CHARLOTTE, N.C. (ABP) — A prominent progressive Baptist congregation weighed into debate over North Carolina’s proposed constitutional ban on same-sex marriage Jan. 29. Myers Park Baptist Church in Charlotte, N.C., sponsored an adult forum titled N.C. Amendment 1: Personal Freedom,…
Former pastor’s wife running for lieutenant governor
By Bob Allen A former pastor’s wife and seminary graduate has entered the Democratic race for Missouri’s lieutenant governor, hoping to unseat a Republican incumbent. Judy Baker Judy Baker, who served in the state House from 2005 until 2009 and…
SBC agency opposes cockfighting
By Bob Allen The Southern Baptist Convention’s ethics entity has joined in an effort to pass a law making it a felony to own or use a bird for cockfighting in South Carolina. “God never intended for his chickens to…
Richmond girl recognized for exuberance in missions
RICHMOND, Va. — Missions is part of Hannah Craft’s spiritual DNA, say those who know the 12-year-old well. A member of North Run Baptist Church in Richmond, Va., Craft has always shown enthusiasm for learning about and doing missions, says…
At 200, missionary movement ponders the future
SALEM, Mass. (RNS) — When America’s first ordained missionaries sailed from here to India 200 years ago, they kicked off a movement to spread the faith and created America’s most potent export: Christianity. That’s the message that will reverberate across…
At 200, missionary movement ponders the future
SALEM, Mass. (RNS) — When America’s first ordained missionaries sailed from here to India 200 years ago, they kicked off a movement to spread the faith and created America’s most potent export: Christianity. That’s the message that will reverberate across…
Catholic bishop criticized for Hitler comment
HARRISBURG, Pa. (RNS) — The bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg, Pa., is being criticized for saying Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini would love the country’s public school system because it teaches all children one set of beliefs….
Americans intrigued but wary still of Mormon beliefs
(RNS) — When Mormons call themselves “a peculiar people,” they mean it in the biblical sense — set aside by God, chosen. But many Americans call them peculiar in Webster’s way — strange, odd. Now Mormons, followers of the Church…
Court says student’s faith may have led to expulsion
(RNS) — A counseling student who declined to advise a gay client might have been expelled from her university because of her faith, a federal appeals court ruled on Jan. 27. Citing her evangelical Christian religion, Julea Ward disagreed with…
Religious groups blast Santorum on ‘equality’ comment
(RNS) — Muslims, Sikhs and Hindus are accusing Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum of bigotry and ignorance after he said that “equality” is solely a Judeo-Christian concept. “Where do you think the concept of equality comes from?” Santorum said on…
Praying for New Orleans, one block at a time
NEW ORLEANS (RNS) — Millie Campbell slipped the transmission into reverse and backed her blue Chevrolet away from her spotless brick home. “Oh God,” she said, “we thank you for the blood of Jesus.” Then the 76-year-old cranked the wheel…
Muslims call for NYPD chief to resign over video
NEW YORK (RNS) — Muslim American groups are calling for the resignation of New York City Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly after the NYPD showed a documentary, The Third Jihad, to more than 1,489 police officers and detectives in 2010. Muslim…