For the first time in history, the U.S. Army chief of chaplains has been fired by the Secretary of Defense. Pete Hegseth made national headlines April 2 for firing Gen. Randy George, the Army’s chief of staff. But on the…
Arkansas Ten Commandments monument ruled unconstitutional
A Ten Commandments monument in front of the Arkansas State Capitol and the 2015 law that approved it were ruled unconstitutional by a federal court March 31. Chief U.S. District Judge Kristine Baker in Little Rock ordered Arkansas Secretary of…
At White House, Trump lauded as suffering king like Jesus
Paula White and Franklin Graham added to their stacks of praise for President Donald Trump this week, with White comparing Trump to Jesus in Holy Week. Not to be outdone, Trump also compared himself to Jesus being called “king.” At…
Alabama judge isn’t buying UMC’s ‘trust clause’ claims
An Alabama judge has dealt an unusual blow to one of the strongest arguments The United Methodist Church has made to keep churches from defecting. Houston County Circuit Judge Christopher K. Richardson ruled March 25 that the UMC does not…
Florida Young Republican leader sues to stop probe into his actions
A former Miami Republican Party official has filed a lawsuit to stop Florida International University from probing into his involvement in an antisemitic and homophobic online group chat with fellow students. In the action filed last month in federal court…
Judge won’t approve Johnson Amendment settlement
A federal judge in Texas has dealt a serious setback to conservative Christians seeking the right to support political causes and candidates while maintaining tax-exempt status. District Judge J. Campbell Barker in Tyler ruled March 31 he had no authority…
BNG, AWAB and GFM collaborate to present Skye Perryman
Skye Perryman will keynote a breakfast meeting at the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship General Assembly sponsored by Baptist News Global, Good Faith Media and Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists. Perryman, president of Democracy Forward, is a leading national voice in…
Nicaragua reportedly restricting Baptists and Bibles
The Nicaraguan government is ramping up its persecution of Baptist and other religious organizations and restricting the use and possession of Bibles, according to the international human and religious rights group CSW. Formerly known as Christian Solidarity Worldwide, CSW said…
Advocates rally for Supreme Court hearing on birthright citizenship
Immigration and civil rights advocates have come out in force to defend birthright citizenship in advance of an April 1 U.S. Supreme Court hearing into President Donald Trump’s attempt to end the practice. Justices will hear oral arguments in Barbara…
‘Trey’s Law’ gains more momentum with Alabama signing
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey held a ceremonial signing of Trey’s Law (SB-30) March 30. The law prohibits nondisclosure agreements in civil cases involving sexual abuse, sexual assault and trafficking in the interest of public safety. Effective Oct. 1, Trey’s Law…
Supreme Court says conversion therapy is protected free speech
Evangelical therapists have a First Amendment right to engage in “conversion therapy” with LGBTQ clients despite solid medical evidence that such treatment is ineffective, according to the U.S. Supreme Court. In an 8-1 ruling March 31, the high court ruled…
Journalists trace influence of ‘religious left’ organizing
The surge in faith-based protests against President Donald Trump’s immigration policies has drawn from both spontaneous activism and the reemergence of networks of religious groups, according to a panel of journalists covering the movement. NPR religion correspondent Jason DeRose joined…