WASHINGTON (ABP) — Oregon's most populous county began issuing marriage licenses to gay couples March 3, marking the latest incident of local officials following the lead of San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom in allowing the practice. Two gay men and…
BWA denied exhibit space at SBC convention in June
FALLS CHURCH, Va. (ABP) — A Southern Baptist Convention official has denied exhibition space to the Baptist World Alliance at this June's SBC annual meeting in Indianapolis — even though the convention has not yet approved a recommendation to separate…
Mainstream Baptist leader claims SBC leaders threaten world peace
NASHVILLE (ABP) — Southern Baptist Convention leaders are to blame for sparking “riots in countries around the world with finger-pointing pronouncements and inflammatory rhetoric about Islam and its founder,” said a moderate Baptist leader. Bruce Prescott, executive director of Mainstream…
Ousted Alabama justice argues for reinstatement
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (ABP) — Attorneys for Alabama's former chief justice have asked for his reinstatement by claiming Roy Moore did not commit an ethical violation when he defied a federal court's order last year. Moore's attorneys said he was bound…
Regents’ study of Baylor controversy offers suggestions for healing rifts
WACO, Texas (ABP) — Baylor University's board of regents has urged President Robert Sloan to take aggressive steps to heal the fragmented academic community. They also have called for the sale of a controversial jet airplane and significant changes in…
Baylor punishes basketball program again after internal study finds more violations
WACO, Texas (ABP) — Baylor University assessed additional penalties on its men's basketball program Feb. 26, citing an internal review that uncovered widespread violations in recruiting, finances and drug testing. The Baylor basketball scandal broke last summer, after player Patrick…
Mainstream speakers urge Baptists to regain religious-liberty commitment
NASHVILLE (ABP) — The strong commitment to religious liberty by the early Baptists who shaped American democracy is now at risk of disappearing, said several speakers during the third annual convocation of the Mainstream Baptist Network Feb. 27-28. Participants in…
Iraq interim constitution draft establishes Islam, Islamic laws
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Nearly a year after American forces liberated Iraq from the oppressive government of Saddam Hussein, some religious-liberty advocates are worried the country's new constitution won't protect religious minorities. Members of the Iraqi Governing Council reportedly reached agreement…
Texas Baptists ‘revisioning’ teams to seek ‘compelling vision’ for state convention
DALLAS (ABP) — The Baptist General Convention of Texas has launched a process of “revisioning” that is expected to lead to reorganization of the convention's work. Charles Wade, executive director, announced formation of four “Revisioning Teams” of 10-13 people each…
Texas Baptist leader dies in car crash
LUBBOCK, Texas (ABP) — Billy Ray Parmer, former two-time Baptist General Convention of Texas second vice president, died Feb. 28 in a car crash outside Abernathy, Texas. Parmer, 78, pulled his sports utility vehicle around two stopped cars at an…
Moderate churches use ‘Passion’ to begin discussions about Jesus
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Moderate Baptists are known for being more sensitive about interfaith relations than some of their conservative brethren. But with a film controversial for its depiction of Jews becoming a cultural phenomenon, some moderate churches have decided to…
Legal analysts debate effects of latest church-state ruling
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Just like interpretation of the Bible, interpretation of Supreme Court decisions are often in the eye of the beholder. That observation was borne out Feb. 27 by a group of legal scholars interpreting the court's latest major…