The states of Illinois and Minnesota filed lawsuits against the Department of Homeland Security Jan. 12 in an effort to protect citizens from aggressive and even deadly federal immigration enforcement tactics. The legal actions came in response to violence waged…
Kentucky church foregoes FEMA aid because of demands made
A Baptist church in Frankfort, Ky., turned down a much-needed federal grant for facilities repairs because the award mandated cooperation with immigration enforcement efforts and elimination of diversity, equity and inclusion policies. First Baptist Church on St. Clair was awarded…
Members of Congress sue for access to detention facilities
A dozen members of Congress are back in court because the White House quietly reinstated a rule barring unannounced inspections of immigration detention centers. The legislators filed an urgent motion in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia Jan….
Civil liberties groups say Catholic ministry should not discriminate
Religious employers must comply with nondiscrimination laws and are prohibited from discriminating against employees due to sexual orientation, civil and religious rights organizations said in a new court filing. The American Civil Liberties Union, Americans United for Separation of Church…
160 faith leaders urge Texas schools to reject forced prayer
State-organized school prayer undermines religious freedom by taking the responsibility for religious instruction from congregations and families and giving it to government instead, more than 160 faith leaders said in an open letter to all Texas school board members. The…
Prosecutors and civil liberties groups speak out on ICE raids in houses of worship
Faith organizations suing to prevent immigration raids on or near houses of worship have gained support from a diverse array of prosecutors, civil liberty and religious groups in a case against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Fair and Just…
New data debunk claims of ‘revival’ in America
New research shows religious adherence remains stable in the United States and the nation is not witnessing the “revival” excitedly proclaimed by Christian nationalists. In a survey released in December, Pew Research Center reported 70% of U.S. adults identified with…
Israel bans 37 international aid groups from Gaza
Israel’s decision to ban 37 international aid groups from the West Bank and Gaza will worsen already desperate conditions for more than 1 million Palestinian war victims, a group of nongovernmental organizations warned. The situation stems from Israel’s new registration…
Judge says AU may not intervene in Johnson Amendment litigation
A constitutional watchdog group may not defend the Johnson Amendment in litigation filed by religious groups seeking to promote political causes from the pulpit, a federal judge in Texas ruled. Americans United for Separation of Church and State sought third-party…
Religious leaders react to Maduro’s capture with conflicting views
The capture of Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro has been a hit among President Donald Trump’s Christian nationalist allies while the reaction from moderate and progressive Christian leaders has varied from concerned to condemning. “We have a president who acts decisively…
Tennessee death penalty opponents urge halt to executions
Death penalty opponents in Tennessee got a jump on this year’s abolition efforts by urging the state to stop all executions including four already scheduled in 2026. Tennesseans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty gathered with community and religious leaders…
Top analysis piece traced Charlie Kirk’s rise as MAGA influencer
Baptist News Global’s most-read analysis articles in 2025 revealed strong reader interest in Christian nationalism, MAGA theology and conspiracies and controversies involving conservative and progressive religious figures. Of the 15 most-read analysis pieces this year, three were about Trump insider…