New survey finds pockets of support for Christian nationalism across US
United States RNS A new report released on Wednesday found that roughly three in 10 Americans express some sympathy for Christian nationalism, with its greatest popularity concentrated in the south-east and upper mid-west. The findings appear in a study from the Public Religion Research Institute, which probed public support for Christian nationalism as part of […]
In the US, families sue West Virginia school district over Christian assembly
Charleston, West Virginia, USAP A group of parents and students are suing a West Virginia school district for allowing an evangelical preacher to hold a religious revival assembly during the school day earlier this month that some students were required to attend. The suit, filed in a US District Court in West Virginia on Thursday on behalf […]
Connecticut is sixth US state to end religious vaccine exemption
AP Connecticut will no longer allow a religious exemption from childhood immunization requirements for schools, colleges and day care facilities, becoming the sixth state to end that policy. The legislation was signed into law Wednesday by Governor Ned Lamont, hours after the Democratic-controlled Senate passed the bill late Tuesday night. More than 2,000 opponents had rallied outside […]
Virus outbreaks linked to three churches in US state of West Virginia
Charleston, West Virginia, USAP Coronavirus outbreaks were linked to three churches in West Virginia on Wednesday as officials urged parishioners to follow safety guidelines and warned about the virus spreading into surrounding communities. Local health authorities said Greenbrier County’s Graystone Baptist Church has at least 33 cases and Ohio County’s First Baptist Church has four […]
US town where Mother’s Day began conducts online service
Grafton, West Virginia, USAP In the West Virginia town where Mother’s Day started 112 years ago, there was another first: an online-only audience due to the coronavirus pandemic. The pews were empty Sunday as an organist played the opening hymn at the International Mother’s Day Shrine in Grafton. The tradition began when Anna Jarvis wanted […]
In the US, Liberty University’s Falwell throws support behind ‘Vexit’
RNS Jerry Falwell Jr, president of Liberty University, has voiced his support for efforts to allow counties in Virginia unhappy with the state’s Democrat-controlled Legislature to join West Virginia. Standing alongside West Virginia’s Governor Jim Justice in a roomful of whirring robotic factory machinery at Blue Ridge Community and Technical College in Martinsburg, Falwell told […]
FILM: ACTOR MARK RUFFALO BLENDS FILM AND FAITH-FUELED ACTIVISM IN ‘DARK WATERS’
EMILY MACFARLAN MILLER, of Religion News Service, speaks with actor Mark Ruffalo about how his diverse faith background not only motivated him to take on the starring role in “Dark Waters” but has also grounded his activism over the years…
Pope places sanctions on retired US bishop investigated over sexual harassment, lavish spending
RNS Pope Francis has placed sanctions on retired Bishop Michael J Bransfield, the former head of the Catholic Church’s West Virginia diocese, following an investigation that concluded that there was credible evidence that Bransfield sexually harassed adults and lavishly overspent church funds. Bishop Michael Bransfield in his office in Wheeling, W.Va., in 2005. PICTURE: AP […]