Lawsuits in two states challenge the Southern Baptist Convention’s long-claimed defense that the denomination cannot be held liable for sexual abuse in churches because congregations hire their own pastors.
Judge rules that historically black college and sponsoring denomination share power to name trustees
A two-year legal battle between American Baptist College and the National Baptist Convention USA, Inc., ended Nov. 15 when a judge in Tennessee established a two-step process giving both entities input into selection of the college’s board of trustees.
Former state exec says arguments by NAMB attorneys increase SBC’s risk of liability for sexual abuse
For decades the SBC has avoided liability in criminal and civil actions involving churches or affiliated organizations by claiming they are all autonomous, self-governing organizations. But former Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware Executive Director Will McRaney claims in a new court document that lawyers representing NAMB turn that argument on its head.
One of the first of many sexual abuse lawsuits expected under a new California law targets Modesto megachurch
A survivor of childhood sexual abuse is suing a California church and her former youth pastor in one of the first of many lawsuits expected to be filed under a new law greatly extending the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse claims.
No speedy trial for Paige Patterson’s ‘break her down’ lawsuit
A woman who claims in a lawsuit that she was mistreated after reporting rape at a Southern Baptist Convention seminary won’t get her day in court before 2021.
Southern Baptist polity on trial in lawsuit appeal
A former Southern Baptist state convention leader claims the separation of church and state does not shield religious organizations from lawsuits over actions that would be illegal if committed by a secular business in a case before the Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
Southern Baptist megachurch denies liability in sex abuse lawsuit
Matt Chandler’s Village Church denied any wrongdoing in its response to a $1 million lawsuit stemming from the alleged sexual assault of an 11-year-old girl at a church camp in 2012.
Paige Patterson claims First Amendment defense in abuse lawsuit
Former Southern Baptist statesman Paige Patterson claimed a religious liberty defense, while denying the bulk of allegations in a lawsuit over his handling of sex abuse claims, in an answer filed Aug. 26 in federal court.
Lawsuit reveals details about Paige Patterson’s ‘break her down’ meeting with woman alleging campus rape
Details behind the “break her down” comment cited by trustee leaders in last year’s firing of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary President Paige Patterson emerge in a lawsuit now pending in federal court.