Religious Liberty

By Adam McManusJoe Godfrey, Executive Director of Alabama Citizens Action Program, spoke to The World View about the suspension of Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore who dared to affirm traditional marriage in the face of the Obergefell Supreme Court decision last June. “I am not surprised by the suspension of Judge Moore, but I’m very disappointed because I feel that it was an attack on religious liberty in America. I admire Judge Moore for his stance — that marriage is between one man and one woman – because, in this case particularly, he was standing on constitutional law.” Godfrey is hopeful that Chief Justice Moore will be exonerated and restored to his former position by his former colleagues. “It is my hope that the Alabama ​State ​Supreme Court will overturn the decision of the Court of the Judiciary. But my sense of the likelihood of that happening is

The following article entitled, “Is That Legal?” was taken from the ivotevalues.org website. It provides pertinent information concerning what churches and pastors can and cannot do in order to maintain a local church’s tax-exempt status. Click here for the brochure “Is That Legal?” Good question! Many are confused about what is and what is not legal given the IRS restrictions on political activity by tax-exempt organizations. While it is impossible to lay out a definitive list of do’s and don’ts since the IRS interprets what is and isn’t legal, the resource below is offered for general guidelines: CHURCHES MAY DO THE FOLLOWING: Sermons on moral and social issues and civic involvement Educate on political process and political/social/legislative issues Distribution of candidate surveys and incumbent voting records (avoid editorial opinions and make sure they cover a wide range of issues) Encourage members to voice their opinions in favor or in opposition to certain legislation.*

by Jeff Iorg MILL VALLEY, Calif. (BP) — A very successful political consultant in the Bay Area, who has helped elect a number of local officials, was arrested and charged with multiple counts of child pornography earlier this month. At his arraignment, the evidence presented reportedly included some particularly heinous depictions of sexual acts involving children. The political fallout has been dramatic and immediate. Former clients, particularly those now in office, have rushed to outdo themselves with denials of any and all relationship with their former confidant. He is radioactive — political death to anyone associated with him. While his purported actions are deplorable, watching politicians scramble to find the moral high ground on this issue has been frustrating at best, comical at worst. They are applying a double standard to his behavior which reveals the convoluted reasoning prevalent in making and enforcing laws these days. In light of current

by Neisha Roberts/The Alabama Baptist MONTGOMERY Ala. (BP) — What once read “bride and groom” on Alabama marriage licenses now reads “spouse and spouse.” Gay “marriage” was made legal Feb. 9 after the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta did not issue an extended stay request from Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange’s office over a recent ruling by U.S. District Judge Callie V.S. Granade. The state waited in anticipation to see if the U.S. Supreme Court would step in to extend the stay, but the waiting ended in disappointment for those supportive of biblical marriage. The Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions voted unanimously at its Feb. 6 meeting to “express moral outrage, intense grief and strong disagreement over court rulings that have set our culture in a direction against the biblical definition of marriage” in its Resolution on Reaffirmation of Biblical Marriage. See related story. Rick Lance, ABSBOM

Dr. Joe Godfrey, Executive Director of ALCAP I had the opportunity to attend a conference October 27-29, 2014 in Nashville, TN that was hosted by the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention. The conference title was, “The Gospel, Homosexuality and the Future of Marriage,” and it provided pastors and denominational leaders with a great deal of information and resource material that will help Christians deal with this issue in their churches and communities. Click here to watch the videos of the various sessions.

by David Allen on October 20, 2014 Click here to read an article by Dr. David Allen, Five Myths about Homosexuality.

President Obama signed an executive order Monday barring federal contractors from discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity – ignoring the pleas of Christian and other faith leaders to include an exemption for religious organizations. “Thanks to your passion and advocacy and the irrefutable rightness of your cause, our government – the government of the people, by the people and for the people – will become just a little bit fairer,” the president told a gathering in the White House. The executive order would prevent Christian and other religious organizations with federal contracts from requiring workers to adhere to the tenets of their religious beliefs. Christianity Today reports the order could impact religious non-profits such as World Vision, World Relief and Catholic Charities. Click here to read the rest of the article.