Resources abound for celebrating America 250 and Baptists’ role in preserving liberty
NASHVILLE (BP) – Flags waving, sparklers sizzling and patriotic songs galore will help Americans mark the 250th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4. Leading public policy voices hope Southern Baptists won’t miss the opportunity to give thanks for their freedoms and remember why they’re so important.
Baptists and the struggle for religious liberty (Part 1): Persecution before the Revolution
Baptists in the southern colonies experienced explosive growth during the First Great Awakening. They also began to experience increased persecution from the Anglican (state) Church in the decades before the American Revolution – persecution which convinced many Baptists of the importance of religious liberty and the fight for American independence.
Conservative justices block suit against prison guards who breached religious freedom
WASHINGTON (BP) – A Rastafarian lost his challenge before the U.S. Supreme Court today (June 23) to seek monetary damages against Louisiana prison guards who forcibly shaved his head, in a case that saw the trio of liberal justices upholding religious liberty.
City attorney refuses to prosecute Cities Church protesters
ST. PAUL, Minn. (BP) – Protestors who disrupted the worship service of a Southern Baptist church and proceeded to “terrorize” attendees, according to an affidavit, will not face state charges for their actions, a city attorney announced on June 4.
June gets new focus as Fidelity Month
NASHVILLE (BP) – A grassroots movement to rebrand June as a month celebrating fidelity “to God, spouses and families, and our country and communities” is gaining traction.
Incoming ERLC president affirms government’s duty to protect the right to worship
NASHVILLE (BP) – States that have approved or are pursuing legislation protecting houses of worship from would-be protestors deserve accolades for protecting a foundational right, said incoming Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission president.
We need to love them as ourselves, area pastor says of Muslims after mosque attack
SAN DIEGO (BP) – God had to change Dan Bender’s heart when He called him to minister to Muslims more than a decade ago, Bender told Baptist Press after the murderous May 18th attack on the Islamic Center of San Diego (ICSD).
‘Rededicate 250’ urges repentance, launches season of celebration with prayer
WASHINGTON (BP) – Against a stained glass backdrop of a cross, the U.S. flag and the nation’s Founding Fathers, Southern Baptist pastors joined others Sunday (May 17) at Rededicate 250 in calling the nation to repentance, while U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson rejected in prayer what he called a “sinister ideology” in the land.
FIRST-PERSON: Freedom to counsel with conviction
Counselors across the United States are breathing a collective sigh of relief following the Supreme Court’s decision in Chiles v. Salazar last month.
Supreme court protects mail-order, telehealth abortion pills as lower courts wrangle
WASHINGTON (BP) – Telehealth and mail-order abortion pill prescriptions remain accessible as a case challenging the medication works its way through lower courts, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled May 14th.
