MT. LEBANON, Texas (ABP) – Texas Gov. Rick Perry wants to introduce a new level of gambling in the state, and a Baptist legislative expert says it is opening the door to casino-type gaming. The governor's school finance proposal includes…
Evangelicals feel persecuted despite political influence, study finds
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Although American evangelicals overwhelmingly view themselves as part of mainstream America and believe they hold significant political influence, they nonetheless view themselves as a besieged minority, a new study has found. And the study found evangelicals now…
Louisiana College trustees re-affirm textbook policy
PINEVILLE, La. (ABP) — Trustees of a Louisiana Baptist school re-affirmed a controversial textbook policy April 19 and named one of their own as an interim president. In a special called meeting, Louisiana College trustees passed a resolution that they…
Senators praise Baptist deacon at judicial confirmation hearing
WASHINGTON (ABP) — A longtime Missouri Baptist leader and state Supreme Court justice has been nominated to the federal bench. In February, President Bush nominated Duane Benton to a vacant seat on the St. Louis-based 8th U.S. Circuit Court of…
First Amendment scholar, church to be honored with 2004 ABP awards
WASHINGTON (ABP) — A First Amendment scholar and a Mississippi church will be honored for their commitment to religious liberty when they receive awards from Associated Baptist Press April 30. Charles Haynes, senior scholar at the Freedom Forum's Arlington, Va.-based…
Experts discuss proper role of religion in public education
DALLAS (ABP) — A “strong consensus” has developed regarding the appropriate role of religion in public schools, a church-state legal expert said. Oliver Thomas, a constitutional lawyer who helped draft the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, spoke during a recent “Finding…
More Americans blame Jews for Jesus’ death
(ABP) — A growing minority of Americans believe that Jews were responsible for Christ's death, according to a Pew Research Center poll. Roughly a quarter of the public (26 percent) now expresses that view. This represents a modest but statistically…
Willliams retires as director of medical mission group
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (ABP) — James Williams has announced he will retire as executive director of the Baptist Medical/Dental Fellowship, an organization that enlists health-care professionals as volunteer and career mission workers. In a letter to the organization's Executive Committee, Williams,…
President of Baptist medical group resigns over partnership with CBF
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (ABP) — The president of the Baptist Medical/Dental Fellowship has resigned and is withdrawing his membership from the organization over its affiliation with a moderate Baptist group. Danny Barnhill, a medical doctor from Shreveport, La., issued his resignation…