WASHINGTON (WNS) – An LGBT activist group has singled out 56 Christian colleges – including two Missouri Baptist universities – in a recent report, claiming they use religious liberty as a “guise for discrimination” against LGBT students. Since 2013, according to the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), these 56 colleges have applied for partial exemptions to Title IX of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, citing views on transgenderism and homosexuality. Among the institutions singled out are 23 U.S. … [Read more...]
Oregon bakers pay fine, continue appeal
GRESHAM, Ore. (BP) – Christian bakers Aaron and Melissa Klein have paid the state of Oregon a fine of nearly $137,000 after refusing to violate their religious beliefs by baking a wedding cake for a lesbian couple, the Oregonian newspaper reported. The Kleins paid the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries $136,927.07 Dec. 28 with money contributed through a crowdfunding page after the Oregon labor commissioner seized just weeks before Christmas their personal bank accounts which totaled … [Read more...]
BREAKING: SAEED ABEDINI, IMPRISONED PASTOR, FREED
WASHINGTON -- Saeed Abedini, the Christian missionary who has been imprisoned for his faith in Iran since July 2012, was among four Americans released from prison today by Iranian authorities, according to multiple news reports. Abedini, 35, was arrested nearly four years ago while attempting to establish orphanages in Iran. His capture made headlines as his wife, Naghmeh, traveled the world in attempts to secure her husband's freedom. She first gained attention among Southern Baptists … [Read more...]
Persecution fails to thwart gospel inroads
CENTRAL ASIA (BP) – Christian aid worker Gary Warrior* was sitting on the floor in a Central Asian village with a congregation of about 20 people several years ago, getting ready to share about “the cost of discipleship.” Someone made the suggestion to go around the room and share their testimonies. One woman simply said, “Oh, I’m just very blessed and I’m so thankful to be here.” Her friend elbowed her: “Explain to him your testimony, tell him what’s happening in your life with God.” But … [Read more...]
Iranian pastor Fathi freed from prison
TEHRAN, Iran (BP) -- Iranian pastor Farshid Fathi has been freed after five years imprisonment in Tehran because of charges linked to his Christian faith, Middle East Concern announced Dec. 22, estimating nearly 100 Christians remain imprisoned there. "We are so thankful to the Lord for his protection over Farshid while in prison," Middle East Concern said in a press release. "It is our hope that the Gospel will continue to spread throughout Iran." Fathi was released Dec. 21 from … [Read more...]
Hawley brings faith into public arena
I have had more than one friend in recent days suggest that Americans will ultimately repeal the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The First Amendment protects freedom of speech, freedom to peaceably assemble, freedom of the press and freedom to exercise our religion of choice. His suggestion follows an informal poll by Fox News of students at an Ivy League school who were asked: “Should the First Amendment be repealed?” The overwhelming response was “yes.” What was thought … [Read more...]
Missouri schools act to protect bathroom privacy
MARIONVILLE – Several school districts in southwest Missouri have acted to adopt policies to protect the personal privacy of students enrolled in their public schools. The policies ensure that students using restrooms, locker rooms, and shower facilities are not exposed to individuals of the opposite sex. The policies have been established to address the issue of gender-confused students who seek access to facilities used by the opposite biological sex. So-called “transgender” students … [Read more...]
‘Peace on Earth’ for Syrian refugees?
JEFFERSON CITY – As the debate heats up in the halls of government and social media, religious leaders come down on all sides of the question of what to do with thousands of Syrian refugees. Rob Phillips, the team leader for communications for the Missouri Baptist Convention, said the MBC does not take a position on refugee policy, but called on all sides in the debate to pray for the best possible outcome. “For peace in Syria and other war-torn countries, we should pray for wisdom for … [Read more...]
Political neutrality, sex and quizzy pollsters
Data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the Public Religion Research Institute’s American Values Atlas estimates that about 64 percent of the total delegates in states with presidential primaries on or before March 8 will come from states with electorates that may be at least 50 percent evangelical. In Missouri it is believed to be around 60 percent evangelical in advance of the March 15 primary, with Southern Baptists representing the bulk of that vote. Yet we still have untold thousands who … [Read more...]
Missouri faces discrimination charges against Christian pre-school
KANSAS CITY– Whitehead Law Firm, LLC, in Kansas City, has appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court on behalf of a Missouri church pre-school and daycare center that was discriminated against by a state program that provides recycled tires to surface children’s playgrounds. Earlier this year, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit upheld a federal court’s decision that ruled the State of Missouri was justified in denying participation by the center because a church runs it. Trinity … [Read more...]
Sedalia couple in crosshairs of homosexual activist group, remain firm on marriage
SEDALIA – Josh and Sara Howell, Christian business owners here, are in the crosshairs of Missouri’s homosexual activist group, PROMO, for refusing to allow a same-sex couple to get married at their privately owned event venue, Heritage Ranch. Rachel Cathey and Beverly Vaughn, a same-sex couple planning to wed in 2016, visited Heritage Ranch earlier this year, but were informed by Sara Howell that the venue could not host same-sex weddings because of the owners’ Christian beliefs about … [Read more...]
Ripken: Persecuted Christians see miracle of everday U.S. churches
SPRINGFIELD – The International Mission Board’s Nik Ripken opened a window on the realities facing persecuted believers worldwide and on the way those believers view American Christianity during the Missouri Baptist Convention annual meeting, Oct. 28. “There is no free church and persecuted church,” Ripken said. “There is just the church. And it is always persecuted and it is always free. And when any part of your body is hurting and you’re not aware of it, and you’re not concerned about … [Read more...]
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