Anti-Muslim legislation and policies violate the U.S. Constitution’s requirement that government remain neutral in matters of religion, said Amanda Tyler, executive director of Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty. Tyler offered the perspective during a May 13 House Judiciary subcommittee…
Clyburn draws inspiration from his eight predecessors
As a former history teacher, U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn believes American history is repeating itself — and not in a good way. Clyburn, a Democrat from South Carolina, is the ninth Black representative sent to Congress from South Carolina. He…
White faith leaders to challenge GOP in midterms
It has been decades since white Christian clergy were elected to the U.S. Congress as Democrats, but a dozen candidates are hoping to change that in this November’s midterm elections. “Democratic Party is seeing a rise of white clergy candidates,”…
Ronald Reagan and the Whole Trump
Just 10 days after Donald Trump’s inauguration for a second term, I wrote these words: The Pine Belt News: “On Inauguration Day, January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump commuted the sentences of the paramilitary members who had been convicted of…
Perryman testifies about dangers of Project 2025
Project 2025 is not a hypothetical proposal but is a reality already being tested in state legislatures and federal courts, Skye Perryman warned Congress Sept. 19. Perryman, a Baylor University alumus who leads Democracy Forward, was the only witness before…
Mr. Netanyahu goes to Washington
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke to the U.S. Congress for a record fourth time today. Netanyahu — who has been compared to former U.S. President Donald Trump — easily demonstrated his ability to speak more coherently, in complete sentences,…
Boebert and Buck symbolize transformation of GOP, Congress
Many Americans have heard of two-term Western Colorado Republican congresswoman Lauren Boebert, a legislative lightweight who has gained fame and plentiful political donations thanks to her antics, social media posts and heckling of President Joe Biden during his State of…
Dallas police shootings were a turning point for Black trauma surgeon
Brian Williams’ entire life changed in the summer of 2016 as a trauma surgeon working in Dallas. That was the night five Dallas police officers were gunned down amid a peaceful protest of police killings of Black men nationwide. The…
Once again, Congress urged to protest Afghan refugees on temporary status in U.S.
Living in the U.S. since 2021 without a pathway to permanent residency has kept Afghan war refugees constantly fearful of possible repatriation to a nation run by the brutal Taliban regime, experts said during a National Immigration Forum webinar. The…
Baptists make up 12.5% of the new Congress, while 28% are Catholic
There are more Baptists in the 118th United States Congress than any other Protestant denomination, but Catholics and generic Protestants take the top faith spots. An analysis of the newly seated Congress by Pew Research finds the 534 members of…
Baptist pastor Wade Burleson running for Congress from Oklahoma
A well-known Oklahoma Baptist pastor announced Feb. 1 that he will challenge a 28-year incumbent to represent the state’s Third Congressional District. If elected, Wade Burleson would be the second Oklahoma Baptist pastor currently serving in Congress; Oklahoma Sen. James…
It’s still rare for a Baptist minister to serve in Congress
Raphael Warnock’s election to the United States Senate has been hailed as historic for several reasons — being the first Black senator from Georgia at the top of the list — but he also will become one of the few…