Christian Action Commission

Legal Dos & Don’ts for Pastors and Churches

Today’s world all to often tells Christians they have to leave their biblical beliefs and convictions at the door step before entering into an exchange of ideas on politics.  Those opposed to Christianity frequently cry “separation of church and state” as a fear tactic to keep Christians from speaking on issues, but the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution gives U.S. citizens the right to exercise and express their religious belief. 

Churches that have 501(c)(3) status do need to keep in mind that there are IRS regulations on what activity pastors and churches may participate in without losing… Read Full Article

2008 Presidential Candidates: On Abortion

Rob Chambers

Not much has been said about abortion on the campaign trail lately, but as election time draws nearer, each candidate will increasingly seek disparity on many issues.  Abortion is one of those issues.  Lately, McCain has been more verbal on his abortion views, whereas Obama has been less so.  When Obama has spoken to the issue of abortion, it has mainly been in the presence of pro-abortion advocates like NARAL and Planned Parenthood who both support Obama because of his pro-choice position.  (By the way, the SBC passed a resolution at the 2008 SBC convention… Read Full Article

Snapshot: SBC Convention 2008

Rob Chambers

June 19, 2008

At this year’s convention, Southern Baptist messengers elected Johnny Hunt as new SBC president and passed a total of nine resolutions. Among them were resolutions to call US Congress to defund Planned Parenthood, to encourage a representational ethnic diversity in SBC denominational service, and to support pastors in California who are defending biblical marriage.  For a complete description of all resolutions passed this year visit this SBC link.  Here’s a Baptist Press article that summarizes convention activity.

Biloxi mayor says gambling provides new trucks and new jobs to all Tunica residents . . . Really?

Rob Chambers

Biloxi mayor gives gambling a positive spin in recent article, Presidential politics likely to impact gambling landscape:

A.J. Holloway, the four-term mayor of the city of Biloxi, said he doesn’t know the politics of Alabama, but Mississippi had to do something. He’s talking about casinos. “We were the poor state,” he said last week after one of the conferences of the Southern Gaming Summit held at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum & Convention Center.  “This has been a big boom for Mississippi.” He cites Tunica in the Mississippi Delta… Read Full Article

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Heartbreak: A Reality Check on Gambling in Tunica

Grace Thornton

‘Heartbreak’ shift a daily reality for gambling facilities nationwide

The dazzling lights of nine casinos flood miles of farmland in the Mississippi Delta, blasting across the region as if they had more to compete with than a few catfish ponds and cotton fields.

Nothing hinders the casinos’ glow in the flat expanse of Tunica County, Miss. For the poverty-stricken area, the lustrous resort complex is the moon that rises every night in the west, glimmering in the Mississippi River on one side and penetrating the shadows of pawnshops on the other.

The area’s financial… Read Full Article

Miss. Taxpayers Beg for Crumbs from Rich Man’s Table

Some things just get under your skin, and House Bill 1196 presently being considered by Mississippi legislators does that to me.  The short description given to it is, “Tourism; revise the definition of tourism projects for the ‘Tourism Project Sales Tax Incentive.’” The bottom line is that this bill will allow the gambling industry to take advantage of this – call it what it really is—tax rebate.

HB 1196 allows a corporation that invests a minimum of $10 million in a tourism project to receive a tax rebate for up to 10 years, not to exceed 30% of… Read Full Article

Getting Away with the Big Giveaway:  Most Legislators Vote for Casino Tax Rebates

Rob Chambers

Many TV shows have been emphasizing the importance of charity, and it appears most Mississippi legislators have taken this lead as well – but not in the true sense of charity. To be charitable means to give to someone in need, ill or helpless, but most Mississippi legislators have chosen to redefine charity to apply to lucrative casino businesses. 

In 2007 casinos had revenue in excess of $2.8 billion and for January and February 2008 alone nearly $500 million, but despite these numbers most legislators have chosen to deem the casino industry in need of charity.

… Read Full Article

Illinois church wins first round of religious liberty court battle

Marty King

CARLINVILL, Ill. - Carlinville Southern Baptist Church “can do everything we want in the new facility except use it for worship,” according to the church’s First Amendment attorney, Daniel Dalton.  More