WASHINGTON (ABP) — Roy Moore's long legal saga over the Ten Commandments, which began with a bang, has ended in a whimper. The U.S. Supreme Court, beginning its 2004-2005 term Oct. 4, declined without comment to hear Moore's appeal of…
Court: Catholic contraceptive coverage continues in California
WASHINGTON (ABP) — In the first day of their new term, the Supreme Court declined to review a decision by a California court requiring some religious charities to provide their employees with health insurance for contraceptive drugs. Beginning their 2004-2005…
Like Senate, House fails to pass gay-marriage ban
WASHINGTON (ABP) — The House of Representatives followed the Senate's lead Sept. 30 in defeating a proposed constitutional amendment that would ban marriage — and, arguably, marriage-like benefits — for same-sex couples. A House version of the Federal Marriage Amendment…
Kerry attacks, Bush defends Iraq war in first debate
WASHINGTON (ABP) — President Bush and his challenger, Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) spent much of their first debate Sept. 30 trading charges over the justification for the war in Iraq. In a format designed to focus on foreign-policy and national-security…
SBC, BWA leaders disagree on appeal to churches
NASHVILLE (ABP) — A Baptist World Alliance fund-raising appeal directed to Southern Baptist Convention churches has drawn criticism from Morris Chapman, president of the SBC Executive Committee. In a letter to BWA officials, Chapman claimed the effort violates denominational policy….
Cooperative, American Baptists send relief for Jeanne’s Haiti victims
ATLANTA (ABP) — In the wake of yet another disaster in Haiti, two Baptist groups have released funds to help the storm-ravaged nation. The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship has donated $10,000 to aid World Vision in its relief efforts following devastation…
BJC board changes name during annual meeting
WASHINGTON (ABP) — The Baptist Joint Committee on Public Affairs will become the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty after the agency's directors approved a name change Sept. 27. Holding their annual meeting in Washington, D.C., representatives of the national…
Prominent North Carolina church leaves Southern Baptist Convention
GREENSBORO, N.C. (ABP) — One of North Carolina's most prominent churches has joined the list of congregations leaving the Southern Baptist Convention. First Baptist Church of Greensboro voted Sept. 15 to remove all denominational affiliation from its bylaws and cut…
Georgia church with female co-pastor leaves association over BF&M adoption
ROME, Ga. (ABP) — North Broad Baptist Church in Rome, Ga., has left the Floyd County Baptist Association after the group adopted a statement of faith that, among other things, bans female pastors. Members of the church reportedly left the…