By Bob Allen The Alliance of Baptists applauded attempts by the U.S. government to normalize relations with Cuba at the group’s 28th annual gathering April 17-19 in Atlanta. “We anticipate eagerly the day when negotiations well underway between the governments…
Faith leaders ask Congress to protect programs that aid the poor
By Bob Allen The Alliance of Baptists is among national organizations asking Congress to make budget choices with an eye toward needs of the poor. The 125-church Alliance joined Bread for the World, Children’s Defense Fund, Faith in Public Life,…
Halt drone strikes, say faith leaders
By Bob Allen One of more than 150 religious leaders who drafted a statement opposing the use of lethal drones by the United States military said Feb. 11 it’s an issue that more Baptists should care about. Carol Blythe, past…
Baptist minister to lead progressive Christian advocacy group
By Bob Allen An ordained Alliance of Baptists minister and graduate of Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond has been named executive director for The Beatitudes Society, a national leadership development organization seeking to bring progressive Christian voices to the public…
U.S. Baptists welcome thaw in relations with Cuba
By Bob Allen Most Baptists in the United States with personal connections to Baptist communities in Cuba applauded President Obama’s surprise announcement Dec. 17 of plans to normalize relations between two nations separated by only 90 miles of water but…
Amid wars, rumors of wars, Baptist leaders voice hope
By Bob Allen Rather than speculating about end-times theology, directors of the Alliance of Baptists issued a statement Oct. 17 framing world events like ISIS, Ebola and protests in Ferguson, Mo., in a message of hope. Meeting amid headlines including…
Alliance of Baptists gets grant for LGBT initiative
By Bob Allen The Alliance of Baptists announced Oct. 8 receipt of a $104,400 grant to support a new initiative promoting LGBT inclusion and racial justice among Baptists. The grant from the Arcus Foundation, a charity that supports organizations that…
Faith leaders protest use of solitary confinement
By Bob Allen The prolonged use of solitary confinement in prisons and jails violates a U.N. treaty the United States both signed and ratified against torture and other “cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment,” a group of faith leaders…
Alliance of Baptists joins first faith-based challenge to gay-marriage ban
By Bob Allen A national Baptist and Jewish organization have joined the United Church of Christ and a number of individual ministers and church members in the first faith-based challenge to same-sex marriage bans in the United States. The Alliance…