The Baptist Record - Journal of the Mississippi Baptist Convention since 1877 July 8, 2026

SIMPLE TRUTH: Finding light in the darkness

SIMPLE TRUTH: Finding light in the darkness

July 8, 2026

By Shawn Parker Dark places are real, and spiritual leaders are not exempt. I recently attended the funeral of a pastor who decided his life…

TOOLBOX: 5 reasons not to skip the Annual Church Profile

TOOLBOX: 5 reasons not to skip the Annual Church Profile

July 7, 2026

Explore the Bible: July 12

Explore the Bible: July 12

July 7, 2026

Bible Studies for Life: July 12

Bible Studies for Life: July 12

July 7, 2026

‘Outside the box’: Columbus church takes Vacation Bible School to community

(Photo credit: East End Baptist Church)

‘Outside the box’: Columbus church takes Vacation Bible School to community

July 1, 2026

Supreme Court upholds states’
rights for women in sports
WASHINGTON (BP) — A Supreme Court ruling today over two cases out of Idaho and West Virginia upheld the rights of schools to determine gender according to biological sex, and not by gender identity, when it comes to sports. The individuals at the center of Little v. Hecox and West Virginia v. B.P.J. each held that their Title IX rights had been violated when they were not allowed to compete on the women’s cross country and track and field teams. The 6-3 decision, however, focused on innate physical advantages males have over females — regardless of the use of puberty blockers — and thus made the cases about safety for female athletes as well as competitive fairness. The West Virginia decision speaks to athletics up through high school. The Idaho case originated at Boise State University and thus impacts sports through the collegiate level. Justice Brett Kavanaugh delivered the prevailing opinion, joined by Chief Justice John Roberts, Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch and Amy Coney Barrett. Thomas and Gorsuch filed separate concurring opinions. Justice Sonia Sotomayor filed the dissenting opinion, joined by Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson.