Peter Smith, The Associated Press

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Southern Baptists target porn, sports betting, same-sex marriage and 'willful childlessness'

Southern Baptists target porn, sports betting, same-sex marriage and 'willful childlessness'

Southern Baptists meeting this week in Dallas will be asked to approve resolutions calling for a legal ban on pornography and a reversal of the U.S. Supreme Court's approval of same-sex marriage.

With a massive ark and museum, he spreads creationism a century after Scopes trial. He's not alone

With a massive ark and museum, he spreads creationism a century after Scopes trial. He's not alone

WILLIAMSTOWN, Ky. (AP) -- As the colossal replica of the biblical Noah's Ark rises incongruously from the countryside of northern Kentucky, Ken Ham gives the presentation he's often repeated.

Takeaways from AP's report on creationist beliefs 100 years after the Scopes trial

Takeaways from AP's report on creationist beliefs 100 years after the Scopes trial

WILLIAMSTOWN, Ky. (AP) -- Some people thought the 1925 Scopes monkey trial marked a cultural defeat for biblical fundamentalism.

Critics say Trump's religion agenda will benefit conservative Christians the most

Critics say Trump's religion agenda will benefit conservative Christians the most

White House Faith Office. A Task Force to Eradicate Anti-Christian Bias. A Religious Liberty Commission.

Episcopal Church says it won't help resettle white South Africans granted refugee status in US

Episcopal Church says it won't help resettle white South Africans granted refugee status in US

The Episcopal Church's migration service is refusing a directive from the federal government to help resettle white South Africans granted refugee status, citing the church's longstanding "commitment to racial justice and reconciliation."

Black churches back embattled Smithsonian African American history museum after Trump's order

Black churches back embattled Smithsonian African American history museum after Trump's order

As he does one day each month, the Rev. Robert Turner hit the road from his home in Baltimore last week and traveled -- on foot -- 43 miles (69 kilometers) to Washington.

Catholic bishops end refugee aid partnerships with US government, citing funding cuts

Catholic bishops end refugee aid partnerships with US government, citing funding cuts

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops announced Monday that it is ending a half-century of partnerships with the federal government to serve refugees and migrant children, saying the "heartbreaking" decision follows the Trump administration's abrupt halt to funding.

US bishops halt partnerships with federal government on aid programs, citing funding cuts

US bishops halt partnerships with federal government on aid programs, citing funding cuts

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops says it is ending a half-century of partnerships with the federal government to serve refugees and children, saying the "heartbreaking" decision follows the Trump administration's abrupt halt to funding for refugee resettlement.

Most immigrants at risk of deportation from US are Christian, report finds

Most immigrants at risk of deportation from US are Christian, report finds

As many as four in five immigrants at risk of deportation from the United States are Christian, according to a new report that calls on their fellow believers to consider the impact of the Trump administration's aggressive deportation policies.

Vice President JD Vance, a Catholic, acknowledges the pope's criticism of US immigration crackdown

Vice President JD Vance, a Catholic, acknowledges the pope's criticism of US immigration crackdown

Vice President JD Vance acknowledged Pope Francis' criticism of the Trump administration's crackdown on immigration, without responding to any of its specifics or to the pontiff's apparent criticism of Vance's own deployment of Catholic tradition to justify such policies.

Catholic Vice President JD Vance acknowledges Pope Francis' criticism of US immigration crackdown

Catholic Vice President JD Vance acknowledges Pope Francis' criticism of US immigration crackdown

Vice President JD Vance acknowledged Pope Francis' criticism of the Trump administration's crackdown on immigration, without responding to any of its specifics or to the pontiff's apparent criticism of Vance's own deployment of Catholic tradition to justify such policies.

US Catholic bishops sue Trump administration for halt in funding for refugee settlement

Catholic bishops sued the Trump administration on Tuesday over its abrupt halt to funding of refugee resettlement, calling the action unlawful and harmful to newly arrived refugees and to the nation's largest private resettlement program.

Given Christianity's dominance in US, Trump raises eyebrows with anti-Christian bias initiative

Given Christianity's dominance in US, Trump raises eyebrows with anti-Christian bias initiative

Christianity is by far the largest faith in America, and Christian conservatives have a strong grip on the levers of government. That dominance is leaving many to question why President Donald Trump's new task force on eradicating anti-Christian bias is needed.

A short honeymoon for Catholics in D.C. as Vice President Vance clashes with bishops on migration

A short honeymoon for Catholics in D.C. as Vice President Vance clashes with bishops on migration

The sense of Catholic unity didn't last long. Less than a week after Vice President JD Vance shared the inauguration stage with a senior Catholic cardinal, Vance picked a fight with the top American leaders of his church.

US military takes pride in religious diversity. Would things change if Pete Hegseth takes charge?

US military takes pride in religious diversity. Would things change if Pete Hegseth takes charge?

It was a history-making event: In a chapel at Fort Liberty, North Carolina, 2nd Lt. Khady Ndiaye stood proudly -- wearing a hijab - as she became the first Muslim woman commissioned by the U.S. Army as a chaplain candidate.

Beyond evangelicals, Trump and his allies courted smaller faith groups, from the Amish to Chabad

Beyond evangelicals, Trump and his allies courted smaller faith groups, from the Amish to Chabad

A social-media tribute to Coptic Christians. A billboard in Amish country. A visit to a revered Jewish gravesite.

White evangelical voters show steadfast support for Donald Trump's presidency

White evangelical voters show steadfast support for Donald Trump's presidency

After former President Donald Trump gave his victory speech early Wednesday, at the Palm Beach Convention Center, dozens of his supporters gathered in a lobby to sing "How Great Thou Art," reciting from memory the words and harmonies of a classic hymn, popular among evangelical Christians.

Candidates' supporters seek Pennsylvania's Catholic voters, whose votes may be crucial

Candidates' supporters seek Pennsylvania's Catholic voters, whose votes may be crucial

PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Nationally, Catholic voters have been closely divided in recent presidential elections. This year, in the vital state of Pennsylvania, they'll likely comprise at least a quarter of the electorate -- and thus play a pivotal role in deciding the overall outcome.

Pennsylvania's Catholics are divided over an election where their votes may be decisive

Pennsylvania's Catholics are divided over an election where their votes may be decisive

PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Nationally, Catholic voters have been a crucial swing constituency in recent presidential elections. This year, in the vital state of Pennsylvania, they'll likely comprise at least a quarter of the electorate -- and thus play a pivotal role in deciding the overall outcome.

Republicans seek votes among the Amish, who rarely cast them, in swing-state Pennsylvania

Republicans seek votes among the Amish, who rarely cast them, in swing-state Pennsylvania

LANCASTER, Pa. (AP) -- On a recent weekday afternoon, an Amish man in a horse-drawn buggy navigated through a busy intersection of auto traffic in Pennsylvania's Lancaster County, past a billboard proclaiming: "Pray for God's Mercy for Our Nation."

Swing-state priest teaches ancient techniques for surviving today's political turmoil

Swing-state priest teaches ancient techniques for surviving today's political turmoil

LANCASTER, Pa. (AP) -- The Rev. David Peck knows first-hand how divided communities wracked by violence can be gutted by that repeated devastation.

Oops. Southern Baptist agency announces firing of its leader, then retracts that announcement

Oops. Southern Baptist agency announces firing of its leader, then retracts that announcement

In under 48 hours, the head of the staunchly conservative public-policy arm of the Southern Baptist Convention rankled fellow Baptists by applauding President Joe Biden's "selfless act" of withdrawing his candidacy for re-election. Then, his agency reported he was fired -- and now they have reaffirmed his leadership.

After key Baptist leader applauds Biden's withdrawal, agency retracts announcement of his firing

In under 48 hours, the head of the staunchly conservative public-policy arm of the Southern Baptist Convention rankled fellow Baptists by applauding President Joe Biden's "selfless act" of withdrawing his candidacy for re-election. Then, his agency reported he was fired -- and now they have reaffirmed his leadership.

Southern Baptists expel Virginia church for believing women can serve as pastors

Southern Baptists expel Virginia church for believing women can serve as pastors

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Even as they prepare to vote on a formal ban on churches with women pastors, delegates to the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting voted overwhelmingly Tuesday to boot one such church from its ranks.

More than 10,000 Southern Baptists gather for meeting that could bar churches with women pastors

More than 10,000 Southern Baptists gather for meeting that could bar churches with women pastors

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- More than 10,000 voting representatives gathered Tuesday for the opening of the Southern Baptist Convention's two-day annual meeting, where they will vote on whether to ban churches with women pastors and deliberate yet again on how to respond to sexual abuse within churches.

From women pastors to sexual abuse to Trump, Southern Baptists have a busy few days ahead of them

From women pastors to sexual abuse to Trump, Southern Baptists have a busy few days ahead of them

Thousands will gather in Indianapolis June 11-12 for the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention.