Baptist News Global

No evidence recession pulls people into pews

WASHINGTON (RNS) — Economic recession has not led to increased attendance at U.S. houses of worship, according to Gallup pollsters. Despite anecdotal evidence cited in high-profile media outlets, Americans' worship patterns held steady in 2008, the Gallup Poll reported. Since…

Most Americans believe in multiple paths to salvation, survey reveals

WASHINGTON (ABP) — Most American Christians believe at least some non-Christian faiths can lead to eternal life, a new survey by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life reveals. Even among evangelicals, who profess belief that an individual must…

Poll: Americans see religious influence waning

WASHINGTON (RNS) — Two-thirds of Americans think religion is losing its influence on U.S. life, a sharp jump from just three years ago when Americans were nearly evenly split on the question, according to a new Gallup Poll. Sixty-seven percent…

Religious abuse continues in Iraq, commission says

WASHINGTON (RNS) — Iraq should be designated as a “country of particular concern” because its government tolerates the abuse of religious communities, according to the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom. The federal commission said many Iraqi religious minorities —…

Tebow’s faith takes center stage in bowl

MIAMI (BP) — With “John 3:16” written on top of his eye black, Tim Tebow led his Florida Gators to victory Jan. 8 against the Oklahoma Sooners in a 24-14 win in the BCS National Championship. Replacing his trademark “Phil…

FAITH DIGEST

ACLU sues over inmate's right to preach. The American Civil Liberties Union has filed suit on behalf of a New Jersey prison inmate who was ordained behind bars eight years ago and now contends his religious freedoms were violated when…

VIRGINIA BAPTIST FORUM: Disturbing articles

I wonder if anyone else found it disturbing that there were two brief articles, one above the other, on page 7 of the Nov. 20 Religious Herald — one announcing that in our nation's capital ads will appear on buses…

News about Virginia Baptists and their ministries for January 15, 2009

STAFF CHANGES • Kendell Smith, to Sandy Level Church, Sandy Level, as pastor. • Elizabeth Hagan, to Washington Plaza Church, Reston, as pastor. • Gerald Reeves, to Kentuck Church, Ringgold, as pastor. • Ed Vogt, to Sandusky Church, Lynchburg, as…

Dan Goodman, N.C. seminary professor, dies suddenly

BOILING SPRINGS, N.c. (ABP) — A 40-year-old professor at a North Carolina Baptist divinity school died unexpectedly Jan. 13. Gardner-Webb University officials released a statement saying Dan Goodman, the Bob D. Shepherd Chair of New Testament Interpretation at the college’s…

Deadly Zimbabwe cholera outbreak crime against humanity, group says

NEW YORK (ABP) — The cholera outbreak that has killed thousands in Zimbabwe should be considered a crime against humanity and laid at the feet of Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, an international doctors’ group said in a new report. Physicians…

Faith leaders urge Obama to ban torture on Inauguration Day

WASHINGTON (ABP) — A broad coalition of faith leaders has written a letter asking President-elect Barack Obama to make banning torture one of his first acts in office. Thirty-three leaders from Christian, Jewish and Muslim traditions asked Obama to “restore…

Thoughts on protecting the sanctity of marriage

By David Gushee As I write this column, Jeanie and I are preparing to gather with a half-dozen young couples at church to begin a marriage class. For six weeks we will meet together to discuss ways that these nearly-…

PNBC plans ‘Freedom Sunday’ this weekend

Christian nationalism is neither Christian nor patriotic

High court says feds can deny reentry to Green Card holders

BNG introduces ‘Bible Divas’ podcast