Thomas Paine Helped Start America. In the Trump Era, He’s Under Fire.
In some ways, the debate over Paine's legacy today is a proxy for a much larger debate over whose vision gets to govern.
Federal Employees Sue USDA Secretary Over Christian Messaging
Asked to comment on the suit, a USDA spokesperson said: ‘While we do not comment on pending litigation, we will keep the plaintiffs in our prayers during this process.’
Black Clergy Strategize, Preach and Urge Election Turnout After Voting Rights Act Gutting
‘We need accountability. We need to set goals, track registrations, follow up to ensure that those who register actually vote,’ a Church of God in Christ bishop said at an ‘emergency’ meeting.
Why Hillsdale? The Christian Liberal Arts School Hosted Erika Kirk for Commencement
Through Freedom 250 initiatives, Hillsdale has been enlisted by the Trump White House to shape narratives about American history.
Hegseth’s War on Pharisees, Journalists, and Reality
Given Pete Hegseth’s insistence on co-opting a biblical term and employing it out of context as an insult against reporters doing their job, this issue of A Public Witness takes a look at the real Pharisees and the lesson the ‘secretary of war’ is missing.
‘Which Side Are You Going to Be on?’ Kansas Faith Leaders Urge Churches to Protect Immigrants
After President Trump took office, a Presbyterian church retreated underground — abandoning their sanctuary for the basement in response to the administration’s decision to allow ICE officers to enter places of worship.
SNL, Congress, and a Newsletter
Join us as we celebrate five years of our ‘A Public Witness’ newsletter and highlight the best from the 115 pieces we’ve published over the past 12 months exploring the intersection of faith, culture, and politics.
Did the Founders Create a Christian Nation? No, but Religion Did Shape Their Thinking
‘Most — nearly all — serious historians agree that America was not founded as a Christian nation in any meaningful legal, philosophical, or constitutional sense,’ says the group Americans United for Separation of Church and State.
Evangelical Groups Warn Trump’s Deportations Could Leave 1.3M ‘Torn Apart’ From Families
‘What might have been an abstract policy decision that's taking place in Washington now is actually impacting communities,’ said Walter Kim, head of the National Association of Evangelicals.
Anti-Christian Bias Task Force Blasts Biden for Targeting ‘Traditional Christians’
Many Christian leaders have criticized the report, saying it's narrowly focused on concerns of conservative evangelicals and obscures Trump’s own conflicts with other faith groups, including entire denominations.