HOLLYWOOD, (LifeSiteNews.com) – Sexually explicit performances at Sunday night's MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) have caused a parents group to demand reform of the cable industry. In the opening act, the always provocative Lady Gaga stripped down to a thong bikini that left little to the imagination. However, it was former child star Miley Cyrus' performance that dominated headlines and newscasts around the country. The young star, who rocketed to fame as the lead character in Disney's … [Read more...]
New Mexico Supreme Court: Progressives run off the cliff
Southern Baptists and other people of faith in New Mexico have been told by their state Supreme Court that the price of U.S. citizenship is to subordinate their faith to the homosexual agenda. This appears to be the first ruling of its kind by a Supreme Court. So it merits our attention. The case involved Elaine and Jon Huguenin, co-owners of Elane Photography of Albuquerque, who were asked by two lesbians in 2006 to photograph their “commitment ceremony” (homosexual “marriage” is not … [Read more...]
Top five cyber security tips for ministry
The Internet is a wonderful tool for ministry, yet it is fraught with danger. To protect yourself, your equipment and your church, here are my top five cyber security musts for ministry. 1. Internet filtering. To avoid the deviously driven and inappropriate content available on the Internet, employ an Internet filter. There are many available, but one I use and recommend is OpenDNS.com. It is free or reasonably priced. This ad-driven Internet filter is effective and customizable. There is … [Read more...]
Two Missouri Baptists help in Supreme Court battle
Parsing the words of a prayer is no business for federal judges. WASHINGTON, D.C. – Southern Baptist lawyers Aug. 2 warned the U.S. Supreme Court that judges acting as the “prayer police” risk committing the same errors that led to Daniel being thrown to the lions in the Bible. The Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), led by Russell Moore, president, filed a Friend of the Court brief in Town of Greece v. Galloway. The brief was drafted by … [Read more...]
ACLU Defeated in Missouri Court
UNION – The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has abandoned their legal challenge to invocations offered before meetings of the Franklin County Commission. The lawsuit was dismissed on July 19th in the U.S. District Court of Eastern Missouri. The ACLU had taken the Franklin County Commission to court last year, alleging that prayers offered before meetings of the county’s governing body amounted to an establishment of religion. Lawyers for the ACLU filed the suit after the County … [Read more...]
Hinkle: Hoover’s warning of socialism haunts Christian America
Former President Herbert Hoover, while offering remarks at a reception for his 80th birthday in West Branch, Iowa on Aug. 10, 1954, chose to emphasize the connection between the Bible and America’s founding documents. He warned that socialism would cause government to become an idol, elevating itself above the very God that created it for our good and His glory. This will happen as it enslaves the people, making them dependent on government rather than embracing free enterprise based on … [Read more...]
MBC legal counsel answers questions on lawsuits
JEFFERSON CITY -- Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC) chief legal counsel Michael Whitehead was recently interviewed via email by the News Tribune of Jefferson City for a story marking the 11th anniversary of the MBC taking legal action against five breakaway agencies. The story was published in the Sunday morning (Aug. 11) edition of the News Tribune. Seven questions were submitted to Whitehead for the story by News Tribune reporter Bob Watson. The same seven questions were posed to … [Read more...]
Missouri Safe Haven Law for babies extended to 45 days
JEFFERSON CITY – The period of time Missouri parents have to give up their baby without criminal consequences has been extended from five to 45 days after birth. Passed by the Republican-controlled General Assembly earlier this year, Democrat Gov. Jay Nixon signed the state’s new Safe Haven Law July 22. The new law also expands the types of places the baby can be left. Under the old law, parents could drop the baby off only with police, fire departments, Emergency Medical Service locations … [Read more...]
SBC President Fred Luter on marriage: ‘We cannot compromise Scripture’
INDEPENDENCE – With the recent Supreme Court rulings on the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and Proposition 8 in California, now more than ever, Southern Baptists must be united under Christ and in accordance with His Scripture, Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) President Fred Luter said during a June 28 question-and-answer session with members of Mount Washington Baptist Church here. “If there was ever a time for the body of Christ to come together it is now,” said the pastor of Franklin … [Read more...]
Missouri law deals blow to telemedicine abortions
JEFFERSON CITY – Though they are the law of the land just to the north in Iowa, “telemedicine” abortions will not be coming to Missouri. Gov. Jay Nixon chose to take no action on House Bill 400, which allows it to become law effective Aug. 28. without his signature. Sponsored by Rep. Jeanie Riddle, R-Mokane, and Sen. Wayne Wallingford, R-Cape Girardeau, it passed the Missouri House 115-39, and the Senate 23-7. Nixon, a Democrat, used the “no action” approach in 2010 and 2011 to allow other … [Read more...]
Eight things the Supremes will never change
Justices of the U.S. Supreme Court may change American culture through their opinions that overrule the legality of an opinion expressed by the majority of a state’s population. Or their opinions may be the culmination of a movement to redefine marriage and normative sexual behavior. However, there are some things that do not change and will never change no matter what their black-robed opinions may imply to the general population. God remains who He is. His opinion about His creation … [Read more...]
Mental health issues garner SBC attention
Barbara Denman/Baptist Press HOUSTON (BP) – During a year when mass shootings and suicides have stunned the nation, a resolution on “Mental Health Concerns and the Heart of God” was overwhelmingly approved by messengers to the Southern Baptist Convention’s (SBC)June 11-12 annual meeting in Houston. The resolution offered by the SBC Committee on Resolutions sought to “affirm, support and share God’s love and redemption” while opposing “all stigmatization and prejudice” to those with mental … [Read more...]