Josh Benner

Tag: Texas

  • Rival gang members baptized together

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    Gateway Church, a popular megachurch in Texas launched a new campus in a maximum security prison earlier this year. Last week, five inmates in solitary confinement were baptized. Part of what makes the story noteworthy is that the men come from rival gangs.

    Many articles have discussed the risk to their own lives that these men were taking in being baptized with their enemies.

    Fox News describes the scene:

    Five of the men – confirmed gang or cartel members – were brought into the gymnasium, shackled hand and foot and around the waist, and they had to clear the prison because of safety concerns. (more…)

  • Sutherland Springs church dedicates new building 18 months after massacre

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    On the morning of Sunday, November 5, 2017, worshippers gathered at First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs, Texas, a small town of about 500 people. During the service, a 26 year old gunmen came into the sanctuary and began shooting. 26 people died, 20 others were injured.

    This weekend, the congregation dedicated a new church, next to the former building where the assure occurred. During the service, the names of the victims and their ages were read aloud as a bell tolled. The bell comes from the original building, and the bell tower of the new church is now the tallest building in Sutherland Springs. First Baptist Pastor Frank Pomeroy said, “It will be a beacon on a hill that people can look to wherever they’re at and be reminded about what God’s done here,” he said. “It’s not about the building. It’s about the provisions of God and what he’s done for us over this last 18 months.” (more…)

  • Bombshell article reveals sexual abuse within Southern Baptist Convention

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    The Houston Chronicle released the first of a three part series on sexual abuse within the Southern Baptist Convention. It’s a heartbreaking read to consider the damage that has been done to the lives of so many. It’s heartbreaking to consider the many other victims who never came forward or who were ignored.

    I highly recommend the article, which I think should be a contender for the Pulitzer Prize. (more…)

  • Atheists sue governor over prayer meeting

    The Freedom from Religion Foundation (FFRF) is suing Texas governor Rick Perry, and asking courts to keep Perry from attending a prayer event in Houston next month.

    Perry has publicly advocated for this event and encouraged people to participate in the event dedicated to prayer and fasting. FFRF argues that the head of a state participating in this event violates the First Amendment clause forbidding an established religion.

    In regards to the lawsuit, the FFRF states:

    “Perry’s actions as governor give “official recognition” to a devotional event, endorse religion, have no secular rationale, and seek to encourage citizens to pray and non Christians to convert to Christianity.

    These actions violate the Establishment Clause by “giving the appearance that the government prefers evangelical Christian religious beliefs over other religious beliefs and non-beliefs, including by aligning and partnering with the American Family Association, a virulent, discriminatory and evangelical Christian organization known for its intolerance.”

    I think that FFRF is proverbially grabbing at straws. Yes, Perry is in the government, but he is also a person who has a right to have his own beliefs. The First Amendment does say congress cannot establish a religion, but it also says congress cannot limit an individual’s free speech or right to peaceably assemble.

    While the constitution does not allow an establishes religion, the following clause says that they also may not prohibit the free exercise thereof.

    Saying a person who happens to be in politics doesn’t have a right to participate in religious activities because of the First Amendment is a contradiction to other rights granted in the same sentence within the First Amendment.

    I doubt the FFRF seriously plans on winning the suit. I would assume that this is more about principle and gaining attention, however I believe these tactics could backfire.

    It’s interesting to me that this organization considers its members free thinkers but they are trying to have someone forced into not participating in something in accordance with his own values. That is simply tyrannical.

    I have several friends who are irreligious, and for the ones value liberty, I think they would agree that Perry should have the right to participate and personally endorse this event.

    jrb