By Bob Allen The head of one of the nation’s largest Hispanic Christian organizations said Jan. 21 that Latino voters should not put the desire for immigration reform ahead of concern for the unborn. “I have a problem when we…
Filmmaker of anti-Planned Parenthood videos opens first-ever Evangelicals for Life conference
By Bob Allen Anti-abortion activist David Daleiden said Jan. 21 he believes undercover videos about Planned Parenthood and the procurement of fetal organs for medical research tap into a “cruel paradox” that transcend the abortion debate. Daleiden, founder of the…
For Baptists-turned-Episcopalians, Anglican disagreement feels familiar
By Jeff Brumley Growing up Southern Baptist in Alabama, Malcom Marler saw just how nasty people can be when they disagree about scripture and thorny theological issues. The resulting departure of moderates and liberals from the convention in the late…
New Baptist Covenant among faith groups ‘to watch’ in 2016
By Bob Allen A movement founded by former President Jimmy Carter to unite U.S. Baptists across racial and other divides in service to the poor is among 16 social justice initiatives to watch in 2016 cited by the Center for…
Trump candidacy will test evangelical voters, says SBC leader
By Bob Allen The Southern Baptist Convention’s top spokesman for public policy and religious liberty concerns says the upcoming presidential primary season will be a test for evangelical voters. “We’ve been saying for 50 years in American life that character…
Scholar disputes pollsters’ dire predictions for faith in U.S.
By Jeff Brumley You don’t have to follow the news that closely to hear that Christianity is on the ropes in America, that worship attendance is spiraling downward, that young people want nothing to do with church and that Americans…
Diversity plan divides Baylor faculty
By Bob Allen A Baylor University official charged with creating a position to increase racial, ethnic and gender diversity among faculty and staff has resigned after less than eight months on the job. “After prayerful consideration and consultation with my…
Cruz stumps at S.C. Baptist school
By Bob Allen Fresh off last week’s televised debate, GOP presidential hopeful Sen. Ted Cruz held a campaign rally Jan. 15 at a college affiliated with the South Carolina Baptist Convention. “We need to take power out of Washington and…
Every day counts for 112-year-old Sina Hayes
By Norman Jameson Like a good son, Carlyle Hayes calls his mother every day to say he loves her. Unlike most good sons, Carlyle is 90 years old — and his mother is 112 and half. Sina Hayes is thought…
Lawsuit accuses once-admired evangelical family expert of sexual abuse
By Bob Allen A disgraced evangelical family expert accused in a lawsuit of sexually abusing or harassing 10 women was an early proponent of ideas now part and parcel of the Baptist Faith and Message. A second amended complaint filed…
Online tool tracks ‘faux religious freedom’ claims
By Bob Allen Americans United for Separation of Church and State enumerated five of the year’s worst legislative ideas — so far — in a new online tool tracking “religious freedom” bills in state legislatures and Congress that AU believes are intended…
Inspired by Obama, Baptist pastor offers ‘state of the church’
By Jeff Brumley Merianna Neely Harrelson was watching President Obama’s State of the Union address Tuesday night when it struck her: someone should do a state-of-the-church address. Then Harrelson, pastor at Emmanuel Baptist Fellowship in Lexington, S.C., thought that someone…