Faith-based activists must continue the fight for voter rights if religious freedom and a pluralistic democracy are to survive the 2024 election and thrive beyond it, said Adam Phillips, chief strategy officer for Interfaith America. Members of congregations across the…
Burge sees danger in ‘political monoculture’ of evangelicalism
The problem with white evangelicals isn’t their close affiliation with the Republican Party but the homogeneity of their political thinking and culture, sociologist of religion Ryan Burge said during a conference hosted by Denver Seminary. “When a religious movement becomes…
Federal judge blocks DeSantis’ effort to censor TV ads on abortion measure
A federal judge took Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to school on the First Amendment in siding with a nonprofit organization’s right to air a TV ad promoting an abortion rights measure on the Nov. 5 ballot. Chief U.S. District Judge…
Four progressive groups are on tours to encourage voting
Interfaith Alliance launched a cross-country bus tour Oct. 28 to remind Americans voting is a civic and holy undertaking. “I’m kicking off this moment to declare that the vote is sacred, and not just for some people in this country,…
Interfaith chaplains will serve at key battleground polling places
An interfaith voter-protection group will station chaplains at polling sites in 10 battleground states to discourage violence and voter suppression efforts during early voting periods and on Election Day. Faiths United to Save Democracy said it trained 1,400 ordained poll…
Decision on Louisiana Ten Commandments law due by Nov. 15
A federal judge said he will decide by Nov. 15 whether to temporarily block a Louisiana law requiring classroom displays of the Ten Commandments beginning Jan. 1. U.S. District Judge John W. deGravelles heard oral arguments Oct. 21 in Roake…
Global religious persecution at all-time high
Religious oppression has skyrocketed worldwide since 2020, when 80 million people were forcibly displaced and 260 million Christians faced some form of violence, according to a new report by World Relief and Open Doors US. “The number of people globally…
Hunger is an election year issue too, Bread for the World says
There are times when serving the poor and hungry must go beyond volunteering in food pantries or soup kitchens, and the 2024 election season is one of those times, said Heather Taylor, managing director of Bread for the World. “We…
Ryan Walters faces challenges on two fronts
Oklahoma’s top education official is facing mounting opposition to his directive that every public school classroom have Bibles for teaching Scripture to students. Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters was sued Oct. 17 by more than 30 faith leaders,…