Why most people leave religion? They just ‘stop believing’
A majority of the religiously unaffiliated—the so-called “Nones”—say they fell away from faith not because of any negative experience, but because they “stopped believing,” usually before the age of 30.
Texan Amanda Tyler named BJC executive director-elect
The Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty board of directors named Amanda Tyler—an Austin native who has served on the staff of a Texas Congressman—as the next executive director of the Washington, D.C.-based religious liberty organization.
More Nones than you think, but many won’t show up on Election Day
A quarter of U.S. adults do not affiliate with any religion, a new study shows. But these so-called “Nones” are not voting as a bloc and may have little collective influence on the upcoming presidential election.
School vouchers a civil rights issue? 'No,' says Pastors for Texas Children
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has framed the school voucher debate in terms of enabling parents choose their child’s school, calling it a crucial civil rights issue. And a Baptist minister who leads a pro-public education advocacy group calls that “blasphemous.”
Texas threatens to withdraw from refugee resettlement program
Texas intends to withdraw from the national refugee resettlement program unless the federal government unconditionally accepts an alternative plan the state submitted. The executive director of the Texas Baptist Christian Life Commission is disappointed ministry to refugees could be disrupted.
Editorial: Government should not unite the U.S. under ‘one God’
The idea of the government advocating only one concept of religious belief is a step onto a slippery slope that descends to 1930s Germany, the Soviet gulag and the crammed cities of today’s China. Where only one view of religion is acceptable, horror reigns.
Howie Batson: 'Bringing the hope of the gospel’
This week, our profile of Texas Baptist ministers features Howie Batson, pastor of First Baptist Church in Amarillo.
Voices: Place ethics ahead of political considerations
A trio of biblical themes—hope, cross and community—provide a lens through which a Christian may examine political candidates and policies and make moral choices.
TBM completes disaster relief work in Louisiana
About five weeks after storms dumped more rain on South Louisiana in 48 hours than Hurricane Katrina did in 2005, Texas Baptist Men wrapped up disaster relief in Jefferson Davis and Arcadia parishes after donating 1,269 volunteer days and completing 175 job requests.
Guest editorial: Praise God for a caring Savior
Jesus understood his followers needed both spiritual food and physical food. God cares about every detail of our lives, every single one.
2nd Opinion: Roads to Rome, and poor sermons
What’s the difference between a great sermon and a very poor sermon? Jesus.
Challenge: Eliminate barriers that limit access to healthy food
Improved access to healthy food means eliminating both geographic and economic barriers, speakers told the fifth annual Dallas Hunger Summit.
Bruntmyer installed as president at Hardin-Simmons University
More than 2,000 people filled the Behrens Auditorium on the Hardin-Simmons University campus when HSU installed Eric Bruntmyer as its 16th president during an investiture ceremony that also marked the university’s 125th anniversary.
Millennials less religious than their parents at the same age, expert says
Neither pessimists who predict a rising tide of atheism in the United States nor optimists who express confidence Millennials eventually will return to church understand the full picture about the nation’s changing religious landscape, an expert from the Pew Research Center told a crowd at Baptist University of the Américas.
Muslims surpass atheists as most unpopular group in U.S.
Four out of 10 Americans disapprove of atheists, but an even greater number say the same thing about Muslims.
What’s U.S. religion worth? $1.2 trillion, one demographer says
Religion represents big bucks—worth $1.2 trillion annually to the American economy, according to the first comprehensive study to tabulate such a figure.
Dallas pastors urge Baptists to walk together in battling injustice
Two Baptist pastors—one from a historically African-American church in South Dallas and the other from a predominantly white church in North Dallas—told the New Baptist Covenant about their journey together.
Editorial: Stand up for the patriots who kneel
Even if you don’t agree with athletes who kneel during the National Anthem, that doesn’t mean you can dismiss their point. Whatever you think of the protest, we still need to do something about racial inequality in America.
George Mason: ‘Docent in the museum of grace’
This week, our profile of Texas Baptist ministers highlights George Mason, pastor of Wilshire Baptist Church in Dallas.
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