WASHINGTON (ABP) — Although pledging not to tolerate torture of prisoners by American soldiers or law-enforcement agents, Attorney General nominee Alberto Gonzales also repeatedly refused Jan. 6 to renounce a controversial memo his office authored in 2002 supporting the legality…
Sudanese government, southern rebels sign long-awaited peace accord
WASHINGTON (ABP) — In what many hope will be the beginning of the end of a bloody conflict fueled by ethnic and religious differences, Sudan's Arab-dominated government signed a peace agreement Jan. 9. Meeting in neighboring Kenya, Vice President Ali…
Louisiana College trustees nominate president, but lawsuit may block vote
PINEVILLE, La. (ABP) — Trustees of embattled Louisiana College will meet Jan. 17 to try again to elect a president, but they likely will be sued to prevent him from taking office. Joe Aguillard, 47, a conservative professor and chair…
Cash is best for tsunami relief, Baptist disaster leaders say
(ABP) — If you want to help tsunami victims, money is better than supplies, disaster-relief leaders say. It is costlier to ship items overseas when the same supplies can be bought drastically cheaper in the country where relief workers are…
Sri Lanka asks Baptist agency to help salvage future of tsunami orphans
SAN ANTONIO (ABP) — The government of Sri Lanka has asked Baptist Child and Family Services, based in San Antonio, to help open five new emergency child-care centers along the country's east coast to care for tens of thousands of…
CBF issues worship resources for tsunami remembrance
ATLANTA (ABP) — The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship is providing worship resources for churches to use in remembering those affected by destructive tsunamis in Asia. The resources, compiled by CBF's initiative for congregational life, are available on the Fellowship's website, www.thefellowship.info….
Newdow refiles ‘under God’ case, asks for halt to inaugural prayers
WASHINGTON (ABP) — 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…
$1 billion in federal money spent through faith-based groups in 2003
WASHINGTON (ABP) — According to documents released by the White House, “faith-based” organizations received about $1.17 billion in federal grant money in 2003. That was about 8 percent of the $14.5 billion for which religious groups were eligible. Since taking…
Worldwide Baptists survive, reflectcentury of cultural change, Lotz says
MCLEAN, Va. (ABP) – Through 100 years that have seen some of the most dramatic changes in history, worldwide Baptists have emerged with a spirit of unity, according Denton Lotz, general secretary for Baptist World Alliance. In an open letter…
Poll: curtail Muslim rights, say 44% of Americans
Nearly half of all Americans would curtail the civil rights of Muslim-Americans in some way, according to a new survey. In the name of combating potential terrorism, 44 percent of respondents to a Cornell University survey said they agreed with…
Students looking for direction find some clarity, focus
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (ABP) — They came with questions. Some wanted clarity on God's calling for their lives. Some wanted to know what to do when they grew up. There were still others questioning whether seminary was a necessary step or…
Study: religion on TV has more negative slant
A study of television's treatment of religion has found that matters of faith are addressed more in broadcast networks' shows, but mostly in a negative manner, the Parents Television Council has announced. The Los Angeles-based council worked in conjunction with…