News from around the world. Curated by Mark McDowell. Posts do not constitute agreement or endorsement.
A Baker County judge on Monday granted a preliminary injunction to 10 churches, including Elkhorn Baptist in Baker City, who sued the governor. The judge ruled Gov. Kate Brown’s restrictions on religious gatherings “null and void’’ because her emergency order due to the coronavirus pandemic had exceeded its 28-day limit.…
A Baker County judge on Monday ruled that Gov. Kate Brown’s restrictions on religious gatherings were “null and void” because her emergency order amid the coronavirus pandemic had exceeded its 28-day limit. Circuit Judge Matthew Shirtcliff granted 10 churches that had sued the governor a preliminary injunction, finding they had…
Sinners, immigrants and climate change aren’t to blame for the coronavirus — it’s governments here and abroad, according to most religious Americans. In a new study by the University of Chicago Divinity School and The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, Americans who said they believe in God were…
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (Wyoming News Now) – U.S. Attorney for the District of Wyoming Mark Klaassen weighed in on the constitutionality of state medical orders related to the COVID-19 crisis. He published an op-ed Friday outlining the U.S. Department of Justice’s position. He said the DOJ is being careful not to…
The COVID-19 emergency shouldn’t divert the media from getting prepared for an unusual pileup of big “culture war” news that will break at the U.S. Supreme Court during the weeks through early July. Pending decisions the media will need to interpret involve abortion, religious conscience claims, gay and transgender rights,…
Churches ask court to grant an injunction lifting restrictions created by Gov. Kate Brown’s executive orders. VIA GOOGLE MAPS – Calvary Chapel in Southeast Portland has sued Oregon Gov. Kate Brown. Ten congregations in the state have filed suit challenging the governor’s lock down on individuals and businesses to curb…
stock.adobe.com At U.S. District Court in Frankfort, Judge Gregory Van Tatenhove issued a temporary restraining order sought by Tabernacle Baptist Church of Nicholasville. The church had been conducting services on Facebook and by drive-in services, but maintained in their arguments, “Tabernacle has a sincerely-held religious belief that online services and…
Two federal judges in separate cases issued orders Friday evening halting a ban on in-person church services contained in an executive order issued by Gov. Andy Beshear due to the coronavirus pandemic. At U. S. District Court in Frankfort, Judge Gregory Van Tatenhove issued a temporary restraining order sought by…
Source: MGN Kentucky churches will be allowed to hold services starting May 10 after rulings in two separate cases. A lawsuit by Maryville Baptist Church and its pastor arguing that Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear’s administration infringed on the congregation’s constitutional rights by restricting faith-based gatherings due to the coronavirus pandemic…
AUSTIN—A district court ruling against the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lubbock succeeded in uniting Texas Baptists’ Christian Life Commission and a committee of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention—as well as the national Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission—in a call for action by the Texas Supreme Court. The…
Screen capture of a US military housing in Germany where a worship service was held from a balcony. The COVID-19 virus has led to many a creative effort by folks to maintain normalcy in the midst of a major disruption to normal life, and Christian believers are no different. Many…
(CNS file photo/Nancy Phelan Wiechec) In two cases now before the Supreme Court, the justices are dealing with the constitutional status of a “minister” at a religious school and with the question of who decides the qualifications of a minister: churches and religious schools, or the federal courts. The cases…
The COVID-19 pandemic is threatening many of our most cherished freedoms. We are told by the government not to travel. We are told we can’t gather for religious services. We are told we must wear masks, but we must not go to restaurants or stores. Our favorite sporting events, school…
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” If all public and private…
Editor’s note: This letter is in response to the column, published April 29, 2020. To start, arguing that “marriage has always had a religious tradition” is not entirely accurate. Marriage has existed in every known human culture in history, and predates every major religion practiced today. In ancient Mesopotamia, a…
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A federal appeals court on Saturday declined to block the Kentucky governor’s temporary ban on massing gatherings from applying to in-person religious services. The three-judge panel did clear the way for Maryville Baptist Church to hold drive-in worship services while adhering to public health requirements. That’s…
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A federal appeals court on Saturday declined to block the Kentucky governor’s temporary ban on massing gatherings from applying to in-person religious services. The three-judge panel did clear the way for Maryville Baptist Church to hold drive-in worship services while adhering to public health requirements. That’s an…
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A federal appeals court on Saturday declined to block the Kentucky governor’s temporary ban on massing gatherings from applying to in-person religious services. The three-judge panel did clear the way for Maryville Baptist Church to hold drive-in worship services while adhering to public health requirements. That’s an…
A federal appeals court on Saturday declined to block the Kentucky governor’s temporary ban on massing gatherings from applying to in-person religious services. The three-judge panel did clear the way for Maryville Baptist Church to hold drive-in worship services while adhering to public health requirements. That’s an alternative that Democratic…
By Michael Hernandez CHINO HILLS—Senior attorneys for two California legal firms—Tyler and Bursch and the Pacific Justice Institute shared their legal expertise today on a zoom conference hosted by Chino Hills Calvary Pastor Jack Hibbs on “How and When to Re-Open Churches.” “According to Gov. Galvin Newsom, we are in…
On Fire Christian Church has moved services outdoors, offering a drive-in fellowship, so the congregation may worship while social distancing. Louisville Courier Journal Case law as well as state statutes leave religious liberty well protected. Public officials should take note before regulating church services. U.S. District Judge Justin Walker of…
Michael Stavola The Wichita Eagle WICHITA, Kan. — A U.S. District Court of Kansas judge issued a temporary restraining order on Saturday against part of Gov. Laura Kelly’s executive order that limited church gatherings to 10 or fewer people, a ruling that paves the way for in-person religious services without…
By Michael Hernandez NEWBURY PARK—Pastor Rob McCoy announced on Thursday’s “Fireside Chat” that the Tyler & Bursch legal firm has sent a demand letter on behalf of Godspeak Calvary and Rabbi Michael Barclay of Temple Ner Simcha (Westlake Village) seeking a rescission of the April 9 th public health order…
A woman follows along in her bible during the sermon at a drive-in service on April 5 in Louisville, Ky. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic limiting gatherings of people, churches have responded with alternate ways to have their services. Restrictions discriminate against religion Lengthy opinion possibly could have been avoided…
Below is my column in The Hill newspaper. This weekend the Kansas Supreme Court ruled with the Governor in upholding her order to close church services over 10 persons. That is particularly notable since, as mentioned in the column, Kansas is a state with enhanced protections for the free exercise…