High Court Skeptical of Texas Death Row Inmate Prayer Demand
Conservative Supreme Court justices expressed skepticism Tuesday about a Texas death row inmate’s demand that his pastor be allowed to pray out loud and touch him during his execution.
Spiritual-But-Not-Religious Vaccine Exemptions
In this issue of A Public Witness, we roll up our sleeves to examine prominent Christian leaders challenging vaccination mandates. And we warn of the danger of an underlying spiritual-but-not-religious individualism infecting our society.
SBU Placed on Probation by Accrediting Body
The accrediting body for Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Missouri, placed the school’s accreditation status on “probation on Thursday. The move comes after an investigation into actions by SBU and the Missouri Baptist Convention during a three-year conflict at the school over power and theology.
Some Churches Got Mega PPP Loans. A Few Got Tiny Ones.
For some smaller congregations, navigating the PPP loan process was difficult and the results disappointing. While some congregations got multi-million-dollar PPP loans, some got tiny loans by accident. Two churches got loans for $666.
Southern Baptist Seminary Sues Over Biden Vaccine Mandate
Two Kentucky seminaries filed a legal petition Friday (Nov. 5) to challenge the Biden administration’s private employer vaccination mandate. The Alliance Defending Freedom filed the suit on behalf of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and Asbury Theological Seminary.
Top U.S. Catholic Bishop Calls Social Justice Movements ‘Pseudo-Religion’
Archbishop José H. Gomez, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, railed against “new social justice movements” during a speech Thursday, decrying them as “pseudo-religions” that ultimately serve as “dangerous substitutes for true religion.”
Foes of Death Penalty Offer Spiritual Support at Executions
After Sister Barbara Battista, a Roman Catholic nun staunchly opposed to the death penalty, agreed to accompany a condemned man at his execution in federal prison, she wondered doubtfully, “Am I just part of this whole killing machine?”
As COP26 Conference Gathers, Faith-Based Environmentalists Fight ‘Eco-Grief’
As the United Nations Climate Conference (known as COP26) gathers world leaders in Glasgow, Scotland, to discuss climate change, people of faith long active in environmental advocacy haven’t succumbed to pessimism.
On the Chopping Block
In this edition of A Public Witness we slide into the cultural battle sparked by the World Series to highlight how this moment provides both Christians and our larger society a chance to reckon with an ugly past.
Kentucky College President Fired After Sexual Assault Report
The president of Kentucky’s Georgetown College has been fired after reports emerged accusing him of sexual assault and sexual misconduct against employees, the small Baptist liberal arts school announced Tuesday.