n light of a recent bankruptcy court ruling about the Boy Scouts of America and sexual abuse claimants, United Methodist leaders are urging their churches to not extend current agreements to sponsor or house local scout troops beyond the end…
The ‘fake Christian’ deflection and contrarian concern trolling: how not to write about evangelical authoritarianism
Over the last couple of weeks, America’s conservative, mostly white evangelicals have once again generated considerable buzz—and deserved criticism—over their authoritarian attitudes and behaviors.
In Texas, ‘Reproductive Freedom Congregations’ catch on as new abortion law looms
In a state where a new law could soon allow any person to sue those who help a woman get an abortion after six weeks of pregnancy, more than two dozen Texas congregations are publicly declaring their support for women…
Episcopal Diocese of Maine mandates vaccine for clergy
The bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Maine mandated Monday (Aug. 23) that all clergy and staff in the diocese be vaccinated against COVID-19 by the end of September. It is one of the first COVID-19 vaccine mandates for clergy…
Israeli rabbis ask pope to clarify remarks on Jewish law
Israel’s top Jewish religious authorities have told the Vatican they are concerned about comments that Pope Francis made about their books of sacred law and have asked for a clarification.
Democrats spotlight abortion in bid to save Newsom
Democratic activists working to save Gov. Gavin Newsom from being thrown out of office by California voters next month are seizing on an issue better known for energizing voters on the right: abortion access.
Some Southern California church leaders pushing political extremes
When GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia came to Southern California in July, three secular venues canceled her planned political rally over her support for far-right policies. So Pastor Tim Thompson handed Greene the microphone during a Sunday service…
Federal judge says ‘no’ (again) to South Dakota’s mandated abortion counseling
A state-backed effort to revive abortion restrictions passed a decade ago by the South Dakota Legislature, but blocked by a federal judge, has been scuttled once again by the same federal judge.
Appeals Court rejects religious liberty challenge to mask requirement for grades K-5 in religious schools
The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals declined to issue an injunction halting a mask mandate for schoolchildren grades K-5 attending religious schools. The court rejected a Free Exercise challenge brought by Resurrection School, a Catholic elementary school in Lansing,…