SANTA ANA, Calif. (ABP) — A local government in Myanmar ordered a Baptist church to cease worship services after the pastor refused to wear an election campaign T-shirt supporting the country's ruling military junta, Compass Direct News reported Nov. 18….
Baptist editor in Oklahoma resigns
OKLAHOMA CITY (ABP) — Doug Baker, the editor of Oklahoma Baptists' news journal, has resigned after slightly more than 15 months on the job. Doug Baker Ron Fannin, senior associate executive director of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma, said…
Arab Christian: Bad eschatology harms U.S. Christians
KELLER, Texas (ABP) — Theology that equates the modern state of Israel with the Israel of biblical prophecy has caused some evangelical Christians to let eschatology trump ethics when it comes to the Middle East, a Palestinian-American Christian told a…
VIRGINIA BAPTIST FORUM: What did America’s founders have in mind?
I've been reading and listening to comments on the Religious Liberty Committee's resolution adopted by the Baptist General Association of Virginia [insert] with great interest. I’ve seen evidence for the different sides of the debates, but I have to admit…
Does eschatology trump ethics?
KELLER, Texas (ABP) — Theology that equates the modern state of Israel with the Israel of biblical prophecy has caused some evangelical Christians to let eschatology trump ethics when it comes to the Middle East, a Palestinian-American Christian told a…
U.S. opposes U.N. ban on defamation of religion
WASHINGTON (ABP) — The United States continues to oppose a proposed ban on defamation of religion currently before the United Nations, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Nov. 17. "Now, some people propose that to protect religious freedom, we must…
Order sidesteps church-state controversies
WASHINGTON (ABP) — President Obama issued a long-awaited executive order Nov. 17 altering the government’s faith-based efforts, to generally positive reviews from those across the ideological spectrum on church-state issues. But some religious-liberty advocates expressed disappointment that the order avoided…
Judge refuses to block Tennessee mosque
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (ABP) — A county judge ruled Nov. 17 that Muslims can move forward with plans to build a new mosque and Islamic center in Murfreesboro, Tenn., in a case that has become emblematic of national tensions over Islam….
Baptists hail release of Burmese democratic leader
FALLS CHURCH, Va. (ABP) — Leaders of the Baptist World Alliance rejoiced at Myanmar's release of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest and expressed hope that the act represents a symbolic gesture signaling greater freedoms for people…
Obama sidesteps some controversies over U.S. faith-based program
WASHINGTON (ABP) — President Obama issued a long-awaited executive order Nov. 17 altering the government’s faith-based efforts, to generally positive reviews from those across the ideological spectrum on church-state issues. But some religious-liberty advocates expressed disappointment that the order avoided…
Judge refuses to block Tennessee mosque and Islamic center
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (ABP) — A judge ruled Nov. 17 that Muslims can move forward with plans to build a new mosque and Islamic center in Murfreesboro, Tenn. Chancellor Robert Corlew III heard a total of eight days of testimony spread…
Israeli leaders find common cause with American evangelicals
JERUSALEM (RNS) — When Texas megachurch pastor John Hagee wrapped up a visit to Israel on Nov. 15 with 40 pastors in tow, he sought out the places where Jesus walked, preached and prayed some 2,000 years ago. But there…