Victory Baptist Press

New York 'gay marriage' bill faces decision time

ALBANY, N.Y. (BP)--With the legislative session in overtime and the votes of a handful of Republican state senators up for grabs, the fate of a "gay marriage" bill that would make New York the largest and most influential state to redefine marriage remained uncertain Tuesday.

The dynamics of the issue were changing every few hours, and it was possible the body could pass the bill Wednesday or even adjourn without voting on it.

It has put the GOP-led Senate in a dilemma. Although nearly every member of the 32-member caucus opposes it, the bill is one vote shy of passage, and Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo -- popular in the state -- is exerting considerable pressure on the body. The Democratic-controlled Assembly already passed the bill.

Republicans control the chamber, 32-30. Two Republicans and 29 Democrats support the bill, which needs 32 votes to pass. Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos left a meeting with Cuomo Tuesday saying the men had worked out agreements on unrelated issues -- rent regulations and local property taxes, among them -- but had not come to an agreement on "gay marriage," the Albany Times-Union reported. Skelos has said some members of his caucus want the bill to have more religious freedom protections. The GOP caucus was scheduled to meet at 4 p.m. Eastern.

Republicans took control of the chamber in 2010, but opponents of the bill warn the GOP will lose control in 2012 if it allows a vote on the bill and it passes. GOP state Sen. Greg Ball -- who is undecided -- said calls and letters from his district are about 60 percent opposed to the bill, Politico.com reported.

The National Organization for Marriage has pledged to spend $1 million in 2012 to defeat any GOP senator who supports the bill.

"It's a really bad idea for the Republican majority in the Senate to be doing [New York] Mayor Bloomberg and Andrew Cuomo's bidding on this," National Organization for Marriage founder Maggie Gallagher said in a TV interview Monday. "I think it's going to be a political disaster for the Republican Party in New York."

If it passes, Gallagher said, "Republicans will be responsible because they control the chamber."

Bill opponents said no amount of religious freedom protections would be sufficient to gain their support.

The Associated Press: Tornado victims seek comfort in Sunday services

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — Macolee Muhammed accepted the prayer of a relief worker who stopped by what was left of her Birmingham home. It didn't matter that she was Muslim and he was a Southern Baptist.

"If you came here to help, the only person who sent you was God," she said.

The storms that roared across the South last week flattened churches and crushed the homes of pastors and parishioners in a ragged stretch from Mississippi to Virginia. At least 342 people were killed and thousands more hurt.

So on the first Sunday after the disaster, believers streamed into houses of worship to give thanks for being spared, to mourn the dead and to ponder impossible questions. Why did some survive without any explanation? Why did others die for no apparent reason?

Many people in this highly religious region saw God at work, even amid the devastation.

"God just put his big old arms around us," said Peggy Blevins, 59, of Rainsville, Ala. "I don't understand why he takes some people and leaves others. But I thank him just the same for protecting us."

When the storm drew near, she and her family hid in a hallway of their house. She believes they survived only because some trees fell on the house, pinning it down and preventing the tornado from hurling it through the air.

"To some people it might sound cold, but God does have a plan," Blevins said. "I know I sound like one of those Southern Baptists, but I am."

In most small towns around here, churches serve as community centers, town halls and gymnasiums. Besides Sunday services, they host Boy Scout troop meetings, neighborhood voting, bake sales, basketball games and Wednesday night prayer meetings.

Some churches were wiped out. Some of those left standing have become headquarters for rebuilding.

American Christian Academy, a private school in Tuscaloosa, hosted a service at a football stadium within walking distance of neighborhoods where several churches were wiped out. The school distributed food, clothes, Bibles and other supplies to residents who came to worship.

"We're hoping to feed them and give them some spiritual food," said Rob Cain, the school's athletic director and campus pastor.

Lisa Thompson, 37, her fiance and her daughter came to the service because they don't know if their church, College Hill Baptist Church, survived. They haven't made it past the police checkpoints that have sealed off the area.

"My faith is stronger now than ever," she said. "I know God will test you, but it can't be nothing but stronger.

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