JOPLIN – Bible study groups that were shut down by the Joplin School District here in early January have now resumed, according to the Joplin Globe. The school district suspended the Bible study groups, Jan. 6, after officials received a complaint from the Washington, D.C.-based American Humanist Association (AHA) last December. While investigating the complaint, they realized that the groups didn’t comply with current school board policies regarding student-initiated groups. While they … [Read more...]
Trump administration sending mixed messages on religious freedom
WASHINGTON (WNS) – President Donald Trump promised his administration will defend religious freedom, but conflicting messages from the White House last week left conservatives holding their breath. At the National Prayer Breakfast on Feb. 2, Trump spoke at length on religious persecution around the world and claimed the United States flourishes when religious liberty flourishes. Those comments followed a leaked executive order draft that would instruct multiple government departments to … [Read more...]
ANALYSIS: What to know about apostasy laws worldwide
RICHMOND, Va. (BP) -- When a Sudanese court handed down a death sentence to Meriam Yahya Ibrahim for converting from Islam to Christianity, her case sparked international outcry. The young wife and expecting mother was convicted of apostasy, a crime in Sudan. Although the furor died down after her 2014 release, the law she was found guilty of violating remains on the books today. As recently as one month ago in Sudan, a group of men, including three teenagers, was accused of … [Read more...]
Trump immigration order sparks biblical analysis
WASHINGTON (BP) -- With President Trump's travel ban from seven predominantly-Muslim countries on hold at least temporarily, some Christians are evaluating biblical teaching on immigration and refugees. On one side of the debate, the National Association of Evangelicals' World Relief arm is helping to draft a letter signed by hundreds of pastors asking Trump to rethink the travel ban. Other Christians have emphasized the need for stringent border security along with compassion toward … [Read more...]
Assisted suicide: N.M., Hawaii bills push envelope
SANTA FE, N.M. (BP) -- Legislators in 15 U.S. states are considering proposals to legalize assisted suicide, with a leading patients' rights group flagging bills in New Mexico and Hawaii as particularly concerning. The other 13 states considering assisted suicide are Arizona, Connecticut, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Utah and Wyoming, according to the Patients Rights Council (PRC), a group that opposes assisted … [Read more...]
Football prayer complaint leads to employee training
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (BP) -- A public school system has agreed to update employees on applicable constitutional law after a special interest group complained of a Southern Baptist pastor's impromptu prayer over an injured player at a high school football game. The Hamilton County Department of Education (HCDE) will "provide additional training to its employees on the application of the Establishment and Free Exercise Clauses in public schools," HCDE attorney D. Scott Bennett told the … [Read more...]
Joplin school district suspends student Bible study group
JOPLIN – A Bible study group meeting in the North Middle School here was shut down Jan. 6 after officials at the Joplin School District received a complaint from the Washington, D.C.-based American Humanist Association (AHA) last December. According to the Joplin Globe, the Joplin School District suspended the Bible study not because officials felt it was unconstitutional, but rather because it did not comply with school board policy regarding student-initiated groups. Indeed, according to … [Read more...]
Oldham: ‘St. Louis should be a sanctuary for the unborn’
ST. LOUIS – A proposed amendment to St. Louis’ non-discrimination ordinance would threaten religious liberty and would lay “the groundwork for making St. Louis a sanctuary city for abortion,” according to Noah Oldham, elder at August Gate Church here and North American Mission Board SEND City Coordinator for St. Louis. The proposed amendment, Board Bill 203, would change St. Louis’ anti-discrimination ordinance by placing pregnancy and reproductive health decisions—including the decision … [Read more...]
Deal with disappointment
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” – Romans 8:28 Following the last election, I saw a picture in a report on TV of a young lady who clearly had genuine fear in her eyes. She was afraid because her chosen candidate had not won. I felt sorry for her because she clearly did not know how to deal with her disappointment in not having her candidate win the election. Are we raising children who … [Read more...]
Despite ice storm, Gala draws crowd to combat human trafficking
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article was first printed in the Missions & Ministry Newsletter of the Blue River-Kansas City Baptist Association. It is reprinted here with permission. KANSAS CITY – The weathermen were predicting the largest ice storm in Kansas City in a decade. The grocery store shelves were bare; the roads unusually quiet as darkness settled over the city. But darkness cannot overcome the light. Despite the hazardous conditions predicted to begin late Saturday evening, Jan. 14, … [Read more...]
New pastors network looking to help leaders ‘stand in the gap’
ST. ROBERT – Pastors in Missouri have a new tool at their disposal as they try to stay abreast of a changing culture and legal landscape. The non-denominational American Pastors Network has a new arm in Missouri. Keith Carnahan, pastor of Maranatha Baptist Church in St. Robert is the president of the Missouri Pastors Network, and Monte Shinkle, pastor of Concord Baptist Church in Jefferson City, is the vice president. The networks’ mission is to identify, encourage, equip, educate and … [Read more...]
Missouri State settles suit with Christian student
SPRINGFIELD (WNS) – Missouri State University (MSU) says it will pay $25,000 to a former student who was expelled for his views on homosexuality. The agreement settles a lawsuit filed last April by Andrew Cash, a former MSU graduate student who alleges the university kicked him out of the master’s in counseling program because he expressed a religious objection to counseling same-sex couples. The settlement was finalized in December but became public this week when the Springfield … [Read more...]
- « Previous Page
- 1
- …
- 31
- 32
- 33
- 34
- 35
- …
- 75
- Next Page »