WASHINGTON (ABP) — One of the nation's best-known — and most widely disparaged — crusaders against government-sponsored religion failed in his attempt to prevent prayers by clergy at the Jan. 20 presidential inauguration. Michael Newdow lost his bid to halt…
Federal judge dismisses challenge to law banning gay marriage
WASHINGTON (ABP) — A Florida judge has ruled against the first direct challenge to a federal law banning same-sex marriage. Federal District Judge James Moody of Tampa dismissed a Florida lesbian couple's lawsuit seeking to overturn the federal Defense of…
Virginia, Texas conventions take step toward BWA membership
RICHMOND, Va. (ABP) — Two state Baptist conventions have moved a step closer to full membership in the Baptist World Alliance. The Baptist General Association of Virginia and the Baptist General Convention of Texas were both admitted Jan. 11 into…
Baylor sues gay former student for sending lewd e-mails
WACO, Texas (ABP) — Matthew Bass, a former Baylor University seminary student who was denied a scholarship in 2004 because he is gay, now is being sued by Baylor University for allegedly sending lewd e-mails to employees and their families…
Protestant churches in Thailand launch two-year relief plan for tsunami victims
PHANGNGA PROVINCE, Thailand (ABP) — Major Christian groups in Thailand have begun a two-year relief plan to aid tsunami victims, which will include both immediate relief and rehabilitation. Coordinated by Thailand Protestant Christian Churches, work has already begun in three…
Hungarian Baptist Aid carves unique disaster-relief niche
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (ABP) — Americans might not think of Hungarians as being in the forefront of international relief efforts, but a relatively young Hungarian organization is a pacesetter in worldwide disaster relief. Hungarian Baptist Aid was founded in 1996…
Billy Kim retires as pastor of Korean megachurch
Korean megachurch pastor and evangelist Billy Kim, outgoing president of the Baptist World Alliance, retired Dec. 19 after 45 years as senior pastor of Suwon Central Baptist Church near Seoul, South Korea. Since becoming pastor of the congregation Jan. 1,…
A tragedy gets personal
Among the tens of thousands who lost their lives when the waves of December's tsunami surged onto Sri Lanka was a cousin of Richmonder Emily Thevathasan, who now hopes to participate in relief efforts on the stricken island. By Shawn…
Group questions ban of crosses in parade
An evangelical Christian group planning a prayer vigil and demonstration near the inaugural parade has criticized a U.S. Secret Service ruling prohibiting crosses and other structures along the route. The Christian Defense Coalition sent a letter Jan. 6 to officials…
Hungarian Baptist Aid carves unique disaster-relief niche
Americans might not think of Hungarians as being in the forefront of international relief efforts, but a relatively young Hungarian organization is a pacesetter in worldwide disaster relief. Hungarian Baptist Aid was founded in 1996 by Sandor Szenczy, a Baptist…
Americans go to church more than Canadians
Americans attend church more regularly and interpret the Bible more literally than Canadians, according to a recent Gallup Poll, reinforcing earlier surveys that consistently showed higher levels of religious observance in the United States than in Canada. In surveys of…
Relief team in Sri Lanka helps restore wells in stricken village
By Tony Cartledge On a map, the small island nation of Sri Lanka looks like a giant teardrop. It's an appropriate image. When a 9.0 earthquake off the faraway coast of Sumatra sent a tsunami speeding across the Indian Ocean…