Bay Ledger News Zonebill@blnz.comtag:www.blnz.com,2009:topics/baptist_churchtag:www.blnz.com,2009:2012/10/10/Baptist_Preachers_Donte_Hickman_Delman_0eaf

Two prominent Baptist preachers star in videos urging Marylanders to vote 'yes' on Question 6. Two prominent Baptist preachers star in videos urging Marylanders to vote ?yes? on Question 6, the ballot measure which asks voters to uphold ? or reject ? a gay marriage law approved by lawmakers. ?As a pastor, my support for Question 6 is rooted in my belief that the government should treat everyone equally,? the Rev. Donte Hickman of Southern Baptist Church in Baltimore says in his 30-second video. ?I wouldn't want someone denying my rights based on their religious views. So I shouldn't deny others based on mine. It's about fairness.? (The video is embedded on this page. Visit our video library for more videos.) ?This law does not force any church to perform a same-sex marriage if it's against their beliefs. Protecting religious freedom and protecting all Marylanders equally under the law, that's what this is about,? the Rev. Delman Coates of Mt. Ennon Baptist Church in Clinton says in his

2012-10-10T00:00:00ZOn Top MagazineStafftag:www.blnz.com,2009:2012/07/30/Chaplain_Quits_Southern_Baptist_Over_852d

A chaplain has quit the Southern Baptist Convention following a controversy over his attendance at a gay civil union ceremony. Col. Timothy Wagoner, a chaplain in the Air Force, has quit the Southern Baptist Convention following a controversy over his attendance at a gay civil union ceremony. Wagoner severed ties with the denomination and joined the more progressive Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. ?I find very little that is more important and nothing that is more exhilarating than providing for the religious freedoms and spiritual care of all service members and their families ? and will joyfully continue to do,? Wagoner told the AP. Wagoner attended the civil union ceremony of Tech. Sgt. Erwynn Umali and Will Behrens at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in Wrightstown, New Jersey late last month. The ceremony is considered the first to be held on a military base since repeal of ?Don't Ask, Don't Tell,? the law which for 18 years banned gay and bisexual troops from serving openly. Kay

2012-07-30T00:00:00ZOn Top MagazineStafftag:www.blnz.com,2009:2012/06/21/Southern_Baptists_Reject_Marriage_3954

Southern Baptists meeting in New Orleans on Wednesday approved a resolution opposed to the idea that gay marriage is a civil rights issue. Southern Baptists meeting in New Orleans on Wednesday approved a resolution in support of defining marriage as a heterosexual union. The vote during the denomination's annual meeting was nearly unanimous, the AP reported. The resolution affirms their belief that marriage is ?the exclusive union of one man and one woman? and that ?all sexual behavior outside of marriage is sinful.? It also declares that the struggles of gay men and lesbians lack the ?distinguishing features of classes entitled to special protections.? ?It is regrettable that homosexual rights activists and those who are promoting the recognition of 'same-sex marriage' have misappropriated the rhetoric of the Civil Rights Movement,? the resolution states. The thousands of delegates attending the meeting also approved a resolution claiming to protect religious liberty. The resolution,

2012-06-21T00:00:00ZOn Top MagazineStafftag:www.blnz.com,2009:2012/06/21/Southern_Baptist_President_Fred_Luter_7d23

Fred Luter, the president of the Southern Baptist Convention, has said he's in disagreement with Obama on gay marriage. Reverend Fred Luter, the newly elected president of the Southern Baptist Convention, has said he's in disagreement with President Barack Obama on gay marriage. Luter, the first African-American to helm the nation's largest Protestant denomination, appeared on cabler CNN's Starting Point with Soledad O'Brien. ?Will your agenda include inclusiveness of gay Americans, a new civil rights issue?? he was asked. ?No, I'm a man of the book,? Luter responded. ?I believe in the word of God. I believe in the bible. God has specifically spoken about marriage. Marriage is between a man and a woman. That's biblical. No president whether it's a president in the White House, no governor, no mayor, no one can change that. God has already established marriage between a one man and one woman. So I would stand for that because that's what the word of God says and that's what I believe in

2012-06-21T00:00:00ZOn Top MagazineStafftag:www.blnz.com,2009:2012/05/22/Pastor_stirs_outrage_with_plan_1eff

A Baptist pastor in North Carolina triggered Internet outrage Tuesday with his call from the pulpit for all gays and lesbians to be rounded up, fenced in like cattle, then left to die.

2012-05-22T20:52:35ZAFP American Editionby Robert MacPhersontag:www.blnz.com,2009:2012/02/28/Baptists_Rally_Against_North_Carolina_e2d2

About 100 people gathered at a Baptist church on Saturday to opposed a proposed gay marriage ban in North Carolina. About 100 people gathered on Saturday at a Baptist church to oppose a proposed constitutional amendment which would ban gay marriage in North Carolina, the Associated Baptist Press reported. The rally, titled NC Baptists Against Amendment One: Justice, Equality and Personal Freedom and held at Myers Baptist Church in Charlotte, is the first of three events planned to defeat Amendment One on May 8. ?The classic argument for support of Amendment One is that it will strengthen traditional marriages,? said Ricky Woods, senior minister at Charlotte's First Baptist Church-West. ?The greatest threat to traditional marriage is divorce, and the reasons for divorce most often have to do with infidelity and financial problems. So let's outlaw unemployment and infidelity.? If approved, the amendment would bar North Carolina from recognizing the relationships of gay and lesbian couple

2012-02-28T00:00:00ZOn Top MagazineStafftag:www.blnz.com,2009:2012/02/21/Southern_Baptists_vote_keep_name_5363

NASHVILLE, Tenn (Reuters) - Leaders of the Southern Baptist Convention, the country's largest Protestant denomination, on Tuesday opted against changing a name that has proved problematic for some churches because of its connection to the South and slavery.

2012-02-21T23:56:19ZReuters US Online Report Domestic News Tim Ghiannitag:www.blnz.com,2009:2012/02/21/Vandals_daub_death_threats_Jerusalem_63ae

Attackers daubed death threats on the walls of the Baptist House church in central Jerusalem overnight and vandalised three cars parked nearby in the latest "price tag" hate crime, Israeli police said on Monday.

2012-02-21T09:38:08ZAFP Global EditionBy Staff Reportertag:www.blnz.com,2009:2012/02/20/Vandals_daub_death_threats_Jerusalem_63ae

Attackers daubed death threats on the walls of the Baptist House church in central Jerusalem overnight and vandalised three cars parked nearby in the latest "price tag" hate crime, Israeli police said on Monday.

2012-02-20T19:56:41ZAFP Global EditionBy Staff Reportertag:www.blnz.com,2009:2012/01/12/Fiesty_Gingrich_makes_plea_evangelical_9dd1

COLUMBIA, South Carolina (Reuters) - These are desperate times for Newt Gingrich.

2012-01-13T02:24:44ZReuters US Online Report Politics News Samuel P. Jacobstag:www.blnz.com,2009:2012/01/13/Feisty_Gingrich_makes_plea_evangelical_90f9

COLUMBIA, South Carolina (Reuters) - These are desperate times for Newt Gingrich.

2012-01-13T02:24:44ZReuters US Online Report Politics News Samuel P. Jacobstag:www.blnz.com,2009:2011/11/11/Baptists_Approve_Resolution_Support_North_0563

At its annual meeting, North Carolina Baptists approved a resolution in support of a proposed gay marriage ban. ?At its 181st annual meeting, North Carolina Baptists approved a resolution in support of a proposed state constitutional amendment that would ban gay marriage. Voters in May will decided on the far-reaching amendment that would make it unconstitutional for North Carolina to recognize gay and lesbian couples with marriage, civil unions and possibly even domestic partnerships. The Baptist State Convention of North Carolina (BSCNC) held its meeting earlier this week in Greensboro. The resolution was brought by Jim Jacumin, a member of the BSCNC board of directors. The resolution states that ?Marriage originated from God, established in the order of creation to be a permanent union of one man with one woman? and that ?Jesus reaffirmed the origin of marriage in the order of creation.? It suggests that gay marriage would hurt the family, children, and North Carolina's reputation a

2011-11-11T00:00:00ZOn Top MagazineStafftag:www.blnz.com,2009:2011/04/06/Nashville_Approves_Plan_Extend_Citys_a6b2

Nashville, Tennessee on Tuesday approved a plan to extend the city's gay protections to contractors. Nashville, Tennessee on Tuesday approved a plan to extend the city's gay protections to contractors. In 2009, Nashville Mayor Karl Dean signed into law a bill that bans employment discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity by the Metro government. Metro Nashville is the governing body of the City of Nashville and Davidson County. The pair merged in 1963. With a narrow 21 to 15 vote, the 40-member council decided that companies that do business with the city must adopt a similar nondiscrimination policy, joining more than 100 communities across the nation. Chris Sanders of the gay rights group Tennessee Equality Project told the Tennessean: ?The message it sends is that if you're talented and willing to work, you're welcome.? At an earlier meeting, Councilman Mike Jameson, a co-sponsor of the legislation, was called out of order when he attempted to explain the main g

2011-04-06T00:00:00ZOn Top MagazineStafftag:www.blnz.com,2009:2011/03/13/Nashville_Clergy_Divided_Protections_Bill_a162

Religious leaders in Nashville, Tennessee are divided on a plan to extend the city's gay protections to contractors. ?Religious leaders in Nashville, Tennessee are divided on a plan to extend the city's gay protections to contractors. In 2009, Nashville Mayor Karl Dean signed into law a bill that bans employment discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity by the Metro government. Metro Nashville is the governing body of the City of Nashville and Davidson County. The pair merged in 1963. The Metro Council is now considering requiring companies that do business with the city to adopt a similar nondiscrimination policy. The proposed measure received its second okay last month. A third and final vote is scheduled for Tuesday, but Councilman Mike Jameson, a co-sponsor of the legislation, is expected to ask for a one-meeting delay. In a letter to the council's leaders, three Southern Baptist leaders condemned the proposal, The Tennessean reported. ?It is clear that imposin

2011-03-13T00:00:00ZOn Top MagazineStafftag:www.blnz.com,2009:2011/03/02/Anti-gay_church_right_picket_funerals_232f

A church that pickets military funerals with signs saying "Thank God for dead soldiers" and "God hates fags" is protected by the US constitution's right to free speech, the Supreme Court ruled Wednesday.

2011-03-02T20:45:46ZAFP Global Editionby Edouard Guihairetag:www.blnz.com,2009:2011/01/19/Alabama_governor_apologizes_brotherhood_comment_c598

BIRMINGHAM (Reuters) - Alabama's new Governor Robert Bentley apologized on Wednesday for saying at a high-profile church service this week that only Christians who were saved were his brothers and sisters.

2011-01-19T23:19:01ZReuters US Online Report Domestic NewsVerna Gatestag:www.blnz.com,2009:2010/12/14/Senator_bets_Internet_poker_odds_fe80

LAS VEGAS (Reuters) - Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is pushing for a last-minute bill to legalize Internet poker -- at least for operators of existing brick-and-mortar casinos.

2010-12-14T17:52:30ZReuters US Online Report Technology NewsDeena Beasleytag:www.blnz.com,2009:2010/11/17/Religion_news_brief_c010

Religion news in brief. Nearly 3 million Muslims performing the annual hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia climbed the rocky desert Mount Arafat on Monday, chanting that they have come to answer God's call.

2010-11-17T18:21:38ZAP NewsThe Associated Presstag:www.blnz.com,2009:2010/10/07/Southern_Baptist_leader_yoga_Christianity_ea4c

Southern Baptist Seminary leader says seeking spirituality through yoga is not Christian way. A Southern Baptist leader who is calling for Christians to avoid yoga and its spiritual attachments is getting plenty of pushback from enthusiasts who defend the ancient practice.

2010-10-07T23:04:21ZAP NewsDYLAN LOVANtag:www.blnz.com,2009:2010/10/06/Supreme_Court_weighs_rights_funeral-protesting_bba1

The US Supreme Court Wednesday weighed whether an anti-gay religious group that pickets military funerals with signs that read "Thank God for dead soldiers" is exercising its right to free speech or invading a grieving family's privacy.

2010-10-06T20:11:32ZAFP American EditionAFP