Oklahoma

Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry vetoed a bill Wednesday evening that would place greater restriction on private insurance companies’ coverage of abortions.

Henry’s veto of House Bill 3290 is the fourth abortion-related legislation he has rejected this year. All three prior bills were successfully overridden by members of the House and Senate.

The latest vetoed bill is meant to block state insurance exchanges created under the new federal health care law from covering most abortions. State insurance exchanges are new insurance markets for those who do not receive their health insurance through their employer. more >>

A new Oklahoma abortion law that has been deemed as one of the strictest in the nation was put on hold Monday.

Oklahoma County District Judge Noma Gurich delayed for 45 days the enforcement of a law that requires women to undergo an ultrasound examination and listen to a description of the ultrasound images before getting an abortion.

Physicians are also required to display the images, though the pregnant woman has the choice to look away. more >>

The pastor of one of the fastest growing churches is tackling some tough questions from his multi-site congregation.

Plastic surgery, homosexuality, suicide, and birth control are just some of the topics raised by the more than 20,000-member LifeChurch.tv.

LifeChurch.tv launched a unique three-week series this month on "FAQ" with Pastor Craig Groeschel answering questions from a biblical perspective, or from a pastoral point of view (if the Bible doesn't address the issue directly). more >>

Nearly 10,000 people from more than 90 countries recently attended a conference focused on the future of the Pentecostal-charismatic movement.

For three days, leaders from around the world gathered at the Oral Roberts University’s Mabee Center in Tulsa, Okla., to address key issues related to the movement’s future, in particular how to pass “spirit-empowerment” to the next generation. The conference, titled “Empowered21: Global Congress on Holy Spirit Empowerment in the 21st Century,” was held Apr. 8-10.

“This is a historic event that will make a tangible difference in the future of Christianity,” said Billy Wilson, chair of Empowered21 and executive director of the International Center for Spiritual Renewal, in his opening remarks. “We are not here to celebrate the past [of the movement], but to lift our eyes to the horizon. We are here to unite for the future.” more >>

The Oklahoma Senate on Thursday passed a bill that will allow public schools in the state to offer elective courses on the Bible beginning with the 2011-12 school year.

The measure, which was authored by Sen. Tom Ivester (D-Elk City), was approved in a 38-4 vote.

According to the bill, the purpose of an elective course on the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament), the New Testament and their impact is to teach students (grade nine or above) knowledge of biblical content, characters, poetry, and narratives that are prerequisites to understanding contemporary society and culture. more >>

The stage for the "seed faith" message was set when TV evangelist Pat Robertson ascended the steps at the Oral Roberts memorial service Monday to give the opening prayer.

“Lord, you sent us a man with the knowledge of your healing power. You sent us a man who taught us the greatness of faith and the principle of seed faith,” said Robertson within the first few minutes of the speaking segment of the memorial at Oral Roberts University.

Robertson, founder of the Christian Broadcasting Network, along with Oral Roberts University President Mark Rutland, and the late evangelist’s children, Richard and Roberta Roberts, propagated the popular yet controversial theology during each of their tributes. more >>