Paige Patterson may be held liable for defamatory actions taken by others on his behalf, the Texas Supreme Court ruled Feb. 14. That’s bad news for Patterson, former president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and his former chief of staff,…
Five years after closing seminary, HSU makes Logsdon School of Theology its own college
Exactly five years after voting to close its Logsdon Seminary, trustees of Hardin-Simmons University voted Feb. 6 to make the Logsdon School of Theology its own college within the university. The Abilene, Texas, university made national headlines Feb. 7, 2020,…
Show up and speak up to save democracy, panelists urge
U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., said he is struggling to fully comprehend the Trump administration’s overwhelming assault on basic freedoms as well as its ongoing attempt to dismantle federal programs and agencies. Calling the situation a “crisis” would be an…
White Christian leaders in South Africa refute Trump’s claims
More than 300 white Christian leaders in South Africa have signed a statement rejecting U.S. President Donald Trump’s claims that white people are being victimized there. On Friday, Feb. 7, Trump signed an executive order “to address serious human rights…
‘I dreamed the future,’ Tuskegee Airman said
“I dreamed the future for myself,” one of the last surviving Tuskegee Airmen said in a recent interview with BNG before his death at age 100. Lt. Col. Harry Stewart died Feb. 2, at the beginning of Black History Month,…
Democracy Forward sues Trump administration to keep CFPB operating
The legal advocacy group seeking to stop the Trump administration from making ICE raids in houses of worship now seeks to stop the White House from dismantling the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Democracy Forward, based in Washington, D.C., filed suit…
Churches called to be bold and flexible in immigration ministries
Donald Trump’s aggressive crackdown on immigration is pushing faith-based groups to be more bold, flexible and creative in their ministries to immigrants, a panel of experts said during a webinar hosted by the American Baptist Home Mission Societies. The session…
Are religious charities under Trump and Musk’s knife?
Christian charities are waiting cautiously to see how the White House’s recent anti-aid priorities are going to affect their organizations serving millions of people across the world. The first few weeks of the Trump administration already have seen tensions flare…
Refugee resettlement ministries sue Trump administration
A new federal lawsuit seeks to overturn the Trump administration’s suspension of refugee admissions and to restore funds Congress already approved to serve refugees recently admitted to the country. Three refugee service organizations and nine individuals filed Pacito v. Trump…
Oklahoma governor shakes up State Board of Education
Is it political theater or real change in Oklahoma public education? That’s the question at the heart of a shakeup Gov. Kevin Stitt made Feb. 11 by removing three members of the Oklahoma State Board of Education and nominating replacements…
Pope Francis calls US Catholics to listen to Jesus, not Trump, on immigration
Pope Francis issued a clarion call to U.S. Catholics Feb. 10 to reject the anti-immigrant narrative of the Trump administration. He also rebutted Vice President JD Vance’s appeal to ordo amoris to justify the administration’s “America First” policies. Vance, who…
27 more religious groups sue to stop ICE raids at churches
Fellowship Southwest and the Hispanic Baptist Convention of Texas are among 27 religious bodies that filed suit against the Trump administration Feb. 11 to stop ICE agents from having access to houses of worship for immigration raids. The multiparty lawsuit…