(ANALYSIS) All this has happened even as President Donald Trump has emphasized a particular idea of religious liberty throughout his second term. In his proclamation for Religious Freedom Day in 2026, he emphasized familiar ideas of Americansâ âGod-given right to practice their faith, follow their conscience, and worship their God freely and without fear.â But the statement also seemed to reflect a broader project of lending government support to Christianity.
Read MoreA Christian pro-life pregnancy resource center can fight in federal court the state of New Jerseyâs order to submit a broad spectrum of documents including the identity of financial donors, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled unanimously on Wednesday.
Read More(ANALYSIS) The popularity of musical biopics across both Hollywood and faith-based industries reflects the deep connection between religion and music in the shaping modern culture. It also reveals two different frameworks for interpreting that influence. Ideally, audiences can engage both and think more deeply about what each suggests for their own lives.
Read More(ANALYSIS) Trump claimed the White House Correspondents Dinner attacker âhated Christians,â but reporting indicates the suspect was a believer whose manifesto drew on Christian theology. The discrepancy highlights how Trumpâs framing may serve broader political goals, particularly unifying a divided conservative Christian base around perceived religious persecution.
Read More(ANALYSIS) After years of religious decline, itâs understandable that faith leaders would celebrate any indication of renewal. Yet the eagerness to tout young menâs religious interest and relatively muted discussion of young womenâs decreased attachment mirrors a current that has washed through many American churches for over a generation.
Read MoreYazidis in northeast Syria are fleeing yet again as renewed fighting in Aleppo triggers mass displacement, reviving trauma from ISISâs 2014 genocide. Survivors face deep psychological scars, economic hardship, and persistent insecurity, with many fearing further violence, family separation, and the gradual erosion of their community and identity through repeated upheaval.
Read MoreIn writings, Cole Tomas Allen thanked his church and argued that his attempt to assassinate Trump administration officials was compatible with his faith.
Read MoreThe rise of charismatic Pentecostal churches in Zimbabwe in the last two decades has resulted in the faith groups using open spaces and acquiring stands within residential suburbs to conduct church services. The services include prayer meetings, all-night fellowship and praise and worship concerts.
Read More(ANALYSIS) Knowing what the declaration actually says, and how its first listeners reacted, might not sway Americans at the extremes. It provides evidence for less polarizing, more nuanced views about the founding generationâs convictions and compromises as Americans commemorate their nationâs 250th anniversary.
Read More(REVIEW) Netflixâs new four-part docuseries âTrust Me: The False Prophetâ gives viewers never-before-seen access to the inner workings of a high-control religion and cult. Itâs a fascinating true story of danger, moral conviction, sacrifice, redemption and justice. Cult psychology expert and former mainstream Mormon, Christine Marie and her filmmaker husband, Tolga Katas, move to the area to support the FLDS community and document their lives.
Read MoreFive years after the pandemic upended life across the United States, a new national study shows that many churches are stabilizing â and in some cases rebounding â even as many challenges persist. In a report by the Hartford Institute for Religion Research, which surveyed more than 80 denominations, found that most have either maintained or increased their level of engagement.
Read MoreThe U.S. Department of Justice announced that it has secured an indictment against the Southern Poverty Law Center for wire fraud, false statements to a federally insured bank, and conspiracy to commit concealment money laundering.
Read MoreIn 1968, the three Apollo 8 astronauts, while the world focused on their Christmas Eve effort to orbit the moon, read the opening verses of Genesis, beginning with: âIn the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.â
Read MoreAs Weekend Plug-in columnist Bobby Ross Jr. connects with fellow Godbeat pros in Atlanta, he highlights a trend heâs noticed â the rise of religion newsletters.
Read More(ANALYSIS) Muslim Americans can often feel helpless in combating the hate they experience â more awareness and advocacy could reduce Islamophobia and address the mental health needs of an already vulnerable community. As the war with Iran continues, these issues will continue to persist among Americaâs Muslim community.
Read More(REVIEW) The film is an example of how Hollywood uses Christian metaphysical assumptions when dealing with non-Christian faiths â all while denying Christianity and promoting these same pre-Christian religions. âLee Croninâs The Mummyâ has nothing remotely to do with Egyptian mythology. But that doesnât mean it has nothing to say about our modern relationship with faith.
Read MoreAfter the first wave of Bible chatbots, independent developers are now building AI tools to solve problems that arise during live worship, and that can operate despite Nigeriaâs spotty internet. However, some groups question just how involved an AI tool should be during Sunday services. Critics have said AI will only help spread misinformation in Nigeria and across Africa.
Read More(ANALYSIS) Stephen Millerâs âmight makes rightâ worldview reflects a broader shift toward prioritizing power over understanding in global affairs. Through the tales of Nasreddin Hoja, the piece argues that curiosity, humility, and engagement with other cultures are essential â and that relying solely on strength risks blinding societies to complexity, difference and their own limitations.
Read MoreA Nigerian federal court convicted nearly 400 individuals on terrorism charges this month in what persecution watchdog International Christian Concern said is one of the largest criminal crackdowns in the nationâs history, but none appeared to face murder charges.
Read MoreThe Supreme Court announced on Monday that it will not reconsider its landmark 1990 religious freedom decision that lower courts cited in a Colorado dispute over Catholic preschools and LGBTQ families, but it will hear arguments over how that ruling applies in the case.
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