WASHINGTON, D.C. (ABP) — Three Baptist organizations are teaming up to provide churches with the tools to celebrate American freedoms “without watering down their devotion to God with civil religion.” The First Freedoms Project — led by Associated Baptist Press,…
Women’s job ministry helps 51-year-old rebuild her life
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (ABP) — Holding all her worldly possessions in a half-full garbage bag, Dorothy Ray got off the bus from Nebraska with her 14-year-old daughter. She had lost everything — her home, her car, her pride. Her oldest son,…
Senate ends filibuster, approves judges despite church-state concerns
WASHINGTON (ABP) — To the delight of some conservative groups and the chagrin of some civil-rights groups, the Senate has confirmed three of President Bush's most controversial nominees to the federal courts. A closely divided Senate capped a weeklong debate…
Dotson pleads guilty to murder of Baylor basketball player
WACO, Texas (ABP) — Two years after the death of Patrick Dennehy, his former Baylor University basketball teammate Carlton Dotson pleaded guilty June 8 to his murder. Dotson, 22, surprised prosecutors and even his family by submitting an open plea…
Leaders launch ecumenical effort to end hunger in U.S. by 2015
WASHINGTON (ABP) — A broad array of religious leaders has launched an ambitious effort to combat domestic hunger and poverty. Several hundred Christian, Jewish, Muslim and other leaders culminated a weekend conference in Washington June 7 by visiting Capitol Hill…
Air Force Academy officials clear cadet but outside investigations expand
ARLINGTON, Va. (ABP) — While the United States Air Force Academy has cleared its just-graduated top cadet of charges that he violated the First Amendment, Pentagon officials have announced further expansions of their investigation into the religious climate at the…
Alabama church draws from reality TV in new ‘makeover’ ministry effort
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (ABP) – “Tell us again, Momma,” the children beg. And so Beverly Gardner tells her 13 children about the church members who are coming to make over their six-bedroom house and send the family away to do wonderful…
Lack of African-American support delays launch of ecumenical group
WASHINGTON (ABP) — An ambitious new ecumenical Christian group has postponed its formal organization due to a lack of enthusiasm from historically African-American denominations. Supporters decided to delay organizing Christian Churches Together during a June 1-3 meeting which was held…
Author of Bush abortion-rate study admits flaws, but challenges critics
WASHINGTON (ABP) — A controversial study suggesting the abortion rate has increased since President Bush took office was off the mark, its author now admits. But he also says new figures vindicate some of his contentions. A recent study of…