JACKSON, Miss. (BP) – Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant has signed into law a bill safeguarding the religious liberty of individuals and organizations who refuse to participate in same-sex weddings or gender identity transitions. Bryant, a Republican, announced April 5 via Twitter that he signed House Bill 1523 – the Protecting Freedom of Conscience from Government Discrimination Act. “I am signing HB 1523 into law to protect sincerely held religious beliefs and moral convictions of … [Read more...]
Major religious freedom rally, April 19
JEFFERSON CITY – Missouri Baptist Convention Executive Director John Yeats and leaders of most of Missouri’s largest denominations will be featured speakers at the Missouri Religious Freedom Rally set for 2 p.m., April 19 at the State Capitol. Several other notable speakers will be featured along with musical guests. The event is being held as a prelude to a critical vote by the House of Representatives on the Missouri Religious Freedom Amendment (SJR 39). “We are asking people to come in … [Read more...]
Professor Carl Esbeck Supports Religious Liberty
Professor Carl Esbeck, U of Missouri Law School, religious liberty specialist ... supports it! Professor Carl Esbeck of the University of Missouri Law School is a legal scholar, a constitutional specialist and expert on our eroding religious liberty. Professor Esbeck embraces the wisdom of supporting Missouri Senate Joint Resolution (SJR) 39, in the Missouri House of Representatives ... which is pending in the Missouri House ... as of this writing! His … [Read more...]
Ga. Governor to veto religious liberty bill
ATLANTA (BP) -- Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal's March 28 announcement that he will veto the state's religious liberty bill has provoked criticism from social conservatives, including Southern Baptists. Mike Griffin, public affairs representative for the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, told Baptist Press that Deal, a Republican, "missed an opportunity to stand for Georgia values as opposed to Wall Street and Hollywood values. We certainly respect his right to make that decision, but we also … [Read more...]
What does the Missouri Religious Freedom Amendment do, not do?
What does SJR 39 do? It is entirely defensive, a shield, not a sword. It prevents the State and local governments from imposing penalties on clergy, churches, religious organizations and some wedding vendors which, for religious conscience reasons, wish to not participate in a wedding involved two people of the same sex or gender. Who in Missouri Baptist life is protected? All pastors and staff, churches, organizations and institutions like the Missouri Baptist Children’s Home, … [Read more...]
Religious freedom bill moves forward
JEFFERSON CITY – A proposed religious freedom amendment to the Missouri Constitution was passed March 10 by the Missouri Senate on a vote of 23-9, and now heads to the House of Representatives where, if passed, it will be placed on the statewide ballot probably in August for voters to approve. The Missouri Religious Freedom Amendment, otherwise known as Senate Joint Resolution (SJR) 39, is an attempt to strengthen religious freedom protection for clergy, churches, religious institutions … [Read more...]
The threat to freedom abounds
SEDALIA – Josh and Sara Howell, Christian business owners here, came in the crosshairs of Missouri’s homosexual activist group, PROMO, last fall for refusing to allow a same-sex couple to get married at their privately owned event venue, Heritage Ranch. PROMO criticized the Howells last year on their website in an attempt to garner sympathy for the same-sex couple, as well as support for the Missouri Nondiscrimination Act, a bill that would rob Christian business owners of the right to run … [Read more...]
Missourians: Your phone calls may save our religious freedom
I have written nearly 400 of these columns as editor of The Pathway and I am certain that this is one of the most important. The importance does not lie in my prose or in who I am. It lies in its subject matter. By the time you read this, the Missouri Senate will have begun spirited debate on one of the most essential pieces of legislation in its history. It is known as Senate Joint Resolution 39 (SJR 39), or the Missouri Religious Freedom Amendment. If approved, something that at this … [Read more...]
Missouri Baptists defend Missouri’s religious liberty
JEFFERSON CITY – Missouri Baptist leaders and church members were among a crowd of religious liberty defenders who gathered at the state capitol, Feb. 23, to support a Missouri Senate resolution that protects religious organizations and individuals from being penalized for their biblical beliefs about marriage. Senate Joint Resolution 39 (SJR-39), sponsored by Senator Bob Onder of Lake St. Louis, was taken up on the Missouri Senate floor March 7, and if it passes through both the Senate … [Read more...]
Late-breaking developments on Religious Freedom Bill
JEFFERSON CITY – Debate on Senate Joint Resolution 39 (SJR 39), otherwise called the Missouri Religious Freedom Amendment, began suddenly at 4:00 p.m., March 7, in the Missouri Senate. The timing of the debate caught opponents by surprise and unprepared. Speed has been an important component of Amendment supporters’ strategy. One observer commented, “I’ve never seen a bill move this fast.” The Democrats are expected to filibuster, and it is unknown what strategy might be employed by the … [Read more...]
Religious freedom battle about to heat up
Last summer Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC) Executive Director John Yeats asked me to organize a statewide effort to strengthen Missouri’s religious freedom laws following the U.S. Supreme Court decision that redefined marriage. For four months I had the privilege of leading discussions about the matter with lawmakers, State Capitol staffers and First Amendment scholars and attorneys. I am pleased to say that through hard work and much prayer a bill has been crafted and is being sponsored … [Read more...]
Scalia’s death clouds abortion, religious liberty cases
WASHINGTON (BP) – The death of Associate Justice Antonin Scalia not only brings about a battle over replacing him and elevates the Supreme Court as an issue in the presidential election, but it likely will affect two important cases in this term, including one involving pro-life laws that Missouri Baptists have supported and another about religious liberty. A third case, also involving religious liberty and with direct ties to Missouri, may not be impacted by Scalia’s absence immediately, … [Read more...]
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