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Check out news and opinion posts across the years
So Help Me God
In his new book, "So Help Me God," Judge Roy Moore makes the claim that he is bound by his oath as a public official, by the very words "so help me God," to acknowledge God as the foundation of our government. The...
Southern Baptist Leaders Join Critics of Anti-Quran Church Sign (updated)
A Southern Baptist leader who three years ago defended a former convention president for declaring the Muslim prophet Muhammad a "demon-possessed pedophile" said Tuesday he disapproves of a sign at a small North...
Congress and the Public Support Stem Cell Research
Ignoring President Bush's threatened veto, the House of Representatives passed a bill this week supporting federal funding for stem cell research using embryos discarded at fertility clinics. The 238 to 194 vote...
‘Baptist Among the Jews’ Author Converts
A Southern Baptist woman who wrote a book about her experiences worshipping with Jews has converted from Christianity to Judaism. Mary Blye Howe, author of the 2003 book A Baptist Among the Jews, has written about her...
Evangelist Opposes Homosexual ‘Agenda’ in Schools
A black Southern Baptist evangelist says he wants to take back language stolen from the struggle for civil rights and used by gay-rights activists to make the push for same-sex marriage sound more acceptable. "When the...
Prof’s Departure Linked to Newspaper Column
Students at Hope College in Holland, Mich., protested the departure of religion professor Miguel De La Torre, after rumors circulated that the school's president forced him out because of a controversial newspaper...
Compromise a Necessary Virtue
Thumbs up for the courage to compromise. Thumbs down for the arrogance of power. Fourteen Republican and Democratic senators reached a compromise agreement Monday night on judicial nominees, dampening the heated...
How Many Idealists Does It Take To Change The World?
How many idealists does it take to change the world? According to Bread for the World, it only takes one. In fact, ONE is what they are calling their recent initiative to raise awareness in America about the ongoing...
Choosing a Pastor Ethically
On the one hand the recent spectacle of the choice of Benedict XVI as pope bears little resemblance to the work of a Baptist pulpit committee's search for a new pastor. The dress is different, the pool of potential...
Central Seminary Plans ‘Workforce Reduction’
Central Baptist Theological Seminary has announced a "workforce reduction" in faculty and staff on its campus in Kansas City, Kan., citing longstanding financial concerns and a new teaching philosophy that emphasizes...
Judge Denounces Harsh Words About Judiciary
A federal judge in Chicago whose husband and mother were murdered in their home in February criticized televangelist Pat Robertson and unnamed lawmakers for "harsh rhetoric" about the judiciary, which she said could...
Bobby Bowden Takes Sides in Air Force Academy Controversy
Florida State football coach and Southern Baptist Bobby Bowden weighed in on the controversy over alleged religious intolerance at the Air Force Academy, saying Air Force coach Fisher DeBerry is fighting the government...
How to Promote ‘Diversity’ Without Really Trying
Snap! Flash! Employees, board members, citizens and students of color are being followed around as they work, shop, study or play. But this time it's by camera-toting public relations folk eager to catch them in the...
‘Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith’
All is forgiven, George. We thought you had lost your way. Those last two movies were not up to what we had come to expect from you. When you were determined to make them without any of the help you used in "Star Wars...
CBF Partner Study Committee Increases Funding Cap
A Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Partnership Study Committee upped a funding cap for partners and increased the number of "identity" partner theology schools in a final report to be voted on by the CBF Coordinating...
Network Show Will Examine Jesus’ Resurrection
One of the big networks is about to investigate "the moment that changed the world," according to promotions for the upcoming special. ABC's Elizabeth Vargas is hosting "Resurrection," a "20/20" hour-long look at...
Politics in ‘Star Wars’ Draw Bush Administration Comparisons
The war between liberals and conservatives began a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away. American politics have slipped beyond "Hardball" and "Meet the Press" and into "Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith."...
Baptists Should Talk About Church-State Separation
I am the church member who made the request to use facilities of First Baptist Church in Oklahoma City for a public meeting with Barry Lynn. I applaud and endorse all of the recent and future church activities...
Christians Welcome Debt-Relief Deals
British leaders of a Christian-based initiative to reduce global poverty welcomed recent deals to forgive debts of poor countries, while acknowledging that more needs to be done. The Group of Eight rich countries...
A Healthy Bit of ‘Gun-Shyness’
A new issue of The Southern Seminary Journal of Theology admonishes future Baptists to continue believing the Bible, keep themselves morally pure, uphold and express their Christian faith and encourage fellow church...
Moyers Responds to Allegations of Liberal Bias
Bill Moyers fired back at criticism that public television carries a liberal bias, blasting the chairman of the Corporation of Public Broadcasting for allegedly bowing to criticism of the far right. Addressing media...