Police: 5-Year-Old Girl Burned in Voodoo Ritual; 2 Charged

Police: 5-Year-Old Girl Burned in Voodoo Ritual; 2 Charged

(Associated Press) — Two sisters tied down and burned a 5-year-old girl, permanently disfiguring her, in a voodoo ritual meant to rid her of a demon causing her to misbehave, police said. The women also threatened to cut off the head of the girl’s 8-year-old brother with a machete, authorities said. The boy said his […]

Atheist Activist Group Complains to School District After Teacher ‘Casts Doubt Upon Evolution’

Atheist Activist Group Complains to School District After Teacher ‘Casts Doubt Upon Evolution’

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — One of the nation’s most conspicuous professing atheist organizations recently sent a letter to a Missouri school district to lodge a complaint about a science teacher who reportedly had been teaching students from a biblical Creation worldview instead of an evolutionary worldview. The Wisconsin-based Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) submitted the […]

Episcopal Diocese Votes to Avoid Using ‘Gendered Pronouns’ for God in Book of Common Prayer

Episcopal Diocese Votes to Avoid Using ‘Gendered Pronouns’ for God in Book of Common Prayer

WASHINGTON — The Episcopal Diocese of Washington, D.C. voted on Saturday to stop using “gendered pronouns” for God in future revisions of its Book of Common Prayer and to “remove all obstacles” for “transgender” participation in church life by making all gender-specific facilities and activities accessible to those who identify as the opposite sex. “Resolved […]

‘Ruling Elder’ in Presbyterian PCA Church Running for Texas Governor Says He ‘Supports’ Roe v. Wade

‘Ruling Elder’ in Presbyterian PCA Church Running for Texas Governor Says He ‘Supports’ Roe v. Wade

HOUSTON, Texas — A ruling elder at a Presbyterian PCA church in Texas who is running for the governor of Texas is raising concern after he recently advised during an interview with Texas Public Radio that while he and his wife personally would not obtain an abortion, he believes in upholding the so-called “right to choose” for […]

Report: Homosexual Serial Killer, Suspected of Killing at Least Five Men, Had Man Tied Up During Arrest

Report: Homosexual Serial Killer, Suspected of Killing at Least Five Men, Had Man Tied Up During Arrest

TORONTO — A suspected serial killer from Canada who was arrested last month and charged with the first-degree murder of five men with whom he had a sexual relationship allegedly had another man tied up at the time of his arrest, reports state. Bruce McArthur, 66, of Toronto is accused of killing the men and hiding their remains […]

ACLU Wants Montana to Allow Nurse Practitioners, Midwives to Perform Abortions

ACLU Wants Montana to Allow Nurse Practitioners, Midwives to Perform Abortions

HELENA, Mont. — The American Civil Liberties Union of Montana (ACLU) and the New York-based Center for Reproductive Rights have filed a lawsuit to challenge a Montana law that prohibits advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) from providing abortions. “In a state as large and sparsely populated as Montana, it’s common sense to expand access to safe abortion […]

Judge Questions New York AG’s Attempts to Stop Pro-Lifers From Reaching Women Outside Abortion Facility

Judge Questions New York AG’s Attempts to Stop Pro-Lifers From Reaching Women Outside Abortion Facility

BROOKLYN, N.Y. — A federal judge in New York cast doubt on Monday on the assertions of the state’s attorney general, who had sued a number of pro-lifers for allegedly “harassing” abortion-minded mothers outside of Choices Women’s Medical Center in Jamaica. “[The defendants and their attorneys] have got to know clearly what harassment means,” U.S. District Judge […]

UK Judge Rules Hospital May Withdraw Brain Damaged Baby’s Life Support Despite Parents’ Wishes

UK Judge Rules Hospital May Withdraw Brain Damaged Baby’s Life Support Despite Parents’ Wishes

LONDON — A judge in the United Kingdom has ruled that doctors may turn off the life support of an 11-month-old baby who suffered brain damage at birth, even though the child’s parents would like to give their son care no matter his condition. They say that it is hospital staff who negligently caused him harm, […]

Florida Female Student Who Identifies as Male Sues to Use Boys’ Restroom, Locker Room at School

Florida Female Student Who Identifies as Male Sues to Use Boys’ Restroom, Locker Room at School

ORLANDO, Fla. — A female student in Florida who identifies as a male has filed a lawsuit along with her parents in an effort to obtain access to the boys’ restroom and locker room facilities. The 15-year-old, who is only being identified as John Doe in the legal challenge, has suffered from gender dysphoria since […]

Atheist Group Won’t Persist in Complaint Against Music Teacher Who Played ‘Hallelujah Chorus’ During Announcements

Atheist Group Won’t Persist in Complaint Against Music Teacher Who Played ‘Hallelujah Chorus’ During Announcements

OAK RIDGE, Tenn. — A Tennessee chapter of one of the most conspicuous professing atheist groups in the nation has decided not to persist in its complaint against a music teacher at a public elementary school who played Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus” during the morning announcements. “FFRF-ETC is not going to continue to pursue this issue,” Aleta Ledendecker […]