Near quarter of U.S. adults ‘spiritual but not religious,’ Pew finds
WASHINGTON (BP) -- Nearly a quarter of American adults consider themselves “spiritual but not religious,” and a plurality of those say organized religion is divisive and spreads intolerance, Pew Research said in its latest release.
Religious exemptions from Title VII LGBTQ rules vary among courts
SEATTLE (BP) – Christian companies have seen conflicting legal decisions about religious exemptions from Title VII LGBTQ rules after the U.S. Supreme Court said in 2020 that the statute prohibits bias based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
116 Army soldiers profess Christ at First Lawton’s Living Christmas Tree
LAWTON, Okla. (BP) – When First Baptist Church of Lawton sensed godly inspiration to add a second weekend to its Living Christmas Tree, Senior Pastor Mike Keahbone didn’t realize what was in store.
141 baptisms at First Simpsonville after ‘overwhelming’ response
SIMPSONVILLE, S.C. (BP) – Multisite Upstate Church in Simpsonville, S.C., baptized 141 new believers Dec. 3 after a one-month evangelistic teaching series on church ordinances. For Senior Pastor Wayne Bray, it was clear the Holy Spirit was at work.
SBC defies downward trend in donor trust in religious charities
ARLINGTON, Va. (BP) – Religious organizations including churches are no longer the most trusted charities among American adults, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) said in its 2023 Give.org Study.
Persecuted Christian in Mali tells of conversion, evangelism
BAMAKO, Mali (BP) – “Since you are a Christian,” the plumber told Charles Yabaga Diarra, “I can’t give you the same price to fix your stuff that I would do for a Muslim. There is a price for Muslims and there is a price for Christians.”
New Jersey drops religious oath for public office after legal challenge
TRENTON, N.J. (BP) – New Jersey has dropped its requirement that political candidates swear an oath recognizing and honoring God when seeking ballot placement, evading a lawsuit filed by a self-proclaimed nontheist.
Christians in Sudan may face Sharia law as oppression overtakes Sahel
KHARTOUM, Sudan (BP) – A return to Sharia Law might be in store for Sudan as civil war nears its 10th month there, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) said in its latest Fact Sheet on the Sahel Region of Africa.
John Newton’s Amazing Grace maintains eclectic appeal at 250 years
NASHVILLE (BP) -- Folk singer Arlo Guthrie sang it at Woodstock. Pop star Rod Stewart recorded it in 1971. Crowd-surfing is rampant as American Celtic punk rock band Dropkick Murphys perform it on YouTube.
Dallas church perseveres, innovates in food ministries amid growing need
DALLAS (BP) -- Cornerstone Baptist Church takes a multifaceted approach to fighting hunger in the food-desert community it serves, persevering amid rising inflation and greater need.
