The issue at the center of the swelling controversy over the Obama administration’s refusal to protect the conscience rights of employers in its “contraceptive mandate” is “about as basic as it gets,” especially for Baptists, says Richard Land.
“Does the government have the right to intrude on the consciences of people to force them to pay for that which they find unconscionable? This goes contrary to our tradition in this country and contrary to our understanding of the First Amendment’s religious freedom protections,” Land said Feb. 9 in explaining what is at the heart of the debate.
President Obama’s Department of Health and Human Services has issued a requirement that all insurance plans under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), also known as Obamacare, cover free-of-charge certain so-called “contraceptives” that are actually much more than that. Some of the drugs and devices required to be covered will actually cause abortions. The required drugs include Ella and Plan B, both of which can destroy a developing human being prior to, or even after, implanting in the mother’s womb.
The government requirement also covers IUDs. These devices also prevent fertilized eggs from implanting in the…
Read Full Article
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.
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
On January 22, 1973, the U.S. Supreme Court handed down two decisions (Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton) that have resulted in the destruction of 46 million babies in this country alone. In Roe, the Court allowed unregulated abortion in the first trimester but said the state could regulate second and third trimester abortions if they could prove “compelling interest”—unless the life or health of the mother was in jeopardy. In Doe, the compelling interest clause was rendered virtually meaningless as the Court gave women the right to an abortion at any time by defining health to include “physical,…
Read Full Article
January is a month packed with remembrances of momentous events. First up is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, designated each year as the third Monday of the month. It commemorates the birthday of the civil rights leader who courageously led the nation forward in racial equality. A lesser known but also fundamentally important holiday, Religious Freedom Day, likewise falls in the doldrums of mid-winter. This year, the two days coincide on Jan. 16.
And one week later, thousands will descend on Washington for the March for Life to mark the 39th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision…
Read Full Article
Campaign for Mississippi amendment exposes opposition deceit
Tuesday, November 08, 2011
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
Elected Officials, Political Leaders, & Candidates
Mike Huckabee, former Governor of Arkansas, NY Times best-selling author, and radio and television host demonstrated his support of Amendment 26 by speaking at a campaign kick-off event at First Baptist Church Jackson.
Gov. Haley Barbor voted YES on Personhood Amendment 26 via absentee ballot.
Senator Roger Wicker, Representative Alan Nunnelee, and Representative Greg Harper recorded a video in support of Amendment 26, along with a video from Representative Steven Palazzo, both of which can be viewed at http:/http://www.youtube.com/yeson26dotnet.
Both Republican and Democratic candidates for Governor, Johnny…
Read Full Article
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
Your vote is important. Most Americans don’t think their votes really are important, although it is common for elections to be decided by 10 to 20 percent of the eligible voters. Even national elections, such as for the presidency, may be decided by as few as 30 percent of eligible voters. The 2000 presidential election was decided in Florida by just a few hundred votes. For these reasons, the actual vote of a single citizen is magnified out of proportion to what it would be if everybody voted. Continue Reading Here . .…
Read Full Article
Mississippi’s Personhood Amendment is expected to face intense opposition from out-of-state special interest groups, Planned Parenthood and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), as well as Jackson’s National Organization for Women (NOW)—who also opposes the pro-life, MS Baptist penny project that raised money to fund pro-life ministries across the state. (ClickHERE to read about Jackson NOW’s opposition to MS Baptists’ pro-life efforts.)
These out-of-state interest groups have placed their leaders in position in MS to lead and finance a likely deceptive campaign under the guise of the organization…
Read Full Article
