Articles of interest about religion - May 9

***COVID-19

Workers Refusing Covid Vaccine Could Lose Their Jobs

Are weddings safe to go to or plan in a pandemic? A guide

What Are No-Vaxxers Thinking?

Most U.S. companies will require proof of Covid vaccination from employees, survey finds

What we know and don't know about Covid-19

***RELIGION & THE VIRUS

74 sickened in COVID outbreak at Peoples Church in Oregon

Pastor's wife advocates for vaccines and receives death threats 

Wisconsin Catholic priest warns congregants against Covid vaccine, defying pope and his bishop

Connecticut Gov. signs bill ending religious vaccine exemptions

For evangelical leader Jamie Aten, advocating for vaccines led to a death threat

Religious Leaders Had To Fight Disinformation To Get Their Communities Vaccinated 

Francis Collins urges evangelicals: ‘Love your neighbor,’ get COVID-19 vaccine

***BIBLE

New museum tells American history through the Bible

***RELIGION AND POLITICS

Virginia GOP won’t let Orthodox Jews vote absentee in Sabbath-day convention 

A Pennsylvania Lawmaker and the Resurgence of Christian Nationalism

***RELIGION & SCIENCE  

Evangelicals are losing their climate skepticism

***RELIGION & BUSINESS  

Religious Discrimination Complaints Hit 10-Year Low

***RELIGION & RACIAL ISSUES

Episcopal Commission urges removal of Sewanee theologian from calendar of saints over white supremacist writings

 A new report offers church leaders tools and training to help their congregations address racial injustice

153 years later, Christian fraternal group started by slaves still thrives

***DENOMINATIONS

Christian and Missionary Alliance Considers Calling Women Pastors

Most Black Protestants say denominational affiliation is less important than inspiring sermons

First Baptist Church of Fort Lauderdale implodes over challenge to pastor’s iron rule 

***CATHOLIC

Coalition' of Catholics Protest Music Format of Seton Hall's student radio station

***MEGACHURCHES

Another Hillsong Pastor Quits Following Scandal After Sharing Revealing Photos and Cites 'Infidelity'

Dallas Megachurch Pastor Resigns after Confessing to the Sin of Pride 

Georgia megachurch votes to disaffiliate from UMC after lead pastor was reassigned

***RELIGIOUS SERVICES 

Plagiarism in sermons among pastors

Is Praise And Worship Music Driving Guitar Sales?

***TELEVANGELIST

Televangelist Ernest Angley dies at 99

Great-grandson of televangelist Kenneth Copeland drowns in swimming pool accident

***ISLAM

American Airlines CEO Fasts For Ramadan To Honor Muslim Employees

Yale University student body elects first Muslim president 

**NONRELIGIOUS 

Nonreligious Americans Are A Growing Political Force

***RELIGION & CRIME

D.C. pastor misused $1.5 million in pandemic relief loans 

***RELIGION & SOCIAL MEDIA 

The Rise Of Christian TikTok https://www.bustle.com/life/christian-tiktok-influencers-gen-z-evangelicalism

Articles of interest about religion - April 22

***COVID-19 

Moderna hopes to have Covid booster shot for its vaccine ready by the fall, CEO says

People who get Covid between vaccine shots can get second dose soon after recovery

***RELIGION & THE VIRUS

Polls find vaccine hesitancy in White Evangelical community

Are there any drugs I shouldn't mix with my COVID-19 vaccine?

Study: White evangelicals biggest group planning to skip vaccine

***RELIGION 

It’s Not Just Young White Liberals Who Are Leaving Religion 

New study links evangelical Christianity to phallic insecurity in the United States

Brazil is building a new statue of Jesus -- and it's going to be bigger than Rio's

***RELIGION AND POLITICS

Can America's 'Civil Religion' Still Unite The Country? (opinion)

***RELIGION & THE LAW 

Minnesota churches caught in standoffs between protesters and police

Sex discrimination suit against Florida church tests ‘ministerial exception’ rulings

North Dakota governor signs Ten Commandments school bill

Seattle police reverse course on dinner invitation sent by Franklin Graham's org invited Seattle police officers

Former employee sues Dave Ramsey's company for alleged religious discrimination, ‘cult-like’ atmosphere

***THE BIBLE 

Bibles Get American Pastor Tangled Up in Turkish Politics

Home Share Religion A $300 designer Bible aims to make the holy book more hip  

***DENOMINATIONS

Evangelical Christian denomination behind proposed $200 million development in Columbus suburb

America’s largest Protestant denomination considers changing direction ($) 

United Methodist Church anticipates split of denomination over gay rights, other issues

***SEMINARIES

Black Gateway Seminary board member protests ‘racial insensitivity’ of SBC’s seminary leaders

How Baptists hold differing views on the resurrection of Christ and why this matters

***CATHOLIC

Rape allegations surface for Jesuit priest accused of inappropriate conduct at Loyola, Boston College

Passionists order, Catholic dioceses didn’t reveal predator deacon in their midst 

***MEGACHURCHES

Megachurch Pastor’s son becomes famous on TikTok for his criticism of religion ($) 

***RELIGION & WOMEN'S ISSUES 

'The Making Of Biblical Womanhood' Tackles Contradictions In Religious Practice

***ISLAM

Muslim civil rights group sues Facebook 

Ramadan 2021 brings decisions for Muslims

***SIKHS

U.S. Sikh group demands probe of possible hate bias in deadly Indianapolis FedEx rampage

***PASSING 

Ole Anthony, Dallas pastor known for relentless investigations into TV preachers, dies at age 82

Articles of interest about religion - April 11

***COVID-19

Why It's Not a Bad Thing If You Don't Experience COVID-19 Vaccine Side Effects 

Why you should still wear a mask even if you've been vaccinated

***RELIGION & THE VIRUS

Why the key to ending the pandemic runs through the evangelical church

How White Evangelicals’ Vaccine Refusal Could Prolong the Pandemic ($)

***RELIGION 

'Allergic reaction to US religious right' fueling decline of religion, experts say

Church takes away fishing trip prize from woman-- because she is a woman

***RELIGION AND POLITICS 

Alabama removes religious oath requirement from voter registration

Survey: Most Americans know Biden is Catholic, far fewer know Harris’ religion

***RELIGION & THE LAW 

EEOC Issues New Guidance on Religious Discrimination and Accommodation of Religious Beliefs 

***RELIGION & RACIAL ISSUES

Proud Boys and other far-right groups raise millions via Christian funding site

Black Southern Baptists are "deeply disappointed" that seminary presidents continue to reject critical race theory in "all its forms"

***CATHOLIC 

Hans Kueng, dissident Catholic theologian, dies at 93

***MEGACHURCHES

Megachurch Pastor Greg Laurie still can’t smell after COVID-19

Former Hillsong Megachurch pastor who faked cancer to hide porn problem starts charity 

Hillsong shuts down Dallas operations after pastors used church donations to fund their lifestyle

***RELIGION & BUSINESS

Religion is a driving force behind the gender wage gap, study finds

Dave Ramsey’s company dropped from ‘Best Workplaces’ list by Inc. magazine

***ISLAM

Renouncing Islam in Malaysia

Civil rights group sues Facebook over anti-Muslim posts

***SATANISM

Why Satanic Panic never really ended

Nike reaches agreement with Satan Shoes manufacturer

***RELIGION & WOMEN’S ISSUES

Baylor professor argues 'biblical womanhood' more cultural than biblical

New data says that women are more religious than men but it’s more complicated than the numbers reveal

Beth Moore apologizes for her role in elevating ‘complementarian’ theology that limits women leaders

***CHRISTIAN CELEBRITIES

Former Moody Bible Institute professor Paul Maxwell leaves the Christian faith

Elizabeth Elliot & the Language of Mission   

Profit-preaching televangelist who stole millions is headed to prison

Articles of interest about religion - March 30

***COVID-19

How to talk to those hesitant about the Covid-19 vaccine

Michigan must tell Johnson & Johnson vaccine recipients that it was developed using stem cells

Watch out for these vaccination scams looking to get your money, information

New York launches nation's first 'vaccine passports.'

People Fully Vaccinated Against COVID-19 Can Still Contract Virus, Study Shows

Why you should get a COVID-19 vaccine – even if you’ve already had the coronavirus

Office Depot will laminate COVID-19 vaccination cards for free

***COVID-19 & RELIGION

Hundreds attend Christian revival in North Carolina — most without masks, videos show

***RELIGION 

Why would Christians embrace conspiracy theories?  

National Association Of Evangelicals Leader Strives To Break Down Barriers, 'Build Bridges'

The Most Christian Continent: Africa

The waning of the black church A historic past is not enough for the black church to thrive today

***THE BIBLE

Dead Sea Scrolls Discovery Reveals New Details About the Bible’s Earliest Translations

Tennessee lawmakers advance bill to make Bible state's official book

***RELIGION & CRIME 

Atlanta Suspect’s Fixation on Sex Is Familiar Thorn for Evangelicals

Atlanta Shooting Suspect’s Church Bashed ‘Radical Feminism’ in Deleted Sermons

***RELIGION & RACIAL ISSUES

Study: Racial Diversity Within a Church Is Associated with Higher Average Attendance Over Time

A noose was found outside of a DC church, and police are now investigating incident as a possible hate crime 

***RELIGION & WOMEN

From the Empty Tomb to Today’s Abuse: Believe Women

The good White Christian women of Nazi Germany

Asian women lead charge against bigotry in Christian rallies across U.S,

After Beth Moore departure, more Southern Baptist women question roles in church

***MEGACHURCHES

Megachurch employee fired for “inappropriate behavior online” years ago, church leaders say

***RELIGION & BUSINESS  

Parent company of Christian radio's K-LOVE and Air1 relocating to Nashville area

Can you be fired over your sex life? Christian Financial Guru Dave Ramsey thinks so

***ISLAM 

Muslim groups are raising money for Colorado shooting victims

Colorado shooting suspect had worried about being targeted for his Muslim faith, acquaintances say

***RELIGION & SINGERS 

Skillet’s John Cooper Compares Grammys to Hitler, Condemns Cardi B’s Performance

Nike sues company behind Lil Nas X’s Satan Shoes which come with a pentagram pendant and a Bible verse

***RELIGION & CRIME

Accused Atlanta gunman was a patient at an evangelical treatment center 

***RELIGION & SEXUAL ABUSE

The inside story of how Kanakuk—one of America’s largest Christian camps—enabled horrific abuse

***SURVEYS ABOUT RELIGION

Gallup: Fewer Than Half of Americans Belong to a Church

74% of Black Americans believe in God of the Bible or other scripture

Nine-in-ten Black ‘nones’ believe in God, but fewer pray or attend services

***RELIGION & MONEY 

Preachers and their $5,000 sneakers: Why one man started an Instagram account showing churches’ wealth  

Articles of interest about religion - March 10

***THE VIRUS                

Why it's so hard to sign up for vaccinations online

Vaccine-skeptical Trump country poses challenge to immunization push

Fully vaccinated people can gather without masks, CDC says

Employees at Texas Mexican restaurant says customers threatened to call ICE on them for mask mandate

***RELIGION & THE VIRUS 

Atheists are more likely to get vaccinated, survey finds

COVID-19 one year later: The way it has changed worshiping our faiths

Christian Groups Resist Johnson & Johnson Vaccine For Using Abortion-Derived Cells

New surveys connect the dots between politics, race, religion and vaccination 

***RELIGION 

The Wasting of the Evangelical Mind (opinion) 

Why Christians Who Speak Jesus’ Language Can’t Agree on Their Name 

An evangelical scientist on reconciling her religion and the realities of climate change ($)

***RELIGION AND POLITICS

In America, evangelicalism has become as much a political as a religious identity 

Trump Prophet Enraged His Followers by Apologizing. Now He’s Shutting Down His Ministry

***RELIGION & THE LAW 

The Supreme Court’s new decision about evangelical preachers on campus, explained 

$20 million suit says Bay Area Catholic school forced boys out for 'blackface' that was actually acne medication

***DENOMINATIONS

Appeals court decision allows sex abuse lawsuit against Southern Baptist Paul Pressler to proceed  

United Methodist conservatives detail plans for a breakaway

***CATHOLIC

A deaf priest is now serving as chaplain at Gallaudet University

In Pope Francis, Biden Has A Potential Ally — Who Shares The Same Catholic Detractors  

Narrowing Enrollment Pipeline Pressures Roman Catholic Colleges 

***RELIGIOUS SCANDAL  

New Orleans deacon/ lawyer arrested and charged with allegations of sexual battery with a juvenile

Ravi Zacharias’s Ministry Plans Name Change, Calls for More Victims to Come Forward

***RELIGION & LGBTQ ISSUES

LGBTQ rights bill ignites debate over religious liberty

Major Evangelical Adoption Agency Will Now Serve Gay Parents Nationwide

***CHRISTIAN CELEBRITIES

Bible teacher Beth Moore, splitting with Lifeway, says, 'I am no longer a Southern Baptist'

Korn’s Brian ‘Head’ Welch ‘went too far’ with Christianity

Died: Larry Crabb, Christian Counselor

Articles of Interest about Religion - Feb 27

***THE VIRUS

Which vaccine is best? Experts say it's not fair to compare J&J vaccine data to Pfizer, Moderna

I am getting a less effective vaccine now. Can I get a better one later?

***RELIGION & THE VIRUS

Black Church Group Offers Its Best Shot at Closing Vaccine Gap 

Since this California church began flouting pandemic restrictions, attendance has surged ($)

***RELIGION 

Most ‘Nones’ Still Keep the Faith

The toxic relationship between Rush Limbaugh and Christian radio networks

***CHRISTIAN NATIONALISM

Evangelical Leaders Condemn 'Radicalized Christian Nationalism'

Disinformation Fuels A White Evangelical Movement. It Led 1 Virginia Pastor To Quit  

Understanding the fake historian behind America’s religious right

In open letter more than 1,400 evangelicals, other faith leaders condemn religion at insurrection as ‘heretical’

***RELIGION AND POLITICS

American Evangelicals, Israeli Settlers and a Skeptical Filmmaker 

U.S. diplomat openly calls for Christian nation-states, rails against Jews

These Online Learning Platforms Offer a Surprising Lack of Church-State Separation

***RELIGION & THE LAW 

The Equality Act can become law — if Democrats will add religious exemptions (opinion) ($) 

***RELIGION OUTSIDE THE US

Megachurch in Mulhouse, France, marked covid outbreak anniversary with an indoor service  

U.S. federal commission accuses Russia of "brutal campaign" against religious freedom  

Canadian Members of Parliament pass motion declaring genocide against Uighurs in China

***DENOMINATIONS

United Methodists Reschedule Meeting — And Decision on Splitting — Again 

Supreme Court Declines to Hear $100 Million Property Dispute between The Episcopal Church, Diocese of Fort Worth 

The Christian and Missionary Alliance Revoke Ravi Zacharias’s Ordination

***SOUTHERN BAPTISTS 

Southern Baptists Expel 2 Churches Over Sex Abuse and 2 for L.G.B.T.Q. Inclusion

Georgia SBC church faces banishment for accepting LGBTQ members

Southern Baptists divided over politics, race, LGBTQ policy  

***MEGACHURCHES

Author Shauna Niequist apologizes for her silence following allegations against father, former megachurch pastor Bill Hybels 

John MacArthur’s story of being in Memphis the Night of Martin Luther King, Jr’s Murder  is questioned

***RELIGION & YOUTH

Gen Z Is Deconstructing Religion And Finding Faith

Articles of interest about religion - Feb 8

*** THE VIRUS

Why aren't kids getting vaccinated?

The Wealthy Are Getting More Vaccinations, Even in Poorer Neighborhoods

Which Covid Vaccine Should You Get? Experts Cite the Effect Against Severe Disease  

***RELIGION & THE VIRUS

Scientology Businesses Took in Over 80 Pandemic-Related Loans  

'Manage The Best We Can': Latino Church Adapts To New COVID-19 Reality

***RELIGION  

What Thomas Jefferson Could Never Understand About Jesus 

About one-in-five Americans who have been harassed online say it was because of their religion

Where Does the South End and Christianity Begin? (Opinion) 

***RELIGION & CRIME

Man facing felony charges accused of stealing $800k from Grand Rapids church 

He Wants His Pastor With Him At His Execution. Alabama Won't Allow It

***RELIGION AND POLITICS

Capitol siege puts spotlight on Christian nationalists  

Nebraska priest who said he performed exorcism at U.S. Capitol apologizes, explains actions

A second SBC pastor in Texas called Vice President Kamala Harris 'Jezebel'    

***ARTIFACTS & ARCHAEOLOGY

Museum of the Bible returns Artifacts to Egypt

Archaeologists find ruins of early mosque By the Sea of Galilee 

***RELIGION & THE LAW 

California can't totally ban worship, Supreme Court rules

Nativity scene OK in front of Jackson County Courthouse, federal appeals court rules

***RELIGION & RACIAL ISSUES

 Black Lives Matter banner defaced outside University Christian Church in San Diego  

Rick Warren apologizes for church video with Asian stereotypes 

Southern Baptists Condemn Racist Letter Received by Arlington Pastor

***RELIGION & LITERATURE

Biography explores 'subversive' Christianity of novelist Dorothy Sayers 

***DENOMINATIONS

National Cathedral criticized by Episcopalians for inviting Max Lucado to preach despite pastor’s anti-LGBTQ views  

***CATHOLIC

Five myths about Catholics ($)

SC’s largest Catholic high school sued for $300M for invasive locker room windows

Biden's Support Of Abortion Rights At Odds With Some Catholic Bishops 

***MEGACHURCHES

Hillsong Church hit with $20M in lawsuits for damages, ‘immoral’ acts  

The Prosperous Lifestyle of Megachurch pastor John MacArthur--America’s Anti-Prosperity Gospel Preacher  

***ISLAM 

Uighur camp detainees allege systematic rape

Muslim mother whose son was killed by terrorist wins international peace award

Journalist Noor Tagouri on misrepresentation of Muslims in the media

One year on, Muslim women reflect on wearing the niqab in a mask-wearing world 

***OTHER RELIGIOUS GROUPS

Ukrainian Orthodox Church Breaks Away From Russian Influence

Millennial and Gen Z Buddhists created an online forum to explore their identity ($) 

California's Punjabi farmers rally behind India protests

Rihanna's call to support Indian farmers, many of them Sikhs quickly embraced by other celebrities

For Latter-day Saints like Andy Reid of Kansas City Chiefs, football and faith go hand in hand 

Articles of interest about religion - Jan 25

***COVID-19

UNC helps find a new way to prevent COVID-19 outbreaks

What 'vaccine passports' mean for your summer vacation 

The face mask that could end the pandemic

Facemask Sensor Being Developed at UCSD Could Help Detect COVID-19

***RELIGION & THE VIRUS

Hundreds attend largely maskless El Cajon concert by controversial religious figure Sean Feucht

***RELIGION 

Fringe groups raise funds on Christian site

Five myths about evangelicals ($) 

***RELIGION AND POLITICS

U.S. Government Sees Wave Of Catholic Leaders

Biden Invokes Augustine in Call for American Unity

Biden is only the second Catholic president, but nearly all have been Christians

Militant Christian Nationalists Remain A Potent Force, Even After The Capitol Riot

Trump ignites a war within evangelical Christianity (opinion)

Some Christians Feel It's A God-Given Mission To Fight On Trump's Behalf

***RELIGION & THE LAW 

Supreme Court won’t hear Nevada church’s COVID-19 case

Should Christians Worry that Free Speech Is Eroding? (podcast)  

Federal appeals court denies a SoCal church’s request to overturn state’s coronavirus restrictions

***SOUTHERN BAPTISTS

SBC president’s church announces review of pastor accused of mishandling sex abuse cases

Southern Baptist Dwight McKissic to leave Texas group over critical race theory stance 

Some Black Southern Baptists feel shut out by white leaders 

***MEGACHURCHES

A Tampa megachurch pastor held a giant, maskless indoor service  

Charlotte megachurch draws criticism from health director for large, maskless worship performance

Megachurch pastor Ed Young mourns death of daughter aged 34

Syracuse megachurch pastor’s emotional message after Capitol riot: ‘We have crossed the line’ 

***DAVE RAMSEY 

Is the empire of Christian Financial Guru Dave Ramsey the ‘best place to work in America’?

Dave Ramsey, the Good Ole Boy Network & the Evangelical Industrial Complex (opinion) 

***RELIGION & LGBTQ ISSUES

Tensions rise over California church’s anti-LGBTQ message

Authorities Investigate Blast at Anti-Gay California Church

***MUSLIMS

Barred From U.S. Under Trump, Muslims Exult in Biden’s Open Door ($) 

Video shows man threatening to kill gas station worker in anti-Muslim attack

Articles of interest about religion, politics, & the virus - Jan 15

***THE VIRUS

What COVID-19 will look like once the pandemic ends

Flu cases have been shockingly low during the pandemic. Here why.

Experts have worked out how long you stay immune for after catching COVID  

Disappointing Chinese Vaccine Results Pose Setback for Developing World ($)  

How Scientists Trace New Coronavirus Variants 

COVID-19 severity linked to gut bacteria in first-of-its-kind study  

Moderna thinks its vaccine will protect against the coronavirus for at least a year

***RELIGION AND THE ATTACK ON THE CAPITOL  

Wheaton College faculty condemn 'abuses of Christian symbols' at Capitol siege

Evangelicals and other faith leaders still support Trump after deadly US Capitol attack  

Why pro-Trump evangelicals brought shofars to DC this week

About 60 of the 138 House members who objected to the Electoral College count were evangelical Christians  

A Christian Insurrection: Many of those who mobbed the Capitol on claimed to be enacting God’s will

How Prominent Evangelicals Reacted to the Capitol Riot

They Invaded the Capitol Saying ‘Jesus Is My Savior. Trump Is My President’  

***OPINIONS ABOUT THE ATTACK

What Americans believe about violence against the government (opinion)  

Capitol rioters made a mockery of Christian values (opinion)

A Call For Evangelical Reckoning (opinion)  

Donald Trump and the future of our faith (opinion) 

***RELIGION AND POLITICS

US set for flurry of ‘Christian nationalist’ bills advanced by religious right

Trump Ignites a War Within the Church ($)

How White Evangelical Christians Fused With Trump Extremism 

Franklin Graham “shames” the ten Republicans who voted to impeach Trump  

For some Christians, the Capitol riot doesn’t change the prophecy: Trump will be president ($)  

Charismatics are at war with each other over prophecies of Trump victory 

Most Evangelical Trump Voters Didn’t Turn on Mike Pence 

State Department Office Sees Last-Minute Surge of New Evangelical Appointees

The U.S. Senators who objected to the Electoral College results were almost all evangelicals

***RELIGIOUN & FINANCIES

Religious nonprofits scramble to get enough donations to match the surge in community needs

***DENOMINATIONS

Denominational leaders denounce Capitol violence while evangelicals offer mixed responses

Southern Baptist Convention leader calls for president’s resignation 

***MEGACHURCHES

Houston megachurch pastor sentenced to 6 years in prison for bilking investors

The Majority of American Megachurches Are Now Multiracial

Articles of interest about religion (& the virus) - Dec 5

***THE VIRUS 

This COVID-19 vaccine distribution tracker lets you see where the doses are going

California funeral homes run out of space as COVID-19 rages

New Research Shows How Covid-19 Can Trigger Brain Damage

COVID-19 vaccination scams  

Coughing, sneezing, vomiting: Visibly ill people aren’t being kept off planes 

A psychologist's guide to changing the minds of anti-maskers

Doctors discovered a new way to tell which coronavirus patients will get worse

You’re Infected With the Coronavirus. But How Infected?  

***RELIGION & THE VIRUS

Greek Church tells priests to ignore pandemic closure order

Evangelical Singer's Plans For Skid Row Concert Backfires

Joni Eareckson Tada Asks for Prayer After Contracting COVID-19

What It Looks Like To Be A Hospital Chaplain In A Pandemic

Religious nonprofits scramble to get donations to match the surge in need ($) 

New Mexico megachurches fined $10K for violating coronavirus restrictions

How The Pandemic Has Affected The Ways People Worship

***RELIGION AND POLITICS

Congressman concludes congressional prayer with 'amen and awoman' 

Pelosi appoints first woman as House chaplain

Are Ads Against Ga. Senate Candidate Also An Attack On Black Churches?

***RELIGION & THE LAW 

Mass. top court grapples with 'ministerial exception' to anti-bias laws

Mormon church sued over role in Scouts abuse scandal

Pa. transit system to pay atheist group $275,000 in legal fees after refusing its ads

***MEGACHURCHES 

California Megachurch Hosts Large Crowd For New Year’s Eve Wedding

More Hillsong pastors resign amid megachurch’s ongoing scandal

Tennessee megachurch holds packed, maskless services

***RELIGION & RACIAL ISSUES

After permit approved for whites-only church, small Minnesota town insists it isn't racist

D.C. Church Sues Proud Boys For Tearing Up Black Lives Matter Sign

***CHRISTIAN CELEBRITIES

Justin Bieber Says He's No Longer Part of Hillsong Church Amid Scandal

Ignoring warnings, Kirk Cameron hosts 2nd caroling event as COVID-19 cases surge in Ventura County

***PARACHURCH MINISTRIES

Ministry roiled by late founder’s sexual misconduct scandal

Christian-based organization to move national headquarters out of Colorado Springs after 3 decades 

Religious nonprofits scramble to get enough donations to match the surge in community needs ($)

***RELIGION OUTSIDE THE U.S. 

The Men Who Lost Their Wives to ‘Eastern Lightning’ Also known as “Church of Almighty God”  

Each year 1,000 Pakistani girls forcibly converted to Islam

Articles of Interest about religion (and the virus) - Dec 21

***THE VIRUS

Hospitals Are Still Short on Masks and Other Protective Gear ($)

Hospital CEOs have gotten rich cutting staff and supplies. now they’re not ready for the next wave

What Happens After Receiving A COVID-19 Vaccine?

Millions forced to cancel Christmas as 'new variant' of coronavirus spreads in U.K.

Thinking of gathering indoors? Here's how fast COVID transmission happens. 

***RELIGION & THE VIRUS

How religious leaders are addressing a growing number of questions from congregants about the vaccines

Televangelist network returns millions in PPP loan after buying private jet

Supreme Court Rejects Kentucky Religious School on Covid Shutdown

Lauren Daigle responds to request to remove her from NYE celebrations over breaking lockdown rules

***RELIGION & GEN Z 

Study: Religious affiliation among Gen Z continues to decline, but they are open to mentoring relationships and religious conversations

Finding common ground with Gen Z (opinion)

***RELIGION AND POLITICS

The well-known report that 81 percent of evangelicals voted for Trump in 2016 was never really accurate

Will election become a new ‘lost cause’ for evangelical conservatives? 

DC church replaces Black Lives Matter banner destroyed by ‘Proud Boys’

Texas Baptist Minister, a Lifelong Republican, Loses License After Endorsing Biden

***RELIGION & RACIAL ISSUES 

Pastor on why his church is leaving the Southern Baptist Convention over rejection of critical race theory 

Black Texas megachurch pastor cuts ties with SBC over seminary presidents’ statement on CRT

***CATHOLIC

Vatican: Coronavirus vaccines 'morally acceptable' for Catholics

Vatican nativity scene: Art teacher defends 2020 nativity scene decried as ugly 

***MEGACHURCHES

The Majority of American Megachurches Are Now Multiracial

Joel Osteen’s Houston megachurch defends getting $4.4 million in federal PPP loans  

Senior Pastor at metro Atlanta mega church has COVID-19, days after attending White House party 

Megachurches take huge sums from PPP Funds 

***TELEVANGELISTS

Televangelist Kenneth Copeland's Inaccurate Hanukkah Tweet Sparks Condemnation

***MUSLIMS 

California appoints its first ever Muslim chaplain to the state legislature  

China is forcing hundreds of thousands of Uighurs and other minorities into hard, manual labour in the vast cotton fields

***RELIGION AROUND THE WORLD

Women in many countries face harassment for clothing deemed too religious – or too secular 

***CONVERSION THERAPY 

Gay conversion therapy: Hundreds of religious leaders call for ban

Articles of interest about religion - Dec 15

***THE VIRUS 

A variety of eye issues can sometimes indicate an early coronavirus infection

FireEye confirms SolarWinds supply chain attack

The coronavirus vaccine rollout will be messy. People will have to deal with that.

Infected after 5 minutes, from 20 feet away: South Korea study shows COVID-19's spread indoors

COVID-19 Vaccine's Side Effects Could Complicate Efforts To Vaccinate Health Workers

Overloaded Hospitals Ask COVID-19 Patients With Milder Symptoms To Get Home Treatment

Covid is having a devastating impact on children — and the vaccine won't fix everything

***RELIGION & THE VIRUS

Some workers say religious beliefs bar them from getting vaccinated

What NIH chief Francis Collins wants religious leaders to know about the coronavirus vaccines

Dave Ramsey, Christian personal finance guru, defies COVID-19 to keep staff at desks

Caterers at Dave Ramsey's holiday party told not to wear masks, complaint says

Recent Supreme Court Rulings Encourage Some To Continue In-Person Worshiping

Televangelist Pat Robertson Says God Will Intervene in Overturning Election Results

***RELIGION  

What is an "Evangelical?" (video) (opinion)  

Christianity Today’s 2021 Book Awards

***RELIGION AND POLITICS

Church vandalism exposes divisions over faith and politics

Pro-Trump Protesters Burn BLM Banners Outside Four Historic DC Churches

Evangelical leader Beth Moore trends on Twitter after calling Trumpism ‘seductive and dangerous’

Biden's Catholic faith will be on full display as the first churchgoing president in decades 

In the Attacks on Raphael Warnock’s Preaching, One Old American Tradition Meets Another

Religious right eyes Biden warily after Trump’s good favor

***RELIGION & THE LAW 

The Supreme Court Rejects Opportunity to Roll Back Marriage Equality

Critics Say New Trump Rule Gives Contractors More Freedom On Religious Discrimination

Trump eases rules for religious social service providers

The Supreme Court Is Colliding With a Less-Religious America

Megachurch leader raped girl more than 4 decades ago, lawsuit alleges

***RELIGION & RACIAL ISSUES

All six Southern Baptist seminary presidents have released a joint statement declaring that Critical Race Theory is incompatible" with the denomination's statement of faith 

Chicago Church Leads The Way As It Grapples With Race

More US churches commit to racism-linked reparations

***METHODISTS 

Progressive group launches new Methodist denomination

‘Black Lives Matter’ nativity scene draws attention at Claremont Unified Methodist Church

***SOUTHERN BAPTISTS  

Black Southern Baptists weigh in on critical race theory critique by officials

Texas church leaves SBC amid scrutiny of pastor's 'outrageous' prior conduct

***CATHOLIC 

DOJ probe of Catholic church abuse goes quiet 2 years late

Catholic parishioners gave more money to churches that went online during quarantine than to those that did not ($)

Federal Executions Pit The Trump Administration Against The Catholic Church

***GREEK ORTHODOX

Greek Orthodox Church rules yoga is 'incompatible' with Christianity

***MEGACHURCHES 

Megachurch promises to change after Missouri official slams ‘irresponsible’ services

Selena Gomez reportedly quits Hillsong following pastor Carl Lentz's affair

Houston Chronicle Joel Osteen's Lakewood Church got $4.4 million in federal PPP loans

California megachurch says it has a 'biblical mandate' to meet after Supreme Court decision

Hillsong founder responds to megachurch homophobia claims

***MUSLIMS

California has appointed its first ever Muslim chaplain to the state legislature 

Justices rule Muslim men can sue FBI agents over no-fly list

Bangladesh Begins Moving Displaced Rohingya Muslims To Remote Island

***RELIGION IN CHINA

Uighurs forced to eat pork as China expands Xinjiang pig farms

China’s Greatest Evangelist Was Expelled from a Liberal Seminary in America

***SEXUAL ISSUES   

Scientific journal purges conversion therapy paper published in 1951 

As an Intersex Child, I Was Told I Didn’t Exist 

Articles of interest about religion - Dec 1

***THE VIRUS

A COVID-19 Vaccine For Children May Still Be Many Months Away

These are the places you're most likely to catch COVID-19 this winter

Is shopping in stores safe during the pandemic?

***RELIGION & THE VIRUS 

"I'm listening to God, not the WHO": Pastor Robert Jeffress rejects holiday restrictions

Fresno bishop warns Catholics against stem cell-based COVID vaccines, including Pfizer’s

Church patriarch dies from Covid-19 after leading open-casket funeral of bishop killed by the virus 

Tennessee mayor won’t require COVID masks until Holy Spirit says so

Christian Songwriter Is Fed Up With Believers Who Refuse To Wear Masks

Tequila bar applies to become church amid COVID-19 lockdown rules

Catholics Are Fighting Among Themselves About a COVID Vaccine

***RELIGION AND POLITICS

Georgia Senate runoff dividing state’s Christians

Biden plans swift moves to protect and advance LGBTQ rights: Prominent religious conservatives say this could require some faith-based organizations to operate against their beliefs

N.C. pastor who led march to polls is charged ($$)

***RELIGION & THE LAW  

Supreme Court blocks strict COVID-19 restrictions on New York houses of worship

Supreme Court won't get involved in Louisiana pastor's case

Appellate ruling scraps conversion therapy bans in Miami Beach, cities across Florida 

***DENOMINATIONS

Progressive United Methodists announce new denomination: Liberation Methodist Connexion

Researcher Says the Episcopal Church Will Cease to Exist by 2050 Due to Declining Attendance, Membership 

***MEGACHURCHES

California megachurch associate pastor dies of COVID-19

County deals setback for Willow Creek Wheaton to build megachurch near Cantigny Park

Andy Stanley responds to critics over closed church: We’re doing pretty good

Senior Pastors resign from Charismatic megachurch

Thankful: Megachurch minister’s wife awaits a transplant

***RELIGION IN CHINA

China mulls new rules on foreigners to 'prohibit religious extremism' CNN Digital Expansion 2017. James Griffiths

China Targets Muslim Scholars And Writers With Increasingly Harsh Restrictions

***RELIGION & RACIAL ISSUES

Pastors Launch Church-Planting Network for ‘Black and Brown Neighborhoods’ 

Articles of interest about religion (and the virus) - Nov 19

***THE VIRUS 

Lockdowns could be avoided if 95% of people wore masks, says WHO 

Covid-19 Expert: Americans Will Start Dying in ER Waiting Rooms

The Coronavirus Is Airborne Indoors. But We’re Still Scrubbing Surfaces. ($)

38 percent of Americans planning on having Thanksgiving dinner with 10 or more people

Coronavirus invades men’s reproductive organs, can affect their fertility

'Breakthrough finding' reveals why certain Covid-19 patients die 

Is it safe to eat at outdoor restaurants with tents and barriers?  

***RELIGION & THE VIRUS 

Televangelist who blamed COVID-19 on premarital sex dies from virus

***RELIGION AND POLITICS

In 2018, Worldwide Government Restrictions on Religion Reach Highest Level in More Than a Decade

How Biden swung the religious vote

Family split over son’s support of Trump politics threatens Billy Graham’s legacy

Evangelicals in Midwest who ditched Trump cost him the election, early data suggests

Trump wins white evangelicals, Catholics split

Sekulow-run Christian charities steered $65M to the Trump lawyer and his family

***EVANGELICAL CHANGES  

Why the Partisan Divide? The U.S. Is Becoming More Secular—and More Religious 

Trump has changed the way evangelical Christians think about the apocalypse  

The Evangelical Reckoning Begins ($)

Why Evangelicals Aren't What They Used to Be 

Christian Conservatives Respond to Trump’s Loss and Look Ahead

***CATHOLIC

Sainted too soon? Vatican report fast John Paul II in harsh new light

Catholics divided as bishops examine Biden’s abortion stance

***MEGACHURCHES

US Megachurches Are Getting Bigger and Thinking Smaller

Bigger Than Its Pastor: What Hillsong's Post-Carl Lentz Future Looks Like

L.A. megachurch pastor mocks pandemic health orders, even as church members fall ill

***RELIGION

Sony acquires faith-based streaming service

Martin Luther’s Ninety-five Theses, as E-mailed by Your Passive-Aggressive Co-Worker 

Articles of interest about religion - Nov 5

***RELIGION & THE VIRUS

Charlotte church ordered to close, linked to 3 deaths & more than 120 coronavirus case

COVID-19 cases tied to Charlotte church reported in 2nd county, total exceeds 100 

California Pastor Wants To Take Case Against COVID-19 Restrictions To Supreme Court 

A Christian School Sued Over Michigan’s Mask Mandate—Officials Just Shut It Down

***RELIGION 

A Tale of Two Evangelicalisms - Sweden and the US (opinion)

Bible from A-Z: Software rewrites entire King James version alphabetically

Most Americans see Bible, Quran and Book of Mormon as ‘expressions of the same truths’

Carl Lentz, pastor of Hillsong East Coast and Justin Bieber, terminated for ‘moral failures,’ says church

***RELIGION AND POLITICS

Biden did worse than Hillary Clinton with evangelicals in 2020, poll shows

Election 2020: 3 Things We Learned About Faith And Voting

'Jesus Matters' activist who defaced BLM murals, stabbed outside White House

Exit polls show strong white evangelical support for Trump

Two Religion Reporters Cover Where Faith and Politics Meet ($)

***RELIGION IN COURT 

Supreme Court takes up religious freedom, anti-gay discrimination laws in Philadelphia foster care case 

UK venues sued after Franklin Graham cancelled after LGBT protests

***CATHOLIC

Exorcism: Increasingly frequent, including after US protests

Trial Of A Priest Charged With Sexually Abusing An Altar Boy To Resume In Vatican

***MEGACHURCHES

Texas Megachurch pastor accused of abusing children 

Coronavirus outbreak strikes John MacArthur‘s megachurch that defied public health orders 

Articles of interest about religion - Oct 1

***THE VIRUS 

This Overlooked Variable Is the Key to the Pandemic

Scientists warn of airborne coronavirus spread

The COVID-19 Pandemic Is Changing Our Dreams

90% of US adults vulnerable to COVID-19, study says

Study Finds ‘Single Largest Driver’ of Coronavirus Misinformation: Trump

***RELIGION & THE VIRUS

What Pastors See as the ‘New Normal’ for Preaching After the Pandemic

***RELIGION  

Sign Language Bible Complete After 39 Years

Making Your Church Manlier Won’t Make It Bigger

China Is Erasing Mosques and Precious Shrines in Xinjiang ($)

***RELIGION AND TRUMP

Former aides: Trump Secretly Mocks His Christian Supporters   

Election 2020: Trump's support from Catholics and evangelicals is dropping. They fault his unkindness

***RELIGION AND POLITICS

Hillsong Church Accidentally Posts Political Opinion During Debate

Alabama governor apologizes to '63 church bombing survivor

How a Sean Feucht worship service convinced me I am no longer an evangelical (opinion)

Young evangelicals are defying their elders' politics (Opinion)

***RELIGION & THE SUPREME COURT 

Religious group tied to Amy Coney Barrett, Trump’s Supreme Court nominee, sought to erase all mentions of her from its website

For Conservative Christian Women, Amy Coney Barrett’s Success Is Personal (opinion) 

As U.S. Supreme Court nomination looms, a religious community draws fresh interest 

The false link between Amy Coney Barrett and The Handmaid’s Tale, explained

***RELIGION & THE LAW 

Judge Denies Christian Group’s Challenge To Limits On Religious Gatherings In Colorado

Southern Baptist publishing arm, LifeWay, sues former president Thom Rainer

Megahurch Sues D.C. Over COVID-19 Mass Gathering Restrictions

***DENOMINATIONS

Texas United Methodists take up call to replace denomination’s logo over association with racist imagery

***CATHOLIC 

Pope Francis refused to meet with Mike Pompeo so as not to boost Trump

Powerful Vatican Cardinal Becciu resigns amid scandal

***MEGACHURCHES

Louisiana Megachurch pastor won't wear a mask in courthouse and misses hearing; lawyer enters his plea 

***PARACHURCH MINISTRIES

After the Allegations Against Ravi Zacharias

Ravi Zacharias’s Ministry Investigates Claims of Sexual Misconduct at Spas

Articles of Interest about religion - Sept 20

***THE VIRUS

How Can I Tell Whether I Have Flu or COVID-19?

Russia vaccine data called into question as experts worry about global distribution

Survey finds 61% of Americans aren’t comfortable returning to the workplace

***RELIGION & THE VIRUS

Thousands gather for Christian music concert at California Capitol, breaking COVID-19 rules

***RELIGION 

Girls tell of terror, abuse at Missouri Christian boarding school under investigation

I Was a Pastor’s Wife. Suicide Made Me a Pastor’s Widow

How a mysterious man fooled a Harvard scholar into believing the 'Gospel of Jesus' Wife' was real

Max Lucado: After I was molested as a child, Jesus met me in my storm

***RELIGION BY THE NUMBERS

10 key findings about the religious lives of U.S. teens and their parents

LifeWay Research “State of Theology” poll

***RELIGION AND POLITICS

The surprise religious group that could decide Trump's fate

Evangelical pastor urges Christians to "mobilize" to fight civil war against left-wing activists

Faith and politics mix to drive evangelical Christians' climate change denial

***RELIGION & THE LAW 

Ruth Bader Ginsburg who died Friday was shaped by her minority faith 

Kroger sued: Did not accommodate the religious beliefs of workers fired for refusing to wear aprons with LGBT logo, lawsuit says

***RELIGION & RACIAL ISSUES

Black Pastor Wants His Mostly White Congregation To Understand Racial Justice

Televangelist Pat Robertson says Black Lives Matter is trying to destroy Christianity 

***CATHOLIC

Judge Amy Barrett's charismatic Catholicism — Who are the People of Praise? 

Mark Galli, former Christianity Today editor and Trump critic, to be confirmed a Catholic 

***CHANGING NAMES

Prominent Southern Baptists are dropping 'Southern' name amid racial unrest

Evangelicals for Social Action Leaves Behind ‘Evangelical’ Label

***MOVIES

Infidel review: Jim Caviezel again in faith-centric thriller

Articles of interest about religion - Sept 4

***RELIGION & THE VIRUS 

COVID-19 Outbreak at Focus on the Family

Hundreds gather at Portland waterfront, without masks, to see controversial worship leader

San Diego Church Once Under Scrutiny for Defying Public Health Orders Announces In-Person Services at 4 County Locations 

***SURVEYS ON RELIGION

Half of U.S. Christians say casual sex sometimes or always acceptable

Women Read the Bible More Than Men. Why?

***OUTSIDE THE US

Researchers Find Christians in Iran Approaching 1 Million

Satellite Images Show China's Expansion Of Muslim Detention Camps

Outspoken Atheist, Arrested in Nigeria for Blasphemy, Hasn’t Been Seen Since

***JERRY FALWELL 

Liberty announces investigation into Falwell's tenure

Jerry Falwell Jr.’s Departure Brings Relief on Liberty University’s Campus

The Jerry Falwell Jr. scandal, explained

Jerry Falwell Jr.'s fatal miscalculation

U.S. evangelical leader Falwell to leave university after personal scandal, collect $10.5 million in severance

***RELIGION AND POLITICS

11,000 sign petition to remove Franklin Graham as charity's CEO after convention prayer 

Christian radio show host Punches Protester After White House Speech 

The secret to Donald Trump’s support among evangelicals: his leadership style aligns with a vision of Christian manhood

Evangelicals are looking for answers online. They’re finding QAnon instead

Political Conventions Show How Religion Is Playing A Role In Campaigns

Evangelical Voters Weigh In On What's At Stake In November's Election

Voter guides show the power and duplicity of American evangelicalism (opinion)

Christian author Eric Metaxas Admits Punching Protester In D.C.

***RELIGION & RACIAL ISSUES

American Christianity’s White-Supremacy Problem

How Black Lives Matter Is Changing the Church 

22 experts on religion and race

***CELEBRITIES 

Chadwick Boseman: Man of faith in real life, ‘Black Panther’ on screen

***DENOMINATIONS

Fifth Circuit to Decide Whether Southern Baptist Minister Can Sue Southern Baptist Ministry over Religious Dispute 

Former head pastor at Texas Nazarene church indicted on child pornography charges

Northwest Nazarene University holding commencement for 2020 grads this weekend

***CATHOLIC

Court reinstates sexual harassment claim of former Catholic music director fired after same-sex wedding

***MEGACHURCHES 

L.A. To Evict Grace Community Church From Parking Lot 

Megachurch pastor John MacArthur says there is no pandemic

Pastor John Gray accused of another inappropriate relationship; lawyers say he’s being blackmailed

Articles of interest about the virus & religion - Aug 22

***SPREADING THE VIRUS

At least 7 Covid-19 cases in Nebraska tied to the South Dakota motorcycle rally

Study finds children’s role in virus spread may be larger than once thought 

Infections are trending upward in Midwestern states ($)

***RISKS OF CATCHING THE VIRUS 

The odds of catching Covid-19 on an airplane are slimmer than you think, scientists say

Riskiest to least risky activities during the pandemic, ranked 

CDC coronavirus risk guidance: Why surfaces are less of a risk than close contact

Coronavirus can survive on plastic, metal surfaces, but does it matter? The chance of transmission through inanimate surfaces is very small.

***AFTER THE VIRUS 

Researchers discovered the strongest evidence yet that overcoming the coronavirus grants immunity from reinfection  

I Had COVID-19, and These Are the Things Nobody Tells You

***FLU & SYMPTOMS

When should I get my flu shot this year? Everything to know about flu season

Coronavirus symptoms tend to begin in a certain order: Fever first, then cough, muscle pain

***RELIGION & THE VIRUS

Hundreds gather at Portland waterfront, without masks, to see controversial worship leader

“Six-foot distance and wearing masks are pagan rituals of satanic worshipers” Mom tells school board

Judge allows Los Angeles megachurch to hold indoor services despite health orders  

LA County Asks To Sanction Grace Community Church Up To $20,000

***RELIGION

A preacher with sneakers coming soon to TBN: Steven Furtick to replace Kenneth Copeland, says network 

QAnon: The alternative religion that’s coming to your church

Maine man accused of hitting driver with a Bible during car theft attempt

***RELIGION AND POLITICS 

America hasn’t always been kind to Catholic presidential candidates (opinion)

An evangelical Christian musician who once prayed with Trump is hosting worship concerts across the US in defiance of pandemic orders

***RELIGION & RACIAL ISSUES 

"Black and White evangelicals once" talked about ‘racial reconciliation’ (opinion)

***DENOMINATIONS 

Despite Racial Tensions, Black Southern Baptist Churches Still on the Rise

PC(USA) shortfall projected: Dealing with the financial fallout of COVID-19

Articles of interest about the virus & religion – August 12

***THE VIRUS

Coronavirus may spread much farther than 6 feet in indoor spaces with poor ventilation

Experts Predict What Life Will Be Like After A COVID-19 Vaccine

Certain face masks may be worse than no mask at all, preliminary Duke study finds

Why does COVID-19 strike some and not others? Fauci sees an answer in new study

Singers Can Be Coronavirus Superspreaders, Say Experts

Performative masculinity is making American men sick (opinion)

***RELIGION & THE VIRUS

Judge issues order shutting down church crowded unmasked indoor services

Kenneth Copeland holding in-person event for more than 2,000

Almost 100 people in Ohio were infected with coronavirus after man attended church service

Hundreds gather at Portland waterfront, without masks, to see controversial worship leader

Dinosaurs on Noah’s Ark? Only at the Science-Free Creation Museum

***RELIGION 

US Capitol to install statue of Rev. Billy Graham 

Harvest Bible Church fires 2 workers over hazing at its youth summer camp Involving Pain Cream on Genitals 

***RELIGION AND POLITICS

How Megachurches Spent Coronavirus Relief Funds

Viral Video of Portland Protesters ‘Burning Bibles’ Was Actually Russian Propaganda

‘Evangelicals for Trump’ event exceeds gathering limit; Ahern Hotel fined for violating Gov. Sisolak’s directive

Lincoln Project Joins Evangelicals In Anti-Trump Push

Trump, at risk of losing white evangelicals, attacks Biden on God

Franklin Graham announces national prayer march in Washington

Republicans more open to in-person worship, but most oppose religious exemptions from COVID restrictions

***RELIGIOUS SCHOOLS

Hundreds of Positions Eliminated at Evangelical Colleges and Universities

Board of evangelical Liberty University names interim leader while Jerry Falwell Jr. on leave

***RELIGION & RACIAL ISSUES 

The Theological Roots of White Supremacy

Southern Baptists confront the church's history of racism and slaveholding. For some members, it's not enough.

A Look at Christian Nationalism, Donald Trump and White Evangelicals ($)

***RELIGION IN COURT

Faith-Based Foster Care Waiver Fight Proceeds in South Carolina

***NAZARENE  

Nazarene youth pastor and 11-year-old boy drown at church outing

Nazarene Pastor Arrested For Allegedly Transporting Child Pornography

Longtime Mount Vernon Nazarene University volleyball head coach found guilty of Gross Sexual Imposition

***CATHOLIC

Catholic Churches Drop Hymns After Accusations Against Composer