Why coercive religious politics undermine Christianity and democracy

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (ABP) — A Memphis-area megachurch has erected a Statue of Liberty lookalike — holding a cross instead of a torch — to remind Americans of their “spiritual liberation” and to show that Christianity should guide the nation. The…

ABILENE, Texas (ABP) — God gave Rick DeFoore what he prayed for, even if it wasn't exactly what DeFoore had in mind. As a longtime hospital employee in Abilene, Texas, DeFoore fervently prayed that his life would change. He said…

DALLAS (ABP) — For the first time, advocates of the house-church movement in America have solid facts to back up their enthusiasm — and those stats are shocking: Perhaps one in five American adults attends a house church at least…

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (ABP) — Some Baptists may remember hearing their Church of Christ neighbors called “Campbellites.” And most Baptists know Churches of Christ are strictly a cappella, preferring unaccompanied singing to pianos, organs or any other instrument. They may not…

In the July 5 ABP story “Baptist pastor, author Rick Warren invited to speak in North Korea,” please change the date in the sixth paragraph from July 2 to June 25.

WASHINGTON (ABP) — A House panel has unexpectedly killed a bill designed to remove the jurisdiction of the federal courts over cases involving the Pledge of Allegiance. The House Judiciary Committee deadlocked 15-15 on the so-called “Pledge Protection Act” June…

WASHINGTON (ABP) — With an emergency order July 3, a justice of the Supreme Court has given temporary new life to a cross at the center of a church-state dispute in San Diego. Justice Anthony Kennedy granted a stay that…

Please make the following corrections: In the June 28 ABP story, “Alito tips balance upholding Kansas' death-penalty law,” in the lead paragraph please change Jan. 26 to June 26. In the June 29 story, “Former mission board worker gets anonymous…

JEFFERSON CITY, MO. (ABP) — A Missouri judge dismissed conspiracy charges June 27 filed by the Missouri Baptist Convention against four Baptist entities, but the convention may appeal the ruling. Cole County Circuit Court Judge Thomas Brown dismissed conspiracy counts…

LAKE FOREST, Calif. (ABP) — North Korean officials have invited best-selling author and Southern Baptist pastor Rick Warren to preach to at least 15,000 people in the communist country, a spokesperson from Warren's Saddleback Church confirmed July 5. The spokesperson…

NEW ORLEANS (ABP) — Pastor Lawrence Gaines has spent $35,000 of his personal retirement funds to help restore his church building, which was devastated by Hurricane Katrina. “We've gotten to the point now where we just don't have any other…

OTTAWA, Kan. (ABP) — Vermont educator Fred Snow has become the new president of Ottawa University in Kansas, one of the largest schools affiliated with American Baptist Churches USA. Snow, who worked for 10 years as vice president and dean…