Nation

When Ryan Burge reviewed the data from a survey conducted in May of this year he didn't find a lot of evidence for the popular narrative that evangelicals are the ones lagging behind on vaccinations. In fact, he found that those without any religious affiliation were the least likely to have received at least one dose of any COVID-19 vaccine.

Monday's action on the Hill constituted one of the largest mass-arrest nonviolent protests at the Capitol in recent memory. More than 200 faith-led demonstrators were arrested while hoping to draw attention to voting rights and a slate of other issues participants argued impact the poor and low-wage workers.

Marcus T. Coleman, the former interim director of the DHS Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships from 2017 to 2018 and a special assistant for it from 2013 to 2016, starts his new role on Monday.

A federal judge has ordered Hobby Lobby, the arts and crafts chain whose president is Museum of the Bible founder Steve Green, to forfeit an ancient tablet bearing a rare fragment of the Epic of Gilgamesh.

Describing insurrectionists who attacked the U.S. Capitol as “terrorists” who “perceived themselves to be Christians,” District of Columbia police officer Daniel Hodges told a congressional committee investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection on Tuesday that the crowd brandished banners steeped in Christian symbolism along with those bearing the name Trump.

Is voting a “sacred” ritual, as politicians often describe it? If so, how does that influence the way Christians should participate in democracy and advocate for others to be able to do the same? 

Many churches in southwestern Missouri, are hosting vaccination clinics. Meanwhile, more than 200 church leaders have signed onto a statement urging Christians to get vaccinated, and on Wednesday announced a follow-up public service campaign that will include paid advertisements.

“In God We Trust” became the national motto 65 years ago this month. But over the past few years, a string of bills and city ordinances has sought to expand its usage and presence.

Just two days after being removed from his parish by his bishop for controversial political rhetoric, a Catholic priest prayed and spoke at the influential Conservative Political Action Conference in Dallas, Texas, on Sunday.

The Bible continues to be used to boost support for the state killing people. In this issue of A Public Witness, we look at the state of the death penalty in the U.S. today, and the role of Christians in keeping it alive.