IBSA News

Illinois Baptist State Newspaper

Religious Liberty

Equality Act threatens religious freedoms

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Christian leaders are concerned about the loss of religious freedom, expansion of federal abortion funding, diminished protection for women, and the impact on hiring practices by Christian organizations under HR5, the Equality Act, passed by the U.S. House of Representatives Feb. 25. The vote was 224-206, almost totally along party lines. The bill goes to […]

Controversial new teaching standards approved

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The General Assembly’s Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) voted Feb. 17 to approve the controversial new teaching standards some say would require teachers to abandon their religious beliefs. Meeting the standards will now be required to receive teaching certification in Illinois. The Culturally Responsive Teaching and Leading Standards (CRTLS) touch on issues such as […]

Controversial new standards proposed for Illinois teachers

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Springfield | The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) has proposed a new set of rules some say would require teachers to abandon their religious beliefs. The “Culturally Responsive Teaching and Leading” standards touch on issues such as sexual orientation, gender identity, and race-based privilege in what supporters call an effort to encourage support for […]

Growing number of pastors endorsing candidates away from church

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Few pastors make political endorsements from the pulpit, but a growing number publicly back candidates when they step away from their church role. Among U.S. Protestant pastors, 1% say they have publicly endorsed a candidate for public office during a church service this year, while 98% have not, according to a new study from Nashville-based […]

Barrett pledges to resist ‘policy preferences’

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At a swearing-in ceremony outside the White House Monday night, new Supreme Court Associate Justice Amy Coney Barrett exhibited the same measured manner she showed during her confirmation. She also reemphasized her commitment to fulfill her duties to the court and the country independent of her own preferences. Christian leaders, including Southern Baptists, cheered her […]