As the Southern Baptist Convention gathers this week in Dallas, leaders are preparing to vote on a slate of resolutions that push for sweeping changes in American cultural and political life—from banning pornography and limiting sports betting to overturning same-sex marriage rights and encouraging more Americans to have children.

These proposals, rooted in what the denomination calls “the biblical order of creation,” reflect the group’s long-standing views but come with fresh urgency in a political landscape increasingly receptive to conservative Christian priorities.

A Political and Cultural Manifesto

The proposed resolutions ask lawmakers to enact legislation that aligns with a conservative Christian worldview, particularly regarding sex, marriage, gender, and family. One resolution calls on lawmakers to pass laws that “reflect the truth of creation and natural law,” opposing anything that contradicts “what God has made plain through nature and Scripture.”

Other measures target the growing influence of sports gambling and the widespread availability of pornography—both of which are denounced as destructive forces that should be curbed or banned outright.

A resolution even singles out “willful childlessness” as a contributing factor to America’s declining birth rate, calling on policymakers to adopt “pro-natalist” policies that promote having children.

A Flashback to 1985—and a Glimpse of the Future

This year’s gathering happens on the 40th anniversary of one of the most pivotal moments in the convention’s history. In 1985, more than 45,000 attendees packed into the same city for a heated showdown that cemented the denomination’s hard conservative turn—a moment Southern Baptist leaders now call the “hinge convention.”

While attendance this year is expected to be significantly smaller, the ideological echoes are loud and clear. “There’s not a lot of room for compromise,” said religion scholar Nancy Ammerman, who witnessed the 1985 meeting firsthand. “There’s not a lot of room for people who don’t have the same understanding of who God is and how God operates.”

Albert Mohler, president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and a leading voice in the denomination’s conservative shift, says these resolutions are not just theological—they are moral obligations rooted in a divine order that applies “to all persons, in all times, everywhere.”

When Religion Meets Politics

The resolutions land at a time when social conservatives have increasing sway in government. House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Southern Baptist, is third in line to the presidency. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas has suggested revisiting the court’s landmark 2015 decision that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide.

And voices from the Catholic postliberal movement, along with evangelical conservatives, are pushing for a more activist government—one that openly legislates moral values, bans pornography, and promotes traditional family structures.

Internal Tensions: Women Pastors and Public Policy

But not all the tension is external. The denomination will also confront divisions within its own ranks, including another push to ban churches that employ women as pastors. A proposed constitutional amendment narrowly failed in 2023 and 2024 but is expected to be reintroduced.

While the Southern Baptist statement of faith limits the role of pastor to men, debate continues over whether this applies only to senior pastors or all pastoral staff. The issue flared again when a prominent South Carolina megachurch with a woman on staff was briefly retained—before it left the convention on its own.

Meanwhile, the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC)—the denomination’s public policy arm—is facing calls for defunding. Critics, including the conservative Center for Baptist Leadership, argue the ERLC has lost its edge, especially after opposing the criminalization of women who seek abortions.

Still, defenders say the ERLC’s work on religious liberty and anti-abortion advocacy remains vital. “Without the ERLC, you will send the message… that the SBC has chosen to abandon the public square,” said ERLC President Brent Leatherwood in a video plea.

Race, Immigration, and the SBC’s Future

Race and immigration are also hot-button topics. A coalition of Southern Baptist ethnic leaders has criticized the denomination’s silence—or in some cases, opposition—to compassion in immigration policy, especially during the Trump-era crackdown. Black pastor Dwight McKissic described the current direction of the SBC as a move from “evangelical” to “fundamentalist,” warning that fewer Black churches will stay on board.

Declining Numbers, But a Glimmer of Hope

Despite holding onto its title as the nation’s largest Protestant denomination, the SBC continues to shrink. Membership dropped another 2% in 2024, marking the 18th consecutive year of decline, now down to 12.7 million.

There’s one bright spot, though: baptisms. Viewed as a key sign of spiritual vitality, baptisms rose to 250,643—surpassing pre-pandemic levels and temporarily reversing a long downward trend.

Source: AP News – Southern Baptists target porn, sports betting, same-sex marriage and ‘willful childlessness’

The post Inside the Southern Baptist Agenda: Morality Laws, Family Values, and Political Power appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.

When 7-year-old Sydney Nowak noticed dirty sodas – non-alcoholic beverages made popular by Hulu’s The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives – on the menu at a Las Vegas Top Golf, she was stunned. Even more surprising was her 19-year-old cousin from the UK recognizing the drink.

“I never expected someone from another country to know what a dirty soda is, but it’s become so relevant in pop culture today,” Nowak said.

The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives chronicles the lives of eight married Mormon women in their 20s and early 30s living in Utah. The show’s first season became Hulu’s most-watched unscripted original series of the year and the third most-viewed original series across major streaming platforms during its premiere week, according to Nielsen. A second season is now in production.

This unconventional hit offers a buttoned-up alternative to the salacious reality shows dominating TV. It’s also part of a broader trend elevating unexpected voices to the forefront of pop culture.

Gen Z’s ‘Real Housewives’

Sydney Nowak and her friend Hannah Jaeger, both from Southern California, found themselves immersed in the cultural phenomenon of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. Their podcast, BusyBabes, frequently discusses the series. Nielsen data reveals that Gen Z and young millennials comprised 54% of viewers during its peak week.

“You know how older generations were obsessed with The Real Housewives? This might be our version of that,” Nowak said in a recent podcast episode.

Before their Hulu fame, the eight Utah-based women built significant followings on TikTok as part of the #MomTok community, where they showcased their lives as young Mormon mothers. Collectively, they amassed nearly 16 million followers across platforms.

The Allure of Mormon Culture

Carnegie Mellon University’s English professor Kathy M. Newman attributes the fascination with these women to America’s long-standing intrigue with distinct cultural groups. Mormon traditions like abstaining from coffee and alcohol while indulging in quirky drinks like dirty sodas captivate outsiders.

“It’s a prurient interest in a culture perceived as different,” Newman said.

TikTok boosted the Mormon wives’ visibility in 2022, especially after Taylor Frankie Paul revealed a scandal involving “soft-swinging” – consensual partner sharing among Mormon couples. According to Lisa Filippilli of Select Management Group, the series was already in development when the scandal exploded, accelerating its production timeline.

“This group of women was always special. It was about finding the right moment and partners to bring their story to life,” Georgia Berger of Select Management Group told Collider.

The Rise of the #Tradwife

In parallel, other Mormon influencers like Nara Smith and Hannah Neeleman have led the viral #Tradwife trend. Millions of young viewers are captivated by Smith’s old-fashioned cooking and fashion, or they scour Neeleman’s social media for signs of the “oppressed wife” narrative outlined in a viral Sunday Times article.

Joel Penney, a communications professor at Montclair State University, suggests this fascination isn’t purely about shock value. Amid the pandemic, global conflicts, and economic challenges, younger generations have experienced a deep sense of disillusionment and are seeking structure and meaning.

“There’s anxiety about losing direction,” Penney said. “Reclaiming traditional roles provides clarity, identity, and purpose.” He likened the trend to historical shifts like the rise of the Moral Majority in the 1970s as a reaction to the 1960s counterculture.

Pushing Boundaries

Despite their ties to traditional values, the Mormon wives challenge conservatism within their community. The show addresses taboo topics, including sex and divorce, offering a nuanced portrayal of their lives. According to producers, this progressive edge is central to the series’ appeal.

“It keeps me on the edge of my seat,” Nowak said.

By blending tradition and modernity, The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives resonates deeply with a new generation seeking meaning and entertainment in unexpected places.

Source

The post Gen Z Finds Its ‘Real Housewives’ in Mormon Wives appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.