NASHVILLE (BP) -- Racial reconciliation in the church calls for a strong view of the image of God in all people, a deep commitment to understanding others and an intentionality in achieving diversity, speakers said on the second day of a Southern Baptist-sponsored leadership summit. Christians must see the image of God in all people without minimizing their differences, African-American speakers said.Black, white, Asian and Iranian pastors and leaders addressed racial disunity Friday … [Read more...]
Ind. bill affirms ‘inclusion’ of religious beliefs
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (BP) – Indiana's leading Republican lawmakers pledged today (March 30) to introduce language to the state's new religious freedom bill to clarify it does not allow discrimination against homosexuals, but seeks inclusion of religious diversity. House Speaker Brian Bosma and Senate President Pro Tem David Long said at today's press conference that backlash generated by the state's Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), signed into law March 26, is based on a … [Read more...]
Jailed pastor offers son ‘gift of salvation’
BOISE, Idaho (BP) – Written in the wobbly penmanship of a 7-year-old who has said he misses his dad “a thousand lots,” Jacob’s card invites his father to his birthday party today, March 17. But his father, American pastor Saeed Abedini, imprisoned since Sept. 26, 2012, under harsh conditions in Iran because of his Christian faith, cannot attend at the family’s home in Boise, Idaho. Instead, Abedini wrote a letter offering his son the “gift of salvation.” “Even though I AM NOT there with … [Read more...]
34,000 black churches break fellowship with Presbyterians over same-sex marriage
WASHINGTON (Christian Newswire) – The National Black Church Initiative (NBCI), a faith-based coalition of 34,000 churches comprised of 15 denominations and 15.7 million African Americans has broken its fellowship with Presbyterian Church USA (PCUSA) following its recent vote to approve same-sex marriage. The Presbyterian General Assembly, the top legislative body of the PSUSA, voted last June to revise the constitutional language defining marriage. This arbitrary change of Holy Scripture … [Read more...]
Setbacks and victories of religious freedom
NASHVILLE (BP) – The freedom to live according to one's religious beliefs has been a fundamental right in America since its founding. As the culture changes and those opposed to biblical values become more vocal, it is becoming increasingly difficult to express religious beliefs without being socially ostracized or legally penalized. The following compilation by SBCLIFE, the journal of the Southern Baptist Convention's Executive Committee, lists many of the political and cultural … [Read more...]
Well-respected Emery defends traditional marriage
I first met State Sen. Ed Emery where you might expect to meet a Christian gentleman, who is as confident in his conservative views as he is respected by Democrats and Republicans alike (Emery is a Republican): At a weekly Bible study held by the Capitol Commission at the State Capitol. Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC) sponsored their breakfast that morning. So MBC Executive Director John Yeats and I were privileged to join Emery and about 60 other lawmakers and staffers – including Lt. … [Read more...]
Springfield gears up for ‘gay rights’ vote
SPRINGFIELD – Citizens of Springfield will vote ‘yes’ April 7 to restore religious liberty protections or ‘no’ to keep an “equal rights” ordinance that extends nondiscrimination protection to include sexual orientation and “gender identity.” Critics of the ordinance say Missouri has laws already on the books offering protections, and that the ordinance goes too far at the expense of religious liberty. The city’s council voted 6 to 3 Oct. 13, 2014, to approve Ordinance 6141, which codifies … [Read more...]
Moore: SCOTUS will ‘probably’ OK gay marriage
ORANGE BEACH, Ala. (BP) – The U.S. Supreme Court likely will legalize gay marriage nationwide, labeling it a constitutional right under the 14th Amendment, Southern Baptists' lead ethicist told state convention executives and Baptist state paper editors Feb. 11. Associate Justice Clarence Thomas was "probably right" in his apparent prediction that the Supreme Court's recent denial of a stay to halt legalized same-sex marriage in Alabama "is a signal of what the court intends to do," … [Read more...]
MO lawmakers defend marriage by filing brief in 8th circuit
KANSAS CITY – The leaders of the Missouri Senate and House filed a friend of the court brief on Feb. 24 in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, defending the Missouri Marriage Amendment passed by a million voters in 2004. The “amicus curiae” brief supports the State of Missouri’s legal position, seeking reversal of an order by a Kansas City federal judge striking down the state’s constitutional provision. The Missouri Marriage Amendment, Article I, §33 states: “That to be … [Read more...]
Coalition: marriage in crisis
NASHVILLE (BP) – In the wake of an interfaith Vatican conference on marriage two months ago, a coalition of Roman Catholics and evangelicals – including Southern Baptist Timothy George – has issued a statement calling the legalization of same-sex marriage “a graver threat” to society than either “easy acceptance of divorce” or “widespread cohabitation.” “We must say, as clearly as possible, that same-sex unions, even when sanctioned by the state, are not marriages,” the statement, titled … [Read more...]
N. Korea remains atop persecution list
NASHVILLE (BP) – While North Korea held its spot for the 13th consecutive year as the most dangerous country for Christians to live, a new report noted other countries are experiencing unprecedented levels of persecution. Open Doors, which seeks to strengthen the persecuted church overseas, recently released its annual World Watch List. The list ranks the top 50 countries where it is most dangerous and difficult to be a Christian. Among the top 10 of the 2015 list were these countries: … [Read more...]
Gospel spreads despite Boko Haram
MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (BP) – As Boko Haram militants continue to attack Nigeria and threaten neighboring countries, Christian workers there say the Gospel is going forth and impacting receptive hearts. Greg Dorsey*, a Christian worker in West Africa, said Nigerian Christians are effectively engaging many areas of the country. “The northeastern corner of Nigeria where Boko Haram has wielded most of its activities remains a difficult area for believers to freely worship and share their faith,” … [Read more...]
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