WASHINGTON (ABP) — A religious-liberty group often accused of attacking conservative churches for political activity has criticized two progressive Baptist congregations for Democratic advocacy. Americans United for Separation of Church and state is asking the Internal Revenue Service to investigate…
Gay Republican group declines to endorse Bush
WASHINGTON (ABP) — The nation's largest group for Republicans supportive of gay rights has overwhelmingly declined to repeat something it did in 2000 — endorse President Bush's campaign. National directors of Log Cabin Republicans voted 22-2 on Sept. 7 to…
Church-state, moral issues remain as Congress returns to Capitol Hill
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Congress is back in session after its traditional August recess, and a handful of issues of interest to Christians remain on the legislative calendar before the body's targeted adjournment at the beginning of October. The House is…
Larry Hovis named CBFNC coordinator
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (ABP) — Larry Hovis will become coordinator for the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina following action by the group's coordinating council Sept. 2. The position has been vacant since former coordinator Bob Patterson announced earlier this year…
Historic hurricane slashes through Florida, damaging churches, delaying relief
COCOA BEACH, Fla. (ABP) — Hurricane Frances, historic in size if not strength, crossed all three coasts of Florida over Labor Day weekend, damaging buildings — including several churches — and leaving an estimated 5 million people without power. This…
Baptist children among hostages in Russian school crisis
BESLAN, Russia (ABP) — At least eight children of Baptist leaders were among hundreds of hostages held in a Russian middle school that erupted in gunfire and flames Sept. 3. The two-day standoff came to a climax when Russian commandos…
Asheville church sings, builds houses with Habitat for Humanity in Bolivia
SANTA CRUZ, Bolivia (ABP) — Six families in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, have new homes, thanks to volunteers from a North Carolina church. For Rosalía Rojas, 33, the two-bedroom house is a dream come true. “We had lost all hope of…
Bush reiterates conservative policies to close convention marked by balance
NEW YORK (ABP) — President Bush, capping a Republican National Convention that sought to strike a careful balance on social issues between conservative policies and moderate speakers, briefly reiterated some of his most controversial social policies in his speech to…
Baptist relief workers prepare for second massive hurricane
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (ABP) — Baptists are mobilizing yet another disaster-relief effort as Hurricane Frances, a category 4 storm, bears down on Florida. Baptist relief workers are planning to cook up to a million total meals a week after Hurricane Frances…
Conservative Baptist congressman drops re-election bid after ‘outing’
NEW YORK (ABP) — Rep. Ed Schrock (R-Va.), one of Congress' staunchest opponents of gay rights, has declined to seek re-election to a third term in the House after a Washington activist's website claimed the congressman solicited sex with men…
Supporters fund documentary to highlight Bush’s faith image
NEW YORK (ABP) — A group of President Bush's supporters has produced a documentary that attempts to solidify his credentials among American evangelicals in time for the election. Producers held screenings of “George W. Bush: Faith in the White House”…
GOP speakers tout presidential faith in midst of anti-Kerry rhetoric
NEW YORK (ABP) — Amid searing rhetoric on national-security issues, at least two speakers at the Republican National Convention focused on the faith and character of presidents. Renegade Democratic Sen. Zell Miller of Georgia, delivering the convention's keynote address Sept….