Why coercive religious politics undermine Christianity and democracy

DALLAS (ABP) — With Halloween fast approaching, adults across the nation are loading up on candy and decorations, planning to hunker down for a night of trick-or-treaters, parties and hi-jinx. But how many of them actually believe in the ghosts…

UNEDITED NEWS RELEASE — KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Buckner Children and Family Services, a 127-year-old Dallas-based social services ministry, has announced it will return to its founder's roots through a new partnership with First Baptist Church, Knoxville. The church-based community ministry…

MOBILE, Ala. (ABP) — An Alabama Baptist church has been ejected from its local association for hiring a female associate pastor — which may be a first of sorts. The Mobile Baptist Association voted Oct. 19 to withdraw fellowship from…

ATLANTA (ABP) — As a children's minister many years ago, Julie Rowan felt stuck in a rut. Now Rowan, a chaplain in the military, rarely stays in one place. And that's just how she likes it. “When you go into…

WACO, Texas (ABP) — Participants in revivals that began at Baylor University and spread across the nation six decades ago looked back in gratitude and forward with expectation as they gathered on the campus where it all began. Scores of…

The widely publicized case of military Chaplain Lt. Gordon James Klingenschmitt awaits appeal. Klingenschmitt, a priest with the Evangelical Episcopal Church, prayed in the name of Jesus while wearing his uniform at a White House ceremony organized to protest the…

DALLAS (ABP) — Texas Christians — by reputation a determined, opinionated and politically powerful bunch — recently held another statewide prayer day. This time, though, it wasn't about abortion or gay marriage. It was about coal. On Oct. 19, a…

RICHMOND, Va. (ABP) — At 88 years old, Henry Langford has enjoyed a life of diverse occupations — rural pastor, substance abuse counselor and tree farmer. He may be best remembered, however, as a Baptist preacher who spoke against racism…

VALLEY FORGE, Pa. (ABP) — Leaders of the American Baptist Churches USA will consider selling the facility jokingly known to some of the denomination's faithful as the “Holy Doughnut” — ABC's headquarters building near Philadelphia. In its Nov. 14-15 meeting,…

MANAGUA, Nicaragua (ABP) — Representatives of the Central American Parliament recently awarded a medal to Baptist World Alliance vice president Gustavo Parajón to honor his work for peace during the 1979 war between Nicaragua's revolutionary government and Contra guerrillas. A…

MOUNT LEBANON, Texas (ABP) — Larry William's fourth birthday celebration was short-lived. He couldn't walk or talk like other kids. Soon, tests revealed a mental retardation that would lead Larry to a vegetative state by the time he turned 21….

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (ABP) — Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary recently won a bid to house the Charles H. Spurgeon Collection, a library featuring the works of notable Christian writers and personal essays that belonged to the legendary 19th-century preacher himself….