VICKI STAMPS/contributing writer BOISE, Idaho – Naghmeh Abedini’s life has been turned upside down. Her husband, Saeed, an Iranian-born pastor who is a naturalized U.S. citizen, is imprisoned in Iran’s notorious Evin Prison, known by human rights watchdog groups as one of the most brutal in all the world. Saeed was arrested a year ago at his parents’ home in Iran by five Revolutionary Guards who charged the house. He was sentenced to eight years in prison for threatening “national … [Read more...]
Air Force Sergeant claims he was fired for refusing to endorse gay ‘marriage’
WASHINGTON, D.C. – An Air Force sergeant who filed a discrimination complaint with the U.S. military claiming he was fired by his lesbian commander for refusing to make a statement of support for same-sex “marriage” may now face prosecution for taking his accusations public. Senior Master Sergeant Phillip Monk was relieved of his duties as first sergeant at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio in August after two separate confrontations with an openly homosexual superior officer, Major … [Read more...]
Mandate personal for Missouri couple
(WNS) – A Missouri couple filed suit against the ObamaCare contraceptive mandate on Aug. 14, claiming the requirement to pay for contraceptives and abortifacient drugs through their health insurance plan violates their religious beliefs. While the Obama administration already faces dozens of legal challenges to the mandate from religious organizations, schools, and businesses, this case focuses on the effect the new healthcare law has on individuals. State Rep. Paul Wieland, R-Imperial, … [Read more...]
Senator’s commission: End prohibition on church political speech, activities
Heavy Southern Baptist participation in formulating final recommendations WASHINGTON (BP) – Preachers should be free from Internal Revenue Service (IRS) scrutiny even when speaking about political candidates, a 14-member commission has recommended in a report released Aug. 14. The commission, created by the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability at the request of Sen. Charles Grassley, R.-Iowa, proposed a number of tax-related recommendations to Congress and the Treasury … [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...]
NM Supreme Court: Christian photographers must shoot gay ‘commitment ceremonies’
In a concurring opinion, Justice Richard C. Bosson said Christians must “compromise” their religious beliefs as “the price of citizenship.” BY Ben Johnson SANTA FE, NM, August 22, 2013 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The Supreme Court of New Mexico has ruled that Christian photographers do not have the right to decline photographing a gay “wedding,” even if doing so violates their religious beliefs. In a concurring opinion, Justice Richard C. Bosson said Christians must “compromise” their religious … [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...]
‘Sheepdog’ sessions prep churches for violence
FORT WORTH, Texas (BP) – Churches have long been considered safe havens for worship but, with 433 people killed on church property since 1999, they have become more dangerous than schools. Wedgwood Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas, knows such violence firsthand. A shooter entered a youth service in 1999, killed seven and wounded seven others. Wedgewood hosted a “Sheepdog Seminar” this spring, providing training for 350 church representatives to prevent and respond to violent attacks. … [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...]
Dual Supreme Court decisions; waiting on the other shoe to drop
R. Albert Mohler Jr/president, Southern Seminary LOUISVILLE, Ky. (BP) – On the last day of its term, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled today on two same-sex marriage cases. Both are important cases, and both will go far in redefining the most basic institution of human civilization. The court knew it was making history. A majority of the justices clearly intended to make history, and future generations will indeed remember this day. But for what? In the first decision handed down today, the … [Read more...]
Gov. Nixon vetoes ‘anti-Sharia’ bill
JEFFERSON CITY (BP) – Missouri’s governor vetoed legislation June 3 that some were calling an anti-Sharia law bill, keeping Missouri from becoming the seventh state to prohibit judges from considering foreign laws – including Islamic law – in their decisions. The legislation, Senate Bill (SB) 267, passed both chambers in May to create a Civil Liberties Defense Act mandating that any court, arbitration, tribunal or administrative agency ruling would be unenforceable if based on a foreign … [Read more...]
Learning from Diocletian: Christians in the military
My friend, historian and author Bill Federer, reminded me in his May 1 “American Minute” series that one of the greatest periods of persecution against Christians occurred in the third century AD under the Roman Emperor Diocletian. Following a series of battlefield losses to the Persians, his generals blamed the setbacks on Romans not worshipping their pagan gods. Consequently Diocletian launched a reign of terror on Christianity, starting with the military which he ordered to worship Roman … [Read more...]