By David Briggs They marched down the sloping concrete ramps of the Communion aisles by the thousands-Baptists, Presbyterians, Episcopalians, Congregationalists, Lutherans and even one Catholic priest. For more than a century, Christians had scattered throughout the grounds of the Chautauqua…
Episcopal bishops apologize for ‘pain’
The bishops of the Episcopal Church formally apologized Jan. 13 for the “pain, hurt and damage” caused by the consecration of an openly gay bishop but stopped short of saying the action was wrong. The bishops, after a two-day meeting…
Conservative leaders criticize Bush for comments on marriage law
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Despite clarifications from the White House, some socially conservative groups are criticizing President Bush for comments suggesting he will not pressure senators to pass a constitutional amendment outlawing same-sex marriage. The comments, first published in a Jan….
Arthur Walker, retired director of Education Commission, dies
BIRMINGHAM, Ala (ABP) — Longtime Southern Baptist educator and denominational leader Arthur Walker died January 14 at his home in Birmingham, Ala. He was 78. Walker held a unique position in Southern Baptist Convention life. He served as the executive…
SBC leaders to meet in July with others seeking new worldwide Baptist group
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Southern Baptist Convention leaders will meet with international Baptists leaders in July to create an alternative to the Baptist World Alliance, according to an SBC agency head. Richard Land, president of the SBC Ethics and Religious Liberty…
Louisiana College elects Aguillard as president amid campus turmoil
PINEVILLE, La. (ABP) — Joe Aguillard, 47, was elected president of Louisiana College Jan. 17 after a marathon trustee meeting that included protesters and a last-minute alternate nominee. Aguillard, assistant professor and chair of the education division at the Louisiana…
Sri Lanka’s homeless tsunami survivors wonder if there is a future for them
GALLE, Sri Lanka (ABP) — On the waterfront in Galle City, a road runs parallel to the beach, but there are no cabanas and beach chairs to be seen. Large, colorful shrimp boats lean together on the curb, ripped from…
Relief team in Sri Lanka helps restore water to tsunami-stricken villages
DODANDUWA, Sri Lanka (ABP) — 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…
First tsunami-relief volunteers from CBF head to South Asia
ATLANTA (ABP) — Two best friends and registered nurses from Wilmington, N.C., left Jan. 12 for India as some of the first tsunami-relief volunteers sent to South Asia by the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. Cokie Westfall and Linda Marie Jones will…
Evolution disclaimer in Ga. textbook found unconstitutional by federal judge
WASHINGTON (ABP) — A federal judge has struck down a suburban Atlanta school district's policy of placing disclaimers about evolution in science textbooks, saying the policy violates the Constitution's ban on government establishment of religion. United States District Judge Clarence…
Bush’s statements on presidential faith draws objection from Jewish leader
WASHINGTON (ABP) — President Bush said recently he doesn't understand “how you can be president without a relationship with the Lord.” But that testament brought a protest from one of the country's top Jewish leaders. Bush made the comment in…
Author looks for character lessons from Superman, other superheroes
CHICAGO (ABP) — When David Zimmerman talks about comic book character development, he doesn't mean Clark Kent's progression from Superboy to Superman. Zimmerman refers to development of moral character, and he believes superheroes offer a larger-than-life canvas for exploring questions…