Tennessee

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 >>

'The 2011 National Religious Broadcasters Convention & Exposition brings together thousands of Christian communication professionals to learn, strategize and network in order to harness the power of media to spread the gospel.

NRB's annual conference is the world's largest Christian communication event. The conference, which runs from Feb. 26 to March 1, features prominent Christian leaders, workshops, and over 200 exhibitors that offer products and services to ministries.

Day 1: more >>

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Pastor and cultural apologist Voddie Baucham challenged Christian broadcasters at their annual convention on Saturday to not buy into the "gay is the new black" propaganda, but instead to remain committed to defending biblical marriage on the airwaves.

Baucham, who preaches at Grace Family Baptist Church in Spring, Texas, knew that he would make a lot of people uncomfortable or squirm in their seats by raising the issue of homosexuality at the opening session of the 2011 National Religious Broadcasters.

"When it comes to Christian broadcasters, we are nervous, even afraid to deal with this subject matter," he told NRB attendees at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center. more >>