WASHINGTON (ABP) — The 2010 midterm congressional elections were a clear victory for those who claim fealty to fiscal conservatism, but they were more a mixed blessing for religious and social conservatives. Religious conservatives, however, may still use the results to…
Consultants, columnists cite faith factor in Republican sweep
ARLINGTON, Va. (ABP) — A political consultant who received national attention for religious outreach for Democrats in 2006 said this year's election results show the party cannot afford to ignore faith-and-values voters. Eric Sapp Eric Sapp — who in 2008…
British Baptist minister pleads guilty to child molestation in Va.
FAIRFAX, Va. (ABP) – A former British Baptist pastor pleaded guilty Nov. 3 to four counts of sexually molesting the young sons of family friends while on visits to their Northern Virginia home over a period of several years. Robert…
Mo. Baptists resist effort to drop almost nine-year litigation battle
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (ABP) — A move to end a nearly nine-year-long legal battle against agencies formerly affiliated with the Missouri Baptist Convention met strong resistance at the MBC's 176th annual meeting. Messengers defeated a move by Michael Haynes, Greene County Baptist…
Supreme Court hears arguments involving prisoners’ religious freedom
WASHINGON (ABP) – The Supreme Court’s justices struggled Nov. 2 to divine whether a federal statute allows a prisoner to collect monetary damages when the state incarcerating him violates his religious freedom. From left to right, Baptist Joint Committee for…
Four Baptists arrested in Azerbaijan
OSLO, Norway (ABP) — Four Baptists in Azerbaijan received five-day jail sentences Oct. 31 after a police raid on a harvest festival in a private home, according to an international news service that specializes in religious freedom. Forum 18, a…
Russian leaders decry arson attacks on churches
KARACHAYEVO-CHERKESSIA, Russia (ABP) — Political and religious leaders in Russia's mainly Muslim North Caucasus region denounced arson attacks on two Russian Orthodox churches and one Baptist church overnight on Nov. 1. An Orthodox church in the village of Ordzhonikidzevsky in…
Iraqi Baptist pastor says Baghdad’s Christians living in fear
FALLS CHURCH, Va. (ABP) — A Baptist pastor in Baghdad told a European Baptist leader that Christians there are living in fear following an Oct. 31 attack on a Catholic church in Iraq's capital that left more than 50 dead….
VITAL SIGNS: Everyone needs to go to Arabia
One of the pressing concerns of 21st century individual and congregational spiritual life is the question of depth. To be blunt, there isn’t much. Study after study has revealed the sad truth that much of what we call faith and…
OUT LOUD
“There’s no threat of Sharia law coming to Oklahoma and America, period. It’s just a scare tactic." Saad Mohammed The member of the Islamic Society of Greater Oklahoma City was referring to a Nov. 2 referendum to ban Islamic law…
EDITORIAL: Aunt Ida laments strange Baptists
Dear Jimmy, I’m sure this never happens to you, but sometimes my mind gets to wanderin’ a mite during the sermon. That’s why I can sure understand what happened to this feller who happens to be your Uncle Orley’s cousin,…
150 Bluefield students make professions of faith
BLUEFIELD, VA. — Bluefield College students were invited to trade in their hurt for healing during the school’s 19th Annual Duremdes Christian Emphasis Week, Sept. 29-Oct. 1, featuring the ministry of evangelist Tony Nolan and professions of faith from more…