Faith leaders call for new legislation after DACA decision
The Supreme Court ruled in a 5-4 decision handed down June 18 that the Trump administration improperly handled its effort to end a federal program for certain undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children. The Court ruled the administration acted in an “arbitrary and capricious” manner in revoking DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals), Chief Justice John Roberts wrote in his opinion, but all parties agree the administration may indeed rescind DACA.
That’s why Southern Baptist ethicist Russell Moore and other leaders are calling Congress to create legislation to protect Dreamers. “Those who have lived as good neighbors, contributed so greatly to our country, should be protected from the constant threat of having their lives upended,” said Moore, president of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission. “Congress should move immediately to protect our Dreamer neighbors.”
Churches question impact of Court’s LGBT ruling
The Supreme Court’s decision to apply to the LGBT community the same anti-discrimination protections granted to women by the 1964 Civil Rights Act will have far-reaching consequences not only for churches and religious institutions, but for women in general, attorney Kate Anderson told the Illinois Baptist. “You’re taking a law that has been about making sure women are treated equally in employment and now saying there is no legal difference between men and women based on biology.”
Tennessee lawmakers pass ‘heartbeat bill’
Legislators in Tennessee moved to ban most abortions as soon as a fetal heartbeat is detected, which can be as early as six weeks into a pregnancy. The legislation also prohibits an abortion based on the sex, race, or disability status of an unborn child, although it certain exceptions are included. Gov. Bill Lee has signaled he will sign the bill into law.
Christian colleges navigate uncertain financial futures
The COVID-19 global pandemic has heightened pressures already bearing down on many Christian colleges and universities, Christianity Today reports. Faced with declining enrollment and general uncertainty about the future, many are cutting budgets and faculty, furloughing employees, and discontinuing academic programs.
>Related: Black students, staff cut ties with Liberty over Falwell’s controversial tweet
Writers of Baptists’ resolution on race reflect on 25 years since historic vote
In 1995, messengers to the Southern Baptist Convention’s annual meeting adopted a resolution lamenting and repudiating historic acts of racism, and apologizing to African Americans for condoning and/or perpetuating systemic racism. Twenty-five years later, some of the resolution’s architects spoke to Baptist Press about the progress they’ve seen, and how the denomination can keep moving forward.
Sources: Baptist Press, Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, Illinois Baptist, Christian Post, Christianity Today