Raging at God After My 67-Year-Old Father Died of COVID
Carol McEntyre: It is easier to blame God than to admit we have failed one another. Read full piece
Tanzania’s COVID-Denying Leader Urges Prayer as Cases Climb
Tanzania’s COVID-denying president is calling on citizens for three days of prayer to defeat unnamed “respiratory diseases” amid warnings that the country is seeing a deadly resurgence in infections.
Conservative Justices Think Religion is Under Siege. Will the Full Supreme Court Follow?
The Supreme Court has increasingly exempted religious believers from government regulations, and it is clear by their statements that individual justices on the right think religion is under siege in America. Read full piece
On Social Media, Vaccine Misinformation Mixes with Extreme Faith
Even with renewed efforts by tech companies, religious-themed misinformation is among the hardest to police. Read full piece
Eroding Trust, Spreading Fear: The Historical Ties Between Pandemics & Extremism
Since ancient times, pandemics have spurred sharp turns in political beliefs, spawning extremist movements, waves of mistrust and wholesale rejection of authorities. Nearly a year into the coronavirus crisis, Americans are falling prey to the same phenomenon, historians, theologians, and other experts say. Read full piece
No touching! Churches Get Ready for Ash Wednesday in a Pandemic
Ash Wednesday is one of the touchiest observances on the liturgical calendar — literally. But that presents a problem when health experts fighting COVID-19 have advised people to avoid touching their faces or coming in close proximity to others.
New Arkansas Law Exempts Churches from Pandemic Restrictions
A new act signed by Arkansas’s governor on Wednesday (Feb. 10) would prevent the governor or other state or local officials from enacting restrictions on houses of worship and religious groups during a public health crisis.
Don’t Let Politeness Keep You from Confronting Lies
Ethical people have a responsibility to strongly call out mistruths. Use specific language and the strength of your character to do so. Read full piece
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.
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?