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…
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…
Study suggests evangelical opposition to gays doesn’t extend to amendment
WASHINGTON (ABP) — A landmark study of American evangelical Christians released April 13 determined, among several noteworthy findings, that evangelicals oppose gay marriage but are lukewarm in their support for a constitutional amendment to ban it. The survey of more…