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Texas activist David Barton wants to end separation of church and state. He has the ear of the new U.S. House speaker. For nearly four decades, Texas activist David Barton has barnstormed statehouses and pulpits across the nation, arguing that the separation between church and state is a myth and that America should be run as a Christian nation. Now, he’s closer to power than perhaps ever before. One day after little-known Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Johnson of Louisiana was elected as the new House speaker last week, Barton said on a podcast that he was already discussing staffing with Johnson, his longtime ally in deeply conservative, Christian causes. (Robert Downen/Texas Tribune 11/3/23) Read More>>>>> |
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Inside the anti-LGBTQ effort to put Christianity back in schools
LGBTQ rights advocates warn that the rhetoric emanating out of some churches, where faith leaders and politicians have baselessly accused LGBTQ people of sexually “grooming” children, could lead to violence. “To watch faith weaponized in that way, I think, is really scary,” said Ricardo Martinez, the CEO of Equality Texas, an LGBTQ advocacy group. “That’s not a faith I recognize. It’s not the empathy, the compassion, the grace that I learned attending my church.” (Mike Hixenbaugh and Antonia Hylton/NBC News 10/4/23)
Read More>>>>>
LGBTQ rights advocates warn that the rhetoric emanating out of some churches, where faith leaders and politicians have baselessly accused LGBTQ people of sexually “grooming” children, could lead to violence. “To watch faith weaponized in that way, I think, is really scary,” said Ricardo Martinez, the CEO of Equality Texas, an LGBTQ advocacy group. “That’s not a faith I recognize. It’s not the empathy, the compassion, the grace that I learned attending my church.” (Mike Hixenbaugh and Antonia Hylton/NBC News 10/4/23)
Read More>>>>>
August 11, 2023: Dallas Observer: Oh, God: Judge Sides with Fort Worth in Early Stages of Atheists' Lawsuit
Instead of small banners on lampposts in downtown Fort Worth like they’ve used before, members of the local group Metroplex Atheists are turning to a billboard campaign to advertise an upcoming event titled “Keep God Out of Our Public Schools,” which will focus on the dangers of Christian nationalism.
The group sued the city of Fort Worth in federal court last month because it was told it wouldn’t be allowed to use city lampposts to promote the event, as it did in 2019.
The city’s policy on lamppost banners stipulates that an event being promoted must take place in Fort Worth and be open to the general public, be of common interest to the general community and recognize and/or contribute to the cultural fabric of the city. The Fort Worth group thought its event checked all of those boxes, but it was still denied access to use the lampposts for its banners because the event was deemed to lack sufficient magnitude to qualify.
Instead of small banners on lampposts in downtown Fort Worth like they’ve used before, members of the local group Metroplex Atheists are turning to a billboard campaign to advertise an upcoming event titled “Keep God Out of Our Public Schools,” which will focus on the dangers of Christian nationalism.
The group sued the city of Fort Worth in federal court last month because it was told it wouldn’t be allowed to use city lampposts to promote the event, as it did in 2019.
The city’s policy on lamppost banners stipulates that an event being promoted must take place in Fort Worth and be open to the general public, be of common interest to the general community and recognize and/or contribute to the cultural fabric of the city. The Fort Worth group thought its event checked all of those boxes, but it was still denied access to use the lampposts for its banners because the event was deemed to lack sufficient magnitude to qualify.
July 17, 2023: Anxious Bench: Church-Hopping in Texas
On July 1st, we determined we would go to a local, large and influential Methodist church.
On July 1st, we determined we would go to a local, large and influential Methodist church.
Dallas Mass Revival; Greenville, Texas
Bible Davids Files
“This is not just a conference, this is a move of God. This is the wave of the Holy Spirit....The Lord told me, he said, ‘Tell the people to shout fire seven times. He said, When they shout seven times, the whole place is going to erupt like a volcanic eruption with My glory.’”
--Bible Davids; Dallas Mass Revival; Greeneville, Texas; 7.1.23
Rebecca Bible Davids Files
“In case you don't know, this is not a show, this is not a regular conference. This is revival here. This is revival...You know when John the Baptist says, ‘I'm not honored to even unlatch your shoes,’ so I'm not going to go there,.”
--Rebecca Bible Davids; introducing Greg Locke at Dallas Mass Revival; Greeneville, Texas; 7.1.23
Greg Locke Files
"(I am) fully aware he is the “least likely man on the planet to not just be involved in deliverance ministry, but to somewhat be tip of the spear in helping to bring back a movement that should have never gone anywhere. We're talking about the number one ministry of Jesus, and yet here's what the Church by and large says. They say, ‘We'll get you a bracelet, a hat and a shirt that says ‘what would Jesus do? I know what Jesus did because I read a Bible. Jesus cast out evil spirits. You have to understand that I am a man that was against all of this. I was against deliverance; I was against miracles, tongues, signs, wonders, baptism of the Holy Spirit, supernatural healings. I preached the Gospel, the death, the burial, the resurrection. But you need to know something about Greg Locke: for 30 years, I preached cute sermons with really no power and deliverance changed everything about my life. Deliverance changed our church. Deliverance is not just a one-and-done. Deliverance is a disciplined Christian walk by the power of the Holy Spirit......I know all the arguments against why we're supposed to be here today. I know all the arguments against healing and laying hands on the sick and casting out demons and the foolish argument, ‘Can Christians be afflicted by demons?..........Of course they can be afflicted by demons. The Church has been demonized and can be set free by the power of the name of Jesus, but the problem is the pastors themselves have never submitted their life to personal deliverance, and if you have a leader that's never been delivered, you'll have a church full of people that are bound in their religion......I was that way for many, many years. I knew the truth, I saw the supernatural, but I was afraid of it......Moms and dads coming to church, pretending to love Jesus, then going home fussing, fighting, cussing, arguing, witchcraft on the television, burning sage in their house, Mama with her yoga membership getting a Kundalini Spirit down at the local Southern Baptist Church. Our kids look at all that, and they're like, ‘Well, my goodness, if that's Christianity, I don't want anything to do with it............It’s happening before your very eyes. Don’t miss your miracle......How many Christians here want to have this same anointing and this same encounter next month again?" he asked. “We need urgently to cover the expense for the event that runs into hundreds of thousands and the ministry that's just six months old. Step out by faith, be moved by God. If the Lord said to you, ‘I want you to step in and partner with this movement with ten thousand dollars,’ run to the altar. Run, run, run.”
--Pastor Greg Locke talks 'deliverance' from Evangelicalism at Dallas Mass Revival; 7.1.23
--Pastor Greg Locke talks 'deliverance' from Evangelicalism at Dallas Mass Revival; 7.1.23
April 5, 2023: Christian Headlines: New Texas Bill Would Require Schools to Display 10 Commandments in Every Classroom
A new Texas bill, if enacted, would require public primary and secondary schools in Texas to show a poster-sized display of the 10 Commandments “in a conspicuous place in each classroom.”
A new Texas bill, if enacted, would require public primary and secondary schools in Texas to show a poster-sized display of the 10 Commandments “in a conspicuous place in each classroom.”
Mar 9, 2023: Deseret News: Texas Tech coach resigns after Bible lesson drama
Mark Adams had been suspended by Texas Tech after officials determined that his biblical references in a recent conversation with a player were “racially insensitive”
Mark Adams had been suspended by Texas Tech after officials determined that his biblical references in a recent conversation with a player were “racially insensitive”
Feb 24, 2023: CBN: Revival Spreads to Texas A&M, Indiana Wesleyan and LSU: 'It's Not Religion. It's Just Meeting JESUS'
Michael Fehlauer, the lead pastor of the New Life Church in Corpus Christi, Texas, posted videos to social media that showed baptisms being performed in a public fountain at Texas A&M Galveston.
Michael Fehlauer, the lead pastor of the New Life Church in Corpus Christi, Texas, posted videos to social media that showed baptisms being performed in a public fountain at Texas A&M Galveston.
Dec 15, 2022: Religion News: Religious liberty concerns raised as Texas governor seeks to investigate groups helping migrants
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has asked the state attorney to investigate nongovernmental organizations that he claims have assisted with “illegal border crossings” along the U.S.-Mexico border near El Paso, raising religious liberty concerns among faith-based groups and religious organizers helping migrants with medical needs and shelter
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has asked the state attorney to investigate nongovernmental organizations that he claims have assisted with “illegal border crossings” along the U.S.-Mexico border near El Paso, raising religious liberty concerns among faith-based groups and religious organizers helping migrants with medical needs and shelter
Christian Headlines: Republicans Are 'Headed Toward a Civil War,' Pastor Robert Jeffress Says
A key evangelical ally during Donald Trump's administration says he will not endorse the former president for the 2024 Republican nomination............. But Jeffress says he will remain neutral for the 2024 GOP race.
"Donald Trump was a great president, and if he becomes the GOP nominee in 2024, I will happily support him," Jeffress told Newsweek.
He added that "the Republican Party is headed toward a civil war that I have no desire or need to be part of. My priority is being pastor of First Baptist Church Dallas and preaching God's word to millions of people each week on our television and radio broadcasts."
11.18.22
A key evangelical ally during Donald Trump's administration says he will not endorse the former president for the 2024 Republican nomination............. But Jeffress says he will remain neutral for the 2024 GOP race.
"Donald Trump was a great president, and if he becomes the GOP nominee in 2024, I will happily support him," Jeffress told Newsweek.
He added that "the Republican Party is headed toward a civil war that I have no desire or need to be part of. My priority is being pastor of First Baptist Church Dallas and preaching God's word to millions of people each week on our television and radio broadcasts."
11.18.22
November 11, 2022:
Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America President Marjorie Dannenfelser, a national pro-life grassroots advocacy organization criticized Republican strategists for failing to make the party's position on abortion clear during the 2022 midterm elections, citing it as a potential reason for some of the party’s losses this election cycle. I have to disagree with the point. The position was pushed by most Republicans and it was a motivating factor for large Democrat turnout. In June 2022, the Supreme Court overruled Roe in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization on the grounds that the substantive right to abortion was not "deeply rooted in this Nation's history or tradition", nor considered a right when the Due Process Clause was ratified in 1868, and was unknown in U.S. law until Roe.
Actions by prolife leaders like Governor Greg Abbott of Texas signed off on legislation which would allow a person to turn in anyone who even contemplated an abortion brought the issues of safety to the attention of pro-abortion advocates.. and the women who supported a woman's right to choose made the issue important to them so they campaigned against any and all Republicans. Posted on Blog HERE
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Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America President Marjorie Dannenfelser, a national pro-life grassroots advocacy organization criticized Republican strategists for failing to make the party's position on abortion clear during the 2022 midterm elections, citing it as a potential reason for some of the party’s losses this election cycle. I have to disagree with the point. The position was pushed by most Republicans and it was a motivating factor for large Democrat turnout. In June 2022, the Supreme Court overruled Roe in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization on the grounds that the substantive right to abortion was not "deeply rooted in this Nation's history or tradition", nor considered a right when the Due Process Clause was ratified in 1868, and was unknown in U.S. law until Roe.
Actions by prolife leaders like Governor Greg Abbott of Texas signed off on legislation which would allow a person to turn in anyone who even contemplated an abortion brought the issues of safety to the attention of pro-abortion advocates.. and the women who supported a woman's right to choose made the issue important to them so they campaigned against any and all Republicans. Posted on Blog HERE
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Christian Post: Pastor advises young adults not to be 'discipled' by Taylor Swift, Disney on dating, marriage
A Texas pastor has warned a group of young adult Christians against allowing messages and themes found in Disney movies or Taylor Swift songs to inform their approach to dating and marriage.
Pastor David Marvin of Dallas' Watermark Community Church, who serves as the director of the young adult-centered ministry The Porch, preached a sermon last week outlining three common mistakes Christians make when dating.
11.10.22
A Texas pastor has warned a group of young adult Christians against allowing messages and themes found in Disney movies or Taylor Swift songs to inform their approach to dating and marriage.
Pastor David Marvin of Dallas' Watermark Community Church, who serves as the director of the young adult-centered ministry The Porch, preached a sermon last week outlining three common mistakes Christians make when dating.
11.10.22
“A revival is coming. We need to do a much better job as evangelists. Evangelists for Jesus, yes, but also in the public sphere as evangelists for liberty, for our values.”
-Ted Cruz; Texas Faith, Family, and Freedom Forum; Sept 2022
-Ted Cruz; Texas Faith, Family, and Freedom Forum; Sept 2022
Oct 6, 2022: Texas Monthly: Decoding the Christian Language of Texas GOP Officials
By declaring that “evil will always walk among us” or calling for Texans to “unify in faith,” politicians communicate specific ideas to the electorate.
By declaring that “evil will always walk among us” or calling for Texans to “unify in faith,” politicians communicate specific ideas to the electorate.
June 30, 2022: Insider: A Texas minister helps fly dozens of women to New Mexico every month to get abortions. He's one of many religious leaders coordinating abortion care with Roe v. Wade overturned.
- Before Roe v. Wade, a nationwide network of clergy helped women seeking abortion care.
- Similar networks are being revitalized by religious leaders in a post-Roe world.
- One minister in Texas helps 20 people travel to New Mexico every two weeks for abortions
March 24, 2022: KERA: Texas Christian University digs into its past with initiative studying slavery and racism
The research effort is part of an international consortium of over 60 universities researching the role of racism and slavery within their institutional histories.
The research effort is part of an international consortium of over 60 universities researching the role of racism and slavery within their institutional histories.
Feb 4, 2022: Baptist Press: Churches not holy huddles; ‘We’re an army,’ Pitman says
One-hundred twenty. Vance Pitman wants Southern Baptists of Texas Convention churches to understand two significant things about that number: it’s the size of the crowd that took Jesus seriously when He first delivered His mission, and the size of the average SBTC church. In fact, a majority of churches affiliated with the state convention have an average attendance of 120 or fewer
One-hundred twenty. Vance Pitman wants Southern Baptists of Texas Convention churches to understand two significant things about that number: it’s the size of the crowd that took Jesus seriously when He first delivered His mission, and the size of the average SBTC church. In fact, a majority of churches affiliated with the state convention have an average attendance of 120 or fewer
“Out of sight, out of mind” is not actually a proverb from the Bible. It is certainly no way for Christians to feel about the presence of false religions in the world. But if we decide that lost people everywhere are our business, then we can be thankful when God brings those lost people to our doorsteps. ”
--Bart Barber; First Baptist Church; Farmersville, Texas
--Bart Barber; First Baptist Church; Farmersville, Texas
April 7, 2021: Religion News Service: Beth Moore apologizes for her role in elevating ‘complementarian’ theology that limits women leaders
The Rev. Tom Buck of First Baptist Church in Lindale, Texas, an outspoken critic of SBC leaders, tweeted that a “plain reading” of a passage from the New Testament Book of 1 Timothy bars women from teaching or preaching the Bible to men in the church.
He was referring to a passage from the Apostle Paul’s letter to Timothy in which he said: “A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet.”
The Rev. Tom Buck of First Baptist Church in Lindale, Texas, an outspoken critic of SBC leaders, tweeted that a “plain reading” of a passage from the New Testament Book of 1 Timothy bars women from teaching or preaching the Bible to men in the church.
He was referring to a passage from the Apostle Paul’s letter to Timothy in which he said: “A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet.”
Jan 24, 2021: Wyoming Public Media: Evangelical Leaders Condemn 'Radicalized Christian Nationalism'
Prominent white evangelical leaders have been among Trump's most vocal supporters. Several, including Ralph Reed of the Faith & Freedom Coalition and Dallas-based pastor Robert Jeffress, have condemned the insurrection but remained steadfast in their support for Trump.
Prominent white evangelical leaders have been among Trump's most vocal supporters. Several, including Ralph Reed of the Faith & Freedom Coalition and Dallas-based pastor Robert Jeffress, have condemned the insurrection but remained steadfast in their support for Trump.