By Bob Allen A Tennessee pharmacist and Baptist church deacon is suing Walgreens in federal court claiming the drug store chain failed to accommodate his religious objection to dispensing Plan B — also known as the “morning-after pill.” Pharmacist Philip Hall,…
It’s not simply about denying service
A recent article from the RNS describes the efforts in Oregon to craft the bill that would legalize gay marriage in such away as to allow conscience protections for business owners. The conscience protections being debated would allow private business…
Risk list
I live in a hospitality house. Living in a hospitality house has become a more frequent choice for Christians lately, sort of in the way that kale has experienced a resurgence over the past few years: having people think you…
Evangelical context may contribute to divorce, says Baylor sociologist
By Jeff Brumley It’s been known for years that American conservative Protestants divorce at the same or higher rates than either more moderate Christians or those of no religious affiliation at all. But a Baylor University professor said sociologists are…
Court hears challenge to Virginia’s gay marriage ban
By Robert Dilday A closely-watched hearing last Tuesday in a federal court in Norfolk, Va., could ultimately overturn Virginia’s constitutional ban on gay marriage — an outcome which would impact adjacent states and give same-sex marriage its first foothold in…
Called anyway: on being a Baptist woman minister
Since I am a Baptist woman with the abbreviation “Rev.” in front of my name, most people assume that I am an impassioned activist for women in ministry. They figure I have a big, mangy dog in the fight for…
Expert says Super Bowl trafficking surge a myth
By Bob Allen As sure as anticipation about the halftime show and new commercials, the hype leading up to Sunday’s Super Bowl XLVII in New York City includes claims it is America’s biggest event for human trafficking. But an activist…
Mosque opponents appeal to Supreme Court
By Bob Allen A group of citizens who sued their county about public notice for plans to build a mosque in their community sent an appeal overnight to the U.S. Supreme Court, the Daily News Journal in Murfreesboro, Tenn., reported…
For Pete’s sake
My last sermon of 2013 was named after a Pete Seeger song – “Turn! Turn! Turn!” Based on a Ecclesiastes 3, it is a text that I’ve mostly used for funerals. I wanted an opportunity to use the song in…