Why coercive religious politics undermine Christianity and democracy

SILVER SPRING, Md. (ABP) — Directors of the Alliance of Baptists have authorized the next step in appealing a proposed $34,000 fine for alleged violations of the federal government's economic embargo on Cuba. Meeting in suburban Washington Sept. 14-16, the…

NASHVILLE (ABP) — The Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee approved Sept. 19 an amendment to convention documents that urges SBC leaders toward greater financial responsibility. Southern Baptist messengers will hear the recommendation at the June 2007 annual meeting in San…

ATLANTA (ABP) — The Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund has given a $500,000 grant for the hurricane-damaged community of Lacombe, La., where the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and an Arkansas Rotary Club are working together. Already CBF and Rotary volunteers have restored more…

DALLAS (ABP) — Six out of 10 teens involved in a church will probably not continue their spiritual commitment into early adulthood, according to a Sept. 11 study by the Barna Group. The study, conducted from 2001 to 2006, shows…

CONOVER, N.C. (ABP) — At 64 years old, and without a major sponsor, Morgan Shepherd is the oldest active driver on the NASCAR's Nextel circuit. While most of his contemporaries have long since left the track, he recently qualified for…

(ABP) — Representatives from three Baptist agencies declined to speculate what long-range impact a coup in Thailand could have on missions in the region, but they confirmed the safety of all field personnel in the country. Spokesmen for the Southern…

DORA, Ala. (ABP) — Ninety-three percent of the time, if the father figure in the household comes to know God and gets involved in a church, the rest of the household will as well, golf expert Scott Lehman said Aug….

WEST, Miss. (ABP) — There's something about the outside of a horse that's good for the inside of a man — or girl, according to Ellen Repasy. That's why she recently helped create a horse stable at a home for…

After the Holocaust, the world said “never again.” Never again will we stand by and watch while millions are slaughtered. After the Cambodian genocide of the 1970s, the world said “never again.” After the Rwandan genocide of 1994, the world…

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (ABP) — Arkansas Baptist leaders will try to turn control of the Arkansas Baptist News over to the state convention staff, replacing the independent board that currently governs the newspaper. A task force, appointed last year by…

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (ABP) — New Southern Baptist Convention president Frank Page warned his fellow SBC leaders Sept. 18 that the denomination must retain its relevancy in a rapidly changing world. “I thank God that the [SBC's] battle for [biblical] inerrancy…

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (ABP) — Associated Baptist Press is publishing a new series of syndicated columns, starting with Baptist ethicists David Gushee and Elizabeth Newman. The new columns are among several changes announced for ABP's website, ABPNews.com, including a daily collection…