Religious broadcaster Pat Robertson of Chesapeake apologized Jan. 12 to the family of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon for suggesting on television that Sharon’s recent stroke could be God’s judgment for ceding the Gaza Strip and Northern West Bank to…
Unanimous Supreme Court dodges broad questions in abortion ruling
WASHINGTON (ABP) — A unanimous Supreme Court managed Jan. 18 to uphold a New Hampshire law requiring parental notification for minors seeking abortions without breaking new ground on abortion rights — though many had hoped or feared they would. In…
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Giving to Protestant churches drops to 2.6% of income, study finds
(ABP) — If American Christians tithed, churches could gain $156 billion a year, a recent study found. And if denominations allocated a greater percentage of their receipts to international human needs, they could make strides in eliminating poverty-related child deaths,…
Supreme Court says federal drug laws can’t be used to stop assisted suicide
WASHINGTON (ABP) — By a 6-3 majority Jan. 17, the Supreme Court rebuffed the Bush administration's efforts to punish doctors who participate in physician-assisted suicides under an Oregon law. The ruling does not establish a constitutional “right to die.” But…
California school district agrees to settle intelligent-design suit
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Just days after they were sued over it, a California school district has agreed to stop teaching a course critics said promoted creationism and intelligent design. Americans United for Separation of Church and State announced Jan. 17…
Baptist, Episcopalian, Presbyterian youth gather at Disney for worship, challenge
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (ABP) — More than 2,200 Christian teenagers — Baptists, Episcopalians and Presbyterians — explored common and distinct dimensions of their faith during the first “Faith in 3D” conference Jan. 13-16 at the Disney World Resort. With…
IMB trustees tried power of press to silence dissent, Burleson says
RICHMOND, Va. (ABP) — A new staff policy, which gives trustees of the International Mission Board power to censor news stories about their work, reportedly was used Jan. 11 to try to persuade a trustee to resign. That's the picture…
Ethics pioneer Valentine remembered for courage rooted in love for God
DALLAS (ABP) — During a memorial service at Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas, friends and family celebrated Foy Valentine's love for God, which they said stimulated his love for people, his courage and even his “quirkiness.” Valentine, a Baptist…
California lawsuit opens new front in battle over ‘intelligent design’
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Opponents of “intelligent design” theory have opened a new front in the battle over the controversial theory, filing suit against a California school district that teaches intelligent design as philosophy rather than science. On Jan. 1, the…
Unconventional seminary begins second year of instruction
ARLINGTON, Texas (ABP) — A seminary should create a “theological chain reaction,” Baptist educator Michael Quicke stressed during the inaugural convocation of the B.H. Carroll Theological Institute. The Carroll Institute, in its second academic year with 400 students, installed its…
Baptists Today taps Sherman for Judson-Rice Award
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (ABP) — Cecil Sherman, the first national coordinator for the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, will receive the sixth annual Judson-Rice Award at an April 21 dinner at First Baptist Church of Asheville, N.C. The event is sponsored by the…