Why coercive religious politics undermine Christianity and democracy

DALLAS (ABP) — In 1520, as Ferdinand Magellan's ships rounded the tip of South America, lookouts sighted people on the shore carrying burning torches. But the natives seemed oblivious to Magellan's galleons that had suddenly appeared close to their shore….

NASHVILLE (ABP) — Despite pleas from Baptists around the world, there appears little chance Southern Baptist leaders will reverse or delay their plan to withdraw the Southern Baptist Convention from the Baptist World Alliance, the 99-year-old international fellowship it helped…

FALLS CHURCH, Va. (ABP) — International Baptist leaders from such diverse settings as Australia, Bangladesh, Bulgaria and South Africa are voicing disappointment over a study committee proposal calling for the Southern Baptist Convention to withdraw from the Baptist World Alliance….

NEW ORLEANS (ABP) — Speaking from a pulpit once used by Martin Luther King Jr., President Bush announced Jan. 15 a further expansion of the government's ability to fund social services through churches and other religious groups. The announcement is…

GREENSBORO, N.C. (ABP) — A meeting of moderate North Carolina Baptists this month will include a discussion of ways to fund selected Baptist causes without supporting the entire budget of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina. . A statement…

WASHINGTON (ABP) — A Washington Post reporter has uncovered a confidential document laying out plans by disgruntled American Episcopalians ultimately to supplant their national denomination in the eyes of global Anglican leaders. Conservative leaders within the Episcopal Church USA, who…

WASHINGTON (ABP) — A Baptist pastor has been murdered in the Republic of Tajikistan, according to Baptist World Alliance officials. He is the 10th Baptist to be murdered in that country over a 10-year period. Serghei Basarab, a pastor in…

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (ABP) — New approaches to helping the homeless population are designed not only to get people warmed and fed but also to help them find jobs and permanent housing. Traditional ministries — which provide meals, clothes and temporary…

WASHINGTON (ABP) — Social acceptance and compassion fatigue are leading Americans to leave needy individuals — and efforts to help them — out in the cold, according to leaders. Donald Whitehead, executive director of the National Coalition for the Homeless,…

WASHINGTON (ABP) — American cities are becoming increasingly hostile to the plight of the homeless, according to a report by an advocacy group. Almost 70 percent of the cities studied by National Coalition for the Homeless have passed one or…

DALLAS — (ABP) — A personal spiritual revival is the key for homeless individuals to overcome their multitude of issues and get off the street, according to leaders of Christian ministries. Ministries providing food, clothing and job training are effectively…

WOODBRIDGE, Va. (ABP) — A massive gathering of conservative Episcopalians met in a suburb of Washington Jan. 9-10 to encourage each other and further discuss the shape of a new network of churches within the Episcopal Church in the United…