WASHINGTON (RNS) — Six months before her scheduled release, Marilyn Shirley was raped in 2000 by a guard at the Texas prison where she was serving time for drug charges. “I am still haunted by the words he whispered in…
FAITH DIGEST
Jordan too polluted for baptisms? Concerns about pollution and water quality have prompted an environmental advocacy group to call for banning baptisms in the lower Jordan River, where the Bible says Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. Israeli authorities…
Duvall talks faith on film, except his own
THE PLAINS, Va. (RNS) — Amid the rolling hills of Northern Virginia, actor Robert Duvall lives in a rural hamlet not unlike the on-screen settings where he has immersed himself in Southern culture. It is, his wife says, “the last…
Outside financial monitoring less common in Bible Belt companies
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Companies in the Bible Belt are less likely to be sued for accounting fraud or to practice aggressive financial reporting, a study indicates. Research by Mays Business School at Texas A&M University found companies headquartered in counties…
Are the devout less stressed?
TORONTO (RNS) — Religion may provide a “buffer” allowing the devout to feel less anxiety when they make mistakes, compared with nonbelievers, according to new scientific research. Researchers at the University of Toronto measured “error-related negativity” — people’s defensive response…
Duvall on film and faith
THE PLAINS, Va. (RNS) — Amid the rolling hills of Northern Virginia, actor Robert Duvall lives in a rural hamlet not unlike the on-screen settings where he has immersed himself in Southern culture. It is, his wife says, “the last…
Religious leaders say questioning Obama’s faith is out of bounds
WASHINGTON (ABP) — More than 70 Christian leaders signed a letter Aug. 25 calling on "public officials, faith leaders, and the media to offer no further support or airtime to those who misrepresent and call into question" whether or not…
Seminary president says evolution ‘incompatible’ with Christian faith
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (ABP) — A Southern Baptist seminary president says evolution and Christianity are not compatible. "The theory of evolution is incompatible with the Gospel of Jesus Christ even as it is in direct conflict with any faithful reading of…
World’s Baptists continue to give money for flood relief in Pakistan
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Baptist groups in North America and Europe are donating money to assist flood victims in Pakistan. Baptist World Aid, the relief-and-development arm of the Baptist World Alliance, granted an initial $10,000 to meet medical, food and shelter…
World’s Baptists responding to Pakistani flood
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Baptist groups in North America and Europe are donating money to assist flood victims in Pakistan. Baptist World Aid, the relief-and-development arm of the Baptist World Alliance, granted an initial $10,000 to meet medical, food and shelter…
Poll: Confusion about Obama’s faith, opposition to church politicking
WASHINGTON (ABP) — A new poll released by the Pew Research Center Aug. 19 shows a sharp uptick in the percentage of Americans who are confused about President Obama’s faith. It also shows that a slight majority of Americans don’t…
Judge throws out Missouri funeral protest law aimed at extremist church
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (ABP) — A federal judge ruled Aug. 16 that a Missouri law banning protests at or near funerals is unconstitutional. In 2006 Missouri passed a law prohibiting picketers within 300 feet of a memorial service. It was…