(ABP) — When Macarena Aldape cleans a wound or treats a rash, her Banjara patients often ask her why she is helping them. The Banjara people’s socio-economic status often limits their access to health care, education and jobs with decent…
Conservative ‘National Day of Prayer’ supporters upset over Obama snub
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Conservative organizers of National Day of Prayer-related events expressed disappointment that President Obama chose not to mark the day May 7 in the same elaborate fashion as his predecessor. But some groups that support strong church-state separation…
Baptist church sticking by pastor facing sex charges
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (ABP) — A small Southern Baptist church near St. Joseph, Mo., is reportedly standing by its pastor, who is accused of soliciting sex over the Internet with a police officer posing as a 13-year-old girl. Robert Black, 40,…
Torture opponent welcomes comments by SBC leader
WASHINGTON (ABP) — A Baptist ethicist involved in a religious campaign to build a moral consensus against America using torture is welcoming comments by the Southern Baptist Convention's head ethicist that waterboarding is a form of torture and morally wrong. Richard…
Same-sex marriage advances in Maine; N.H. and N.Y. next
AUGUSTA, Maine (ABP) — With its governor’s signature May 6, Maine became the fifth state in the nation — and the fourth in New England — to legalize same-sex marriage. Gov. John Baldacci (D) signed the bill shortly after the…
Same-sex marriage advances in Maine; N.H. and N.Y. next
AUGUSTA, Maine (ABP) — With its governor’s signature May 6, Maine became the fifth state in the nation — and the fourth in New England — to legalize same-sex marriage. Gov. John Baldacci (D) signed the bill shortly after the…
UPDATE: Mo. Supreme Court sides with Windermere over convention
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (ABP) — Missouri's Supreme Court has declined to review an appeals-court ruling that a Baptist conference center on the Lake of the Ozarks acted legally when it changed articles of incorporation to switch to a self-perpetuating board…
Windermere prevails; State Supreme Court denies MBC’s final appeal
JEFFERSON CITY — The Missouri Supreme Court denied the Missouri Baptist Convention’s request to rehear its case against Windermere Baptist Conference Center on May 5. The convention has now exhausted its options to overturn Cole County Judge Richard Callahan’s March…
Windermere prevails; State Supreme Court denies MBC’s final appeal
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (ABP) — The Missouri Supreme Court denied the Missouri Baptist Convention’s request to rehear its case against Windermere Baptist Conference Center on May 5. The convention has now exhausted its options to overturn Cole County Judge Richard…
D.C. Council gay-marriage vote could put issue before Congress
WASHINGTON (ABP) — With a May 5 vote, the District of Columbia Council may have put an issue before Congress that many House and Senate leaders would just as soon avoid right now: Gay marriage. The top legislative body for…
Christian radio ads urge support for climate change legislation
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Radio ads in eight states will encourage Christians to view climate change as both a moral issue and a matter of national security. A media campaign by the American Values Network will saturate Christian radio stations in…
U.S. officials destroy Afghan-language Bibles allegedly used in proselytizing
WASHINGTON (ABP) — The United States military says it has destroyed Afghan-language Bibles confiscated from soldiers in Afghanistan to ensure troops did not break regulations against proselytizing. According to Reuters, officials denied that evangelical Christian soldiers seen in a video…