By Mike Griffin Plain and simple: Public accommodation and anti-discrimination laws that protect sexual orientation or gender identity can end up being a form of religious censorship, discrimination and persecution. As Baptists we support civil rights — we just have a problem with “special rights” that are generated from behavior choices. You see, basic civil […]
By Mike Griffin Georgia Baptists are looking forward to having Dr. Gregory Love back in Georgia for two very timely, free workshops on protecting children in our churches from sexual abuse. Because of the pandemic, it has now been at least two years since Love has been here in person. The first workshop will be […]
By Mike Griffin For the seventh year in a row, we have had to deal with legislation seeking to expand gambling in the state of Georgia. During this year’s 2021 legislative session, we had 11 bills dealing with gambling expansion or promotion. The legislation dealt primarily with casinos, pari-mutuel betting on horses, online sports betting, […]
Mike Griffin is shown in this file photo speaking to a group of Georgia Baptists. By J. Gerald Harris ATLANTA – Mike Griffin, Georgia Baptist Mission Board Public Affairs Representative at the state Capitol, has quite a variety of speaking opportunities, and recently addressed a gathering sponsored by the Restoration Project hosted by Catherine Davis, […]
A group of Georgia Baptists gather at the state Capitol for an event led by Mike Griffin who oversees the public affairs ministry of the Georgia Baptist Mission Board. ____________ By Roger Alford ATLANTA, Ga. – To effectively shape public policy, Georgia’s largest conservative voting bloc needs to know how and when to use its […]
By Mike Griffin State legislatures in their 2021 sessions have enacted various protections for children and adolescents who are confused about their biological sex. Arkansas and Tennessee, for example, have now prohibited the transgender industry from subjecting these “gender dysphoric” young people to radical, experimental, and life-altering medical interventions such as puberty-blocking drugs, cross-sex hormones, […]
By Mike Griffin One of the seven leading areas Georgia Baptists lobbied on at the state Capitol this year was child protection policy. There were five primary pieces of legislation that we were concerned about. (See video on Child Protection Legislation: https://vimeo.com/555669003) Two of those important bills had to do with legislation to close the […]
As usual, the 40-day legislative session was a very busy time of the year. This year’s session ended March 31. This was the first year of a two-year cycle where legislation is introduced to the Georgia General Assembly. As I told the Executive Committee on March 16, “We are facing one of the biggest moral […]
ATLANTA – Yesterday in a press release, Governor Brian Kemp loosened coronavirus restrictions statewide. The new Emergency Order revision includes things such as removing limits on gatherings and reducing distance requirements on businesses like restaurants and entertainment venues. According to the AJC, “Georgia will join more than a dozen other states that have eased restrictions implemented a […]
Dear Friends: We are at a very dangerous tipping point in our state. Because of Senate Legislation that has passed out of a House Committee, we are now facing the possibility that the House will vote on a Sports Gambling Constitutional Amendment (SR 135) and enabling legislation (SB 142) ASAP! Please make plans to contact […]
We are in the last five days of the 2021 legislative session. It will take a week and a half to finish these last days. The 40th Day, which is the final day, will be at midnight, March 31! So, time is running out to get bills passed that have already passed one chamber to […]
Pastors and church leaders attended Pastors Day at the Capitol on Feb. 18, 2021. They heard from various legislators and political leaders who encouraged them to be aware of and involved in politics. COURTESY/Myriah Snyder Each year, Georgia Baptist pastors are invited to partake in Pastors Day at the Capitol. This year, saw about 140 […]