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…
‘Under God’ case refiled, halt to prayers requested
The famous atheist who failed last year in his attempt to get the phrase “under God” removed from the Pledge of Allegiance is trying again. California physician and attorney Michael Newdow filed a lawsuit in federal court Jan. 3 challenging…
Church & People News for January 20, 2005
S T A F F • C H A N G E S Todd Gaston, to Mount Ararat Church, Stafford, as senior pastor, effective Jan. 30. He had served the church as pastor for student ministries since 2002. Clyde Mawyer…
Prominent church-state issues likely to resurface in 109th Congress
By Robert Marus As the 109th Congress goes to work in an atmosphere already charged with partisanship, legislative battles over religious and moral issues are virtually certain to remain as prominent as they were in the last session, according to…
Jewish leader objects to Bush’s faith statement
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 an interview with…
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…
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…
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…