WASHINGTON (ABP) — The United States continues to oppose a proposed ban on defamation of religion currently before the United Nations, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Nov. 17. "Now, some people propose that to protect religious freedom, we must…
Obama sidesteps some controversies over U.S. faith-based program
WASHINGTON (ABP) — President Obama issued a long-awaited executive order Nov. 17 altering the government’s faith-based efforts, to generally positive reviews from those across the ideological spectrum on church-state issues. But some religious-liberty advocates expressed disappointment that the order avoided…
Judge refuses to block Tennessee mosque and Islamic center
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (ABP) — A judge ruled Nov. 17 that Muslims can move forward with plans to build a new mosque and Islamic center in Murfreesboro, Tenn. Chancellor Robert Corlew III heard a total of eight days of testimony spread…
Baptist World Alliance hails release of Burmese democratic leader
FALLS CHURCH, Va. (ABP) — Leaders of the Baptist World Alliance rejoiced at Myanmar's release of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest and expressed hope it represented a symbolic gesture signaling greater freedoms for people of the…
OPINION: Freedom and its fruit
When we were missionaries in Taiwan I remember being asked what the Bible is all about. What would you say the Bible is all about? I couldn’t use any religious vocabulary like salvation, redemption, sin, eschatology. In Mandarin there is…
OPINION: When Baptists actually come together
Walking around at the Baptist General Association of Virginia meeting in Hampton I realized how fortunate I was to be a pastor in Virginia. I’m not from these parts but have traveled in the BGAV twice in my life now. …
ASK THE ARCHITECT: Sacred spaces and places
We begin with the profound question: Can we design a space with assurance that it will be perceived as a sacred place by those who experience it? Even more profound is this awesome yet humbling responsibility we have, as architects,…
HERITAGE: A lily for Dr. Taylor
For the past year I have been engrossed with researching and writing the life of George Braxton Taylor, who is best known in Baptist history for founding in 1886 the Sunbeams, the earliest organization to teach Baptist children about missions….
SBCV reduces budget, increases funds for Southern Baptist Convention
LYNCHBURG, Va. (BP) — The Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia approved two resolutions Nov. 8-9 calling for continued support of its Cooperative Program unified giving plan, as well as increased CP commitment from its churches. During its annual meeting, the…
Georgia Baptist Convention ousts second church with woman pastor
ALBANY, Ga. (ABP) — For the second year in a row, the Georgia Baptist Convention has withdrawn fellowship from one of its most historic member churches for calling a woman as pastor. Geogia Baptists have declared a second church led…
EDITORIAL: Hard questions for hard times
We can all only hope that economic pundits who say we are experiencing a recovery know what they are talking about. For the present, however, times are tough all over. In presenting a budget to the messengers gathered last week…
From the Eastern Shore to Cumberland Gap
STAFF CHANGES • Todd Blake, to Madison Heights Church, Madison Heights, as pastor. • Christopher D. “Chris” Fowler, to Orcutt Church, Newport News, as senior pastor. • Dorothy Kingston Troup, to Middleburg Church, Middleburg, as music director. RECOGNITION: Charles Millsaps…