By Bob Allen Four dozen Christian leaders voiced support for a framework agreement for a peaceful path to prevent Iran from building nuclear weapons in a full-page ad in Roll Call paid for by Sojourners, a Washington-based social justice ministry…
Circle of Protection asks presidential contenders what they would do for the poor
By Bob Allen Christian leaders from various denominations called on newly announced presidential candidate Hillary Clinton April 12 to produce a three-minute video telling Americans that if elected what she would do for the hungry and poor. “We are praying…
Baptist schools raise RFRA defense in federal appeals court
By Bob Allen A lawyer representing two Baptist General Convention of Texas-affiliated Christian universities asked a federal appeals court April 7 to affirm a lower court ruling that mandated contraceptive coverage in employee insurance plans violates the Religious Freedom Restoration…
Obama honors Gardner Taylor at Easter prayer breakfast
By Bob Allen President Obama paid tribute to an African-American Baptist pastor and civil-rights leader who died Easter Sunday at age 96 in remarks at the White House Easter prayer breakfast April 7. “This morning, we also remember a man of…
Georgia tables controversial religious liberty bill
By Bob Allen As lawmakers fought over religious freedom legislation in Arkansas and Indiana, time ran out in Georgia on a similar measure that divided opinion among the state’s Baptists. The 2015 General Assembly of Georgia adjourned April 2 without…
Church-state group urges IRS to investigate Ted Cruz speech at Liberty University
By Bob Allen The head of a watchdog group advocating the separation of church and state says the IRS should investigate whether Liberty University broke the law when U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz announced on campus he is running for president….
Kentucky Baptists applaud failure of medical pot
By Bob Allen The Kentucky Baptist Convention declared victory when the 2015 legislative session ended March 25 without voting on a bill to legalize medical marijuana. Kentucky Baptist Convention Executive Director Paul Chitwood called on lawmakers to reject legislation to…
Faith leaders ask Congress to protect programs that aid the poor
By Bob Allen The Alliance of Baptists is among national organizations asking Congress to make budget choices with an eye toward needs of the poor. The 125-church Alliance joined Bread for the World, Children’s Defense Fund, Faith in Public Life,…
The ‘next America’ demands change from churches
The headline for this column is misleading. The “next America” actually is the “now America.” To paraphrase the late cartoon character Pogo, “We have seen the future, and it is here.” And it means most Baptist congregations and their denomination…
Catholic school gets win in Obamacare challenge
By Bob Allen The U.S. Supreme Court revived Notre Dame University’s religious objections to required coverage of contraceptives in Obamacare March 9, vacating a lower court’s decision favoring the federal government and ordering review in light of last summer’s landmark…
Court upholds religious accommodation in Obamacare
By Bob Allen A federal appeals court ruled Feb. 11 that accommodations in Obamacare are adequate to protect the religious freedom rights of employers who do not qualify for exemptions allowed for certain religious organizations but object to contraception coverage…
Arkansas lawmakers ban local anti-discrimination measures
By Bob Allen The Arkansas state senate has passed legislation sponsored by a Southern Baptist lawmaker making it illegal for cities to adopt local ordinances banning discrimination against gays. SB-202, approved by both the House of Representatives and Senate, would…