Supreme Court Splits on California’s Pandemic Restrictions on Churches
The U.S. Supreme Court is telling California that it can’t bar indoor church services because of the coronavirus pandemic, but it can keep for now a ban on singing and chanting indoors.
‘Royal’ Purple Fabric Found in Israel Dates to Days of David & Solomon
Researchers from the Israel Antiquities Authority, Bar Ilan University, and Tel Aviv University said they had identified pieces of fabric dyed “true purple” dating to the 10th century BCE, when the Hebrew Bible says David and Solomon ruled in Jerusalem.
Student Online Petition Urges SBU Trustees to Reverse Tenure Denials
After Word&Way reported yesterday that trustees at Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Missouri, had denied tenure or promotion to five faculty members, an SBU student created a petition at change.org urging the trustees to reverse their decision.
Secular Groups Praise Biden’s Agenda But Express Concerns About Religious Rhetoric
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Like many on the political left, the leaders of secular-oriented advocacy organizations have celebrated early actions by President Joe Biden. It’s Biden’s words that have rankled many in the secularist community.
Southern Baptist Leaders Decry ‘Stone Cold Racist’ Letter to Dwight McKissic
Southern Baptist Convention officials have strongly condemned a letter sent by a critic of the SBC to the Rev. Dwight McKissic, a Black pastor in Texas who recently announced he was pulling his church out of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention.
Funeral Directors Survive ‘Surreal’ Year with Creativity & Faith
There are no signs in front yards hailing the men and women who sometimes wryly call themselves “last responders.” But for funeral directors across the country, like medical professionals, this has been a year like no other.
In Unusual Move, SBU Trustees Deny Tenure or Promotion to Several Faculty Members
Trustees for Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Missouri, recently denied tenure or promotion applications from five faculty members in various departments. The unusual action could raise new concerns for the school already facing an inquiry by its accreditation body.
Can an Employee Object to Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccines on Religious Grounds?
Under new guidelines from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, employers are allowed to adopt mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policies. But what happens if an employee refuses to take the shot, citing their religious beliefs?
Iowa Judge: Mask Policy Didn’t Violate Worker’s Religious Rights
An Iowa judge has denied unemployment benefits for a dental technician who cited religious reasons for refusing to wear a face mask intended to help slow the spread of coronavirus.
When it Comes to Building Trust, Belonging Beats Belief, Study Finds
Two scholars found higher levels of belief predicted less trust, while higher levels of belonging predicted more trust. They also found that those who belong to religious groups or attend services have a lower level of misanthropy, or dislike of other people.