President Donald Trump’s immigration policies are as much about redefining American identity as about kicking immigrants out of the country, said David Donatti, a senior staff attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas. Rounding up, detaining and deporting…
Celebrating Grace acquires Smyth & Helwys
One of the earliest moderate Baptist enterprises arising from the late-20th-century schism in the Southern Baptist Convention has been acquired by a later independent entity. Smyth & Helwys Publishing was established in 1991 as a direct competitor to the SBC’s…
Some Baptist leaders hopeful about Pope Leo XIV
“I did not think this would happen in my lifetime,” Baptist scholar Elizabeth Newman said of the election of an American as pope. Newman, a theologian and ethicist who serves as co-chair of the Baptist-Catholic dialogues convened by Baptist World…
Chicago association declares itself a ‘sanctuary region’
As the Trump administration seeks to prosecute “sanctuary cities” that refuse to cooperate with federal immigration police, a Baptist association has declared itself a “sanctuary region.” The action was taken May 3 by the American Baptist Churches of Metro Chicago…
Trey’s Law passes in Missouri Senate, moves forward in Texas
On April 29, “Trey’s Law” passed the Missouri Senate as an amendment to HB-737. The child protection bill, sponsored by Sen. Jamie Burger and authored by Rep. Melissa Schmidt, now awaits Gov. Mike Kehoe’s signature. Sponsored by Sen. Brad Hudson…
Pope Leo XIV is likely to continue the Francis agenda
Pope Leo XIV will be known for many things, including being the first American pope and the first Augustinian pope, but he most likely will not be known for turning the Catholic Church in a more conservative direction. Cardinal Robert…
Americans United calls out ‘Christian boy band’ for proselytizing in NC schools
A North Carolina public school system required students to attend a religious assembly that included a performance by the Christian boy band 3 Heath Brothers, according to Americans United for Separation of Church and State. The March 11 school-day event…
Will Trump’s plan for college accreditation help or hurt?
On April 23, President Donald Trump signed an executive order seeking to reshape the independent agencies that accredit U.S. colleges and universities. Trump’s conservative allies praise his action as a long-overdue correction of anti-conservative bias, while his critics — including…
‘Pro-family’ groups support Trump despite major cuts to children’s programs
“President Trump is Protecting America’s Children,” says a White House statement on efforts to halt transgender treatments for minors. Meanwhile, Trump’s drastic cuts to federal programs represent a “war on children,” says a 2,100-word report from ProPublica. “The staff of…
Lawyer says it’s fair for Christians to discriminate because that’s what the Founders intended
It is fair for Christians to have the privilege of posting the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms because the nation’s Founders based the government on the Ten Commandments, a former Texas Congressman argued at the state Capitol April 29….
Ask Brandan: What’s it like to be a queer Christian?
Pastor, author and activist Brandan Robertson had no desire to write another book when he was approached by his publisher to write on being queer and Christian. However, the result surprisingly meets the unexpected moment we’re in. In Queer &…
A decade later, Ferguson student organizer offers tips for a new generation
College students involved in pro-Palestinian demonstrations must make time for academics and self-care amid the turmoil and remember protest is a marathon, not a sprint, said the author of a forthcoming book on lessons learned during the 2014 Ferguson, Mo.,…