The U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade on June 24, 2022, ending half a century of broad abortion access. Since then, the battles have moved to the states, creating a multi-hued map one state official called a “hodgepodge of…
Shurden Lecture takes on the ‘myth of American chosenness’
Modern American Christian nationalists stand apart from their predecessors who at least claimed some degree of respect for religious freedom and other values enshrined in the U.S. Constitution, a religion scholar said. Catherine Brekus, professor of the history of religion…
What happens when Tom Ascol finds Ted Cruz to be too liberal and quotes Leviticus 20:13?
When a prominent Southern Baptist pastor quotes Levitical law prescribing the death penalty for participants in gay sex, should that be interpreted as calling for capital punishment for gay people in America today? Apparently not, according to Florida pastor Tom…
Three billboards outside Nashville, Tennessee
During most trips down the interstate, drivers mindlessly zoom past billboards bombarding them with a blur of messages on their way to wherever they’re going. But every once in a while, travelers are confronted with a message about a different…
Baptist Children’s Homes of North Carolina loses president and board chair in same week
Editor’s note: this report was updated June 2 to add updated information. Baptist Children’s Homes of North Carolina has undergone a shakeup in leadership in recent weeks after one official was accused of killing a neighbor’s dogs and another abruptly…
Faith-based immigration advocates hopeful about new bill in Congress
Faith-based immigration advocates are getting behind a new bipartisan bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives to strengthen border security, protect migrant children and create pathways for permanent residency for qualified immigrants already in the United States. The Evangelical…
Coalition urges White House not to overlook Black immigrants
A coalition of American civil rights groups is pressing the White House to enact policies to protect undocumented Black migrants from deportation they believe stems from systemic racism. The Southern Poverty Law Center joined the NAACP, the Haitian Bridge Alliance,…
Gay Christian man says he was kicked off BWA commissions
This story was updated Thursday, June 1, to reflect a brief response from Elijah Brown. A gay man who is married to another man says he was asked to resign from two Baptist World Alliance commissions. When he refused…
Southwestern trustees affirm their leadership and repudiate two trustees who raised alarms
Trustees of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary have affirmed the board’s leadership and repudiated two board members who raised questions about leaders’ integrity and the financial management of the school. Trustee Chairman Danny Roberts said the board voted to “publish the…
How to fix anemic U.S. rural health care? Learn from Africa and look to the churches, Birx says
Deborah Birx knows how to solve America’s rural health care crisis, and it involves faith leaders and congregations. How does she know? Because she fixed Africa’s rural health care problem during the height of the AIDS pandemic, relying every step…
Medical professionals address myths and misconceptions about transgender kids
Transgender people often know by kindergarten that their bodies and gender identities do not line up, a health care expert said during a virtual panel discussion about trans health and emotional development. And contrary to the claims of conservative politicians…
Opal Lee may be the ‘Grandmother of Juneteenth,’ but she’s not done working for justice yet
Opal Lee is lovingly known as the “Grandmother of Juneteenth.” Over the past few years, she worked hard to bring awareness of this historic date to American citizens and lawmakers. The new federal holiday would not exist without her perseverance….