Tennessee

One state representative is doing all that he can to curb the talk on gays and lesbians in public schools.

Labeled as the “don’t say gay” bill by opponents, Senate Bill 49 – which prohibits the teaching of homosexuality to elementary and middle school students – passed 19-11 in the Senate on Friday, after the main sponsor added an amendment limiting its range.

The original bill, backed by Republican Stacey Campfield (R-Knoxville), prohibited the teaching of or furnishing of materials on human sexuality other than heterosexuality in public school grades K-8. more >>

The Memphis Grizzlies were seeded eighth in the Western Conference heading into the NBA playoffs, but they surprised nearly everybody when they knocked off number one seed San Antonio in six games, which prompted rookie point guard Greivis Vasquez to give God the credit for keeping the team focused and together.

“I think this is all God,” Vasquez told Baptist Press recently. “We are probably not the most talented team in the NBA, but the best thing about this team is how we handle situations. The guys are so humble and hungry. We’ve got good chemistry. We play together, and that is what God is all about, keeping people together.”

Expressing himself in English also wasn’t so easy. When the 24-year-old came to America from Venezuela as a teenager, his English wasn’t the best, which sadly led to some unkind comments. more >>

Schools in Tennessee are threatening religious liberty for all students, claimed the ACLU, in a lawsuit filed on Monday.

“In an effort to stem the widespread, unconstitutional pattern and practice of religious activities,” the American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee is taking legal action, charging the Sumner County school system for “excessive religious entanglement.”

Filed on behalf of nine students from four families, the ACLU released a statement concerning the lawsuit, alleging that the pattern and practice of the promotion and endorsement of religious activity dates back as early as 2006. more >>

Families, not schools, should decide when it is an appropriate time to discuss issues on sexuality, the Tennessee senator behind the "Don’t Say Gay" bill told CNN Tuesday.

Sen. Stacey Campfield's proposed legislation would forbid public schools from teaching on homosexuality prior to the ninth grade. The bill, which calls human sexuality a "complex subject," would prohibit elementary and middle schools from providing "any instruction or material that discusses sexual orientation other than heterosexuality."

The measure, SB49, is expected to head to the Tennessee Senate floor on Thursday. It was cleared by the Tennessee Senate Education Committee 6 to 3 last Wednesday. All the no votes came from Democrats. more >>

Tennessee’s largest self-described Christian university has officially recognized a student group that seeks to “examine the intersection of Christian faith and LGBT related issues through group discussion.”

After having twice rejected the application of Bridge Builders, Belmont University, which severed its ties with the Tennessee Baptist Convention in 2007, confirmed the decision to accept the pro-gay “equality” group through a joint statement Friday from Belmont Provost Thomas Burns and Bridge Builders President Robbie Maris.

“This outcome represents many months of conversation, collaboration and cooperation between Belmont students, faculty and staff,” read the statement, which appeared in The Tennessean. more >>

NASHVILLE - House Speaker John Boehner told Christian media leaders Sunday that the national debt is a moral threat to the country.

Speaking at the Media Leadership Dinner at this year's National Religious Broadcasters Convention, Boehner referred to the nation's $14.1 trillion debt as America's “Sputnik moment” - the moment that shocks the nation.

"Yes, this debt is a mortal threat to our country. It is also a moral threat," said the Ohio Republican. more >>