Jul 06 United Methodists lose one-fifth of U.S. churches in schism over LGBTQ rights By Peter Smith, Associated Press Church law forbids the marriage or ordination of "self-avowed, practicing homosexuals." But many conservatives chose to leave because numerous U.S. churches and conferences are defying those bans. Continue reading
Jun 30 Watch 6:52 Supreme Court ruling allows businesses to refuse some services to LGBTQ+ customers By John Yang, Winston Wilde On a 6-3 ideological split, the Supreme Court sided with an evangelical Christian website designer who does not want to create sites for same-sex weddings, even though a Colorado anti-discrimination law would require her to. The court said the First… Continue watching
Jun 14 Detroit-area city bans Pride flags on public property after debate on LGBTQ+ discrimination and religion By Associated Press A Detroit-area community has banned LGBTQ+ flags from publicly owned poles. The unanimous vote by the Hamtramck City Council came during a tense meeting that raised questions about discrimination, religion and the city's reputation for welcoming newcomers. Continue reading
Jun 14 Southern Baptists refuse to take back megachurch with women pastors By Peter Smith, Deepa Bharath, Associated Press The statement of faith for the nation's largest Protestant denomination asserts that only qualified men can serve as pastors. Continue reading
Jun 08 Pat Robertson, religious broadcaster and GOP political influencer, dies at 93 By Ben Finley, Associated Press For more than a half-century, Robertson was a familiar presence in American living rooms. Money poured in as he solicited donations, his influence soared, and when he moved directly into politics by seeking the GOP presidential nomination in 1988, he… Continue reading
Jun 07 Pope Francis’ 3-hour abdominal surgery completed without complications By Nicole Winfield, Maria Cheng, Associated Press While hernia operations are rarely performed on an emergency basis, the procedure appeared somewhat urgent, scheduled just a day after Francis went to the hospital for tests. Continue reading
Jun 02 America’s religious leaders sharply divided over abortion, a year after Roe v. Wade’s reversal By David Crary, Associated Press Some celebrate the state-level bans that have ensued. Others are angry that a conservative Christian cause has changed the law of the land in ways they consider oppressive. Continue reading
May 26 Iowa law limits gender identity instruction, bans books depicting sex acts from school libraries By Scott McFetridge, Hannah Fingerhut, Associated Press The new law signed by Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds mandates the removal of all books depicting sex acts from Iowa school libraries. Religious texts will be exempt from the ban. Continue reading
May 14 How various religions revere motherhood around the world By Alyssa Beall, The Conversation Motherhood and nurturing aren't only celebrated on particular days. Many religions include goddess-centered traditions that embrace many forms of the divine feminine as central to their belief systems. Continue reading
May 12 Wave of anti-transgender bills in Republican-led states divides U.S. faith leaders By David Crary, Associated Press Some view the legislation as reflecting God's will; others voice outrage that Christianity is being invoked to justify laws they view as cruel and hateful. Continue reading