC
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. (ABP)—Southern Baptists in California have started a new alternative state convention that will compete with the 67-year-old California Southern Baptist Convention for denominational loyalty. California is the fourth state to witness such a move, joining Texas, Missouri…
BAPTIST BRIEFS
Vandals burn Israeli flag at Baptist church. A Baptist church that since last summer had flown the Israeli flag to show support for Israel fell victim to criminal activity July 17 when the star in the center of the flag…
Baptists, other Christian leaders push for reform in farm bill
WASHINGTON (ABP)—Baptists and other Christian groups are asking Congress to seize an opportunity to reform the way the government relates to farmers — for the sake of the poor in the United States and around the globe, they say. A…
Hate crimes bill delayed in Senate
WASHINGTON (ABP) — The Senate stalemate over the Iraq war claimed another victim July 18: a hate-crimes statute that supporters had hoped to attach to a defense bill. But although the attempt to add gender, sexual orientation and disability to…
Southern Baptist promoted to Army chief of chaplains
FORT MYER (BP) — Doug Carver was sworn in as the 23rd U.S. Army Chief of Chaplians and promoted to major general during ceremonies at Fort Myer, Va., on July 12. He is the first Southern Baptist to hold the…
Praise for Langford
I write to thank Lauren Heilman for the fine article on the Rev. Henry Langford that told of the resolution of the Virginia General Assembly praising him for his stand for racial justice 50 years ago (Religious Herald, June 14)….
Closed process
Regarding your column of June 28 concerning the SBC annual meeting, I agree with what you said about “diminished attendance,” “reaping what we sow” and “despite its flaws . . . the SBC is doing Christ's work.” For over 78…
The Kettle and the pot
I recently read a letter in the Religious Herald called “Again, the SBC is unfair” [May 31] and I agree with the writer that it is time that the BGAV was represented at the SBC level. I compliment President Frank…