By Bob Allen A Kentucky printer’s religious beliefs do now entitle him to refuse to make T-shirts for a gay-pride event, Americans United for Separation of Church and State argued in a legal brief filed Dec. 28. The friend-of-the-court brief…
Faith groups join White House in targeting religious bigotry
By Bob Allen The Obama administration announced a new initiative to fight religious discrimination in communities at a White House forum Dec. 17 about upholding America’s tradition of religious pluralism. Vanita Gupta, head of the Civil Rights Division of the…
On religious liberty: an open letter to Franklin Graham
Dear Mr Graham, This week someone who has put himself forward as a candidate for the presidency of your great nation made a number of hate-filled and inaccurate comments about Muslims, and proposed some extreme policies on the back of…
Governments have worldviews, too
By Jonathan Waits So apparently John Kasich, Ohio governor and longshot Republican presidential candidate, wants to create a government agency tasked with spreading the values and morals of the Judeo-Christian worldview. Let’s start by calling this what it is: a…
Interfaith leader cites religious liberty threat
By Bob Allen After championing religious freedom for most of his ministry career, former Interfaith Alliance head Welton Gaddy says he does not think the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution would pass if it were being proposed today. Accepting…
Taking offense, but for the wrong reasons
By Joe LaGuardia In a society where people seem so easily offended there is no surprise that few call themselves Christians. Christianity is an offensive faith, there is no way around it. Unfortunately, for too many it has become offensive for…
Missouri Baptist group endorses law addressing ‘threat’ to religious liberty
By Bob Allen The Missouri Baptist Convention called on state lawmakers to enact legislation or propose a constitutional amendment to enhance religious liberty and freedom of conscience protections for pastors and churches in a resolution at the group’s annual gathering…
BJC essay contest to explore tension between job duties, personal belief
By Bob Allen Should elected officials be able to opt out of certain job duties because of their personal religious beliefs? How far should government go to accommodate elected or appointed government officials who object to issuing marriage licenses to…
BJC exec blasts religious bigotry
By Bob Allen The head of a Baptist organization dedicated to upholding religious liberty for all Americans joined Christian, Jewish and Muslim leaders in a pledge signed Oct. 23 in Washington denouncing all forms of religious bigotry. Brent Walker, executive…