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...]
Gail McWilliams: A story of faith and vision
HANNIBAL – Most people live life based on what they see. But Gail McWilliams, international speaker, author and radio host, says that that is a limited and disappointing view of life. “They don’t see the big picture, only a narrow view that leaves them feeling stuck and unexcited about the life they’ve been given,” McWilliams said. “My goal is to always give people a new vision that looks past the horizon where the sky is the limit. We are here during this time in history for a … [Read more...]
Michigan judge mocks Bible over same-sex marriage
DETROIT – A U.S. District Judge mocked the Bible in a decision that validated 300 same-sex “marriages” that took place in Michigan last year. “In these circumstances, what the state has joined together, it may not put asunder,” said Judge Mark Goldsmith in his Jan. 15 decision. The ruling came after nearly a year of uncertainty regarding same-sex couples who were “married” the day after a different judge said Michigan’s marriage law was unconstitutional. The 2014 decision was put on hold, … [Read more...]
Law sheds light on reading the Bible in schools
MARSHALL – A small town in Missouri briefly became a flashpoint of religious freedom when inconclusive reports hit media outlets that a student at Bueker Middle School here was told he was not allowed to read his Bible during his free time. A seventh grader there told his parents and WDAF-TV in Kansas City a teacher told him he could not read the Bible at school. However, there has not been validation of the accusation and the principal has since made public comments assuring the Bible and … [Read more...]
Lawmaker criticized for bill protecting religious liberty on campuses
JEFFERSON CITY – After he proposed House Bill 104 in the Missouri legislature at the beginning of this session, Springfield Republican Elijah Haahr was smeared with verbal attacks on social media outlets, blog posts and online articles. Some of the bill’s opponents posted angry messages criticizing Haahr and his family, even commenting on photos of his children. Some called him a Nazi. At least one promised to “cheer” should ISIS behead him. Why did this online onslaught erupt over Haahr’s … [Read more...]
Abedini meets with Obama
BOISE, Idaho (BP) – Seeking the release of Saeed Abedini remains a "top priority," President Obama told Naghmeh Abedini during a private 10-minute meeting with her and her children Jan. 21 at Boise State University. Obama pledged to seek his release with renewed energy. "He was holding my hand the whole time. I could see that he cared in his eyes and he kept getting that across, that he cares, and he's doing what he can [to gain Saeed's release]," she said during a radio interview with … [Read more...]
How SBC became pro-life
NASHVILLE (BP) – In 1979, Larry Lewis picked up a copy of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and saw a full-page ad listing the Southern Baptist Convention among denominations that affirmed the right to abortion. "Right there beside the Unitarians and universalists was the Southern Baptist Convention," Lewis, a St. Louis pastor who went on to become president of the Home Mission Board (now the North American Mission Board), told Baptist Press. "... That bothered me a lot." So Lewis did … [Read more...]
Abortion rate down, but fight for life continues
JEFFERSON CITY – This year holds promise for pro-life advocates in Missouri as abortion rates in the state continue to decline. According to the latest report, Missouri’s abortion rate fell to 9,027 in 2012—down from 11,470 in 2007 and from 9,234 in 2011. The steady decline in abortion follows from years of legislative battles in the Missouri General Assembly, resulting in a spate of pro-life bills: In 2010, the assembly passed legislation requiring women who seek an abortion to read a … [Read more...]
Court mum on appeals court ruling on gay marriage
WASHINGTON (BP) –The U.S. Supreme Court made no announcement Monday (Jan. 12) about whether it would review an appeals court decision on the volatile issue of same-sex marriage. It appeared an order regarding a ruling by the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals on gay marriage might be issued after the justices held a private conference Jan. 9. Since it took no action, the high court may consider the cases in that opinion during its conference Jan. 16. A three-judge panel of the Sixth Circuit, … [Read more...]
Atlanta fire chief fired over pro-family book
ATLANTA (BP) – Atlanta Fire Chief Kelvin Cochran has been terminated following a city investigation into a book he wrote that calls homosexual behavior immoral. But Cochran said the investigation, which has not been released to the public, produced no evidence of wrongdoing. Allegations of discrimination against homosexuals were "completely unfounded," Cochran said Jan. 6. "The investigation shows that there is no evidence. Under no circumstances have I been discriminatory or hateful … [Read more...]
- « Previous Page
- 1
- …
- 53
- 54
- 55
- 56
- 57
- …
- 76
- Next Page »