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…
Texas Baptists serve throughout Sri Lanka
BATTICOLOA, Sri Lanka (ABP) — The spirit of God is washing over areas of Sri Lanka that were hard-hit by the tsunamis, revealing a changed topographical and spiritual terrain, according to a missionary in Sri Lanka. God has arranged “divine…
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…
Remembering and imagining
Andrew Broaddus, a Baptist statesman, delivered a farewell address in 1833 before a meeting of the Dover Baptist Association, which he repeatedly had served as moderator and for which he had preached the introductory sermon for some 46 years. At…
Letter for Jan. 20, 2005
A cause for concern I have followed the reports concerning the relationship of the Baptist General Association of Virginia and Averett University and have some concerns. When the BGAV withheld funding because of the letter written by the head of…
A harder look
Analysis for Jan. 13, 2005 By Jeff Robinson The so-called James Ossuary needs a careful, in-depth examination by a scientific team to determine, once and for all, whether it is an authentic relic in which the brother of Jesus was…
Just peacemaking
Analysis for Jan. 20, 2005 By Alexandra Alter Almost two years have passed since the start of the Iraq war, but on the eve of President Bush's inaugural and elections in the still volatile Middle East nation, the issues of…
Letters for Jan. 13, 2005
Thanks to Virginia Baptists First, let me say thank you to Virginia Baptists for the Cooperative Program support in 2004 that exceeded 2003 by close to $500,000. We met the goal, balanced the budget and have begun 2005 with a…
Inaugural prayer has calm history despite controversy
Analysis for Jan. 20, 2005 By Adelle M. Banks Kirbyjon Caldwell won't reveal exactly what words he'll use in his second inaugural benediction after President Bush's swearing-in on Jan. 20. “You'll have to just tune in,” said the senior pastor…