Baptist News Global

Secular Americans not alone in doubting Christmas story

Many Church of Christ members have historically drawn a sharp distinction between Christmas and the birth of Christ, usually dismissing the former as a commercial, even pagan, observance. Nowhere in the New Testament, preachers and Sunday school teachers have counseled,…

Baptist Joint Committee exec says saving Johnson Amendment a win for religious liberty

The head of a Baptist religious liberty coalition welcomed news Dec. 14 that language allowing churches and other charities to endorse candidates and engage in partisan politics is no longer included in a tax bill making its way through Congress….

The fallacy of whiteness

Whites excluded from the uber rich have more in common with poor and middle-class communities of color than with their wealthier counterparts. But alt-right politicians and pundits succeeded in turning natural allies into mortal enemies.

Nobody is laughing at the Religious Left in 2017

A well-worn joke circulated among religion writers for at least a decade: every year, someone publishes a piece prophesying the “rise” of the Religious Left. And every year, the prediction turns out to be laughably overblown. And then 2017 happened.

The Luther legend

Luther’s actions and doctrines need to be looked at in light of the emerging vernacular intellectualism associated with the strong movements of religious dissent to be found throughout Europe from at least the 12th century forward.

SBC leaders mostly mum on Pressler lawsuit, but bloggers fill the void

Southern Baptist Convention leaders who regularly comment on current events have been largely silent about new allegations of sexual assault against “Conservative Resurgence” architect Paul Pressler, but bloggers began filling the void both within and beyond the SBC fold.

A long, hard way to reduce gun violence

Religious people have committed terrible acts of violence, but people who feel loved are less likely to hurt others. People who have been taught compassion are less likely to open fire with semi-automatic rifles. Caring for broken people can be scary, but not caring for them can be dangerous, too.

Transitions for the week of 12.15.17

Staff changes, congregational news and more from across the nation.

Pew: Fewer Christians wish for a ‘Merry Christmas’ this year

Americans who say it doesn’t matter what companies call the holiday season rose to 52 percent in 2017, up from 45 percent in 2005. And those who prefer “Merry Christmas” dropped to 32 percent in 2017, down from 43 percent…

Religious broadcasters take aim at tech giants for ‘stifling’ conservative speech

National Religious Broadcasters, a group of Christian media outlets, has unveiled a new initiative to counter what it sees as the suppression of Christian and conservative views online.

Angry that the religious right has hijacked the word ‘evangelical’? Let it go, experts say

Thinking of ditching the term “evangelical” to identify yourself as Christian? Get in line. Clergy, scholars, congregational coaches and innumerable laypeople are expressing increasing anger and disgust that the once respected term no longer describes their commitment to Christ and church.

ICE agents are least-trained law enforcement in America

Coalition campaign seeks to ‘Melt ICE’

Hegseth’s testosterone testing plays into MAGA mythology

In conversation with George Mason