By Bob Allen Maryland’s highest court of appeal declined Sept. 22 to review what has been described as largest evangelical sex-abuse case to date, leaving intact lower-court decisions dismissing the class-action lawsuit on legal technicalities. The Court of Appeals, the…
Baptist editor blasts gay-marriage ruling
By Bob Allen In an Oct. 7 editorial, a Baptist state newspaper editor blasted a ruling by a Kansas City judge that marriages of Missouri gay couples performed legally in other states or countries must be honored in their home…
Faith community challenged to put a face on poverty, hunger
By Ken Camp and Jeff Brumley A politician’s challenge that the faith community put a human face on poverty can happen only if Christians build relationships with the poor and hungry, according to a Baptist minister who lives and works…
Supreme Court sidesteps same-sex marriage, making it legal in five states
By Bob Allen The U.S. Supreme Court declined Oct. 6 to settle once and for all whether same-sex marriage is a constitutional right, denying review of seven petitions from five states involving disputes over the legal recognition of same-sex marriage….
Transgender minister, Baptist theologian headline conference promoting LGBT acceptance
By Bob Allen The week after Southern Baptists complete a national conference on “The Gospel, Homosexuality and the Future of Marriage” in Nashville, Tenn., some other Baptists will gather in a church in Washington to explore an alternative view. Allyson…
on arks and alienation: or why building a 70 million dollar boat in the middle of Kentucky still seems like a bad idea.
These days it doesn’t take much to leave me feeling dismayed and embarrassed by the public image of the faith to which I’ve tethered my hopes, fears, dreams, and abilities to pay my mortgage. Which, is why I’m ever so…
Complex problem of hunger demands collaborative response, say advocates
By Ken Camp Hunger in America represents a complex problem that defies easy solutions and demands collaborative responses, Bob Aiken, chief executive officer of Feeding America, told a gathering of anti-hunger advocates at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. Feeding America…
Paynter challenges anti-hunger advocates to ‘live your call’
By Aaron Weaver Anti-hunger advocates must “accept the unfinished business” of their lives as they work together to end hunger in the United States, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Executive Coordinator Suzii Paynter said at a hunger summit Oct. 1. “The inspiration…
Parents sue Second Baptist, Houston, over daughter’s abuse
By Bob Allen A Southern Baptist megachurch in Texas is being sued by parents of a teenage girl claiming careless hiring and supervision of a former youth minister in prison for sexual assault of a child. A lawsuit filed Oct….
Not all clergy supporting Tenn. abortion amendment
By Bob Allen Liberal clergy rallied Oct. 1 in Memphis, Tenn., to add a dissenting voice to Roman Catholic, Southern Baptist and other faith leaders seeking passage of an amendment to the Tennessee constitution giving lawmakers more power to curb…
Violence and vengeance
Ray should not have hit Janay. That is one problem, and here is another problem. At first, the NFL suspended Rice for two games. Some people were really upset that it was too little punishment. After additional video of the incident was…
Church factors into American aversion to moving, pastors say
By Jeff Brumley Evidence that American society is becoming less mobile is backed up by some Baptist pastors who see devotion to church and neighborhood trumping the lure of better jobs — across town or the nation — among many parishioners. “I…