As a whole, the mainline churches are now making the transition from slow decline to progressive collapse. The kind of meltdown now taking shape in the world of mainline religion would be a catastrophe for American life; the decline of religious influence in the population groups historically served by the mainline churches is already undermining both American politics and culture.

The facts of this particular case are somewhat hazy. According to a letter in this morning's Church Times (April 23) from a Reader in the Diocese of Blackburn, Michael Speight of Fulwood, Preston, the church at which the couple wanted the baptism was not in fact their nearest Anglican parish church:

Certain scriptural passages may be helpful here. St. Paul writes, Now I would remind you, brothers and sisters, of the good news that I proclaimed to you which you in turn received in which also you stand, through which also you are being saved, if you hold firmly to the message that I proclaimed to you unless you have come to believe in vain.

What's interesting about this study is that it shows some component of religion does lead to some negative evaluations of people based on race," said Wade Rowatt, associate professor of psychology and neuroscience at Baylor, who led the study. "We just don't know why."