Biden administration finalises rule on religious liberty protections
United States RNS Nine agencies of the Biden administration have finalised a new rule that officials say will improve religious freedom by protecting the rights of beneficiaries of social services funded by the government. In particular, the rule will affect those receiving help from the many social service providers that are faith-based and will ensure […]
Church-state separation: Alabama Chief Justice’s Christian reasoning in IVF opinion sparks alarm for some, rejoicing for others
PETER SMITH and TIFFANY STANLEY, of Associated Press, look at responses to the recent Alabama Supreme Court ruling that frozen embryos are considered children…
Essay: In the US, Christian nationalists have provoked a pluralist resistance
RUTH BRAUNSTEIN, director of the Meanings of Democracy Lab at the University of Connecticut, says, in an article first published on Religion New Service, that those fighting for democracy should be making headlines, too…
US: IN BATTLE OVER PROTESTANT-ONLY FOSTER CARE AGENCY, LAWSUIT ASKS “WHO IS A CHRISTIAN”?
YONAT SHIMRON, of Religion News Service, reports…
ESSAY: TRUMP’S EVANGELICAL PANDER – A SIN OR VIOLATION OF THE LAW?
US religion and politics commentator JACOB LUPFER, in an article first published on Religion News Service, says US President Donald Trump’s focus on evangelical Protestants – and especially those who support him unconditionally – is problematic in many ways…
Evangelicals’ White House meetings illegal, church-state watchdog says
RNS A church-state watchdog is demanding a halt to meetings between the Trump administration and an informal group of evangelical advisers who have proved to be among the President’s staunchest supporters. Americans United for Separation of Church and State said the group is violating the Federal Advisory Committee Act, a 1972 law that provides transparency […]
US campaign to blitz the country with ‘In God We Trust’ laws takes root
RNS As the summer heat waxes and state legislative sessions wane, the Congressional Prayer Caucus Foundation has scored a few small but significant victories. This year, five state legislatures passed laws mandating that every public school prominently display the US motto, “In God We Trust.” The addition of Arkansas, which passed such a law in […]