RICHMOND, Va. (ABP) — The Presbyterian Church (USA) rejected a recommendation July 2 that would have made it easier for non-celibate homosexuals to be ordained in the church. Delegates to the denomination's meeting also agreed to enter into a period…
Three Texas churches lead direct missions effort
(ABP) — Three Texas churches have their mission eyes looking steadily southward, and they've banded together to reach a people group that years ago fled to the isolation of Mexico's mountains. The Tarahumara Indians live high in the Sierra Madre…
Bush campaign provokes criticism for ‘intruding’ into congregations
WASHINGTON (ABP) — A recent Bush-Cheney campaign tactic targeting “conservative” churches and their members has triggered disapproval among church-state watchdog groups, including the Southern Baptist Convention and Americans United for Separation of Church and State. The campaign reportedly sent out…
News briefs from ABP’s Washington Bureau
Kerry: Life begins at conception DUBUQUE, Iowa — Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) told an Iowa reporter that he personally opposes abortion and believes life begins at conception. However, he said, in an interview that appeared July 4 in the Dubuque…
Educators ask, BWA agrees to recite Apostles’ Creed at 2005 congress
BUIES CREEK, N.C. (ABP) — A group of 28 theologians and educators is asking the Baptist World Alliance to recite the Apostles' Creed at the group's 100th anniversary meeting next year, which would replicate the first act of the BWA…
Fellowship names task force to explore BWA partnership
ATLANTA (ABP) — The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship's new moderator has appointed a task force to explore ways the Fellowship can be a good partner to the Baptist World Alliance, which accepted the Fellowship into membership last year. Bob Setzer, pastor…
Concern for First Amendment rights on the rise, survey says
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (ABP) — Americans' confidence in the First Amendment, which fell after the attacks of 9/11, is up again, according to a new survey. The First Amendment Center of Nashville, Tenn., has released its 2004 survey results on the…
Colorado Supreme Court strikes down voucher law
DENVER (ABP) — Colorado's highest court has ruled unconstitutional a state law that would have set up a school-voucher program, including religious and other private schools. On a 4-3 vote, the Colorado Supreme Court ruled June 28 that the state's…
Survey of Muslim-Americans suggests anti-Bush sentiment
WASHINGTON (ABP) — According to a survey done by a coalition of Muslim-American organizations, Muslims overwhelmingly favor Democratic challenger John Kerry over President Bush in the upcoming election. The Council on American-Islamic relations released the findings of the non-scientific survey…