Although a federal court dismissed as groundless a suit against
Sunrise Children's Services (formerly Kentucky Baptist Homes for Children) that claimed the Kentucky Baptist children's agency uses government funds to promote religion back in March, two liberal civil-liberties groups are appealing the decision to a higher court.
Here's the story from the
Associated Baptist Press:
CINCINNATI (ABP) -- Two civil-liberties groups are asking a federal appeals court to stop state funding for a Kentucky Baptist agency, saying the agency uses the money to promote its religious beliefs to the detriment of employees and children.
On July 17, Americans United for Separation of Church and State and the American Civil Liberties Union asked the Cincinnati-based 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to take another look at Pedreira v. Kentucky Baptist Homes for Children, Inc.
In the suit, which a lower federal court dismissed in March, a group of Kentucky taxpayers asked that state funding for the agency (which has since changed its name to Sunrise Children's Services) be halted. Like many of the dozens of child-care agencies affiliated with state Baptist conventions, Sunrise has long contracted with Kentucky officials to house and care for children who have been taken into state custody.
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posted by: Site Adminitrator on July 24th, 2008
Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear fielded a number of questions on moral issues ranging from expanded gambling to domestic partner benefits at state universities in the second stop of his 12-stop listening tour of Kentucky in Somerset Monday night.
Here's the governor's schedule for the remaining meetings. All of the meetings are scheduled for 6-7:30 p.m. Check your local news media for specifics about the meeting location in your area.
- July 28: Ashland
- July 31: Madisonville
- Aug. 5: Shepherdsville
- Aug. 6: Bowling Green
- Aug. 11: Owensboro
- Aug. 12: Hazard
- Aug. 14: Covington
- Aug. 18: Henderson
- Aug. 19: Murray
- Aug. 20: Paducah
Here's coverage of the Somerset meeting from
The News and Tribune:
SOMERSET — Gov. Steve Beshear got perhaps a warmer welcome here Monday night than a Democratic governor may have anticipated at a town hall meeting in the heart of Republican country. But he faced a few adversarial questions and filibustering from opponents of casino gambling and domestic partner insurance benefits at state universities – and he said Kentucky must raise more revenue.
Beshear, who was accompanied by most of his cabinet, was making the second stop on his “Beshear About Kentucky” tour which he characterizes as an opportunity to “listen to the people of Kentucky.” More than 350 people turned out to hear him. Questions ranged from health care for teachers and state retirees to supporting the posting of the Ten Commandments and opposition from some in the audience to allowing universities to extend health care insurance to unmarried domestic partners.
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posted by: Site Administrator on July 23rd, 2008
Californians will get their opportunity to vote this November on a state marriage amendment to reverse a court decision to allow homosexual marriages. The ballot initiative had been challenged by homosexual activist groups but the
California Supreme Court ruled last week that all is in order with the proposed amendment to the state constitution so that balloting can move forward.
Here's the
Baptist Press story on the court decision:
SAN FRANCISCO (BP)--Two months after issuing its landmark "gay marriage" decision, the California Supreme Court handed conservatives a victory July 16, allowing a proposed constitutional marriage amendment to stay on the November ballot.
Without comment the justices denied to hear a lawsuit brought by the American Civil Liberties Union, Lambda Legal and other liberal and homosexual activist groups that sought to prevent the initiative -- which easily qualified for the ballot with 1.1 million submitted signatures -- from going before voters.
Some of the legal arguments were viewed as long shots, but pro-family attorneys -- having lost confidence in the justices after the May ruling -- remained at least somewhat concerned about what the court might do. The liberal groups argued that the amendment would "revise" the constitution and take away constitutionally guaranteed fundamental rights; such fundamental revisions cannot be placed on the ballot via voter initiative and must be approved by two-thirds of the legislature.
The amendment is known as Proposition 8 and, if passed, would reverse the 4-3 decision that made California only the second state to recognize "gay marriage."
Click here to read the full story.
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posted by: Site Administrator on July 22nd, 2008
Some experts in religious liberty are beginning to feel that the extension of marriage rights to homosexual couples is putting the nation on a philosophical collision course with the principle of religious liberty. Speaking at a recent forum sponsored by the conservative
Family Research Council, the experts expressed concern that even the tax exempt status of churches or other religious organizations could be affected by the culture's move to legitimize same-sex unions.
Here's the story from
Baptist Press:
WASHINGTON (BP)--Same-sex unions and religious liberty are destined to collide in this country in ways that could prove costly for the free exercise of religion, legal experts said in a Washington panel discussion.
The event, convened by the Washington-based Family Research Council, brought together law professors and legal advocates to discuss the impact on religious expression of the California Supreme Court's May decision in support of "gay marriage."
Benjamin Bull, chief counsel for the Alliance Defense Fund, said the conflict is inevitable, although the extent of the damage is yet to be determined.
"I do think ... there is one thing that we can agree on, and that is that this whole attempted institution of same-sex marriage is on a collision course with traditional Christian views and values in virtually every institution that one can think of," Bull said at the close of the 90-minute discussion. "And I can't tell you whether or not it's going to be a nuclear bomb-type collision or just a train wreck, but it's coming."
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posted by: Site Administrator on July 22nd, 2008
As part of the the ongoing erosion of the definition of marriage in our country, the Massachusetts legislature took a step last week toward allowing homosexual couples from other states the privilege of "marrying" in the state. Massachusetts already recognizes homosexual unions formed between state residents.
Here's the
Baptist Press story with the details.
BOSTON (BP)--When Massachusetts redefined marriage in 2004, some feared the state would become "the Las Vegas of same-sex marriage" by attracting homosexual couples from all over America. Thanks to a bill going through the state legislature, that now appears on the verge of happening.
The Massachusetts Senate by voice vote unanimously passed a bill July 15 that would repeal a 1913 law that has been used in recent years to prevent out-of-state same-sex couples from "marrying." The bill could pass the state House by the end of the month and be signed by Democratic Gov. Deval Patrick. Patrick and House leaders support the bill.
The impact on other states could be significant, as same-sex couples could "marry" in Massachusetts and sue their home states to have those marriage licenses recognized.
Click here to read the full story.
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posted by: Site Administrator on July 22nd, 2008