By Bob Allen Heads of four historically black Baptist denominations joined other faith leaders Feb. 28 in an open letter condemning recent comments by Franklin Graham questioning whether President Obama is a Christian. Signed by leaders of the Progressive National…
The contraception mandate fight
By David Gushee Congress passed the Affordable Care Act in 2010 over the strenuous objections of the Republican opposition (which continues to view it as illegitimate and hopes to see it struck down very soon). In an effort to advance…
Baptist college sues over contraceptive mandate
By Bob Allen A Baptist college in Louisiana is suing the federal government over a requirement that religious schools and hospitals cover contraceptives in insurance for their employees, including birth control pills that induce abortion. The Alliance Defense Fund filed…
A letter to Franklin Graham
By Zachary Bailes Dear Franklin Graham: Your father once remarked, “Being a Christian is more than just an instantaneous conversion; it is like a daily process whereby you grow to be more and more like Christ.” Your Tuesday Morning Joe…
Expert: Church-state problem result of employer-based insurance system
By Bob Allen A Baptist church-state scholar says religious liberty concerns about new coverage mandates come with the territory in America’s employer-based health insurance system. Melissa Rogers Melissa Rogers, director of the Center for Religion and Public Affairs at Wake…
Colson, George compare Obama health-care mandate to Nazis
By Bob Allen Two Baptist thinkers describe President Obama’s requirement that religious organizations include contraception in their employees’ health-care coverage as what some term a “Niemoeller moment” reminiscent of the slippery-slope devaluation of human rights that occurred in Nazi Germany….
Baptist leaders welcome adjustment to birth control coverage rule
By Bob Allen Baptist leaders applauded President Obama’s Feb. 10 announcement that insurance companies must pay for birth-control services for women who work for religious institutions that object to paying for them on moral grounds. “This is a positive step in…
SBC insurance provider not satisfied with Obama compromise
President Obama’s compromise plan for mandatory coverage of contraceptives does not solve religious liberty concerns for the Southern Baptist Convention’s insurance provider, GuideStone Financial Resources President O.S. Hawkins said in a statement Feb. 10. GuideStone’s medical plan is self-funded, Hawkins…
Baptist leader says contraceptive mandate should be revised
Brent Walker By Bob Allen The head of a Baptist religious liberty watchdog group said Feb. 8 that the Obama administration should return new health-care regulations to the drawing board to address religious liberty concerns. The Affordable Care Act, also…