FALLS CHURCH — “$2.19,” the cashier says after I place my order for a small iced coffee. I'm tempted to order an iced latte instead, but that would bump up the price by a dollar. I choose to stick with…
Intelligent design renews debate between science and religion
WACO, Texas (ABP) — If there ever were a chance that conflict between evolution and religion might die a natural death, it ended with the birth of intelligent design. Just ask William Dembski. Educated as a probability theorist, Dembski had…
Prayer mats and yarmulkes in workplace
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Com-plaints of religious discrimination in the workplace are on the rise, but civil rights advocates say that may not be such a bad thing. That's because a likely reason for a steady rise in reported incidents has…
EDITORIAL: Aunt Ida tells Bluebell to focus
Dear Jimmy, Since you know all about Bluebell Baptist and some of the tricks we've pulled through the years, you won't be surprised by this letter except in how it ends. It all started when Brother Bobby announced this mornin'…
Young-earth creationists value literal reading of God’s word over human intellect’
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (ABP) — In his 2006 best-selling nonfiction book, The God Delusion, British biologist Richard Dawkins said he is hostile toward religion because of what it did to Kurt Wise. Wise, a Harvard graduate who studied under paleontologist Stephen…
First regional New Baptist Covenant event focuses on reconciliation
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (ABP) — Former President Jimmy Carter went to a shrine of the Civil Rights Movement Jan. 31 to drive home a point about racial reconciliation among Baptists, stepping up into the pulpit of the Birmingham, Ala., church where…
HERITAGE: Going home
Last month this columnist spoke in a “Virginia Baptist” church in a very far corner of Southwest Virginia. Actually, my speaking engagement was at First Baptist Church of Dalton, as in Dalton, Georgia. In 2006 the Georgia church joined the…
Senate rejects aid for religious buildings
WASHINGTON (RNS) — The U.S. Senate defeated 54-43 an amendment to the economic stimulus bill Feb. 5 that would have allowed federal funding for renovations at college buildings that are used for religious activity. Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., proposed the…
VIRGINIA BAPTIST FORUM: Advertise for the Lord
I am writing from a small town in southwestern Virginia. When our church heard of the buses in Washington we were sickened. But we did not just sit by in astonishment. We sent out letters to churches in our county…
Pick Pepsodent or Presbyterian?
PHOENIX (ABP) — Protestants in the United States are about as loyal to their brand of toothpaste as their denomination, according to one research firm. A new poll by Ellison Research asked churchgoers who attend worship services at least once…
Virginia Baptist Foundation awards grants to six ministries
RICHMOND — The Virginia Baptist Foundation has awarded grants totaling $40,000 to six Virginia Baptist ministry partners according to Ronald C. Hall, president and CEO of the foundation. “We are able to award these dollars due to the Christian stewardship…
God doesn’t want dabbling in faith
I am not nearly as disturbed by the events you report — “Why believe in God” ads and the suit in South Carolina concerning ads saying, “I believe in God” — as I am by the apparent belief of many…