By Bob Allen A moderate Baptist ethicist said Wednesday’s Democratic Party vote to put “God” back in its platform appeared to be more about politics than an authentic profession of faith. “The Democrats’ flip-flop on faith looks more like politics…
Live from the DNC: Power and vulnerability
Monday was Labor Day, and rather than starting their convention, the DNC chose to throw a big party for the city, filling Tryon Street (Charlotte’s Main Street) with vendors, bands, displays, free museum admission, and a festive atmosphere for all….
Black Baptists seek to mobilize voters
By Bob Allen The presidents of six historically African-American Baptist denominations announced a partnership Sept. 5 to mobilize their combined 12 million members to vote in the November election. The “This is My Vote” campaign, announced from the stage at…
Romney and ‘war’ on religion
“There is a religious war going on in this country,” former presidential candidate Pat Buchanan told the 1992 Republican convention in a primetime address. Mitt Romney has declared that President Obama is waging a war on religion. Whether one actually…
Live, from the DNC
The eyes of the world are on Charlotte, or so we are told. The Democratic National Convention is in town to nominate President Obama as their candidate for president. Credentials have been issued for 15,000 journailsts. CNN, MSNBC, C-Span, all…
The gospel of poverty
By Bill Leonard “The problem of our age is the administration of wealth, so that the ties of brotherhood may still bind together the rich and poor in harmonious relationship…. The contrast between the palace of the millionaire and the…
Black Baptist group gathers in Atlanta
By Jeff Brumley About 20,000 delegates are expected in Atlanta Sept. 3-7 for the 132nd annual session of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc., the oldest and largest of the historically African-American Baptist denominations. Unlike some other Baptist groups, the…
‘Love Your Neighbor with Your Vote’
We don’t put out political yard signs at our house. For 21 years as a journalist, I could not take a publicly partisan stand on political matters. And now as a pastor, I should not take a public partisan stand….
Can corporations walk the aisle?
As the race for the White House heats up with Paul Ryan’s Republican VP nod, questions concerning corporate political involvement remain. Crucial to the debate around corporate political funding are two words: Citizens United. They refer to the landmark, 2010…
Pastor: Turn the light on sexual abuse
By Bob Allen A Texas Baptist pastor urged his congregation to shine a light on sexual abuse, which he says occurs much more frequently than most people believe, even in churches. Gary Morgan, pastor of Cowboy Church of Ellis County…
Baptists rally support for Senate candidate
By Bob Allen A Baptist state newspaper editor, reported last week to the IRS for possibly violating federal tax law that bans nonprofit charities from endorsing candidates, convened a conference call Aug. 24 in which former presidential candidate Mike Huckabee…
The people have spoken
By Miguel De La Torre There is no such thing as a “legitimate” rape, but despite my personal disagreement with Missouri Rep. Todd Akin’s opinion, I defend his right to voice it and to stay in the race for the…