Until last year, I would have agreed with Loren and Deborah Haarsma that “evolution is God's program for creating life” (“Couple urges truce in war between faith and science,” Herald, March 20). Then I learned about difficulties with evolutionary theory…
FAITHSHAPERS: Teaching tricky topics — The Trinity
Most people who teach students of any age can relate to that moment when they get stumped by an unexpected question. This seems to happen more often with children because they think so differently compared to adults. It is okay…
On prayer
When my wife and I visited the Middle East several years ago, we entered several mosques. In each we had to remove our shoes. I found that I could pray there, just the same as in my church. Both had…
Legal expert suggests how to manage mix of religion, politics
ABILENE, Texas — Religion and politics inevitably will mix — especially in the U.S. presidential campaign — but that does not mean Americans should sanction a free-for-all, church-state expert Melissa Rogers insisted. Rogers, director of the Center for Religion &…
OUT LOUD
“The only part of my faith that has any play in my judicial enterprise is whatever commandment it is — the sixth — thou shalt not lie.” Justice Antonin Scalia The Supreme Court justice was responding to a question on…
Ground-rules recommended for dealing with religion in schools
ABILENE, Texas — Whatever the U.S. Supreme Court ultimately decides, communities should strive to have better conversations about the role of religion in public schools, Melissa Rogers told participants at the T.B. Maston Christian Ethics Lectures at Hardin-Simmons University's Logsdon…
Baptists waiting to respond in Myanmar
YANGON, Myanmar — Days after a cyclone's widespread devastation in Myanmar, the first two planeloads of United Nations relief supplies landed in the capital, Yangon, May 8, and Baptist relief organizations are waiting to follow. Observers fear the death toll…
Methodists vote to retain policies on homosexuality
FORT WORTH, Texas (RNS) — The United Methodist Church at its General Conference in Fort Worth held to its traditional rules on homosexuality, refusing to support or celebrate same-sex unions and maintaining language that calls homosexual activity “incompatible with Christian…
Virginia Baptists weighing relief options
RICHMOND — Virginia Baptists are prepared to help victims of Myanmar's deadly cyclone but as long as the country's government blocks relief from non-governmental orgnanizations, Virginia Baptists' efforts will be delayed. Terry Raines, disaster relief coordinator for the Virginia Baptist…
FAITH DIGEST
Panel cites 11 religious freedom offenders. A federal watchdog panel an-nounced 11 countries should be named “countries of particular concern” for their records on religious freedom, including three not currently on the State Department's list. The U.S. Commission on International…
Crowded SBC presidential field grows by two
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (ABP) — A crowded field of hopefuls for the Southern Baptist Convention presidency appears to be developing, with two high-profile candidates set to join three already-announced nominees. Retired SBC International Mission Board executive Avery Willis and Atlanta-area pastor…
FIRST PERSON: Mary Washington students spend spring break at work
Paul reminded the Corinthian Christians, “This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God” (2 Corinthians 9:12 NIV). For 20 students and two adult…