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…
Baptist church holds same-sex wedding
By Bob Allen A Southern Baptist Theological Seminary alumna who went on to become the first openly gay elected official in Louisville, Ky., walked the aisle Nov. 29 with her partner of more than 15 years in a wedding ceremony…
Officials get mixed messages about right of conscience in marriage laws
By Bob Allen Government clerks have no legal right to refuse to issue a marriage license to same-sex couples in a state where gay marriage is legal, Americans United for Separation of Church and State said in a legal memorandum…
St. Louis judge strikes down gay-marriage ban
By Bob Allen A Missouri state judge said Nov. 5 that St. Louis officials can begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples, finding that the state constitution’s ban on gay marriage violates the equal protection and due process clauses of…
Latest gay marriage ruling, which involved Baptist plaintiff, could hasten Supreme Court decision
By Bob Allen A gay Baptist preacher suing for the right to marry in Kentucky pledged to continue his fight for marriage equality after the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against him and 15 other gay and lesbian…
A new day in America
By Jonathan Waits We are entering a new day in America. Do you feel excited yet? New things always bring with them a bit of trepidation, but there’s so much buzz about this particular new day that it can’t be…
A new day in America
We are entering a new day in America. Do you feel excited yet? New things always bring with them a bit of trepidation, but there’s so much buzz about this particular new day that it can’t be bad, right? Well,…