Six major U.S. publishers, the Authors Guild and several authors and parents have filed a federal lawsuit to stop a new Florida law allowing public school libraries to ban books whenever a parent raises objections about sexual content. The suit,…
Pro-family groups praise Elon Musk, overlook porn and falsehoods flourishing on X
It’s been nearly two years since Elon Musk paid $44 billion to buy Twitter as part of his battle against the “woke mind virus.” The reviews are mixed. The self-proclaimed free-speech absolutist rechristened the social media site X, fired employees…
Supreme Court considers ‘most important First Amendment cases of the internet era’
The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments last week on a simple but far-reaching question: Do companies like X, Facebook and YouTube have the right to moderate user content on their platforms? The court’s decision, expected in June, could change what…
Bar fights and honest conversations: How do we bridge the gap?
Confession: I’m a drinkin’ Baptist. That’s a dangerous combination, because Baptists love to argue, and alcohol loosens our tongues. Recently I almost got into a fistfight at my favorite bar with three guys — count ’em, three — at a…
Why was the Sills lawsuit filed in Alabama?
Amid the nationwide interest generated by the recent lawsuit brought by David and Mary Sills against the Southern Baptist Convention and 11 other defendants, some observers have raised a particular question: Why was this suit filed in Alabama, when none…
What will Twitter’s $44 billion purchase do to theological discourse?
Imagine if the online theological discourse that led to the rise of Donald Trump and the conservative determination to use political power and misinformation to push their agenda on others was owned by a man rich and powerful enough to buy and control it for $44…
Samford cancels Jon Meacham speech after ‘pro-life’ activists spark challenges
Baptist-affiliated Samford University has uninvited Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Jon Meacham to speak at inauguration ceremonies for the school’s new president, after anti-abortion activists created an online petition that has garnered nearly 1,000 signatures and the Student Government Association passed a…
Maligned editor says free speech slipping away
A Georgia Baptist newspaper editor widely criticized for questioning whether Islam qualifies as a religion protected under the First Amendment wondered in the days leading up to July 4 if America’s independence is about to slip away. Gerald Harris, editor…
Waterboarding is not funny, Sarah Palin
Former vice presidential candidate, Sarah Palin, gave a one-liner to an audience at the National Rifle Association that likened baptism to waterboarding torture. Palin said in her speech: They obviously have information on plots to carry out Jihad… Oh, but you can’t offend…