In the Dec. 22 ABP story “Underwood closes Baylor tenure urging grads to challenge 'prevailing orthodoxy,'” please clarify the 5th paragraph by replacing it with the following: Underwood, president-elect of Mercer University, used his final address at Baylor to underscore…
Katrina ‘put a face on poverty,’ but will long-term picture change?
(ABP) — The dispersion of 1 million Hurricane Katrina evacuees is straining a social safety net that's already stretched to the limit by the needs of the country's 36 million poor people. But those engaged in the long-term fight against…
Underwood closes Baylor tenure urging grads to challenge ‘prevailing orthodoxy’
WACO, Texas (ABP) — Bill Underwood ended his time as Baylor University's interim president by challenging graduates to think for themselves and respect the right of other people to disagree with them. “You are entering a world where you will…
Senate narrowly passes budget cuts opposed by anti-poverty leaders
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Vice President Dick Cheney had to cut short an official trip to Pakistan and rush back Washington to cast a tiebreaking Senate vote for budget cuts Dec. 21. The chamber was deadlocked 50-50 on the $40 billion…
UPDATED: Federal court issues sweeping judgment against teaching of intelligent design
HARRISBURG, Pa. (ABP) — A federal judge has ruled that, while “intelligent design” may itself be intelligent, it isn't science — and shouldn't be taught as science in the public schools. The Dec. 20 decision by U.S. District Judge John…
Boycott called off after Target changes
A conservative group has canceled a national boycott against Target after the retailer promised to make more references to Christmas and Hanukkah in its advertising. Donald E. Wildmon, chairman of the Mississippi-based American Family Association, claimed victory by canceling the…
Warren hosts AIDS event to reverse neglect
The pastor at the Southern Baptist Convention’s largest church used a conference timed to conclude on World AIDS Day to announce a new commitment to caring for the millions of people infected with HIV and AIDS. Rick Warren, pastor of…
Volunteers assist flooded Baptist church
Hundreds of volunteers swarmed over a wrecked church deep in New Orleans’ flood zone Dec. 3, hoping to start its healing and that of the desolate neighborhood beyond with a furious outpouring of free labor. By some counts, nearly 1,000…
Christmas on a Sunday? What’s a church to do?
Bob Allen EthicsDaily.com Rather than singing O Come All Ye Faithful on Dec. 25, some mega-churches this year are opting instead for I'll Be Home for Christmas. Because Christmas this year falls on a Sunday, some of America's prominent evangelical…
Of fear and faith
Editorial for December 22, 2005 By Jim White What is your favorite Christmas phrase? If the reaction to Wal-Mart's plan to wish us a “Happy Holiday” this season is any indication, “Merry Christmas!” must be the expression of choice. I…
Letters for December 22, 2005
Immoral system of death I would like to applaud Daniel Bagby for writing “Re-examining capital punishment” [Herald, Oct. 27]. As a Baptist and a field organizer with People of Faith Against the Death Penalty, it was very encouraging to see…
The best gifts
Heritage Column for December 22, 2005 By Fred Anderson “For God so loved the world that he gave…” During this season we have decorated our Christmas tree with some of the many ornaments which we have been accumulating over the…