As Religious Freedom Summit Ends, State Department Announces New Alliance, Sanctions
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Trump administration officials announced a new alliance with U.S. partners focused on religious freedom and new sanctions against foreign military officials supporting countries the U.S. considers to be instigators of religious persecution.
Angela Project Sparks Baptist Reflections on Slavery and Repair
African-American novelist and playwright James Baldwin said, “History is not the past. It is the present. We carry our history with us. We are our history. If we pretend otherwise, we literally are criminals.”
5 Faith Facts About the Moon Landing
(RNS) — Where humans go, faith seems to follow. It's no less true of NASA’s first manned mission to land on the moon. Here are five faith facts about the moon landing, which half a century later still inspires awe and wonder in people of all faiths and no faith.
Religious Freedom Summit Opens with Stories of Religious Violence and Resilience
WASHINGTON (RNS) — A rabbi, Muslim man and Christian spoke at the opening of the State Department's second Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom on Tuesday (July 16). They shared first-person stories of violence against houses of worship — and resilience of survivors.
Brunson at Religious Freedom Summit: ‘It’s Wonderful That I Can Be Here in Person’
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Pastor Andrew Brunson, who was detained in Turkey for two years on terrorism and spying charges before being released in October, said he is enjoying the simple things in life.
New Poll Shows Growing View That Clergy Are Irrelevant
(RNS) — Americans are less likely to hold clergy in high regard, according to a recent poll, and even regular churchgoers are seeking counsel elsewhere.
Hurricane Leaves Louisiana Thankful for Less Impact
ALEXANDRIA, La. (BP) -- The devastation from Hurricane Barry was less than anticipated in Louisiana based on forecasts, but for those who sustained damage it does not lessen the impact they felt.
Verna South Dies at 95
Verna South, 95, died on July 14 in North Little Rock, Ark. Married to former Missouri Baptist Convention Executive Director Rheubin L. South, she was the consummate “First Lady” of their Southern Baptist work.
Brownback Wants ‘Like-Mindeds’ at Religious Freedom Summit
WASHINGTON (RNS) — China, Iran and other countries that the U.S. considers the most egregious religious liberty violators aren’t invited to the State Department’s second summit on religious freedom this week, said Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback.
With More Migrants Stalled in Mexico, Baptists May Play Larger Role on Border
(RNS) — Waves of Baptist volunteers from across the Mid- and Southwest have flooded Texas in recent weeks to offer aid to the influx of largely Central American migrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border.