Texas’ Bible Curriculum Revives Debate Over Religion In Public Schools

A recent Texas State Board of Education decision requires all public school literature classes in grades 1 through 12 to learn about 10 Old Testament and five New Testament passages.

Religious Schools That Get Public Funds Must Follow Anti-Discrimination Laws

The ruling from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit in Boston came after two schools — Saint Dominic Academy in Auburn and Bangor Christian Schools, run by Crosspoint Church — asked for exemptions from the Maine Human Rights Act so they wouldn’t be required to enforce policies that contradicted their religious beliefs, such as admitting students who were openly gay or transgender, for instance, or requiring teachers to use students’ preferred pronouns.

In Muslim-Majority Pakistan, Some Schools Now Have A Hindu Curriculum

A controversial educational program will be offered for some Hindu students in Pakistan, providing them with structured learning opportunities designed to support their academic development, but is it compatible with their faith? Nationwide, more than 95% of residents are Muslim, and Islamic studies have been a regularly required course for most students at government-run schools.

Analytical Thinking Doesn’t Make People Less Religious

(ANALYSIS) A culture that laughs off the parting of the Red Sea will nod along when a man declares himself a woman. A culture that calls the Jesus’ resurrection absurd will assure you civilization can thrive after dismantling family, faith and biology. Walking on water is preposterous. Walking away from every inherited moral guardrail is sophisticated.

Cosplaying Free Speech: How Religion And Politics Determine Campus Taboos

(ANALYSIS) I feel like I got into a debate or a disagreement with someone about politics or religion on a near daily basis when I was between the ages of 13 and 25. I would fight with anyone about anything and I would often argue positions that I completely disagreed with because I just liked the intellectual gamesmanship of the whole exercise.

Houston Christian University President Robert Sloan Jr. Dies At 77

Robert Sloan, Jr., president of Houston Christian University, died on the morning of July 4. He was 77.

UMC Cuts Ties With Asbury Following Continued ‘Progressive’ Drift

Proponents of historic Christian orthodoxy are no longer welcome in the purportedly big tent of the United Methodist Church. That is the message sent by the removal of Asbury Theological Seminary from the UMC’s list of schools approved to train United Methodist clergy, observers of Methodism say.

Prayer Never Disappeared From Public Schools — But New Laws Could Change Role

(ANALYSIS) For decades after Supreme Court rulings barred school-sponsored prayer and Bible reading, faith remained present in public schools through student-led religious expression and community culture. Now, a series of new state laws mandating displays like the Ten Commandments are testing long-standing church-state boundaries and reigniting debate.

Bangladesh Has A New Catholic Diocese: Why Hindus And Muslims Are Excited, Too

A new Catholic diocese in Bangladesh is creating a place of hope for people of all faith, especially in the fields of education and health. Bishop Paul Gomes was consecrated this month as the first bishop of the new diocese of Joypurhat in northern Bangladesh, which is largely inhabited by indigenous people. Joypurhat is the ninth Catholic diocese in Bangladesh with more than 24,000 Catholics.

California-Based Christian University Launches $1 Billion Fundraising Campaign

A Pepperdine University spokesperson said the money raised will go toward strengthening academic programs, supporting faculty excellence, advancing scientific research and ethical AI innovation.

Why Spanish Youth Are Leaving The Catholic Church Behind

(ANALYSIS) The trend in Spain is also a reflection of a pan-European phenomenon. According to various surveys such as the European Social Survey, in southern European countries, including Spain, younger generations exhibit less attachment to religious institutions but maintain nuanced and pluralistic spiritual orientations.

Most Americans Support Public Schools For Undocumented Students

(ANALYSIS) A new national survey finds that nearly 76% of Americans support public education for all children regardless of immigration status and religion, despite partisan differences. The findings come as some state lawmakers and conservative groups seek to challenge longstanding legal protections for undocumented students.

Biola University Expands With New Phoenix Seminary Location

While many Christian colleges face financial challenges and closures, Biola University is expanding by acquiring Phoenix Seminary’s assets and establishing a Phoenix branch of Talbot School of Theology. The move will create one of the nation’s largest interdenominational seminaries and broaden Biola’s regional reach.

Catholic Leaders Embrace Pope Leo’s AI Stance, Ponder Implementation

Who is AI for and who is it leaving behind? Those were the central questions of Pope Leo’s first encyclical “Magnifica Humanitas” (“Magnificent Humanity”). By addressing the challenge and comparing it to the Industrial Revolution, the pope positioned the Catholic Church not as a casual observer of the tech age change, but an active participant in shaping its future.

Faith-Based Farm Offers College Students A Taste Of Rural Life

Land of Milk and Honey Farms in Deep Gap, North Carolina — nestled in a mountainous region called the High Country — has found a niche: Faith-based agritourism, offering visitors nature, serenity and even cuddle sessions with lambs. The farm’s name was inspired by a Bible passage in which God promises his people “a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey.”

Chatbots And The Soul: Has AI Transformed Religion?

(ANALYSIS) It seemed inevitable that the first encyclical from the first American pope, the forward-looking and worldly-wise Leo XIV, would focus on the growing furor over artificial intelligence. The pope’s encyclical comes as the culmination of various articles during recent weeks about the implications of AI on faith, ethics and morals.

Hijab Disputes Expose Legal Gap In Kenya’s Faith-Based Schools

Earlier this year, a 15-year-old walked through the gates of her high school in Kenya, wearing her hijab. The student and her parents had been assured by the principal that she could continue wearing it, just as she had throughout primary school. A few weeks later, that assurance fell apart. It has become part of a broader fight regarding religious freedom in the country.

Baptist Roots Meets Modern Pressures: Baylor Confronts Its Defining Tension

(ANALYSIS) Across American history, many colleges have attenuated or dropped their original religious purposes. Harvard University stripped down its 17th-century Latin motto, “Veritas Christo et Ecclesiae” (Truth for Christ and the Church) to simply “Veritas.” However, Baylor still proclaims “integrating academic excellence and Christian commitment” as its core mission.

Texas Education Board Advances Bible Reading List, Igniting Legal Debate

(ANALYSIS) Texas’ proposed K-12 reading list includes numerous Bible passages, sparking debate over religion in public schools. Supporters cite educational value, while critics argue it violates the First Amendment. Court precedents allow teaching about religion, but not promoting it—raising questions about whether the curriculum crosses constitutional boundaries.

Jamestown Marks Where America Began In Hardship And Faith

Tucked within the settlement’s remains stands the Jamestown Church Tower, its weathered bricks rising above the landscape like a sentinel. It’s the last visible remnant of a series of churches that once anchored the colony’s spiritual life. As America celebrates its 250th anniversary, Jamestown is a reminder of what helped to create a new nation.

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