Why coercive religious politics undermine Christianity and democracy

FORT WORTH, Texas (ABP) — Trustees at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary overwhelmingly adopted a policy Oct. 17 that puts the school on record opposing charismatic expressions of the Holy Spirit, including so-called “private prayer languages.” Trustees also heard news of…

DALLAS (ABP) – Twenty-four evangelical leaders — both progressive and conservative — placed full-page ads in leading U.S. newspapers Oct. 18 calling for President Bush and the American public to stop genocide in Darfur. The leaders requested an immediate session…

Few recent tragedies have affected me as deeply as the horrific murders at the Amish schoolhouse in Lancaster County, Pa., last week. It seems that each day brings more mayhem in our blood-soaked country. But this one — this image…

BATON ROUGE, La. (ABP) — A lack of bureaucracy made churches “the true first responders” when Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast last year, a new survey found, but a little more coordination could have made them even more effective….

FORT WORTH, Texas (ABP) — Trustees of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary delayed action on a recommendation to transfer $90 million in seminary endowment funds from the Baptist Foundation of Texas to Southwestern's in-house foundation. According to a trustee document provided…

WASHINGTON (ABP) — A new book by a former White House faith official is causing shockwaves with reportedly explosive allegations that President Bush's aides have been duping religious conservatives for political gain. MSNBC's “Countdown with Keith Olbermann” program first reported…

ATLANTA (ABP) — Moderator Emmanuel McCall welcomed national leaders of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship to Atlanta Oct. 12 by urging them to “be the presence of Christ” on a new level — to other Christians. McCall, retired pastor of Christian…

ATLANTA (ABP) — The coordinating council of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship approved four schools as identity partners Oct. 13 in the second day of its annual meeting, which focused on affirming partnerships with the organization. In a unanimous vote proceeded…

DALLAS (ABP) — A recent TIME magazine cover story asked: “Does God want you to be rich?” While the answer from many pulpits is a resounding yes, some Baptists have spoken against an increasingly popular health-and-wealth message. The prosperity gospel…

WASHINGTON (ABP) — The Supreme Court declined Oct. 16 to hear an appeal of a California Supreme Court decision against a Scouting group denied free use of a Berkeley municipal facility because the Boy Scouts ban gays and atheists from…

WASHINGTON (ABP) — A tell-all book by a former White House insider is roiling the conservative movement with its charge that top officials in President Bush's administration have been pandering to Christian conservatives for their votes while delivering little of…