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…
An uncertain past for one of the world’s major denominations
Baptists have no founder. They have no certain month, day and year of beginning. It is risky at best to find the earliest tender roots of a people who have become one of the world's major religious denominations. Across the…
FAITH DIGEST
ACLU sues over inmate's right to preach. The American Civil Liberties Union has filed suit on behalf of a New Jersey prison inmate who was ordained behind bars eight years ago and now contends his religious freedoms were violated when…
Dan Goodman, N.C. seminary professor, dies suddenly
BOILING SPRINGS, N.c. (ABP) — A 40-year-old professor at a North Carolina Baptist divinity school died unexpectedly Jan. 13. Gardner-Webb University officials released a statement saying Dan Goodman, the Bob D. Shepherd Chair of New Testament Interpretation at the college’s…
Deadly Zimbabwe cholera outbreak crime against humanity, group says
NEW YORK (ABP) — The cholera outbreak that has killed thousands in Zimbabwe should be considered a crime against humanity and laid at the feet of Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, an international doctors’ group said in a new report. Physicians…
Faith leaders urge Obama to ban torture on Inauguration Day
WASHINGTON (ABP) — A broad coalition of faith leaders has written a letter asking President-elect Barack Obama to make banning torture one of his first acts in office. Thirty-three leaders from Christian, Jewish and Muslim traditions asked Obama to “restore…
U.S. team’s mission changes after Costa Rica earthquake
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (ABP) — Ten mission volunteers in Costa Rica to provide safe drinking water and vision clinics turned to disaster relief when a 6.2-magnitude earthquake hit Jan. 9. This grandstand is staging area for a feeding operation being staffed…
Baptists, Muslims say dialogue a step in right direction
Baptist and Muslim scholars recently gathered at Andover Newton Theological School near Boston for a historic dialogue. (PHOTO/S. Farooqui) NEWTON CENTER, Mass. (ABP) — Several dozen Baptists and Muslims gathered Jan. 9-11 to repair a relationship better known for harsh…
UPDATE: Warren’s church says violence no excuse for divorce
(Editor's note: This story updates, replaces and corrects one issued Jan. 8, which incorrectly attributed the domestic-violence comments to Warren rather than Holladay. ABP regrets the error.) LAKE FOREST, Calif. (ABP) — Comments on the Saddleback Church website that the Bible does not…