By Bob Allen Two Australian drug traffickers shot by a firing squad in Indonesia refused blindfolds and sang “Amazing Grace” as they were taken to a jungle clearing to be executed, according to their spiritual adviser. Australians Andrew Chan and…
State wants to proceed with Kelly Gissendaner execution
By Bob Allen The state of Georgia wants to move forward with the execution of a convicted murderer whose impending death March 2 was postponed over concerns about the drugs being used for her lethal injection. The Georgia Department of…
End death penalty, say top faith leaders — including Baptists
By Bob Allen Moderate and progressive Baptists joined nearly 400 Catholic and evangelical leaders issuing a Holy Week call to end the use of the death penalty in the United States. “We urge governors, prosecutors, judges and anyone entrusted with power…
Woman on death row files lawsuit over her ‘botched’ execution
By Bob Allen A death-row prisoner whose March 2 execution was postponed due to problems with the drugs to be used for her lethal injection has filed a federal lawsuit claiming violation of her constitutional right against punishments that are…
McAfee students report transformed lives — their own — in teaching prisoners
By Jeff Brumley It’s been hard for some to fathom how a condemned prisoner earned a certificate in theology while on Georgia’s death row. Even one of those who taught Kelly Gissendaner says it’s amazing that she could write papers…
Moderate Baptists rise to aid of woman on death row in Georgia
By Bob Allen Update: Kelly Renee Gissendaner’s execution was postponed Monday night when officials cited problems with the drug that would be used for the lethal injection. Officials are waiting for the U.S. Supreme Court to either grant or deny…
Killing Kelly: An open letter to Georgia’s Christian citizens
By David Gushee Follow David: @dpgushee Dear Georgia’s Christian Citizens: Unless something dramatic changes, tonight, March 2, your employees in the Georgia prison system, enforcing your laws, paid by your tax dollars, will take a Christian woman named Kelly Gissendaner…
Baptist leaders join plea to spare mentally ill man on death row
By Bob Allen More than 50 evangelical Christian leaders from Texas and across the country wrote an open letter Nov. 12 seeking clemency for a mentally ill inmate scheduled to die by lethal injection Dec. 3 in Texas. Faith leaders…
Leviticus, abomination and Jesus: The LGBT issue, part 10
By David Gushee Follow David: @dpgushee Not long ago I received a communication from a person identifying himself as John Calvin, quoting Leviticus 20:13 to me, suggesting that this text resolves the LGBT issue. Dr. Calvin’s concern was already on…