WASHINGTON (RNS)—As Congress debates immigration policy, many prominent religious leaders—from all shades of the theological spectrum—have called for a “comprehensive and compassionate” reform of existing laws. It's part of what they see as their biblical mandate to care for the…
NEW: Bush greeted with standing ovation, thanks Southern Baptists at annual event
SAN ANTONIO (ABP) — Judging by his reception at the annual Southern Baptist Convention meeting, President Bush's popularity remains strong among Southern Baptists, whom he thanked for their support June 13. Bush was greeted with a standing ovation of sustained…
SPECIAL REPORT: Broken Trust—BGCT posts list of Baptist ministers who are registered sex offenders
DALLAS—The Baptist General Convention of Texas is providing a list registered sex offenders who were or are on staff at its affiliated churches. The Texas Baptist convention will post online at www.bgct.org/brokentrust the eight names of people in its file…
RIGHT OR WRONG: Censorship in the church library
A church member recently donated a book to our church library. But a question has been raised about the book's appropriateness for the library. If we don't shelve the book, we will be accused of censorship. How should we determine…
Ruth Bell Graham dies at 87
MONTREAT, N.C. (BP)–Ruth Bell Graham, wife of evangelist Billy Graham, died at 5:05 EST June 14, surrounded by her husband and five children at her Montreat, N.C., home. She was 87. “Ruth was my life partner, and we were called…
SPECIAL REPORT: Broken Trust—Sexual predators often fly under the radar at church
NEW YORK (ABP)—Most people think they can spot a sexual predator. He's the pale loner with greasy hair and quivering lips or the grinning lech who hugs too long and slowly rubs the backs of female co-workers—or church members. Could…
Are atheists now becoming the new fundamentalists?
WASHINGTON (RNS)—Despite its minority status, atheism has enjoyed the spotlight recently, with several books that feature vehement arguments against religion topping bestseller lists. But now even some secular humanists are saying they should embrace more than the strident rhetoric poured…
NEW: Definition of Cooperative Program sparks SBC messenger debate
SAN ANTONIO (ABP) — A proposal to define what constitutes Cooperative Program giving sparked lengthy debate during the opening session of the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting, including a charge that the measure “goes against historical Baptist polity.” The recommendation…
SPECIAL REPORT: Broken Trust—Sex-abuse victims speak up to help others & find healing themselves
NEW YORK (ABP)—Debbie Vasquez was 14 when her pastor started touching her inappropriately. She was 15 when he raped her and 19 when she had his baby. Tina Boyd was molested at 11 and later raped by her church bus…
Study suggests Muslims in U.S. more mainstream than in Europe
WASHINGTON (ABP)—One of the most comprehensive studies of its kind suggests Muslims in the United States are far better assimilated into the nation's culture—and far less likely to espouse extremist beliefs—than their counterparts in Europe. However, the Pew Research Center…
NEW: North Carolina pastor named president of Leland Center
ARLINGTON – North Carolina pastor Mark Olson has been named president of the John Leland Center for Theological Studies, a Baptist-affiliated seminary in the Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C. Olson, who is pastor of Snyder Memorial Baptist Church in…
Radical Islam, radical atheism threaten America, Colson tells pastors
SAN ANTONIO (ABP) — The United States faces twin dangers of radical Islam and radical atheism, Chuck Colson, the former Watergate-conspirator who founded Prison Fellowship Ministries, told pastors at the Southern Baptist Convention. “No time in history have we looked…