U.S.

By Scott Barkley NASHVILLE (BP) – A renewed effort to include women in the military draft is making its way through the Senate with conservatives voicing their opposition. When a provision to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) was introduced in June 2016 for women to become eligible for the draft, Southern Baptists responded at that year’s annual meeting in St. … [Read more...] about Senate Moves To Include Women in Military Draft; Southern Baptist Opposition Long Established

HOUSTON (AP) — A federal judge has issued a temporary order telling Texas prison officials that they can carry out next week’s scheduled execution of a death row inmate only if they grant all of his religious accommodations, including allowing his spiritual adviser to hold his hand when he receives a lethal injection. Ramiro Gonzales is scheduled to be executed July 13 for … [Read more...] about Judge: Execution Can’t Proceed Without Religious Requests

By Tom Strode WASHINGTON (BP)—The U.S. Supreme Court delivered deeply consequential victories for the sanctity of human life and religious freedom in its just-completed term, advocates for both causes said in assessing the justices’ work. The justices issued their final opinions Thursday (June 30) to close a 2021-22 term in which they eliminated near the end two high … [Read more...] about Court’s Term Delivers Wins for Life, Religious Liberty

At least six people have been confirmed killed and over 30 others were injured after a gunman opened fire on the suburban Chicago area of Highland Park during their Independence Day parade on Monday morning. Videos uploaded across social media platforms show parade marchers and attendees screaming and running for their lives after they … [Read more...] about Rooftop Shooter Kills 6 and Injures More 30 Others During Chicago-Area Independence Day Parade

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York Democrats are considering enshrining abortion rights in the state constitution following the overturn of Roe v. Wade, possibly as part of a broader amendment that would also prohibit discrimination based on gender expression. Lawmakers held a special legislative session Thursday that Gov. Kathy Hochul called primarily to pass an emergency … [Read more...] about NY Faces Calls to Enshrine Abortion Rights in Constitution