Family issues

The Mississippi State Legislature is considering a bill that could see parents who "spank" their children face either 10 years in jail or life imprisonment depending on the intention and bodily harm caused to the child, but critics of the bill say its intentions are not clearly defined. 

Senate Bill 2180, an act to amend a section of the Mississippi Code of 1972, aims to revise the "offense of felonious abuse or battery of a child; and for related purposes." The bill is sponsored by Senator Brice Wiggins of District 52.

Dewitt Black, Senior Counsel for the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA), believes that there are problems with the bill's language. Black told The Christian Post that the words "bodily harm" and "reasonable discipline" are not properly defined. more >>

Proposition 8, which sought to maintain the traditional definition of marriage in California, was struck down by the U.S. 9th Circuit Court in San Francisco Tuesday, with the measure being deemed unconstitutional. Pro-family groups are likely to appeal the court's ruling.

The case will most likely head to the U.S. Supreme Court provided the court decides to hear it. No same-sex marriages are likely to be solemnized before the case is resolved.

The three-member panel in the 9th Circuit Court ruled 2-1 that Prop. 8 violates the U.S. Constitution. more >>

Karen Handel, vice president for public policy at the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation, resigned on Tuesday following the organization's latest decision to continue funding Planned Parenthood.

In a copy of the resignation letter, which was obtained by The Atlanta Journal Constitution, Handel insists that politics played no role in the breast cancer charity's decisions surrounding grants to Planned Parenthood.

"Komen's decision to change its granting strategy and exit the controversy surrounding Planned Parenthood and its grants was fully vetted by every appropriate level within the organization," Handel wrote. more >>

As same-sex marriage debates mount in six states, voters will likely decide whether or not to redefine marriage in their states through November referendums – and pro-family groups couldn't be happier about it.

New Jersey, Washington and Maryland legislators are pushing through bills that would legalize same-sex marriage. New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has called for a referendum and said he would veto a same-sex marriage bill if it passes through the Senate and Assembly.

Washington is poised to pass its same-sex marriage bill, while Maryland's Democratic governor is working with Republican lawmakers to garner support for gay marriage. more >>

After the Washington State Senate voted in favor of a bill allowing same-sex marriage in the state on Wednesday, proponents of preserving the definition of traditional marriage have vowed to fight the measure by forcing a referendum and introducing legislation of their own.

The National Organization for Marriage said it would fund the campaigns of challengers to the seats of four Republican senators who crossed party lines to vote in favor of the bill. NOM will also team with local pro-family groups to collect the 120,577 signatures needed to force the issue to a referendum on the November ballot.

NOM President Brian Brown said the organization has successfully removed Republican legislators who voted in favor of same-sex marriage bills in the past and promised to attack Washington lawmakers with similar vengeance and great fervor. more >>

Regina Brett, a New York Times bestselling author for her book, God Never Blinks: 50 Lessons for Life's Little Detours, has just released another book, Be the Miracle: 50 Lessons for Making the Impossible Possible and is using her stories to inspire and empower readers all across the world to make a difference in someone's life.

Brett is a columnist and radio personality in addition to her work as a book author. Brett told The Christian Post the main difference between writing a book and column is the personal investment.

"When you write a book you are asking someone to make an investment in their time and money. A column can come and go as the weeks pass, but a book needs to be timeless," she said. more >>