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.
Mo. Church Employee Accused of Terrorist Threat After Being Asked to Put on a Mask
Charging documents say Timothy Taylor, 29, was arrested across the street from the church with three loaded firearms in his possession. Read full piece
A Pastor’s Life Depends on a Coronavirus Vaccine. Now He Faces Skeptics in His Church.
Concerned someone from his own congregation could pass him the coronavirus, Southern Baptist pastor Steve Bezner sneaks in a back door of his church to protect himself from his flock. Read full piece
NIH Director Tells Baptists to Wear Masks, Worship Virtually, & Get Vaccine
The unprecedented pace of developing vaccines for COVID-19 has not jeopardized their effectiveness or safety for Americans, the director of the National Institutes of Health said Thursday (Dec. 3) in a webinar hosted by the Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission.
When Prayer Masks Injustice
Using prayer to cover up our own misdeeds or guilty inaction isn’t just upsetting but can also be dangerous. Consider the latest move to fight coronavirus undertaken by Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt. Instead of issuing a life-saving statewide mask mandate, he called for an official
Many GOP Lawmakers Shrug Off Statehouse Mask-Wearing Rules
Many Republican lawmakers in states where coronavirus cases and hospitalizations have surged are not only rejecting statewide mask mandates. They’re also resisting rules requiring them in their own capitols. Read full piece
After Virginia Faulted a Christian Day Care for Lack of Masks, Pastor Told Parents COVID was a ‘Hoax’
The complaints started to mount after a teacher who tested positive for the coronavirus had been at work maskless — working with toddlers and infants. In fact, no one was wearing masks at Little Lambs Christian Dayschool, the day care at Fairlawn Christian Academy in Radford,
Unmasking Dangerous Religious Exemptions
As more cities and states consider enacting much-needed mask mandates during the growing coronavirus pandemic, Editor Brian Kaylor urges a healthy view of religious freedom that does not carve out unnecessary and dangerous exemptions.
Biden Appeals to Christian Voters: Wear Masks to ‘Love Our Neighbors as Ourselves’
Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden made an appeal to Christian voters on Thursday, encouraging them to wear masks to “love our neighbors as ourselves.” Read full piece
Masks Keep Churches from being Superspreaders. But They Make Sermons Tough
As many churches have begun meeting again in person for worship, some require members to wear masks during services. That’s great for helping prevent the spread of COVID-19, but the masks make it hard for a preacher to read the room.