In the past several weeks, religious language has been used in American public life with unusual intensity and disturbing clarity. President Donald Trump ended an Easter morning obscenity-laced threat of violence to Iran with the mocking words “Praise be to…
Yes, there is a movement to take away women’s right to vote
A century after the U.S. passed the 19th Amendment allowing women to vote, Dale Partridge and some other pastors say that was a mistake and are calling for its repeal. “If we can repeal Roe v. Wade, then I think…
For first time ever, Army chief of chaplains fired — by Hegseth
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…
Apocalypse? Now?
In November 1095, Pope Urban II addressed a gathering of clergy and laity at the Council of Clermont in France. According to the chronicler Fulcher of Chartres, Urban began: “Most beloved brethren: Urged by necessity, I, Urban, by the permission…
Is James Talarico an Orc?
James Talarico has the Republican Party running scared. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott rarely mentions Gina Hinojosa, his Democratic rival, but he is going after U.S. Senate candidate Talarico with guns blazing. The assault on Talarico isn’t just coming from Texas,…
Hegseth declares war on Defense Dept. reporters, photographers
The U.S. Department of Defense is waging a multi-front war against American news media outlets over negative coverage of the war in Iran and unflattering photos of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The war is being fought on three fronts. First,…
Apocalypse Now and our heart of darkness
Every morning, we awaken to a new moral outrage from our president. It is hard to keep our equilibrium. Today, after his oil blockade of Cuba has caused a complete breakdown of the energy grid of the whole island, he…
At Pentagon, Hegseth prays ‘every round find its mark’
Pete Hegseth’s creation of evangelical worship services at the Pentagon already is controversial; now he’s used one of those services to invoke God’s favor on the U.S. attacks on Iran. Speaking to staff gathered for worship at the Pentagon March…
AU sues for information on Pentagon and Labor prayer meetings
Americans United for Separation of Church and State has filed lawsuits against the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Department of Labor demanding public records related to monthly prayer meetings hosted by both agencies. The Freedom of Information Act…
Evangelical and Catholic leaders differ over Trump’s Iran war
Pro-Trump evangelicals are applauding his war in Iran, saying it will change history. But the nation’s Catholic leaders question its justification and morality while criticizing the administration’s “sickening” videos that blend footage of destruction and casualties in Iran with scenes…
Scouting America faces pressure from Hegseth
Scouting America — previously known as Boy Scouts of America — is tightening its relationship with the U.S. Department of Defense and eliminating its DEI Committee and its “Citizenship in Society” merit badge. The changes come in response to acknowledged…
Teacher! The media farted!
We’ve all heard it. The Christian Right says our social ills are rooted in the “lamestream media.” The Left jumps on the media-bashing bandwagon when the subject is outlets like Fox News. You can bet your home theater that legitimate…