By First Liberty staff CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - During a court hearing Tuesday, atheist activist Patrick Greene reached a court-approved settlement agreement with Pastor Rick Milby of Abundant Life Fellowship Church. In the settlement, Greene dropped all claims against Pastor Milby, who Greene sued over the construction of a 230-foot cross, which will be “the tallest cross in America.” Read the final court order: FirstLiberty.org/corpus In the settlement, Greene admitted that his lawsuit was “baseless,” “vexatious” and “without merit.” As a part of the settlement, he entered into a “covenant not to sue,” agreeing to cease filing meritless lawsuits over the free exercise of religion. Jeremy Dys, Senior Counsel for First Liberty, says, “We are grateful that Mr. Greene has admitted that his lawsuit – filed against a pastor for building a cross on church property – is baseless and without merit. Today’s outcome should send a clear message to anti-religious freedom activists everywhere: if you abuse the legal system by suing people simply because you don’t like how they exercise their religion, there will be legal consequences.” Pastor Milby, Senior Pastor of Abundant Life Fellowship, says, “We are overjoyed that we were able to … [Read more...]
Hostile Senate committee rejects protections for pastors
By Message Staff BATON ROUGE - The Louisiana Senate Judiciary B Committee presented a hostile response to a bill that would have provided a simple protection for pastors -- prevent the state from forcing religious leaders to participate in same-sex wedding ceremonies. Sponsored by state Rep. Mike Johnson, HB597, the Pastor Protection Act, narrowly focused on shielding pastors from the fallout of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges, in which five justices overturned voter–approved marriage laws in 31 states, which had defined marriage as between one man and one woman. It did not contain any provisions relating to people of faith in business or government, just those who serve in official roles with a church in context of wedding ceremonies. The Louisiana House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed this bill by an 80-18 vote April 19, but the measure failed 3-2 with the Judiciary B Committee, meaning the full Senate will not have a chance to consider the proposed legislation. Voting against the bill were Senators J.P. Morrell and Karen Carter Peterson, both from New Orleans, as well as Eric LaFleur of Ville Platte. All three are Democrats, and Peterson is chair of the Louisiana Democratic Party … [Read more...]
Paul Harvey’s baptism: the rest of the story
By Ron F Hale Paul Harvey Aurandt was born on September 4, 1918 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Twenty-five years later, the surname was dropped for professional reasons as his star rose in the world of radio. Tragedy struck early as three-year-old Paul lost his father while he was in the line of duty as a Tulsa policeman. The burglar’s bullet put the family in desperate financial straits. To keep debt collectors at bay, Paul’s mother had small apartments built into their house to make money from renters. Paul built his own radio set as a kid and the magic and medium of radio remained a lifelong passion. In high school Paul worked at KVOO, a local station in Tulsa, and eventually worked in Salina (KS), Oklahoma City, Honolulu, and St. Louis. Paul Harvey’s voice was the “golden goose” that kept on giving. It became a highly tuned instrument -- powered by a crystal clear Midwestern accent. With the passion of an evangelist, Harvey’s enduring voice resonated the thrill of new products in his testimonial styled commercials. As he put the “art” in articulation Harvey’s listeners followed the rise and fall of every tonal inflection. Paul, with his wife Lynne, blew into the “Windy City” in the early 1950’s and eventually spoke daily to 24 … [Read more...]
Abraham legislation seeks to put a stop to Obama overreach on bathroom policy
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Congressman Ralph Abraham has introduced legislation intended to stop what he believes is overreach by President Obama on directing public schools to allow students to use bathrooms and locker rooms of the opposite sex. A member of Alto Baptist Church, Abraham introduced the bill that amends Title IX by clarifying the term ‘sex’ refers to the biological gender of the individual. Enacted in 1972, Title IX was originally passed to provide a more equal playing field for male and females in athletics and other after-school programs. “For 40 years, society and law have interpreted Title IX to refer to a person’s biological sex,” Abraham said in a news release. “Now the President and liberal activists are distorting that meaning to circumvent Congress to enact their radical social agenda. My bill removes any ambiguity in the law to ensure that Title IX's true intent is respected. Transgender bathroom policy decisions should be made on the local and state levels, not by an over-reaching Executive Branch that twists the law to suit its own purposes.” Issued on May 13, the order signed by Department of Education and Justice officials threaten to pull federal funding for schools that do not comply. A letter on the … [Read more...]
EXCLUSIVE: Evangelical leaders to quiz Trump on faith and values
By Todd Starnes, Fox News Donald Trump has agreed to meet privately with some of the nation’s most prominent Evangelical leaders – a meeting seen as critical to garnering support from social conservatives, Fox News has learned. “Our goal is to be able to have a conversation that could lead to a better understanding of what Donald Trump has to offer to the country,” said Family Research Council President Tony Perkins. Perkins is one of the key conservative leaders spearheading the gathering – set for June 21 in New York City. Perkins, along with Bill Dallas of United in Purpose, worked with Dr. Ben Carson to arrange the meeting. As many as 500 conservative leaders from around the nation are expected to attend the invitation-only event. The meeting was convened by a who’s who among Evangelicals – including Southern Baptist Convention President Ronnie Floyd, James Dobson, Ralph Reed, Penny Nance, Bob McEwen, Tim Wildmon of the American Family Association, Kelly Shackleford of First Liberty, and mega-church pastors Jack Graham and Ed Young. “I want to be actively supportive of a candidate who can help turn this nation around,” Perkins told me. “With Trump – I’m not there yet. I hope to be there – but I’m not there … [Read more...]
NAMB’s Kevin Ezell denies confidential ‘Cooperation Agreements’ are ‘gag orders’
By Joni B Hannigan, Christian Examiner ALPHARETTA, Ga. (Christian Examiner) – Kevin Ezell, president of the Southern Baptist Convention North American Mission Board, May 17 refuted accusations that "Cooperation Agreements" signed by state executives are "gag orders," but instead said they are "simply a commitment of charity and trust." Last week, several Southern Baptist state leaders accused NAMB of linking financial support from the national entity to the agreements that were said to include a non-disclosure agreement. NAMB declined to respond to Christian Examiner's request for comment, but posted an article on the organization's website May 17. To read the rest of the article, click here. … [Read more...]
More state government contracts
By John Kennedy, State Treasurer Louisiana state government has at least 18,710 consultants on its payroll. I say "at least" because the sad fact is, according to the Legislative Auditor, the state doesn't even know the exact number of consultants it has, because there is no central database listing all of them. Furthermore, the database we do have has been changed by the Division of Administration to make it less transparent. Many of the state's consulting contracts could be eliminated, reduced or given to our universities in order to save taxpayer money. Below are a few of the consulting contracts you are paying for or have paid for in the past. There are many more: * Contract #2000121024; "Educational Guidance Services Contract;" New Orleans South Africa; $1,670,421. * Contract #702019; "Provide spiritual and religious guidance to inmates at Elayn Hunt Correctional Center and Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women and serve as imam (Muslim spiritual adviser);" Haneef Hanee Uqdah; $39,980. * Contract #733168; "Accompany and coordinate the travel of university officials to China for business meetings and serve as logistics coordinator and translator in China;" United Matrix International; $49,999.99. * Contract … [Read more...]
Franklinton layman given Natchitoches Rotary’s “Service above Self” award
NATCHITOCHES – Danny R. Von Kanel, a member of Trinity Baptist Church in Franklinton, received the Natchitoches Rotary’s “Service Above Self” award at their monthly meeting May 3rd. Over a five-year period, Von Kanel has raised $28,0000. Money raised was used to award a $192 scholarship to students who took one of 12 fine classes offered after school at the L.P. Vaughn School of Fine Arts in Natchitoches, which he directs. This year, he led the school to raise $15,582 through sponsorships and a brick memorial fundraiser. During the award presentation, Von Kanel said he was “totally overwhelmed. What a wonderful way to be honored.” Von Kanel has lived in Franklinton since 2002 and was minister of music at First Baptist Church there from 2002-2005. He also served as minister of music at Memorial Baptist Church in Bogalusa from 2005-2008. He and his wife, Beverly, has two grown sons and six grandchildren. … [Read more...]
Supreme Court ruling good news for GuideStone, ministries
By Roy Hayhurst, GuideStone Financial Resources communications DALLAS — The U.S. Supreme Court issued a unanimous opinion today, May 16, ordering the government to work out a solution in the contraceptive mandate cases that would actually protect the religious beliefs of objecting religious organizations, including GuideStone and the ministries it serves. The Court vacated the lower court decision that had gone against the religious organizations, and ruled that the government cannot fine the ministries as the cases proceed. No ministries served by GuideStone have been fined; a temporary injunction has been in place since December 2013, preventing the government from enforcing the mandate or applying penalties against ministries served by GuideStone’s health plans. Churches and closely related auxiliaries of churches were exempt from the mandate from the outset and were not at risk of penalties. “We are thankful, first and foremost, to the Lord for this decision,” GuideStone President O.S. Hawkins said. “We appreciate the diligence of our legal teams in working through the legal and constitutional issues that were raised as well as for the men and women of the Supreme Court who took seriously their oaths of office. This is a … [Read more...]
Louisiana Baptist pastors speak out, take stand following transgender directive
By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer An order by the Obama administration that public schools and universities permit transgender students to use restrooms and locker rooms that correspond to the gender identity of their choosing has drawn opposition from many Louisiana Baptists. Issued on Friday, the order signed by Department of Education and Justice officials threaten to pull federal funding for schools that do not comply. A letter on the matter was sent to all school districts in the U.S. “Schools have a responsibility to provide a safe and nondiscriminatory environment for all students, including transgender students,” the letter said. “Harassment that targets a student based on gender identity, transgender status, or gender transition is harassment based on sex, and the Departments enforce Title IX accordingly. If sex-based harassment creates a hostile environment, the school must take prompt and effective steps to end the harassment, prevent its recurrence, and, as appropriate, remedy its effects. A school’s failure to treat students consistent with their gender identity may create or contribute to a hostile environment in violation of Title IX.” The letter said a school can provide separate facilities based on the … [Read more...]
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