Christian Action Commission

2012 Legislation: Information & Bill Status

The MS Baptist Christian Action Commission monitors legislation related to moral, social, and ethical issues such as sanctity of life, alcohol and drugs, pornography, human relations, Christian citizenship, Church and state, and other moral and social issues that could impact their families and communities.

Click this link to see a list of bills monitored

Click this link for the 2012 MS Legislative Guide




Click this link for the 2012 timetable for processing legislation

Insight for contacting state and federal officials

The Christian… Read Full Article

An Enigma in the Mississippi Senate

Jimmy Porter

How would you as Mississippi Baptists, all 689,602 of you, describe the activity or inactivity of the Mississippi Senate this session?

We all knew it would take some time for the freshmen lawmakers and first-term Lt. Governor Tate Reeves to get a handle on the legislative process. However, we are now into the fourth month of the 2012 session, and many of us are still at a loss on what to expect from the Senate.

Is it time someone in the news media to ask some hard questions? Personally, I think so!

What has… Read Full Article

Challenging a culture of death

Rob Chambers

The American society is increasingly buying into a pro-choice, message-of-death as fewer and fewer people are identifying themselves as authentically pro-life. 
According to a 2009 national Gallup poll, the percentage of pro-life Americans was 51%, but in 2011 that number fell to 45%.

The downward, pro-life trend can be attributed to several factors but among them is the growing acceptance of chemical abortions as legitimate forms of birth control. 

There are basically two types of birth control for women.  The first is the common birth control known as “the pill” which “prevents fertilization.” The… Read Full Article

Gambling and the Common Good

Russell Moore

Kentucky, the state where I live, is abuzz these days with discussion over expanded gambling.The governor here wants it, and conservative Christian groups don’t. This argument is hardly limited to here. I lived through it in my ancestral home on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, as the casino industry promised an economic turnaround if voters would just give them the right to exist. Almost every state is involved in some discussion of state-sponsored gambling.

I think there are bigger issues involved than how they are typically framed.

First of all, pro-gambling elected officials aren’t evil villains (necessarily).… Read Full Article

The ugly American history of eugenics is exposed

Evan Ludlow

FORT WORTH, Texas (BP)—Most Americans live with the belief that we are the greatest society in the world. Our roots stem from proclamations “that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” We confidently assert that we always take the moral high ground on the world stage. We swell with pride over the idea that the American Dream is for everyone.

However, deep down we know that there is an ugly side to American history. We are not a… Read Full Article

Leaders unite in defense of marriage, religious liberty

Doug Carlson

On matters of theology, religious leaders from Anglican, Baptist, Catholic, Jewish and Pentecostal communities hold differing views. That is no secret. But leaders from these and multiple other religious traditions are rallying together with a shared perspective on a fundamental institution of society—marriage—and they want to be sure that is no secret either.

In an open letter to the American people, nearly 40 religious leaders “join[ed] together to affirm that marriage in its true definition must be protected for its own sake and for the good of society.”

Entitled “Marriage and Religious Freedom: Fundamental Goods That… Read Full Article

Campaign for Mississippi amendment exposes opposition deceit

Michael F. Haverluck

A press conference held by Mississippi attorneys and legislators has refuted allegations made by the abortion industry against Initiative 26, also known as the Personhood Amendment. It is being voted on today.

“The [Personhood Amendment] merely offers a definition of a person that is inclusive of unborn children,” said Initiative 26 attorney Russell Latino of Ridgeland, Miss. “It does not, itself, outlaw abortions. It is crafted to give the legislature an opportunity to place restriction on abortion, and in so doing, set up a unique challenge to Roe: the question being whether a state can decide that an… Read Full Article

‘I am pro-life, but…’

Jimmy Porter

Those opposed to the statewide Initiative No. 26, also known as the Personhood Amendment, start out by saying, “I am pro-life, but…” Then they begin tearing down the amendment, not with truth and facts, but falsehoods, confusion, rumors and fear tactics.  To say, “I am pro-life, but…” is likened to the lady who said to her doctor, “Doctor, I am afraid I am a little bit pregnant.” Well, you are or you aren’t because in life there are some things you cannot have both ways.

You will hear some who are saying there are going to be unintended… Read Full Article

Vote YES on Pro-Life, Personhood Amendment

Rob Chambers

The MS Supreme Court, consisting of 9 elected justices, handed down a 7-2 decision that Mississippians have a right to vote for the personhood amendment on Nov. 8th.

The justices supporting Mississippians’ right to vote are:  Chief Justice William L. (Bill) Waller, Jr., Presiding Justice George C. Carlson, Jr., Presiding Justice Jess H. Dickinson, Associate Justice Michael K. Randolph, Associate Justice Ann H. Lamar, Associate Justice David A. Chandler, and Associate Justice Randy G. Pierce.  Those opposed are Associate Justice James W. Kitchens and Associate Justice Leslie D. King.

The personhood amendment will define the… Read Full Article

2011 MS Election Resources*

Click here to download spreadsheet of all State, District, House, and Senate positions on abortion**

(Position statements will be updated as questionnaires are received)

Statewide candidate’s position on abortion**

FOR MORE ELECTION RESOURCES CLICK HERE

*The Mississippi Baptist Christian Action Commission does not endorse candidates

**Source: Mississippi Right to Life

2011 MS Statewide and Legislative Candidates Contact Information

CLICK HERE FOR LIST OF CANDIDATES AND THEIR CONTACT INFORMATION

MS Baptist response to SBC resolution on immigration

A resolution in terms of Southern Baptist polity is a statement of the sentiment of a majority of voting messengers at any given annual meeting of the convention. Resolutions approved at an annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention do not carry over from year to year, have no enforcement powers, do not bind anyone or any organization to a course of action, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the autonomous bodies that choose to voluntarily affiliate with the SBC such as churches, associations, state Baptist conventions, and auxiliaries. This is true for the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board.… Read Full Article

House Speaker McCoy won’t seek re-election

House Speaker Billy McCoy announced today he will not be seeking re-election.

McCoy has represented Alcorn and Prentiss counties since 1980 and served as House speaker for eight years.

“With a humble heart I thank my family for their faithful support during more than 40 years of public service,” McCoy said in a news release announcing his decision. “I thank the voters of District 3 for their many votes for us and I want to thank my colleagues in the House for bestowing their highest honor on me as their speaker. I am grateful to previous… Read Full Article

Christian, Baptist and Ethics

Jimmy Porter

“Do you know a good Christian realtor in the Jackson area?” asked one of our Mississippi pastors.  He was inquiring on behalf of his son who had just been accepted into dental school.  He desires a Christian realtor because he expects that person to be honest, fair, and just. 

Shortly afterwards in another conversation an elected official indicated his Christian profession did not necessarily influence his decision in matters related to the well being of his constituents.  He felt no moral or ethical obligation to care about citizens who were being exploited by others.

The above… Read Full Article

Considering immigration reform as both Christians and citizens

Staff

The following commentary on immigration reform is authored in part by The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention.

The time has come for our nation to resolve its immigration dilemma. It is imperative that we find an acceptable solution to the disposition of the millions of undocumented immigrants living in our nation.

Currently, the two extremes of deportation and amnesty are being played against each other, resulting in a stalemate in Congress. We believe that neither of the two extremes are appropriate, workable solutions. To force those who are here illegally to… Read Full Article