WASHINGTON (ABP) — An annual report by an American Islamic group shows that reports of anti-Muslim incidents increased dramatically last year. Officials of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, the nation's largest Islamic civil-rights group, announced May 11 that reports of…
California legislators scuttle proposed gay-marriage bans
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Legislators in California have scuttled, at least temporarily, an attempt to amend that state's Constitution to ban gay marriage. Committees of both the state's legislative chambers — the California Senate and California Assembly — rejected the amendment…
Baptists sent as much $15 million in tsunami aid, BWA hears
BANGKOK, Thailand (ABP) — Baptist groups from around the world affiliated with the Baptist World Alliance have contributed as much as $15 million so far in relief for victims of the December 26 South Asian tsunamis, according to a BWA…
Commission on global religious freedom adds Uzbekistan to violators list
WASHINGTON (ABP) — A federal panel charged with monitoring religious freedom worldwide is asking the Bush administration to take sanctions against Pakistan, Uzbekistan and several other nations for severe violations. Members of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom…
Smiles, laughter pour out of Alzheimer’s respite group
ROUND ROCK, Texas (ABP) — Wednesday mornings at One Way Baptist Church are filled with laughter and fun. Tables in the fellowship hall are filled with people sharing stories and smiling at thoughts of days gone by. A woman recalls…
Politics in pulpit spark church feud, members’ ouster in North Carolina
Editor's note: This story replaces one issued May 6. WAYNESVILLE, N.C. (ABP) — Nine members of a Baptist church in North Carolina say they were removed from membership because they disagree with the pastor's political views. Frank Lowe, one of…
Critics say church zoning measure in Alabama town violates federal law
PRICHARD, Ala. (ABP) — While sitting in the pews of a local church, Prichard City Council members unanimously approved a six-month moratorium on churches locating in business and commercial areas of town. The suspension, which passed April 21, has caused…
Megachurches more numerous than researchers thought, study shows
HARTFORD, Conn. (ABP) — The megachurch phenomenon may be even bigger than the experts thought. New research underway suggests there may be 1,200 or more of the biggie-sized congregations in the U.S. — not 850 as earlier studies showed. The…
As filibuster vote draws near, rhetoric reaches fever pitch
WASHINGTON (ABP) — A week chock-full of dueling press conferences is the latest sign that the Senate's war over the judicial filibuster is escalating — and may end with a “nuclear” detonation. As senators returned from a recess May 9,…