Posts in North America
US Has Low Levels Of ‘Religious Nationalism,’ But Its Impact Stands Out

The United States has a “relatively low level of religious nationalism” compared to other countries, but its impact on politics and society is particularly notable among high-income nations. The Pew Research Study released on Tuesday examined the role of religion worldwide by surveying people across 36 countries.

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Republicans Introduce Bill That Aims To ‘Protect The Right Of Parents’

A Republican-led bill looks to seize on the momentum for legislation designed to protect parents’ rights in the upbringing of their children. The legislation seeks “to protect the right of parents to direct the upbringing of their children as a fundamental right.” Each bill has been referred to its respective judiciary committee.

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Amid LA Wildfires, Houses Of Worship Serve Communities Devastated By Destruction

As flames continue to sweep across Los Angeles, the impact on local faith communities has been profound. Yet, it has also highlighted the spirit of generosity and solidarity among Angelenos. Many congregants, displaced by the fires, have found refuge in the homes of fellow members, while others have offered their properties at cost to help those who’ve lost everything.

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SMU Breaks From United Methodist Church, But Can It Retain Its ‘Methodist’ Identity?

(ANALYSIS) A Texas Supreme Court hearing marked the climax of a significant six-year legal battle. SMU has declared its independence from the United Methodist Church, ending a 114-year connection while planning to retain its “Methodist” name. Regardless of the decision, one question remains: In what respects is SMU a “Methodist” or a “Christian” university beyond acknowledging its heritage?

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Trump Pardons 23 Abortion Protestors Convicted Under The FACE Act

Trump signed an executive order Jan. 23 pardoning 23 pro-lifers convicted of federal crimes for blocking entrances to abortion clinics before the overturning of Roe v. Wade, some of whom were serving prison sentences. “They should not have been prosecuted. Many of them are elderly people,” Trump said at the signing ceremony. “This is a great honor to sign this.”

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‘The Familiar Stranger’ Reintroduces A Familiar Debate About The Holy Spirit

(REVIEW) Pastor Tyler Staton’s new book makes a compelling case for placing the Holy Spirit at the center of Christian life. Unfortunately, much of what it says also validates the fears of those skeptical about Spirit-filled theology. In times of perceived decline, people search for answers on how to reverse it. Many in the church and the Western world view Christianity and Western civilization as being in cultural retreat. One of the proposed solutions is "re-enchantment.”

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‘We Believe In The Man Upstairs’: Why Many NFL Quarterbacks Are Practicing Christians

The high number of practicing Christian quarterbacks in the NFL is a multifaceted phenomenon rooted in cultural, social and personal factors. Christianity offers these men a foundation for moral guidance, mental fortitude and a sense of community — all of which are essential to the demanding life of an NFL quarterback and win a Super Bowl.

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‘Protecting Life’: Thousands Descend On DC For Annual Anti-Abortion March

This year’s March for Life, which is understood to be the world’s largest annual human rights demonstration, marks the third time the event has been held since the historic overturning of the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision, which returned abortion legislation to the states.

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Elon Musk’s Inauguration Salute Just Another Distracting Meme

(OPINION) I have one bit of advice for all those people fuming over Elon Musk’s hand gestures: Stop. I know it’s tough to resist the temptation to go into full outrage mode over the apparent Nazi gesture Musk made during an Inauguration Day speech at Washington, D.C.’s Capital One Arena. A lot of energy has gone into parsing Musk’s gesture, and attacking those who don’t see it your way.

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Houses Of Worship Tackle ‘The Challenge Of The Empty Church’

Shrinking church attendance. Closing congregations. Minister shortages. Post-COVID upheaval. All those factors contributed to the strong interest in the dialogue organized by Heritage21, which partners with churches to — as the ministry puts it — “renew, repurpose and replant God’s kingdom in these challenging times.”

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New Study Reveals Few Protestant Pastors Bank on Prosperity Gospel

A Lifeway Research study of U.S. Protestant pastors finds few hold or teach beliefs connected to the prosperity gospel, the theological movement that teaches God wants to make followers materially wealthy and will do so if individuals hold certain beliefs or perform specific actions.

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On Religion: How The Babylon Bee Toppled Digital Dominoes With Elon Musk’s Help

(ANALYSIS) While many critics accuse the Babylon Bee of spreading political misinformation — the website's motto is “Fake News You Can Trust” — controversies about its work usually center on clashes between religious doctrines and powerful trends in modern life, such as the sexual revolution.

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James O. Maxwell, Influential Preacher And Advocate For Racial Unity, Dies At 86

In the late 1950s, a young man named James O. Maxwell enrolled at Southwestern Christian College in Terrell, Texas. Maxwell’s time at Southwestern — the only historically Black higher education institution associated with Churches of Christ — changed his life, and he became one of the fellowship’s most influential ministers.

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Exclusive: The King’s College Launches ‘Go-Forward Plan’ In An Effort To Reopen

The King’s College — the four-year evangelical school in New York City forced to shut its doors to students in 2023 under a mountain of debt — is seeking to resume operations in an effort to “create a significant center for Christian higher learning.” The school temporarily closed in 2023 following a budget shortfall. The search for a partner has been a fruitless one for King’s in the past.

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Megachurch Pastor Calls Neighbors ‘Evil’ in Clash Over Building Project

According to Landon Schott, lead pastor of the adjacent Mercy Culture megachurch, the Oakhurst neighborhood is inhabited by people he believes to be “witches” and “warlocks” who are putting up “insane demonic resistance” to the work of God.

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Trump’s Refugees Order Could Impact Persecuted Christians

President Donald Trump has halted for at least 90 days a refugee admissions program that resettled 100,000 individuals fleeing persecution in fiscal year 2024, including nearly 30,000 Christians. By an executive order Monday, Trump suspended the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program “until such time as the further entry into the United States of refugees aligns with the interests” of the nation.

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Interim Pastors Staying At Gateway Church While Search Continues

Dallas-based Gateway Church has announced its interim pastors are staying on while the search for an executive pastor continues. Pastors Max Lucado and Joakim Lundqvist first joined the church as temporary teaching pastors at the church in July 2024 after decades-old child sex abuse allegations became public, The Roys Report (TRR) previously reported.

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Trump Says In Inaugural Address He Was ‘Saved By God’

In a day punctuated by prayer and references to God, Donald Trump was sworn in on Monday as the 47th president of the United States. “I was saved by God to make America great again,” Trump said in his inaugural speech, alluding to the failed assassination attempt against him last July during a Pennsylvania rally.

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In A Divided America, Churches Find A Way To Move Forward

American churches are finding new ways to adapt and rebuild after facing crises like political polarization, the pandemic and even natural disasters. While some congregations struggle to stay afloat, others are embracing diversity, tough conversations and community engagement in an effort to become more resilient in the age of Trump.

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