By Bob Allen A Supreme Court decision this summer to legalize same-sex marriage in America would exacerbate a pattern of restrictions on the free speech of individuals who say publicly they believe homosexuality is a sin, according to a legal…
Catholics, Baptists join in religious liberty battle over gay marriage
By Bob Allen Southern Baptist and Roman Catholic leaders issued a joint statement April 3 concerning acrimony over religious liberty and same-sex marriage going on in Indiana and other states. Philadelphia archbishop Charles Chaput and William Lori of the Roman…
Alabama Baptist church dis-fellowshipped over pastor’s gay friendly views
By Bob Allen An association of Southern Baptist churches in Alabama voted March 16 to dismiss a church over its pastor’s support of same-sex marriage. The executive board of Madison Baptist Association voted 74-5 to withdraw fellowship from Weatherly Heights…
American Baptist College criticized for inviting lesbian preacher
By Bob Allen More than 50 faith leaders, most of them Baptists, voiced support March 9 for a historically black Baptist college being criticized for inviting a lesbian who is legally married to a woman to speak on campus. Baptist…
Vote postponed on ouster of Alabama church over gay marriage
By Bob Allen A special meeting to decide whether to kick an Alabama Baptist church out of its local association over homosexuality has been postponed due to weather. Officials of Madison Baptist Association announced that tonight’s called meeting of the…
Supreme Court brief argues for gay Baptist minister’s right to wed
By Bob Allen Four same-sex couples in Kentucky, including a Baptist minister, asked the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the state’s ban on gay marriage in a 60-page brief filed Feb. 27. Petitioners included Maurice “Bojangles” Blanchard, a gay-rights activist…
Religious groups deny defense of marriage reflects animus against gays
By Bob Allen Religious opposition to same-sex marriage isn’t anti-gay but rather based on religious beliefs and practical experience that children do best when they grow up in a stable home environment with both a mother and a father, faith…
Southern Baptist florist at center of marriage debate
By Bob Allen A Southern Baptist grandmother and small business owner in Washington State is the newest face in America’s culture war over gay marriage. A state judge ruled Feb. 18 that 70-year-old Barronelle Stutzman, owner of Arlene’s Flowers in…
Alabama Baptist church faces ouster for pastor’s gay-friendly views
By Bob Allen A local association of Southern Baptist churches is poised to kick out an Alabama church after a member of the congregation who is an ordained minister received media attention for performing a gay marriage. Representatives of the…
Ala. Baptist head says churches whose ministers perform gay marriages ‘not in friendly cooperation’
By Bob Allen The churches of Southern Baptist ministers who conduct marriage ceremonies for same-sex couples in Alabama risk losing their standing with the Alabama Baptist Convention, according to a statement added to the convention website Feb. 10. Rick Lance,…
Baptist minister’s case for gay marriage going to Supreme Court
By Bob Allen Just before the Martin Luther King holiday weekend celebrating the legacy of a black Baptist preacher active in the 20th century struggle for civil rights, the U.S. Supreme Court guaranteed that a Baptist minister will also play…
New year, same lessons
The news broke recently that the fire chief for the city of Atlanta has been fired. Surely someone in such a position would only stand to be fired for a few reasons — gross incompetence, legal troubles, getting on the wrong…