The United States Agency for International Development is rolling out a new program to more comprehensively include faith-based groups in its global aid distribution initiatives. “We are leaning in through USAIDs first ever religious engagement policy, which is titled ‘Building…
Louisiana high school principal removes SGA president for not living up to ‘God’s ideals’
A Louisiana principal has taken the rest of the year off after attempting to force his view of Christian morality on a high school senior. Jason St. Pierre requested leave from Walker High School in Walker, La., after apologizing to…
Unlike American evangelicals, religious bodies from Quakers to Catholics urge care for Palestinians and Jews alike
As Southern Baptists and other evangelicals rally support for Israel in its retaliatory war with Hamas, they are outliers compared to most other Christian groups in America — from Quakers to Catholics. Other denominations and religious leaders have expressed more…
Around the world and back: The enduring influence of Black gospel music
Note: This is the second in a five-part series on the Black Gospel Music Preservation Program made possible by generous funding from the Prichard Family Foundation. The influence of Black gospel music on other genres makes it ripe for…
Palestinian death toll surpasses Israeli death toll, as American Christians debate where to place the blame
As of Thursday night, Oct. 12, more Palestinians had been killed by Israeli military operations than Israelis killed by the surprise Hamas attack that began a new round of violence in the Middle East Oct. 7. Further, the nation of…
Oklahoma school board allows nation’s first publicly funded religious charter school, despite legal challenges
Despite widespread opposition, the Oklahoma Statewide Virtual Charter School Board voted 3-2 Oct. 9 to allow the first publicly funded religious charter school in the nation. St. Isidore of Seville Virtual Charter School would be operated by the Catholic Archdiocese…
Texas governor mounts full-court press for school vouchers, co-opts pastors as advocates from pulpit
Legislation introduced in the Texas Senate Oct. 9 would create a school voucher program that includes $8,000 a year to families who want a private education for their children. Senate Bill 1, which is being considered in an ongoing special…
SBC ethics agency publishes ‘Evangelical Statement in Support of Israel’
The Southern Baptist Convention Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission has issued an “Evangelical Statement in Support of Israel” that has been signed by dozens of Baptist and evangelical leaders and is open for others to sign. The Oct. 11 letter…
No soft landing for election denier Mike Lindell
Election denialism has been expensive for Mike Lindell, who has used up $60 million in profits from his MyPillow company to fund claims of election fraud through events, legal battles, publications and websites such as FrankSpeech.com and electioncrimebureau.com. His antics…
Worldwide communion invited to Thursday Ecumenical Service of Lament over Israel and Palestine
A group of Palestinian Christians advocating nonviolent solutions to conflict in the Middle East will hold an online Ecumenical Service of Lament Thursday, Oct. 12, at 11 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time. “In these grievous times, we aim to offer an…
Belief in prosperity gospel growing among American Protestants
Just over half of Protestant churchgoers in the United States say their houses of worship promote the belief that God grants financial blessings to those who give money to churches and charities, according to Lifeway Research. A new Lifeway survey…
$102 million Alliance Defending Freedom goes on offense
Which conservative Christian political group has had the greatest impact? The Moral Majority? The Christian Coalition? Family Research Council? The lesser known Christian legal group Alliance Defending Freedom is the “movement’s most influential arm,” argues journalist David D. Kirkpatrick in…