Why coercive religious politics undermine Christianity and democracy

Group sues Bush officials over 'faith-based' plan WASHINGTON — A Wisconsin group that opposes government endorsement of religion has launched the broadest legal attack to date on President Bush's plan to fund social services through religious charities. The Madison-based Freedom…

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (ABP) — Being near the right son, Virginia theologian John Kinney told participants of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship's general assembly, can open doors for you. Speaking June 24 during the opening session of the moderate Baptist group's annual…

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (ABP) — Daniel Vestal, coordinator of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, said the Baptist World Alliance “is going to find a new vision and new life” in the next few months and years, even though it recently lost its…

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (ABP) — Baptists must exercise their precious freedom in order to accomplish God's work in the world, Joel Gregory insisted at the annual Associated Baptist Press banquet June 24. “When you walk the way I've walked over the…

BIRMINGHAM, Ala., (ABP) — Baptist Women in Ministry passed a motion affirming the continued need for its organization despite concerns brought up last year that the group is outdated. This year's theme, “Rooted in the Past, Grounded for the Future,”…

BIRMINGHAM, Ala (ABP) — “Lord, help us to become more of what you have already made us to be.” Several hundred church leaders from around the United States gathered June 24 to explore what this prayer means for congregations in…

WASHINGTON (ABP) — A Southern Baptist Convention leader reacted June 22 to charges that he slandered the Baptist World Alliance in a speech by affirming his complaints against the worldwide Baptist body — and issuing more. Paige Patterson, president of…

FALLS CHURCH, Va. (ABP) — The head of the Baptist World Alliance says the organization was “slandered” by a Southern Baptist Convention leader during a June 15 debate about the SBC's relationship with the BWA. “Baptists of the world, and…

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (ABP) — The average salary and housing for full-time Baptist pastors is $46,505, according to a national compensation study. That is a jump of 6.7 percent from a similar study conducted two years ago. The average total pay…

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., (ABP) — “We are learning life lessons on patience and diligence and the power of perseverance. A whole new universe of music and possibility has been opened up before us.” Elizabeth Haysom's learning experience is coming is an…

CINCINNATI (ABP) — American Heritage Girls, a relatively new Christian scouting program, has seen enrollment increase dramatically after recent media attention portraying the Girl Scouts of the USA as less committed to the Christian tradition. American Heritage Girls was started…

WASHINGTON (ABP) — The Senate's Republican leadership has scheduled a mid-July vote on a proposed amendment to ban gay marriage nationwide, despite objections by Democratic lawmakers. A group of senators announced June 18 that Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.)…