Ukraine to prepare law banning churches ‘affiliated’ with Russia
Kyiv, Ukraine Reuters The Ukrainian Government will draw up a law banning churches affiliated with Russia under moves described by President Volodymyr Zelenskiy as necessary to prevent Moscow being able to “weaken Ukraine from within.” In a move condemned in Moscow, Ukraine’s National Security and Defence Council told the government to draft the law following […]
In the US, Texas judge rules religious businesses exempt from LGBTQ bias claims
RNS For-profit businesses with sincerely held religious beliefs are exempt from LGBTQ discrimination liability under a decision this week by a federal judge in Texas. The ruling om Sunday came in response to the US Supreme Court’s 2020 landmark ruling in Bostock v Clayton County, Georgia, which held that LGBTQ people are protected from discrimination […]
US infrastructure bill includes energy efficiency grants for houses of worship
RNS Buried on page 1,729 of the trillion-dollar infrastructure bill approved by the US Senate on Tuesday in a bipartisan vote is a project titled “Energy efficiency materials pilot program”. It would fund $US50 million in grants to non-profits, including religious congregations, so they can buy new energy efficient heating and cooling systems for their buildings. The […]
Only half of American households donate to charity – study
AP For the first time in nearly two decades, only half of US households donated to a charity, according to a study released Tuesday. The findings confirm a trend worrying experts: Donations to charitable causes are reaching record highs, but the giving is done by a smaller and smaller slice of the population. The study, […]
As US Senate convenes hearing, more than 300 faith leaders declare support for DC statehood
Washington DC, USRNS More than 300 faith leaders and heads of prominent religious organisations signed a letter sent to Senate leadership on Tuesday backing the call to make Washington, DC, a state, adding religious support to the growing Democratic-led effort. “As clergy and faith leaders from across our nation, we write to express our strong […]
In the US, Trump eases rules for religious social service providers
AP The Trump administration on Monday moved to loosen Obama-era restrictions on religious organisations that receive federal money to provide social services. In new rules coordinated across nine federal agencies, the administration said it was clearing barriers that make it difficult for religious groups to participate in federal programs. In this 15th october file photo […]
US Supreme Court rules that federal law protects LGBTQ persons from employment discrimination
RNS The US Supreme Court ruled that LGBTQ people are protected from discrimination under Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act on Monday in a landmark opinion that makes employment discrimination against LGBTQ persons illegal in all 50 states and has important implications for religious organisations. “An employer who fires an individual merely for […]
ESSAY: RUDDOCK REPORT CONSTRAINS, NOT EXPANDS, FEDERAL RELIGIOUS EXEMPTIONS
After extracts of the long-awaited Ruddock report into religious freedom were leaked this week, Australian academics LIAM ELPHICK, AMY MAGUIRE and ANJA HILKEMEIJER, in an article first published on The Conversation, take a look at what the review’s recommendations may mean for Australia…
Nearly a third of American donations went to religious organisations last year
RNS Nearly a third of the $US373 billion that Americans donated to charity last year went to religious organisations. The $US119 billion that was given to churches, religious charities and parachurch ministries is more than went to groups that specialise in education, human services or any other category, according to a report by Giving USA. […]