Mission Board President David Platt Apologizes for Distraction, Division Caused by Brief Supporting Mosque

Mission Board President David Platt Apologizes for Distraction, Division Caused by Brief Supporting Mosque

ONTARIO, Calif. — While appearing at an event with Baptist news reporters on Wednesday, Southern Baptist International Mission Board President David Platt told those gathered that he was sorry that an amicus brief supporting the construction of a New Jersey mosque had caused division. “I apologize to Southern Baptists for how distracting and divisive this has been,” he said. “I […]

House Votes to Overturn Obama Admin Rule Banning States From Defunding Planned Parenthood

House Votes to Overturn Obama Admin Rule Banning States From Defunding Planned Parenthood

WASHINGTON — The U.S. House of Representatives voted on Thursday to overturn a rule issued by the Obama administration that bans states from defunding the abortion and contraception giant Planned Parenthood. Congress used its authority under the Congressional Review Act, which allows the legislative branch to overturn orders issued within the past 60 days. It agreed 228-188, under […]

Washington State Supreme Court Upholds Ruling Declaring Florist Must Service ‘Gay Weddings’

Washington State Supreme Court Upholds Ruling Declaring Florist Must Service ‘Gay Weddings’

OLYMPIA, Wash. — The Washington State Supreme Court has unanimously upheld a ruling against a florist accused of discrimination by providing a referral for a regular customer’s request for the creation of floral arrangements for his same-sex ceremony rather than fulfilling the order herself. “Discrimination based on same-sex marriage constitutes discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. […]

NFL Says It Might Keep Future Super Bowls Out of Texas If ‘Bathroom Bill’ Becomes Law

NFL Says It Might Keep Future Super Bowls Out of Texas If ‘Bathroom Bill’ Becomes Law

A spokesman for the National Football League (NFL) has suggested that the organization might keep future Super Bowls out of Texas if a proposed bill requiring restroom use at government-run facilities to correlate with birth gender becomes law. “If a proposal that is discriminatory or inconsistent with our values were to become law [in Texas], […]

Center for Social Justice: Fathers Are ‘Crucial Pillar’ for Children

Center for Social Justice: Fathers Are ‘Crucial Pillar’ for Children

(Christian Institute) — Fathers should be seen as a “crucial pillar” for children and not a “dispensable extra,” a think-tank has warned. The Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) said the “throwaway culture” in relationships means that people quickly give up if problems occur. Andy Cook, the CSJ’s chief executive, also said the “meteoric rise in […]

Oklahoma Rep. Submits Bill Requiring Father’s Consent for ‘Host’ Mother to Abort Their Baby

Oklahoma Rep. Submits Bill Requiring Father’s Consent for ‘Host’ Mother to Abort Their Baby

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — A Republican lawmaker in Oklahoma has proposed a bill that would require fathers to provide written consent for the mother of their child—who he refers to as the “host” of their baby—to obtain an abortion. Rep. Justin Humphrey, R-Albany, recently introduced H.B. 1441, which reads, “No abortion shall be performed in this […]

Humana Becomes First Major Insurer to Quit Obamacare Exchanges

Humana Becomes First Major Insurer to Quit Obamacare Exchanges

(Politico) — Health insurance giant Humana on Tuesday said it will quit Obamacare’s insurance markets altogether, announcing it will stop selling individual coverage in 2018. The decision makes Humana the first major insurer to fully exit Obamacare amid uncertainty about the GOP’s undefined health care plans. Other major insurers said they could also withdraw from […]

Virginia Lawmakers Pass Bill to Defund Planned Parenthood, Governor Vows Veto

Virginia Lawmakers Pass Bill to Defund Planned Parenthood, Governor Vows Veto

RICHMOND, Va. — Lawmakers in Virginia have passed a bill to defund the abortion and contraception giant Planned Parenthood, as well as all other abortion providers—a move that the Commonwealth’s Democratic governor has vowed to veto. HB 2264 passed the Senate 20-19 along party lines on Tuesday, a week after likewise clearing the House of […]

Georgetown University Islamic Professor Asserts Slavery, Rape Is Not Always ‘Morally Evil’

Georgetown University Islamic Professor Asserts Slavery, Rape Is Not Always ‘Morally Evil’

WASHINGTON — Concerns are being expressed after audio has surfaced of a Muslim Georgetown University professor outlining that slavery and sex without consent is not always wrong as defined in Islamic culture. Professor Jonathan Brown recently lectured at the International Institute of Islamic Thought, where he delivered a message on “Islam and the Problem of Slavery.” […]