APOPKA, Fla. — Prosperity preacher Paula White, who also serves as the chair of President Trump’s Evangelical Advisory Board, is urging her followers to give a “first fruits” financial offering with the start of 2018, stating that there are “consequences” for those who don’t do so out of “ignorance or direct disobedience.” “As you remember […]
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear an appeal of a Fifth Circuit ruling that upheld Mississippi’s “Protecting Freedom of Conscience from Government Discrimination Act,” a bill meant to shelter residents from punishment when acting in accordance with their religious convictions in regard to the institution of marriage. The court denied the cases […]
HERINGTON, Kan. — Representatives for Gideon International will no longer be allowed to make Bibles available to students at an elementary school in Kansas following a complaint from a national humanist organization. The American Humanist Association (AHA) recently sent a letter to the superintendent of Herington Schools and the principal of Herington Elementary School to advise […]
BALTIMORE, Md. — A federal appeals court has unanimously upheld a ruling striking down a Baltimore ordinance that required pro-life pregnancy centers to post a notice advising that the facility does not offer or refer clients for abortions or contraception. Greater Baltimore Center for Pregnancy Concerns, Inc. had filed suit against the City of Baltimore in 2010 […]
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of State has announced its annual designation of “Countries of Particular Concern” (CPC) based on observance of ongoing violations of religious freedom. “In far too many places around the globe, people continue to be persecuted, unjustly prosecuted or imprisoned for exercising their right to freedom of religion or belief,” spokesperson Heather […]
CLEVELAND, Ohio — The largest abortion facility in Ohio has launched a billboard campaign in an effort to urge readers “to reflect on the powerful role that abortion plays in people’s lives.” The facility, called Preterm, has purchased 16 billboard locations around the Cleveland area to “spark conversation” surrounding its belief that abortion is necessary […]
WALDORF, Md. — A former Maryland teacher’s aide and track coach accused of sexually abusing 42 youth between 2015 and 2017 has accepted a plea deal after being charged with over 200 offenses, including the attempted transmission of HIV. According to reports, Carlos Bell, 30, was first investigated in December 2016 after a parent contacted authorities in regard to inappropriate text […]
Twitter users are expressing concern after Chelsea Clinton wished the Church of Satan a “Happy New Year” on Tuesday. The matter began as Clinton had commented on a tweet by model Chrissy Teigen, who was upset that someone had posted photos of her daughter in making claims that she and her husband were a part of the […]
SWARTHMORE, Pa. — A private liberal arts college just outside of Philadelphia is drawing concerns over a “Queering the Bible” class included in its course catalog that is meant to provide “queer and trans readings of biblical texts.” Swarthmore College, founded in 1864 by Quakers, provides a description of the course on its website, along […]
LOS ANGELES, Calif. — The convicted prankster who called 911 with a false murder and hostage report that resulted in a SWAT team surrounding an innocent man’s home—with police fatally shooting the father of two—has been charged with one felony count of creating a false alarm and will be extradited to Kansas to face trial. […]