By Bob Allen A volunteer youth worker accused of playing strip poker for sexual gratification with boys at a North Carolina Baptist camp in 2013 has been indicted on felony charges. Clyde Wesley Way, 68, was indicted Jan. 21 by…
Rethinking the sacredness of marriage
By Colin Harris The closing days of 2013 saw two more states gaining approval for marriage equality, bringing the total to 18, suggesting a clear political momentum that will not likely be reversed. Around and beneath this legal process has…
Worn-out strategies in sexuality debate
By Cody J. Sanders It matters which questions we choose to ask, and for a long time now, churches have been asking a very limited set of questions about sexuality. Nearly every denomination in the United States — from the…
Wooly + waste (or the art of nonviolent Facebook-ing)
I’ve found it quite difficult to remain internet friends with people these days (thanks mostly to the DOMA ruling, Paula Deen, and living in the Southeast around the 4th of July). Now, I do realize it can be hard to…
Don’t Worry, Gay Scouts, Southern Baptists Still ‘Love’ You
At last week’s annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention, messengers from SBC churches around the country voted on and approved a resolution concerning the recent change in membership policy by the Boy Scouts of America, which says that “no youth may…
SBC messengers learn to get along
By Jeff Brumley Southern Baptists experienced little antagonism during their annual convention in Houston this week – a phenomenon that surprised some and delighted most SBC officials and messengers. There were plenty of opportunities for controversy. Debates ensued – but…
Cal Baptist lawsuit moves forward
By Bob Allen California Baptist University lost a bid to dismiss a lawsuit filed by a transgender former student expelled after revealing on MTV’s “True Life” that she is biologically male. Domaine Javier, 26, filed a lawsuit Feb. 25 accusing…
Sexuality resource updated, released
By Bob Allen The Alliance of Baptists, Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists, and Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America teamed up to revise and update a congregational resource on human sexuality first released in 2000. The March 2013 edition…
Getting marriage wrong
By Miguel De La Torre The Hebrew Bible’s interpretation of marriage was that women were akin to property, while men were biblically provided with the opportunity to have multiple sex partners. The New Testament interpretation privileged singleness, while women were…
School adding transgender policy
By Bob Allen A Califorinia Christian college is updating its sexuality policies to include issues of gender identity as a sister school in the state faces a discrimination lawsuit. Biola University’s work on a policy regarding transgender individuals coinciides with former CBU…
Expelled transgender student files suit
By Bob Allen A transgender woman is suing California Baptist University for allegedly expelling her because of her gender identity. Domaine Javier, 25, filed a lawsuit Feb. 25 accusing the private Christian school affiliated with the California Southern Baptist Convention…
True Love Waits turns 20
By Jeff Brumley Ryan Rouse, 33, credits a little piece of paper kept in his Bible for helping him remain a virgin until his wedding day in 2002. “There were definitely times when temptation would start to factor in –…