WASHINGTON (ABP) — The inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th president of the United States began Jan. 18 with an invocation and ended Jan. 21 with a benediction. Controversy over religion between those bookend events highlighted America’s ongoing give-and-take over…
Youth from three denominations celebrate unity at Disney
ORLANDO, Fla. (ABP) — Youth from three Christian denominations spent Martin Luther King Day Weekend exploring commonalities of their respective faiths through worship, education and community-building activities. Nearly 2,500 students in grades 6-12, group leaders and chaperones traveled to Orlando,…
Youth from three denominations celebrate unity at Disney
ORLANDO, Fla. (ABP) — Youth from three Christian denominations spent Martin Luther King Day Weekend exploring commonalities of their respective faiths through worship, education and community-building activities. From left, Kendale Bridges, Macie Wilkins and Tonda Folk of First Baptist…
CBF leader writes President Obama with ‘heartfelt requests’
ATLANTA (ABP) — Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Executive Coordinator Daniel Vestal sent an Inauguration Day letter congratulating Barack Obama and urging the newly sworn-in president to lead America in building a more civil and just society. Writing on behalf of the…
Ethnic missions pioneer Oscar Romo dies
CUMMING, Ga. (ABP) — Oscar Romo, a pioneer in starting ethnic Southern Baptist churches, died Jan. 16 from complications related to Parkinson's disease. Romo, 79, worked for the Home Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, forerunner to today's North…
Ecumenical group says stimulus package should include the poor
WASHINGTON (ABP) — The nation’s most broadly ecumenical Christian group is urging the new administration of President-elect Obama to include help for the poor in any economic-stimulus package. Leaders of Christian Churches Together in the USA met with journalists, members…
Liberals, evangelicals call for common agenda on abortion, sexuality
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Progressive and evangelical leaders have joined together to propose shared policy solutions on issues that have long divided left and right in the so-called culture wars. Two years ago Third Way, a non-profit think tank that supports…
Survey: Protestants no more loyal to denomination than toothpaste brand
PHOENIX (ABP) — Protestants in the United States are about as loyal to their brand of toothpaste as their denomination, according to one research firm. A new poll by Ellison Research asked churchgoers who attend worship services at least once…
Baptist influence on history of U.S., world a mixed bag, historians say
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Baptists' signal contribution to American and world history and political thought, historians almost unanimously agree, is their uncompromising emphasis on religious liberty. But, they hasten to add, the doctrine of soul freedom that grounds Baptists' belief in…
Religious abuse continues in Iraq, commission says
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Iraq should be designated as a “country of particular concern” because its government tolerates the abuse of religious communities, according to the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom. The federal commission said many Iraqi religious minorities —…
Wide variety of Baptists found in 111th Congress
WASHINGTON (ABP) — The various Baptist churches represented in the incoming 111th Congress are emblematic of America's broad array of Baptists. There are 66 self-identified Baptists in the new Congress, according to a study by the Pew Forum on Religion…
Tebow’s faith takes center stage in bowl
MIAMI (BP) — With “John 3:16” written on top of his eye black, Tim Tebow led his Florida Gators to victory Jan. 8 against the Oklahoma Sooners in a 24-14 win in the BCS National Championship. Replacing his trademark “Phil…