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….
U.S. opposes U.N. ban on defamation of religion, says secretary of state
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…
New mosque construction gets green light
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…
Evangelical support for Israel at all-time high
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…
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…
Survey: Potential religious landmines for Obama, GOP in next election
WASHINGTON (ABP) — President Obama and both the Democratic and Republican parties all face tough questions from faith-based voters going into the 2012 election cycle, a new survey on religion and the 2010 midterm elections suggests. The Public Religion Research Institute released results…
Retired Florida Baptist newspaper editor Edgar Cooper dies
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (ABP) — Edgar Cooper, editor emeritus of the Florida Baptist Witness, died Nov. 14 at Baptist Medical Center in Jacksonville, Fla. He was one day shy of his 92nd birthday. Edgar Cooper Cooper, a pastor for two decades…