(763 words) OSWEGATCHIE, N.Y. (ABP) — A statewide fellowship of independent Baptist churches in New York is recommending defrocking one of its pastors arrested on child-pornography charges. Leaders of First Baptist Church in the Upstate New York town of Oswegatchie…
SBU administrator named as Oklahoma Baptist president
SHAWNEE, Okla. (ABP) — David Whitlock, 46, an administrator at Southwest Baptist University, has been named Oklahoma Baptist University's 15th president, OBU trustees announced Oct. 10. "Having been born and raised in Oklahoma, Dr. Whitlock will fit us well," Alton…
Connecticut latest jurisdiction to legalize same-sex marriage
HARTFORD, Conn. (ABP) — The Connecticut Supreme Court Oct. 10 made that state the latest in the union to offer full marriage rights to same-sex couples. The state’s justices ruled 4-3 that the equal-protection and due-process provisions of the Connecticut…
Study: Younger evangelicals less conservative than elders
WASHINGTON (ABP) — A large study of religious Americans suggests that white evangelicals' views on gay rights may be shifting, rapidly, to the left. The survey, which includes one of the largest samples of younger voters' political and religious views…
Little framed in moral terms during presidential debate
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (ABP) — Economic woes and national security dominated a second presidential debate that offered little new information for undecided voters, including those looking for a values-based hook on which to hang their presidential choice. Democratic candidate Barack Obama…
Book says Southern Baptist women stronger than confession suggests
CORVALLIS, Ore. (ABP) — While professing to believe the Bible teaches them to submit to their husbands, Southern Baptist women tend to function as equal partners when it comes to most decision-making in the home, according to a new book…
Support for ‘two-state’ solution troubles some Palin backers
(ABP) — Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin’s answer during her Oct. 2 vice-presidential debate expressing support for a “two-state” solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is drawing criticism from some of her strongest supporters — pro-Israel conservative Christians. “A two-state solution is…
CBF partners recall 9/11 with community service
ATLANTA (ABP) — Young adults at Freemason Street Baptist Church in Norfolk, Va., got their hands dirty for missions at a seamen’s center. Teens at Metro Baptist Church in New York City learned the value of feeding the homeless, talking…
Men’s recovery home possible through CBF grant in Illinois
ATLANTA (ABP) — Men with chemical dependency in Waukegan, Ill., now have a home to help them recover and build new lives — thanks to a local church and the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. First Baptist Church in Waukegan and CBF…
Challenge to ban on church politics may not excite Americans, polls say
WASHINGTON (ABP) — While just 33 churches signed up to participate in a conservative Christian group’s “Pulpit Freedom Sunday” Sept. 28, planners viewed it as a success. That is, organizers said, because its stated purpose was not to inject politics…
VP debate explores little on hot-button social issues
ST. LOUIS, Mo. (ABP) — Voters hoping to know more about the vice-presidential candidates’ faith-influenced views on contentious policy issues probably learned little from the Oct. 2 debate between Democrat Joe Biden and Republican Sarah Palin. Only one question posed…
Young evangelicals differ from elders on gays, similar on abortion rights
WASHINGTON (ABP) — A new poll says white evangelicals under 30 are just as opposed to abortion as their older counterparts, but more liberal in their views on same-sex marriage or civil unions for gays. The survey, conducted for the…