Iowan Who Cited Religious Beliefs in Refusing to Wear a Mask is Denied Jobless Benefits
An Iowa man who refused to wear a COVID-19 face mask at work because it violated his religious beliefs is not entitled to unemployment benefits, a state judge has ruled.
10 Nonfiction Books (and One Novel) on Women’s Roles & Influence in Christian Traditions
Women’s History Month may have ended weeks ago, but women’s impact on religion and spirituality goes on year-round. Here are 10 new nonfiction books, both forthcoming and released in the last year, that explore women's roles and influence in Christian traditions — plus, one bonus work of fiction.
Volcanic Eruption in Caribbean Prompts Christian Relief Efforts
The eruption of the La Soufrière volcano on Friday left the population on the main island of St. Vincent and the Grenadines without clean water. Local churches and international relief groups quickly started mobilizing aid.
Marketing Ploy or Sacred Art? Bible Publishers Appeal to Millennials with Focus on Design
So-called “premium” Bibles aren’t new. And while they may not carry a steep price tag, a number of new and traditional Bible publishers are stressing the beauty of an old-fashioned book and the experience of slowing down to read at a time when so much of life is lived online.
William Jewell Creates Commission to Document School’s Slavery Ties
William Jewell College, a historic Baptist school in Liberty, Missouri, announced the creation of a “Racial Reconciliation Commission” Monday to document the school’s ties to slavery and explore future steps in response.
Faith Groups Criticize State Efforts to Create Religious Exemptions to Pandemic Rules
Twenty-seven faith groups released a joint letter Monday urging state legislatures not to pass laws to “exempt houses of worship and religious gatherings” from “emergency orders related to public health issues and emergencies such as COVID-19.”
Church: ‘Black Lives Matter’ Banners to Stay Despite Thieves
A banner proclaiming Black Lives Matter has been stolen from a southwest Alabama church. Again. Rev. Jim Flowers, pastor of All Saints Episcopal Church in Mobile, says they will hang up another one.
Religious Party Seeks Gains in Peru’s Legislative Elections
Amid widespread disgust with traditional politicians and an extremely fragmented electorate, Frepap, the political arm of a messianic religious group called the Israelites of the New Universal Pact, has emerged as a potential favorite in legislative elections Sunday.
World Vision Faces Pandemic’s ‘Perfect Storm,’ Seeks to Meet US, Global Needs
Across the country and the globe, World Vision is continuing a multi-pronged effort to meet the needs of people facing the health crisis and the secondary effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Globally, the crisis that began more than a year ago has claimed 2.89 million lives.
High Court Creates New Religious Exemption to COVID Rules in California
In an unsigned order from the Supreme Court’s “shadow docket” late Friday (April 9), five justices on the high court ordered California to lift restrictions on religious gatherings in homes — even as the same restrictions remain on any other gatherings in homes.