Survey: Most Americans Continue to Oppose Religious Service Refusals to LGBT People
(RNS) — A new survey finds that Americans continue to oppose the idea that small-business owners should be able to refuse products or services to gay or lesbian people due to their religious beliefs.
Midwest Recovery Begins as Additional Flooding Looms
OMAHA, Neb. (BP) -- Southern Baptist Disaster Relief (SBDR) leaders have established several sites in the Midwest to respond to historic flooding that has created at least $3 billion in damages in recent weeks.
After Cyclone Disaster, Church Organizations Mobilize to Help Devastated Africans
NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) — When Cyclone Idai struck the Southeast Africa coast last week, it swept away everything in its path, including churches, schools and homes in the Mozambican port city of Beira and beyond.
These 6 Nations Treat Women Fully Equal to Men
Women are fully equal to men under the law in only six nations, according to a World Bank report published in late February. The U.S. was ranked 65 out of 187, receiving a score of 83.75 – the same rating as The Bahamas, Kenya and Malawi.
Meet the Only Baptist Church on the Island of Cyprus
There are just a few countries in Europe where Baptists are not yet present; until recently, Cyprus was in this number.
Prayer Postcards Spark Debate Over Faith and Privacy in Nashville
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RNS) — A group of Nashville churches decided recently to pray for every resident in their Bible Belt city. Then they sent out postcards to everyone on their prayer list. Some folks saw the prayers as an act of kindness. Others, a little creepy.
LifeWay to Close Its 170 Stores, Focus on Digital Retail
NASHVILLE (BP) -- LifeWay Christian Resources is charting a new course in 2019 marking a shift to a digital retail strategy. As part of the transition, LifeWay will close its 170 brick-and-mortar stores in 2019. The number of affected employees was not released today (March 20).
Mass Shootings Correlated to Increased Gun Ownership, Looser Laws
U.S. states with higher levels of gun ownership and those with fewer restrictions have higher rates of mass shootings, according to research published this month by a United Kingdom-based medical journal.
Pompeo: All Faiths Will Have ‘Something to Say’ on Forthcoming Peace Plan
(RNS) — U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said people of all faiths will have “something to say” about the Israeli-Palestinian peace plan the White House is expected to announce after Israel’s elections in two weeks.
‘Overwhelming’ Midwest Floods Draw Disaster Relief Response
HORNICK, Iowa (BP) -- Midwest floods that have left at least three people dead and ruined hundreds of homes are being met with a multistate Southern Baptist Disaster Relief response.