Christians who vilify the poor, LGBTQ people and women practice a version of the faith that is heavy on the Bible but light on words of Jesus, said Howard-John Wesley, senior pastor of the historic Alfred Street Baptist Church in…
‘Show up and do something,’ ACLU leader urges
Opposing American authoritarianism will require dedicated action and avoiding the temptation to fall into “grim despair” over its advances, said Bacardi Jackson, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida. “It is always a matter of courage and,…
Nonprofits aiding immigrant kids say Trump admin intimidating them
The Washington, D.C.-area offices of nonprofit groups that provide legal services to unaccompanied immigrant children were recently visited by federal agents in what some of the organizations described as a campaign of intimidation. Kids In Need of Defense, or KIND,…
Report documents Trump admin’s neglect of children in detention
An average of 25 children age 3 or younger are in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody daily while no fewer than 500 infants and toddlers have been detained since President Donald Trump took office last year, according to a study…
The transformation of Terrence Minor
More than 30 years ago, when Terrence Minor was incarcerated, a young man began speaking to him about Jesus. Minor cannot recall the man’s full name but does remember the influence he had. “Today, I couldn’t point to him in…
Religious liberty ‘is not a sword to harm others,’ Laser says
Religious freedom is a radical invention that allows all Americans to believe or not believe as they choose, but on the condition that others are not harmed, said Rachel Laser, president of Americans United for Separation of Church and State….
Court again demands Trump’s slush fund be verified as dead
A federal court granted a preliminary injunction preventing the Trump administration from establishing a nearly $1.8 billion slush fund for the president’s political allies as a lawsuit against the account moves ahead. District Judge Leonie Brinkema in Virginia issued the…
Pastors announce formation of The Baptist Network
A group of Baptist pastors announced formation of The Baptist Network to foster collaboration and encouragement between minsters and congregations in a time of intense social and political conflict in the American church. “While affirming historic Baptist convictions, the Network…
Professor draws connection between immigration and testimony
“Something that gets lost in the process is we don’t often get to hear the voices of the very communities that are experiencing the most hardship in the midst of the situation,” Jonathan Calvillo told Baptist scholars, historians and ministry…
‘Show the love of God,’ immigrant pastor urges
“Immigrants are not numbers, not statistics,” Pablo Juarez told Baptist scholars, historians and ministry educators gathered at Smoke Rise Baptist Church in Stone Mountain, Ga. “They are human beings that are running for their life, begging for some people to…
‘All we do is believe the Bible,’ Baptist scholars summarize
“All we do is just believe the Bible,” Marcus Jerkins said, recalling a familiar claim from his childhood church. “And I came to find out that is a Baptist way of thinking. We just believe the Bible.” That simple phrase…
US Supreme Court won’t allow Alabama to use nitrogen gas
The U.S. Supreme Court declined to overrule two lower courts that prohibited Alabama from executing a prisoner using nitrogen gas. The state was set to execute Jeffrey Lee June 11 until a federal appeals court and a U.S. district judge…