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...]
Don’t miss a beat in loving others
Now that all my children are adults, I can tell you that raising the five of them was very often like a game of full-contact musical chairs. Without the chairs. It wasn’t so much about the wrestling—though believe me, there was plenty of that. But it was more about the music. Always even more of that. All three of my sons are in music ministries now and the two daughters are musical too. When Daniel, my youngest, was around twelve, he started drumming. He drummed on tables. He drummed on … [Read more...]
A mess of baby powder, sin
Our son Andrew really likes baby powder, sugar and salt. The only place he doesn’t like them is in the containers they usually come in. He loves for them to cover the floor, bed, toys, clothes, dishes and basically every surface and room in the house. I am still amazed at how quickly the latest supply of baby powder wound up on him, all over our bedroom, one of our cats and parts of the hallway. I had briefly turned away from him to fold some clothes when all of a sudden I smelled a very … [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...]
One baby’s death impacts many lives
INDEPENDENCE — There’s no way adequately to describe how a mom feels when a baby dies within her womb. “Disheartening” is the word Krystalle Wheeler, a member at Noland Road Baptist Church here, used when sharing about what it was like to feel her daughter, Gracia, die after carrying her for nearly 24 weeks. “My womb swelled,” she said, “and her movements lessened.” “There is nothing normal about cemetery shopping for your child,” she added. “Our oldest was 3 at the time, and she picked … [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...]
HLGU to host April 14 Worldview Conference
HANNIBAL – Hannibal-LaGrange University’s campus has been chosen to be the site of the 2016 Worldview Conference that will be held here on Thursday, April 14, 2016. The conference will be held in the Parker Theatre of the Roland Fine Arts Center. Distinguished speakers will engage attendees through lectures, question and answer sessions, and panel discussions from 8 am to 5 pm, with a break for lunch. Sponsors of this conference include Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC), The Pathway, and … [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...]
‘Deadpool’ & dangers of movie sex, profanity
NASHVILLE (BP) – A comic book-based film atop the box office has prompted Christian film critics to warn of spiritual dangers for viewers of movies with nudity, profanity and sexual content. A commentary on the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission’s website cautioned there is “no margin to voice allegiance to Christ and then attempt to justify slipping into a theater to see a movie like ‘Deadpool,’” an X-Men film released Feb. 12 whose protagonist has been described as “a … [Read more...]
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