Four church-state separationist groups have sent a letter to Texas school superintendents and school boards warning them a law enacted by the Texas Legislature this year is unconstitutional and they should not take the bait. Not said explicitly in the…
‘Jesus gene’ guides Together for Hope’s response to America’s vulnerable, Poole tells anniversary celebrants
The “Jesus gene” compels Christians to provide practical help and divine love to vulnerable people, Chuck Poole told participants at the 20th anniversary celebration of Together for Hope June 27, during the first night of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship’s General…
Conservative Baptist Network got $50,000 from far-right political group last year
The Conservative Baptist Network received a $50,000 contribution in 2022 from the far-right political group Turning Point USA, according to tax filings. Its purpose was “awareness of traditional American values.” Turning Point USA is led by Charlie Kirk, who is…
O’Fallon quits CBN, G3 and Alpha and Omega
One of the most controversial leaders with links to the Conservative Baptist Network and the Baptist Calvinist group G3 Ministries has resigned those posts abruptly, claiming he has been the victim of “lies, disinformation, political gamesmanship, false rumors and nonsense.”…
Why the Census Bureau doesn’t ask about religion
Americans never have been directly asked about religion in the decennial census in part because Jewish and other faith groups fear being tracked and discriminated against by the government, according to a report by Pew Research Center. Pew published “Why…
From isolation to ministerial pasta: How summer camp has changed since COVID showed up
Is the end of COVID as an official public health emergency good news for summer youth camps? Or are dangers still lurking behind every tree and campsite? After the May 11 declaration that COVID-19 is no longer a public health…
CBF will hire two full-time staff in advocacy
The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship intends to double its efforts on advocacy. For the first time, CBF plans to hire two full-time staff members working in this area, one as director of advocacy and one as congregational advocacy manager. Advocacy work…
Supreme Court sides with White House and against Greg Abbott on immigration
A June 23 Supreme Court ruling affirmed the Biden administration’s prerogative to implement immigration rules limiting deportation actions to immigrants deemed national security or significant criminal threats. The court’s 8-1 ruling in United States v. Texas found states do not…
Conservative Presbyterians reject four proposals to curb sexual abuse
Southern Baptists aren’t the only U.S. denomination struggling with how to prevent and respond to clergy sexual abuse. The Presbyterian Church in America — the more conservative wing of U.S. Presbyterianism — finds itself in a knot as well. An…
Amid an already difficult immigration system, LGBTQ asylum seekers are in ‘grave danger’
The Biden administration’s asylum restrictions place LGBTQ migrants in grave danger by exposing them to longer waits in nations hostile to those with alternative sexual orientations and gender identities, immigration rights advocates said during a June 22 webinar. “It will…
Fear drives Christian nationalists, William Barber says
Christian nationalists oppose the teaching of Black history and Critical Race Theory out of fear the subjects could spark compassion for marginalized people, civil rights leader William Barber II said during a radio show hosted by Interfaith Alliance. “The forces…
Judge blocks anti-trans law in Arkansas, saying the law is based on faulty ideas
An Arkansas law banning transgender care has been struck down because it discriminates against transgender people, violates the free speech rights of doctors and would harm the very young people it seeks to protect. As BNG reported last month, Arkansas…