WASHINGTON (RNS) — The Federal Communications Commis-sion has decided to grant Google, Motorola, Dell and Microsoft permission to develop “white space” devices that some pastors worry will interfere with wireless microphones. The “white space” devices would use the same radio…
Atheists want probe of religion in military
WASHINGTON (RNS) — A na-tional atheist lobbying group is calling on President-elect Barack Obama to overhaul military policies in an effort to reduce what it sees as religious discrimination in the armed forces. The Secular Coalition for America has written…
Three decades later, memories of Jonestown tragedy linger
WASHINGTON (RNS) — In life, the 900 people who followed Jim Jones to build a utopian commune in the South American jungle in 1977 were relatively anonymous. But in death, the Jonestown pilgrims became front-page news when they died a…
Archaeologists find fragments linked to High Priest
JERUSALEM (RNS) — Israeli archaeologists have discovered a fragment from an ancient sarcophagus cover that bears a carved inscription with the words “The Son of the High Priest” in Hebrew. The High Priest was ancient Judaism's highest religious official and…
Faith Digest
Atheists to launch bus ads. Beginning Nov. 18, holiday ads from the American Humanist Association will appear on Washington, D.C., buses, declaring: “Why believe in a god? Just be good for goodness' sake.” The $40,000 ad campaign is not necessarily…
Church start uses technology to reach Texas community
MANSFIELD, Texas (ABP) — Patrick Moses has a long commute from his home in Mansfield, Texas, to his job with the Department of Homeland Security in Washington. CBF church planter and Department of Homeland Security officer Patrick Moses poses with…
Proposed resolution cites racial disparities in justice system
KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa. (ABP) — A resolution on racial disparities in the criminal-justice system received a first reading at a Nov. 12-13 meeting of American Baptists’ Board of National Ministries. The proposed resolution, scheduled to receive a second reading…
Activity reported on anti-conversion bill in Sri Lanka
SRI JAYEWARDENEPURA KOTTE, Sri Lanka (ABP) — Religious-freedom advocates worry that an anti-conversion bill making its way through Sri Lanka’s Parliament could be used to justify discrimination against the nation’s Christian minority. Groups including the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of…
Activity reported on anti-conversion bill in Sri Lanka
SRI JAYEWARDENEPURA KOTTE, Sri Lanka (ABP) — Religious freedom advocates worry that an anti-conversion bill making its way through Sri Lanka's Parliament could be used to justify discrimination against the small South Asian country's Christian minority. Groups including the National…
Va. Baptists approve scaled-back budget, hear Campolo’s appeal
ROANOKE, Va. (ABP) — The Baptist General Association of Virginia, acknowledging an uncertain economic environment, approved a reduced budget for 2009 during a quiet annual meeting that drew about 1,200 people. About the only fireworks during the Nov. 11-12 meeting…
Azerbaijani pastor on trial released to house arrest
(ABP) — A jailed Baptist pastor in Azerbaijan was released Nov. 6 until Nov. 17, when his trial on what supporters say are bogus charges was scheduled to resume. Mission News Network reported the release of Hamid Shabanov, 52, leader…
American Baptist mission agency faces budget shortfall
KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa. (ABP) — The board of American Baptists’ National Ministries met Nov. 12-13 to consider cuts to cover a $1 million gap between the organization’s income and expenses. According to American Baptist News Service, National Ministries Executive…