WASHINGTON (BP) – Southern Baptist institutions and other objectors to the six-year-old abortion/contraception mandate are still working to protect their freedom of conscience on a number of fronts after the Trump administration provided aid through a new rule. The challengers to the controversial requirement are negotiating with the federal government, pushing for permanent relief in court and, in the case of the Little Sisters of the Poor, fighting new suits now being waged by California … [Read more...]
Fighting taxpayer-funded abortion in Illinois: Lawsuit filed by pro-life organizations and lawmakers could have national implications
(WNS) - Opponents of an Illinois law that would allow state funding of abortion on demand for state employees and Medicaid recipients have filed suit. Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner signed the law, known as HB 40, earlier this year, and the Thomas More Society filed suit last week on behalf of 10 pro-life organizations, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield in Illinois, and eight state legislators filing as taxpayers. The suit, a request to “restrain and enjoin” a misuse of tax … [Read more...]
Do as we say, not as we do: Australian Christians hope to avoid U.S. religious liberty battle with conscience protections in same-sex marriage bill
(WNS) - As attorneys for Colorado baker Jack Phillips prepare to defend his religious and free speech rights before the U.S. Supreme Court on Dec. 5, the Australian Parliament is drafting same-sex marriage legislation that some fear could criminalize similar dissent Down Under. Australians overwhelmingly showed their approval of same-sex marriage in a recent postal poll. The results, published Nov. 15, showed 61.1 percent approve of state-recognized same-sex marriage. Legislators are … [Read more...]
Rights to life and free speech intersect at Supreme Court
(WNS) - A U.S. Supreme Court case testing the constitutionality of a California abortion law will affect free speech beyond the battleground over unborn lives. National Institute of Family and Life Advocates v. Becerra, which the high court agreed this month to hear, focuses on whether the government can prescribe a message for groups that disagree with it - in this case, a message that promotes abortion. Pro-life groups that have filed suit against the law are optimistic the court will … [Read more...]
From the Archives: Firearms in church?
EDITOR’S NOTE: This story has been edited and updated, having run previously in the Oct. 8, 2013, edition of The Pathway. NORWOOD – Pastor Stephen Fugitt believes that churches have the right to arm themselves for the day when a gunman enters their buildings to do harm. Yet no one had time to open fire against a gunman who aimed his .357 magnum revolver at Fugitt as he preached to his congregation at the First Baptist Church, Norwood, July 21, 2013. Instead, one church member grabbed … [Read more...]
Neurosis and smartphones in teens
(WNS) - A Colorado research professor this week proposed a hypothesis to explain the unprecedented rates of depression and anxiety in the post-millennial generation: dwindling social cues. Scott Stanley, a researcher at the University of Denver and a fellow at the Institute for Family Studies, said decreases in the reliability of information about relationships (for example, an emoji response to a heartfelt question) may be exacerbating mental and emotional issues in today’s teens and … [Read more...]
GOP leaders reinstate adoption tax credit
(WNS) - Republicans leaders finally took the advice of pro-life lawmakers and advocates, agreeing not to cut the adoption tax credit. GOP leaders unveiled the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act a week ago, and to the surprise of many, the 429-page document included language ending the credit that helps families cover the cost of adoptions. No one but a handful of top-level Republican lawmakers and staffers knew about the exclusion before the release of the landmark bill. Now, blindsided pro-life … [Read more...]
Standing up for conscience
(WNS) - Pro-life advocates on Nov. 8 urged Congress to ensure passage of a bill protecting the conscience rights of healthcare providers. Tears streamed down Cathy DeCarlo’s face as she recounted her experience as a nurse in New York City. In May 2009, DeCarlo entered an operating room assuming she was there to treat a woman after a miscarriage only to find out the unborn baby was still alive. Her supervisor instructed her to help assist in the abortion or risk disciplinary action. … [Read more...]
Cheap sex and tumbling marriage rates: Sociologist argues the sexual revolution has devalued sex and disadvantaged women in the marriage market
(WNS) - The price of sex has plummeted, throwing the “mating market” into a tizzy, according to Texas sociologist Mark Regnerus. “It turns out that a world in which it is possible to satisfy our sexual desires much more immediately carries with it a number of unhappy and unintended consequences,” writes Regnerus, an associate professor of sociology at the University of Texas at Austin, in a Wall Street Journal editorial. For his new book on the subject, Cheap Sex: The Transformation of … [Read more...]
Transgender military ban setback may be appealed
WASHINGTON (BP) A federal judge's decision to block the Trump administration from enforcing a ban of transgender military – service is "likely" to be overturned on appeal, says a former military attorney who serves as general counsel for the Missouri Baptist Convention. "The Obama Defense Department changed the longstanding policy just last year regarding transgender service in the military," Mike Whitehead, the Missouri convention's attorney and a former member of the Army's Judge … [Read more...]
Resolutions spotlight life, liberty, orphan care, Reformation
RAYTOWN – Missouri Baptists approved five resolutions during their annual meeting at Connection Point Church here, Oct. 24. Through their resolutions, they expressed appreciation for recent legislation protecting the unborn and supporting religious liberty, they called churches to support adoption and orphan care, and they marked the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation. “Appreciation for Legislation Preserving Free Exercise of Religion”: In this resolution, Missouri … [Read more...]
Gov. Greitens addresses messengers on religious liberty, pro-life agenda
RAYTOWN – For the first time since 2005, the governor of Missouri spoke to messengers at the Missouri Baptist Convention annual meeting which took place at Connection Point Church here Oct. 25. Eric Greitens, a republican and political newcomer with only 10 months of office under his belt, received a warm welcome with his pro-life, pro-religious liberty message. The governor also thanked messengers for their prayers for him, his family, and the rest of state government. He spent half an … [Read more...]
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