A coalition of civil rights groups has asked a federal judge to declare that a recent Supreme Court ruling protecting birthright citizenship strikes down two new executive orders President Donald Trump signed to limit the constitutional right he opposes. The…
Buffer zone bills debated as protecting freedom to worship
Jewish groups are rallying around federal legislation that would establish 100-foot buffer zones around houses of worship to prevent demonstrators from interrupting services. “No one should have to push through a hostile crowd or shout over a bullhorn in an…
Trump admin gives $1.4 billion to faith groups for international aid
The U.S. State Department has announced a partnership with faith-based organizations to distribute nearly $2 billion in international humanitarian aid. The move follows the dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development and the cutting of at least $26 billion…
SC church sued for allowing registered sex offender access to children
A Southern Baptist church and school in South Carolina provided a known sex offender unrestrained access to children for several years and silenced a teacher who raised concerns about the situation, according to a federal lawsuit filed Aug. 4. The…
16th judge blocks Trump’s voter intimidation efforts
A federal judge said he had plenty of help figuring out how to deny the Trump administration’s bid for access to sensitive voter information from Washington, D.C. “At this time, 20 district courts and the Sixth Circuit have denied the…
IRS employee union joins fight against Trump’s slush fund
A union representing Internal Revenue Service employees has joined a lawsuit to block a $1.776 billion slush fund for President Donald Trump’s political allies and to prevent the president and his family from achieving immunity from tax audits. “At its…
‘Faithful Politics’ podcasters tackle special project
The nation has reached a “now or never” moment with Christian nationalism that requires sacrificial action to defend democracy and religious pluralism, author and researcher Robert P. Jones said on a podcast focused on faith and public life. “I do…
PCBC, Rainbow Push and AFL-CIO join to fight voter suppression
A predominantly Black denomination, a faith-based civil rights group and the nation’s largest union have joined forces to fight systemic racism and voter suppression. “We decided we’re stronger and better together and so today we thought it would be appropriate…
Federal court urged to uphold ban on religious charter schools in Oklahoma
Seven mostly Jewish Oklahoma taxpayers urged a federal court to uphold the state’s February denial of an application to open a publicly funded Jewish charter school. Attorneys for the citizens argued during an Aug. 5 federal court hearing in Oklahoma…
Islamic group files suit against Broken Arrow for denying zoning permit
The Islamic Society of Tulsa filed a lawsuit Aug. 3 against the City of Broken Arrow, Okla., for its refusal to grant a rezoning application for the construction of a mosque. The faith group explained the project is necessary to…
Faith groups organize for anti-nuclear war action this week
Faith groups around the world are preparing to host prayer events to mark the 81st anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II. “Nuclear Prayer Day” on Aug. 6 and the “Global Days of Prayer…
Impending deportation of legal immigrants called horrifying and cruel
The nation is about to witness one of the most horrifying chapters in its history as Temporary Protected Status expires for more than 1 million lawfully present immigrants, federal legislators and immigrant rights activists warned Aug. 3 “This is an…