“It is not a religious display,” Dan Barker told Seattle's KING-TV. “It is an attack on religion.” The president of the Wisconsin-based Freedom from Religion Foundation was referring to a placard his group placed in the Washington State Capitol designed…
Adoption and the Church
Pastor W.C. Martin heard God's commandment loud and clear. If God had adopted us into his heavenly family, why shouldn't we emulate him through adoption on earth? “God is the one who started adoptions,” he said. “Jesus went out of…
Merton’s legacy looms large 40 years after his death
TRAPPIST, Ky. (RNS) — This month, many contemplative Christians — including an ever-growing number of evangelicals — are remembering the life of Trappist monk Thomas Merton, who died 40 years ago in a freak accident. Merton, who influenced generations of…
OPINION: Knocking at the gate at Christmas
It's human nature to focus inward, especially during lean times. We do it as individuals, as families and as a nation. Let the world take care of itself for a while, we say. Enough already with endless global crises and…
OUT LOUD
“Deuteronomy says if your kid doesn't follow your God, kill 'em. That's what we do, but not physically. To us, you're dead if you're not serving our God.” Star R. Scott The pastor of Calvary Temple in Loudon County was…
RIGHT OR WRONG?
Congregations are being torn apart by conflict. Usually, the decisions to resolve the issues are decided by majority votes. Why is there no deference to minority reports? After all, that is the ground out of which Baptists developed. Controversy and…
Obama narrows — but doesn’t close — the electoral ‘God gap’
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Analysis of exit polls dissecting Barack Obama's historic presidential victory indicates the “God gap” dividing American politics remains in place, but Obama fashioned a victory by significantly narrowing it nearly everywhere — among those who worship frequently…
Leading the black church: Can it be a woman’s place?
CLEVELAND (RNS) — Imelda Ellison sits quietly in her pew as, one by one, dressed all in white, the members of the Emmanuel Women of Worship come down the center aisle. Their heads held high, 15 women step and sway,…
Whose birthday are we celebrating?
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — It's time to “Unplug the Christmas machine,” states a book with the same title by Jo Robinson and Jean Coppock Staeheli. And members of First Baptist Church in Jefferson City, Mo., are challenged to do just…