Why coercive religious politics undermine Christianity and democracy

WASHINGTON (ABP) — The reviews of the controversial film “The Passion of the Christ” are in — and while both Christian and secular observers offered praise for it, many of the same reviewers also took significant issue with the movie….

(ABP) — While many Christians have geared up for Mel Gibson's “The Passion of the Christ” to be the greatest evangelistic opportunity since Pentecost, non-Christian reaction to the film has been mixed. Message boards across the Internet are filled with…

DALLAS (ABP) — Christians may want everyone to hear the gospel, but parents should be wary of letting their younger children view Mel Gibson's “The Passion of the Christ,” according to faith leaders. Christian leaders are cautioning parents to use…

ATLANTA (ABP) — Leaders of the American Baptist Churches in the USA and the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship say they are excited about potential opportunities for formal dialogue with other U.S. Christians, including Roman Catholics, Orthodox, Protestants, Evangelicals and Pentecostals. Both…

WASHINGTON (ABP) — The Supreme Court ruled Feb. 25 that, while the First Amendment may allow a state to fund scholarships to religious schools, it doesn't require all states to do so. In their Locke vs. Davey decision, the justices…

WASHINGTON (ABP) — Ending months of silence and under increasing pressure, President Bush announced Feb. 24 that he will support an amendment to the Constitution to ban same-sex marriage. However, he did not say if he would go so far…

NASHVILLE (ABP) — Baptist historian Albert Wardin, a member of the Baptist World Alliance membership committee that recommended including the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship in the worldwide fellowship, said blame for the reaction from Southern Baptist leaders can be placed on…

WASHINGTON (ABP) — For the second time, President Bush has used a special administrative maneuver to install a controversial nominee to a federal court. On Feb. 20, at the end of Congress' Presidents Day recess, Bush used his recess-appointment power…

COLUMBIA, S.C. (ABP) — Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary is launching a study program specifically designed for Baptist students in South Carolina. Classes in the new program, directed by Virginia Barfield, will begin in the fall. Officials from the Columbia-based seminary…

In the story “CBF must avoid partisan politics,Vestal tells coordinating council” in the Feb. 23 issue, please change the CBF web site from www.thefellowship.org to www.thefellowship.info. -30-

ATLANTA (ABP) — The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship's contribution to the Baptist World Alliance will increase from $20,000 to $40,000 next year if participants at the CBF general assembly adopt the $16 million budget approved by the CBF Coordinating Council Feb….

ATLANTA (ABP) — “We are not going to be involved in secular politics,” Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Coordinator Daniel Vestal told the CBF Coordinating Council at their Feb. 19-20 meeting in Atlanta. Fellowship participants are “all over the board when it…