Browse Archives
Check out news and opinion posts across the years
Black Clergy as Social Activists and Political Operatives: An Interview with Marvin McMickle
When the Rev. Marvin McMickle searches for the root of his beliefs about social activism, he remembers a providential rally in Chicago in the summer of 1966. "I decided to attend a rally at a local church in Chicago...
A Look at African-American Baptist Denominations
From the start, Baptist freedom, polity and heart religion proved a good religious fit for African Americans. Today, more than one out of three African-American Christians is a Baptist. Before emancipation, most...
Christians and Muslims Sign Peace Treaty, Factions Repeatedly Test Accord
Opposing Christian and Muslim factions in the Maluku islands of Indonesia signed a peace accord early last week hoping to end three years of sectarian warfare. But within days, protests, rock-throwing and bomb blasts...
Tenor of the Times: Who’s training music ministers?
Rob Johnson was a tennis pro before becoming worship leader at Fellowship Church in Grapevine. Not the traditional path to music ministry in a Baptist church, to be sure. But Johnson's journey into ministry resembles...
Reed Offered Religious Leaders to Enron, Sought Private Gain for Corporate Profit
Ralph Reed proposed to mobilize the religious right for Enron's business dealings, according to an October 2000 memorandum that Reed sent to Rick Shapiro, an Enron vice president. Reed, former executive director of the...
Syncretism Not New to Christianity
The word "syncretism" comes from a Greek word first used to describe rival Greek armies who joined together to fight a common enemy. It later described the combination of religious ideas to form a new religion....
Healthy Families, Healthy Environment
Put your toothbrush in the dishwasher and stay away from mothballs. Those are two of many tips offered at Healthy Families, Healthy Environment (www.healthyfamiliesnow.org), a new Web site sponsored by the Evangelical...
Powell Endorses Condoms on MTV, Religious Right Calls Endorsement Reckless
Secretary of State Colin Powell encouraged the use of condoms by the sexually active last week on a global broadcast of MTV. When a 19-year-old Roman Catholic asked Powell's thoughts on the church's teachings about...
World Tragedies Fail to Keep Attention of the West
Those of us north of the equator and in the western hemisphere tend to "chase the ambulance" after a disaster. But we soon switch our attention as the media draw us elsewhere. On Jan. 18, Mt. Nyiragongo—on the border...
Botox: Improving on the Image of God?
We may be made in the image of God, but with cosmetic surgery and pharmaceuticals we could be headed for perfection, at least perfection in the eyes of the Botox Nation. With Joan Rivers as the cover-girl in the war...
Some in Congress Want God on the Ballot
It's a classic example of taking one step forward and two steps back. The U.S. House of Representatives struck a blow for campaign finance reform this past week by passing the Shays- Meehan bill. This bill, if it...
EthicsDaily.com Boasts Much Diversity After Its First Month
At one-month old, EthicsDaily.com has already posted over 150 stories. That amounts to six new stories daily. Diversity is key to this new Web site. With over 20 contributing columnists, a handful of freelancers and...
Many Americans Living in Mixed-religion Households
Ninety-five percent of Americans may believe in God, according to Gallup, but many family members may not be worshiping the same God in the same way. The American Religious Identification Survey, conducted by the...
Will Changing Pakistani Religious Schools Make a Difference?
On January 12, 2002, General Pervez Musharraf of Pakistan delivered a landmark speech outlining his new policies on domestic terrorism and extremist groups, Kashmir and the Pakistani-Indian relationship, and the...
Reel Faith: Where Meaning Meets the Movies
From the full-color stills on the cover to the richly illustrated interior, Reel Faith screams "Look at me!" It is a cry that is hard to ignore. In Reel Faith: Where Meaning Meets the Movies, Abingdon Press has...
Contemporary Worship: Reached Its Peak or Here to Stay?
Contemporary worship is alive and well in Baptist churches. But is it here to stay? "When contemporary worship is seen as using new forms of worship to connect the changing culture of today to the message of the...
Mentoring: The “Become-Like” Journey
Perhaps the greatest basketball player of the 20th century returned to active duty last year as Michael Jordan decided that his desire to play the game rather than coach could not be curtailed. For years, youth growing...
House Passes Campaign Finance Reform Bill, Religious Groups Split on Issue
The U.S. House of Representatives passed a campaign finance reform bill early Thursday morning intended to curb the influence of special interest groups. The vote was 240 to 189, split largely along party lines....
Early, Consistent Sex Education Can Help Prevent Teen Pregnancy
When it comes to teen sex education, the worst mistake parents can make is delaying the "Big Talk." "Be clear about your own sexual values and attitudes. Talk with your children early and often about sex, and be...
Americans Ready to Heed President’s Call to Service
The majority of Americans are ready to volunteer to help improve homeland security, according to Gallup. In his State of the Union address, President Bush called on Americans to think of others and devote more time to...
It’s Not in the Cards
I remember looking forward to Valentine's Day when I was a child. In our school, Valentine's Day and Christmas were the only two occasions when parties were allowed. During the week prior to Valentine's Day, our...