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…
California Supreme Court decision OKs regulation of Catholic group
WASHINGTON (ABP) — The California Supreme Court has ruled that a Catholic social-service agency must provide contraceptives as part of its prescription-drug benefit for employees — raising alarms among some religious-liberty watchers. By a 6-1 vote, the court ruled that…
Many medical chaplains feel like pastors too
FORT WORTH, Texas (ABP) — If military and prison chaplains serve in “pastoral roles,” then so do chaplains in hospitals, hospices and nursing homes. So say a number of medical chaplains and the professional organizations that oversee their work. There…
Student editorial on gay marriage prompts rebuke from Baylor officials
WACO, Texas (ABP) — A Baylor University student newspaper editorial supporting gay marriage has been condemned by university president Robert Sloan and ruled a violation of school policy by the university's Student Publications Board. An editorial in the Feb. 27…
Gay marriage spreads to Oregon as debate in Congress heats up
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…
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…