On December 31, 2023, President Vladimir Putin wished Russia a “Happy New Year” from the safety of the Kremlin, the traditional site of the presidential New Year’s Eve address since the 2000s.[1] The familiar picture presented a stark contrast to the…
LA mayor considers buffer zones at houses of worship after protest at synagogue
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass on Wednesday, June 26, said she is exploring the idea of buffer zones around houses of worship in response to a pro-Palestinian protest at a synagogue on Sunday but said that placing regulations on masks at…
The National Council of Churches Highlights Overlooked Global Conflicts
The National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA (NCC), the largest ecumenical body in the United States, held Impact Week from June 17-21 featuring panel discussions with a number of notable leaders.
Orthodox Anglicans set out their positions on Church of England’s same-sex blessing plans
It has become an established tradition, in the run up to the Church of England’s General Synod for various interested parties to publish open letters or articles setting out their position. This year is no exception.
Harvard task forces find discrimination and harassment against Jews, Muslims
Two Harvard University task forces set up in the wake of the turmoil on campus amid the Israel-Hamas war have found a campus climate rife with discrimination and harassment directed at Israeli, Jewish, Palestinian and Arab students.
Are Women More Loyal to Their Childhood Religion Than Men?
One of the most interesting types of questions that I get is about how people move around the religious landscape. It makes sense, right? If someone is an evangelical right now — were they always an evangelical, or did they…
Christian writer’s new book reminds kids what makes them different makes them special
Evangelical Christian writer Jonathan Merritt has written books with titles like Jesus Is Better Than You Imagined and A Faith Of Our Own aimed at younger evangelicals looking to distinguish their faith from that of their parents. Merritt’s new children’s book is something of…
Majority of American Jews support Biden in two polls
Two recent polls of Jewish Americans show President Biden continues to draw on broad support, with each suggesting that more than 60% of U.S. Jews will likely vote for the Democratic incumbent over former President Donald Trump.
Pope calls drug traffickers ‘murderers,’ blasts liberalization laws as ‘fantasy’ at UN event
Pope Francis on Wednesday denounced drug traffickers as “murderers” and labeled drug liberalization laws a “fantasy” as he marked the U.N.’s day against drug use and illicit trafficking.
‘I love this work, but it’s killing me’: The unique toll of being a spiritual leader today
Clergy, chaplains and other spiritual leaders play vital roles in their communities, from celebrating life’s most joyous moments to offering comfort and guidance in the face of tragedy.
Israel’s high court orders the army to draft ultra-Orthodox men, rattling Netanyahu’s government
Israel’s Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled unanimously that the military must begin drafting ultra-Orthodox men for compulsory service, a landmark decision that could lead to the collapse of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s governing coalition as Israel continues to wage war…
Judge blocks Michigan’s abortion waiting period, 2 years after voters approved abortion rights
A judge on Tuesday blocked Michigan’s 24-hour waiting period for abortions, saying it conflicts with a 2022 voter-approved amendment to the state constitution that guarantees abortion rights.