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        <title>Christian Today | US</title>
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                <title><![CDATA[Pastors are still struggling but relief remains out of reach for many]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiantoday.com/news/pastors-are-still-struggling-but-relief-remains-out-of-reach-for-many</link>
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                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Christian Daily International]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Christian man, faith, Bible, prayer, pastor]]></media:title>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Thu, 09 Jul 2026 11:36:00 +0100</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[Pastoral satisfaction has dropped 20 points since 2015 but the measures many pastors believe would help are often unattainable.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
More than half of Protestant pastors in the United States say they need help with their physical and mental health, while the burnout-relief measures they believe would work best remain largely out of reach, according to new research from Barna Group.
The findings, published July 6 from a survey of 507 U.S. Protestant senior pastors conducted in early 2026, come as pastoral exhaustion has eased and confidence in calling has largely recovered from pandemic-era lows. Vocational satisfaction, however, has not followed. The share of pastors who describe themselves as "very satisfied" with their vocation has dropped 20 percentage points since 2015, from 72 percent to 52 percent.
When asked which area of their lives needed the most support, 52 percent of pastors named mental and physical health—well ahead of close relationships (41 percent) and financial stability (36 percent). Spiritual connection came in at 30 percent.
Age and gender shape those priorities. Pastors under 45 flag health concerns at higher rates than older colleagues—62 percent versus 51 percent. Female pastors prioritize health at even higher rates, with 66 percent naming it a top need compared to 49 percent of male pastors. Men, meanwhile, are somewhat more likely to identify close relationships as a pressing concern.
On the question of what would actually help, pastors were asked to rate a set of burnout-relief actions by both helpfulness and difficulty. Three responses stood out as high on both dimensions: extended rest such as a sabbatical, delegating responsibilities to staff or other leaders, and restructuring one's role to better match personal gifts and limits. Pastors say these measures would make the most difference. They also describe them as the hardest to take.
Sabbaticals require congregational backing and staffing cover. Delegation depends on having people to delegate to. Role restructuring requires a leadership team or board willing to raise and sit with uncomfortable questions. None of these can be accomplished unilaterally.
"There's a difference between recovering from burnout and actually resolving it," said Daniel Copeland, Barna's vice president of research. "Consistent rest, boundaries, and personal spiritual practices build the weekly rhythms that keep a pastor healthy. But the deeper question—whether your role is genuinely an expression of your gifts and strengths—requires a different kind of time and attention altogether."
Several relief measures that pastors find more accessible also registered as meaningful: consistent personal spiritual practices, clearer expectations around role and schedule, short breaks such as a long weekend, and honest conversations with close friends or family. These ranked as helpful and relatively achievable.
At the bottom of the helpfulness rankings, the Barna research found, are resources and curricula specifically designed for burned-out pastors—despite their wide availability. The gap between what is offered and what pastors say would help is substantial.
Support structures within ministry show a similar unevenness. Eighty percent of pastors say they rely on a spouse as their primary personal support, and 65 percent turn to a fellow pastor or ministry leader. Forty-two percent name a close friend outside the church. Mentors or spiritual directors are cited by 30 percent, and only 18 percent say they rely on a counselor or therapist.
Female pastors draw on a wider range of support: they are more likely than male pastors to name friends outside the congregation (51 percent vs. 38 percent), family members (52 percent vs. 32 percent), mentors (36 percent vs. 28 percent), and therapists (29 percent vs. 14 percent).
Copeland said the data points to a gap between the institutional support structures churches typically offer and the conditions pastors say they actually need. "Pastors deserve the time to step back and ask honestly whether their role is an expression of their actual gifts," he said. "If there's any vocation we want liberated from the mundane, it's this one."
The research was conducted by Barna Group as part of its State of the Church initiative, produced in partnership with Gloo.
© Christian Daily International]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[July 4, 1776: The founding of a Christian nation?]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiantoday.com/news/july-4-1776-the-founding-of-a-christian-nation</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiantoday.com/news/july-4-1776-the-founding-of-a-christian-nation</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Martyn Whittock]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[American Declaration of Independence, American Independence, American history, USA, America]]></media:title>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Sat, 04 Jul 2026 08:55:00 +0100</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[The American Declaration of Independence, of 1776, was a truly historic event. ]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
This year is the 250th anniversary of a momentous event in the history of North America and the world. The celebration is of the American Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776. Well, to be a bit picky there are three dates that could vie for this formal point of departure from British rule.
On July 2, 1776, the Continental Congress voted for independence (the ‘Lee Resolution’). One of the so-called ‘Founding Fathers’ – John Adams – thought this would become the great national anniversary. On July 4, 1776, Congress approved the final text of the Declaration. On August 2, 1776, most delegates to the Congress signed the engrossed parchment copy that survives today; a few signed later.
But it’s July 4 that is the standout date and it is that which forms the basis of the current commemorations.
Words with great power
Within its opening words are ones that ring with almost prophetic authority, power and purpose:
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
A sentence earlier in the preamble had asserted the right of the American colonies to break free from British rule and “assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them.”
A – contested – place in history 
At the time, people thought that it was a momentous event and that they were making history in a dramatic way; and with huge impact on themselves and their national community:
“The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epoch, in the History of America." (John Adams, writing to Abigail Adams on July 3, 1776, regarding the passing of the ‘Lee Resolution’.)
“We must all hang together, or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately.” (This is attributed to Benjamin Franklin, who reportedly said it at the signing, recognising the huge risk being taken by the signatories as they sought to break free from British rule.)
“The Declaration of Independence ... [was] an expression of the American mind.” (From Thomas Jefferson, looking back in 1825. The wording may be apocryphal.)
Later, in the 1850s, Abraham Lincoln saw it as the key to understanding US political character and legitimacy. It was, he wrote, “the ring-bolt to the chain of your nation's destiny” and “The principles contained in that instrument are saving principles.” 
Others were rather more reserved as they assessed its lofty ambitions. The confident claims could be contested. The African American Frederick Douglass posed a disturbing question in 1852: “What, to the American slave, is your Fourth of July?” This reminded everyone that the inspiring words that “all men are created equal” and “are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights” – which include “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” – did not apply to Black slaves. It took a bloody civil war (1861-65) to achieve that – and Black equality continued to be contested.
It did not apply to Native Americans either who, in 1776, still occupied most of the North American continent. That land ownership was about to change! Women were excluded – which was par for the course at the time, though even then there were some who noted the omission of a lot of free American citizens from the rights being confidently claimed.
A Christian nation? 
As well as the alarming fact that there were huge numbers of people living in North America in 1776 who did not come into the category of “all men” because they were – for one reason or another – not accorded the full value of human dignity, is the question of what kind of spiritual nation was coming into being.
Some later Americans were confident that what had come into being in 1776 was a Christian nation. Woodrow Wilson (US president 1913-21) stated that “America was born a Christian nation.” Ronald Reagan (US president 1981-89) claimed that “America was founded by people who believe that God was their rock of safety.” Current President Donald Trump, in a 2017 speech to the Values Voter Summit, pledged to defend “our Judeo-Christian values" and has closely aligned himself with the values held by US Christian nationalists. There are reports that a draft of the 2020 State of the Union speech contained the sentence "America has always been a Christian nation” and (if true) reveals, at least, how someone close to the Trump presidency was feeling.
Conservative evangelical Christians (or the evangelical right) would concur. Pat Robertson, it is reported, once put it this way: “The founding document of the United States of America acknowledges the Lordship of Jesus Christ because we are a Christian nation.” It should be noted that this quote is hard to source in its original form (though frequently quoted) but seems very much in line with his general outlook; and many on the evangelical right would say ‘Amen’ to these words.
Robertson (1930–2023) was one of the most influential American evangelical leaders of the late 20th century. He founded the Christian Broadcasting Network in 1960, hosted The 700 Club, ran for the Republican presidential nomination in 1988, and later founded the Christian Coalition, which became a major force in Republican politics.
We might ask: do these statements mean (a) the 18th-century founders created a Christian nation, (b) America was founded as culturally Christian, (c) America derived its principles from Christianity, or (d) America should be regarded as (made into?) a Christian nation?
These are four very different things, and the last one is particularly explosive in a multi-faith, multi-cultural, secular democracy, if political power is going to be deployed to achieve it.
A recurring idea expressed at recent US prayer rallies and religious-right gatherings has been that America should be ‘rededicated’ to God (which suggests it once was) and that the nation possesses Christian foundations that ought to be publicly (re)affirmed.      
Arguably, a striking thing that emerges from analysis of the most recent written and spoken evidence is that many leading US evangelicals no longer use the straightforward 19th - and early-20th-century formula ‘America is a Christian nation.’ Instead, they tend to speak of America as having Christian foundations, Christian heritage, Judeo-Christian values, or having a need to return to its Christian roots. Those formulations are often politically more effective and historically easier to defend than the older slogan.
Among many of these contemporary US Christian leaders, there seems to have been a shift from descriptive claims (‘America is a Christian nation’) to normative claims (‘America should return to its Christian roots’). However, they still assume that what was formed in 1776 was, in some sense, a Christian political community, to which the modern US should return.
History, though, is a little more complex …
A complex faith journey …
There is no doubt that Christian faith made a huge contribution to the founding of what became the United States. From the Mayflower settlement of 1620 onwards, the ‘Bible Commonwealths’ of New England had Christian faith at the heart of their community character. That is why the founding of Plymouth, Massachusetts (1620) and the Winthrop Fleet arriving in Boston (in 1630) makes for a more satisfying US origin story than the violent, testosterone-driven, nature of the founding of Jamestown, Virginia, in 1607.
This had an enduring legacy, but a lot happened between 1620 and 1776. The godly experiment in semi-theocratic government was brought to heel by the British crown. In 1684, the Massachusetts Bay charter was annulled. Then, from 1686, the various colonies of New England were unified as the Dominion of New England. Theocracy was brought under royal authority and curtailed. In 1689, power was briefly wrested back to these colonies but, in 1691, King William III issued another charter which unequivocally unified the colonies under royal authority. This area was styled the Province of Massachusetts Bay.
More fundamental for Puritan politics than a name and boundary change was the decision imposed on the province which extended voting rights to non-Puritans. This was a gamechanger. The move effectively put an end to the godly semi-theocracies. 
However, Christian faith continued to decide the overall mood music of the 18th-century colonies. Consequently, it was more than simple Enlightenment rationalism that drove the formation of the Declaration of Independence when it was approved by the Continental Congress in 1776. There was a local, and Puritan-derived, element to it too that was rooted in the concept of covenanting communities, entered into by mutual consent, which possessed a confidence that they were an inspiring ‘city upon a hill’ for the world to see.
Despite this, the Founding Fathers were still very much products of the 18th-century Enlightenment. When it came to religious beliefs, most fell somewhere on a spectrum between orthodox Christianity and Enlightenment rationalism, with (in some cases) a touch of Deism (belief in a non-interventionist Creator). Hence, the references to God in the Declaration of Independence are tellingly non-confessional: “Creator,” “Nature’s God.”  Benjamin Franklin made just one – but highly significant – edit to the Declaration’s famous beginning. As a result of this, “self-evident” replaced the original phrase “sacred and undeniable."
Consequently, it rooted the Declaration in the Enlightenment concept of natural law, rather than religious faith. 
Other evidence supports this:
The Treaty of Tripoli was concluded between the USA and Tripolitania and took effect in 1797.  Article 11 of this treaty made a statement that would cause shock and alarm among evangelical Christians in the 21st century. It unequivocally states:
“The government of the United States of America is not in any sense founded on  the Christian Religion.”
As far back as 1802, Thomas Jefferson had spoken of “a wall of separation between Church and State.”  This clear principle is contained in the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, of 1791. This states that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” 
In other words, the government cannot restrict individuals from practising their religion, nor can it force them to participate in religious activities. Citizens are free to hold whatever religious faith they choose to (or no religious faith at all). Article Six of the US Constitution also specifies that “no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.” It is sometimes forgotten that ‘freedom from imposed religious faith and practice’ is the other side of the coin to ‘freedom of religious faith and practice.’ It is in such an outlook that the concept of modern secular democracy is rooted. It is that originalist concept that is now being stress-tested by 21st-century US evangelicals, who claim to be returning the USA to its foundational roots.
Incidentally, Thomas Jefferson – Deist-leaning and sceptical regarding divine intervention – did not declare any Thanksgivings during his presidency (1801-09). And Thanksgiving itself was an evolving tradition through the 19th century. In 1817, New York State was the first to announce an annual Thanksgiving holiday. Other states followed, although there was no unanimity regarding the day(s) chosen. And these later developments moved away from the formal and solemn events that 17th-century New Englanders would have recognised as a ‘Thanksgiving’ and more towards one of community and family celebration and festivities.
Things became more complex in the USA during the 19th century because many in positions of power felt that – whatever the Founding Fathers actually said, did or stood for – Christian faith (and that usually meant Protestant faith) should enjoy a privileged position.  
Legal judgments in cases such as ‘The People v. Ruggles’ (1811) and ‘Church of the Holy Trinity v. United States’ (1892) revealed that the person of Christ and Christianity enjoyed a legal protection unlike that extended to other faiths. This seems a long way from the Treaty of Tripoli and the vague theologies of some of the Founding Fathers and the wording of the Declaration of Independence. Time had moved on and, as usual, people seek justification in history, even when history is, in reality, rather messy. The USA is, to all intents and purposes, a secular republic but at the same time Christianity (usually in its Protestant form) has had a huge input into political conversations and decision-making.     
By the 1890s, because of the ‘Great Awakenings’ (revivals) of the 19th century, most American Protestants were part of what one can describe as ‘evangelical’ denominations. Right-leaning evangelical Protestants have been involved in politics for much of the 20th century and their activities are not simply a modern phenomenon, although it is during the past thirty-five years that they have come to increasing prominence. As far back as the 1940s, ‘50s and ‘60s, anxieties about the perceived threat of communism and changing patterns of social behaviour had caused many with this outlook to gravitate towards the Republican Party as a way of defending what they would have described as the ‘Protestant-based moral order.’   
In this period of development, opposition to Catholic influence also drove the movement to a significant extent. This declined in the 1970s and ‘80s, as common cause was found on matters of sexual ethics and concerns regarding the moral freedoms of the 1960s and the rise of secularism. These were the origins of the modern ‘culture wars.’ Accelerating political campaigning occurred within the US evangelical community, declaring that the USA has a Christian nature, and rooting this in claims about its foundation. This has become sharper even as evangelical numbers have fallen as a percentage of the US population in the last decade.  
Happy 250th Birthday, USA! 
The American Declaration of Independence, of 1776, was a truly historic event. The world was different after it. Its contribution to the development of democracy, political and personal freedom and a politically engaged citizenry was enormous; as was the challenge it posed to the established order as seen in contemporary 18th-century states. US freedoms and US confidence are rooted in it. It was a key point on a trajectory that would lead to superpower status.      
However, as the celebrations take place, it is also worth remembering those, in 1776, who were excluded from its inspiring claims, because the USA was as complex and contested at its birth as it is on its 250th birthday. And we need to be rather more candid about the complex faith-history of the USA, from 1776 to 2026. A birthday is a time for looking backward, as well as looking forward. And the past is often more complex than we like to imagine!
Happy 250th Birthday, USA!
Martyn Whittock is an historian, columnist, commentator, and Licensed Lay Minister in the Church of England. He is the author, or co-author, of fifty-eight books, on a wide range of historical and theological themes. His recent books include Trump and the Puritans. How the Evangelical Religious Right Put Donald Trump in the White House (2020), along with many op-eds on US politics and, especially, the Christian input into US culture.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Born on the 4th of July]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiantoday.com/news/born-on-the-4th-of-july</link>
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                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Irene Lancaster]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[America, USA, United States of America, Washington DC, Capitol]]></media:title>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2026 09:47:00 +0100</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[Jewish academic and Hebrew scholar Irene Lancaster reflects on the special significance of the 4th of July this year.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
Jewish academic and Hebrew scholar Irene Lancaster reflects on the special significance of the 4th of July this year.
This year July 4th is a particularly auspicious date. It is the 250th birthday of the USA.It is the 50th anniversary of Operation Entebbe.It is my granddaughter’s 2nd birthday.
The Torah reading for this day is Pinchas (Numbers 25:10-30:1).
Do all these events happening on July 4th have a common theme, and if so, what?Let’s take the USA first. President Trump has called for a national Shabbat to recognize the Jewish contribution to the United States over the centuries and their vital role in its upbuilding.
As in Great Britain, Jews started arriving in America in the mid 1650s. But there the similarity ends. Both groups were Sephardi. The oldest Shul in New York, Shearith Israel, was led at one time by Rabbi Marc Angel, two of whose books I recently reviewed for CT.Why did President Trump choose Shabbat as the symbol of the American Jewish contribution to the nation? 
What is Shabbat all about? Shabbat is about humility, the acknowledgement that we humans are not all-powerful. Even G-d created the world in six days and rested on the 7th - after creating man. ‘What a piece of work is man’, we intone during prayers. You can say that again, in more ways than one. Maybe G-d needed a bit of a rest after creating man!
Creativity also needs values and that’s what Jews have bequeathed to the world. This Jewish contribution was recognized not only by the Founding Fathers, but also by many of the original 17th century Pilgrims and others who were steeped in Bible, Hebrew and general Jewish learning. These pioneers often also learned from their Jewish neighbours. This was not the case anywhere else in the world, where Jews were always regarded as an embarrassment.
Both Rashi and Rambam, towering figures in Torah and Talmud interpretation, stated that Shabbat extends beyond Judaism and represents what the world was missing after Creation - ‘menucha’ - rest.
Rest is the completion of creation and is embedded in the structure of existence itself. It is this gift of ‘menucha’ which Jews have given the world and which the President of the USA has publicly acknowledged. Keeping Shabbat is not just good for us - for all of us - it’s essential.
Anniversary number 2 is the story of Entebbe. Yoni, older brother of Israeli PM, Benjamin Netanyahu, sacrificed his life in order to rescue fellow human beings held hostage through a plane hijacking in Entebbe, Uganda. This rescue took place on July 4, 1976.
The plane had been on a commercial Air France flight between Tel Aviv and Paris, stopping in Athens. There they were joined by the hijackers, German and Palestinian. The flight was forced to fly to Tripoli in Libya and then to Entebbe airport in Uganda. In Uganda they were joined by further terrorists, as well as the Ugandan leader, Idi Amin, who sent reinforcements to help the hijackers.
The episode has been turned into two films, the Israeli one more accurate, and made Yoni Netanyahu a world hero. The Operation was called Operation Yonatan, Operation Entebbe and Operation Thunderbolt.
The Jews were separated from the other passengers who were released and flown to Paris. The Air France crew remained with the hostages. 
Meanwhile, back in Israel, Mossad, in conjunction with the Labour Government under Yitzhak Rabin, decided to go ahead with the rescue, including armed confrontation with Amin’s Ugandan army. Rabin had actually urged caution, but was persuaded by Defence Secretary, Shimon Peres, to go ahead with the daring mission.
On the night of July 3, the operation took off from Israel. Three hostages were killed. One hostage, 74-year-old Dora Bloch from the UK, was murdered by Ugandans in her hospital bed. 
Yoni Netanyahu, who had led the rescue effort, was the only Israeli fatality. Israel received assistance from Uganda’s neighbour, Kenya. Amin then ordered the murder of all Kenyans living in Uganda. This led to an exodus of 3,000 Kenyans from Uganda. The remainder were massacred on the order of Amin. 
It is probably an understatement to conclude that this traumatic and heroic episode in Israeli history has left its mark on the country as a whole and especially on younger brother, Benjamin Netanyahu. The moral? Caution is sometimes not enough. Peres was right and PM Rabin was right to listen to him on this occasion. 
Anniversary number 3. My granddaughter’s father is Israeli, born of American parents. On learning she was pregnant, my daughter had to leave northern Zfat in autumn 2023 with the onslaught from Hezbollah in Lebanon. She moved to Jerusalem where she relied on the kindness of strangers, some from the UK, but others who were originally American.  
After the birth of her baby on July 4th 2024, a caring community in neighbouring apartments provided meals for three weeks and generally looked after them. I like to believe that being born on America’s special day, as well as Entebbe Day, has left its positive mark on this very young new Israeli. 
And now to the Torah reading.
In his new book, ‘BaMidbar, the Book of Numbers’ (Kasva Press), Rabbi Nathan Lopez Cardozo states that Pinchas ‘is the most dangerous parashah in all of the Torah, seeming as it does to allow one to take the law into one’s own hands. It appears not only to justify, but even to praise, outright murder.’
In this story, G-d states that Pinchas, ‘son of Eleazar, son of Aaron the priest, has turned back My wrath from the Israelites by displaying among them his passion for Me, so I did not wipe out the Israelite people in My passion.’
What a good translation! So often the word ‘jealous’ is used for the Hebrew ‘kinah’. But ‘jealous’ has changed its meaning through the centuries and is now regarded as wholly negative in nature. Passion, on the other hand, means that G-d cares and that Pinchas cares. 
But Aaron, his grandfather, represents peace and compromise. Remember the Golden Calf episode (Exodus 32) where Aaron tries to appease the children of Israel in the absence of Moses. Maybe Pinchas is making up for grandfather, Aaron’s placid attitude at a time of crisis. 
Sometimes, as in the case of Pinchas, actions have to supersede due process. After Entebbe, for instance, many international organizations blamed Israel rather than the hijackers, the terrorists, or Idi Amin for the entire episode! And as for our day, who exactly is getting the blame for October 7, 2023?
As Rabbi Cardozo says (p 169): ‘occasionally the law must be violated for the sake of a greater good - even when the greater good is not obvious and the price is very high.’ An example was the curtailing of freedom during the Covid pandemic, despite ‘enormous emotional and social damage’.
‘Pinchas realizes that the spiritual state of Israel is at risk. The nation is on the verge of of moral collapse.’ The law is inadequate ‘for moments of total breakdown. The law itself is refined by moral insight. There are many instances in which the Sages quietly reshape or soften biblical law because they sense that it’s literal form does not reflect G-d’s deeper will’ (p 170).
‘Pinchas stands at the edge of the precipice where law, morality and responsibility collide. He saves the people and then pays the inner price.’
This leads us to the question of ‘unchecked tolerance.’ What are the limits of tolerance?
Rabbi Cardozo cites Karl Popper’s ‘The Open Society and its Enemies’ (1945). What is ‘the paradox of tolerance’? ‘Unlimited tolerance must lead to the disappearance of tolerance. If we extend unlimited tolerance even to those who are intolerant … then the tolerant will be destroyed.’
Or as former UK Chief Rabbi Jacobovits used to say: ‘If you are kind to the cruel, the cruel will destroy the kind.’ Don’t we see this insidious poison daily in our own lives, where DEI reigns supreme and the majority population are the subject of pernicious discrimination. As for the experience of the Jewish community in this situation, you could write a book about it.
Popper, a refugee from Nazi Austria, ‘argued that a society committed to tolerance must paradoxically refuse to tolerate intolerance.’ Rabbi Cardozo asks: ‘Is [tolerance] truly a virtue? Or has it become a disguise for apathy, confusion, or cowardice?’ 
He cites Ogden Nash: ‘Sometimes with secret pride I sigh,How tolerant am I.Then wonder what is really mine:Tolerance or a rubber spine.’
Tolerance has now become ‘what we personally find comfortable. When does tolerance become dangerous permissiveness, and when does intolerance mask itself as moral integrity?’
Pinchas is one among many Bible heroes, including the prophets, who were ‘moral pioneers.’ So let’s circle back to this special day in the human calendar, the 250th anniversary of America’s birth. There is no doubt that the Pilgrim Fathers and others who followed them can be considered as ‘moral pioneers’. And so were the Jewish refugees and others who eventually made their homes in the USA. And unlike in Europe, including the UK, Jews were not simply ‘tolerated’ but made at once to feel part and parcel of their new homeland, which they did so much to build up.
After all, who do we feel more akin to, George III of Great Britain or Founding Father George Washington? Was the American Revolution merely an act of rebellion or a passionate desire for freedom? Probably the latter!
Let’s cite George Washington himself, from his address to the Jews of Newport Rhode Island on August 21st 1790: ‘The citizens of the United States of America have a right to applaud themselves for having given to mankind examples of a large and liberal policy - a policy worthy of imitation. All possess alike liberty of conscience and immunities of citizenship. ‘It is now no more that toleration is spoken of as if it were the indulgence of one class of people that another enjoyed the exercise of their inherent natural rights, for, happily, the Government of the United States, which gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance, requires only that they who live under their protection shall demean themselves as good citizens in giving it on all occasions their effectual support.
‘It would be inconsistent with the frankness of my character not to avow that I am pleased with your favorable opinion of my administration and fervent wishes for my felicity.‘May the children of the stock of Abraham who dwell in this land continue to merit and enjoy the good will of the other inhabitants - while everyone shall sit in safety under his own vine and fig tree and there shall be none to make him afraid [Micah 4:4].
‘May the father of all mercies scatter light, and not darkness, upon our paths, and make us all in our several vocations useful here, and in His own due time and way everlastingly happy.’
This foundational letter in American history was later developed into the famous First Amendment of the US Constitution of 1791, protecting freedom of religion, speech, the press, assembly and petition. 
As we have seen, America is full of generous, giving people and I have encountered many, especially on Zoom calls during Covid as well as in Israel.
America is more than a nation, it is the living out of a dream. And this is what that country shares with the State of Israel. ]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Religion treated as a 'problem' in US public life]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiantoday.com/news/religion-treated-as-a-problem-in-us-public-life</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiantoday.com/news/religion-treated-as-a-problem-in-us-public-life</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Jon Brown]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[USA, United States, America]]></media:title>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Mon, 29 Jun 2026 09:28:00 +0100</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[A new report warns that such an attitude has served as the basis for increasing conflicts that have permeated American society and compromised religious liberty at various levels.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
Commissioners of the White House Religious Liberty Commission delivered their final report to President Donald Trump in the Oval Office on Friday afternoon, following their yearlong investigation into the emerging threats to faith in the United States, which they confirmed are increasing.
The report, which spans more than 200 pages and was compiled from findings from the commission's seven hearings since Trump established it last year, drew on the testimony of more than 100 witnesses regarding growing encroachments.
Some of the testimonies came from mothers who were lied to by their children's school administrators, children who were bullied because of their religious beliefs, healthcare workers who faced retaliation for opposing transgender procedures, as well as workers and military service members whose careers were destroyed because they objected to vaccine mandates.
"Although their circumstances differed, their stories shared a common theme," the report said of the witnesses, who were diverse in ages, backgrounds and faith traditions. "Far too often in our national life, religion is treated not as a protected and valued contribution to public life, but as a problem or annoyance to be managed, restricted, or sidelined."
The report warned that such an attitude has served as the basis for increasing conflicts that have permeated American society and compromised religious liberty at various levels.
"Among our conclusions, we believe that safeguarding religious liberty requires more than defending legal rights after they have been violated. It requires cultivating a culture that understands why those rights exist in the first place," it said.
The report concluded that the metaphor of "a wall of separation between church and state," which it noted is not found in the U.S. Constitution, has been misapplied and weaponized to exclude religious Americans from the public square.
During the final commission hearing in April, Texas Lt. Gov. and Chairman Dan Patrick said the phrase, which comes from a letter Thomas Jefferson wrote about religious liberty to the Danbury Baptists in 1802, has become "the biggest lie that's been told in America since our founding."
He reiterated his assertion during the gathering of the commissioners in the Oval Office on Friday, warning that "the left has used that one phrase ... to batter and hammer people of faith for the last 70 to 80 years."
The report emphasized that none of America's founding documents suggests that faith was ever intended to have no influence upon the government, or that the First Amendment's aim was "to exile the practice of religion from public life." It offered instead the analogy that religious liberty serves as "a bridge between church and state," and that the institutions can "strengthen and support one another."
At the event in the Oval Office, clinical psychologist and TV personality Phil McGraw said he was shocked during his time on the commission to discover how pervasive rising instances of religious discrimination against Americans had become.
Emphasizing that the commission was not "performative," McGraw said, "What stuck out for me is how many Americans showed up saying that they were persecuted — in healthcare, military, education, different walks of life — for living their faith and standing up for their faith."
"It's not just the liberty to choose which house of worship they want, it's actually getting into their daily life, and they're being persecuted in their jobs, in their professions. And that's where the fight for liberty is actually showing up," he continued, going on to praise the witnesses for their courage in stepping forward.
The report offered 12 specific recommendations to strengthen religious liberty, beginning with instructing the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to issue guidance clarifying the proper understanding of the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and the separation of church and state.
Another recommendation included the DOJ, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issuing "Know Your Rights" posters to inform students, parents, public school teachers and administrators, religious leaders, religious institutions, healthcare workers and military service members.
The commission also recommended that the DOJ, HHS and EEOC create religious liberty violation hotlines and online portals for students, parents, teachers and healthcare workers to obtain support when they face potential religious liberty violations.
Other recommendations include nominating federal judges who respect religious liberty; combating antisemitism through civil rights laws; instructing the DOJ to establish a religious liberty task force to track and prioritize litigation to protect religious liberty; and working to restore retirement or re-enlistment eligibility for service members who refused the COVID-19 injections.
It also called for the repeal of the Johnson Amendment, a 1954 federal tax code provision that prohibits tax-exempt organizations from directly or indirectly endorsing or opposing political candidates. Trump has called for its repeal in the past, a move that would require an act of Congress.
The report's release came the same day Trump delivered an address to the Faith & Freedom Coalition's Road to Majority Conference in Washington, D.C., during which he highlighted the importance of religious liberty, the commission's work, and what he characterized as state-sanctioned hostility toward Christians under the Biden administration.
"They turned a nation founded on freedom for believers into a place where Catholics were targeted by the FBI, where pro-life grandmothers were put in jail for praying and where members of our military were thrown out of the armed forces for their religious lives," Trump said of his predecessor's administration.
"The radicals responsible for these offenses would have loved nothing more than to mark America's 250th anniversary by driving God from our public square once and for all. They wanted to do that. I don't know how anybody could vote for these people."
Trump warned that members of the political left and the Democratic Party are radicalizing in their antipathy toward Christianity as they drift further into overt communism, which he called a "godless" ideology that has failed repeatedly.
"They want to resume the transgender immunization of our children. They want to restart the war on Christians and churches, and as you saw with the communists elected in New York City recently ... they want to completely destroy the traditional American way of life," he said, warning that Democrats will effectively reduce the country to "a disaster area" if they are allowed to regain power.
"These are not social Democrats; these are hardcore, godless communists. They're godless communists. All communists are godless. They don't believe in God. This is the most serious threat to our country since its existence, in my opinion, 250 years ago. This is a major threat to our country," Trump said.
The White House Religious Liberty Commission had been fraught with controversy and infighting in recent months as religious questions increasingly took center stage in the national discourse.
In February, conservative Catholic activist and former Miss California USA Carrie Prejean Boller was removed from the commission following a tense exchange with Babylon Bee CEO Seth Dillon about Gaza, Zionism and the definition of antisemitism. Sameerah Munshi, a Muslim adviser to the commission, subsequently resigned in protest of Boller's removal and the war in Iran.
© The Christian Post]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Five Christian footballers using football’s biggest stage to point people to Christ]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiantoday.com/news/five-christian-footballers-using-footballs-biggest-stage-to-point-people-to-christ</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiantoday.com/news/five-christian-footballers-using-footballs-biggest-stage-to-point-people-to-christ</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Obianuju Mbah]]></dc:creator>
                                                                                                                            <media:content  url="https://www.christiantoday.com/media/original/img/9/89/98949.png">
                            <media:title><![CDATA[Marc Guéhi]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ (Photo: ToshibaTV) ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Sat, 20 Jun 2026 10:50:00 +0100</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[Amid the goals, trophies and celebrations, some players are using football’s biggest stage to point beyond themselves and give glory to God. ]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
The World Cup is underway, capturing the attention of millions of fans across the globe. Every four years, the tournament sparks passion, drama and national pride, creating unforgettable moments. Yet amid the goals, trophies and celebrations, some players are using football’s biggest stage to point beyond themselves and give glory to God. 
For these footballers, faith is not simply a private belief reserved for Sundays. It shapes how they handle success, respond to setbacks and use their platform. Here are five Christian players to watch at this summer’s World Cup.
Marc Guéhi (England)
England defender Marc Guéhi has become one of the most respected defenders in world football. Born in the Ivory Coast before moving to the UK as a child, Guéhi was spotted by a Chelsea scout at the age of six and developed through the club’s academy system.
After a successful spell at Crystal Palace, where he captained the club to FA Cup success in 2025, Guéhi moved to Manchester City and is a key figure for England's national team at the 2026 World Cup.
His Christian faith has been central to his life from an early age. His father, John Guéhi, pastors a church in South London, and Marc has often spoken about the influence of his upbringing. He regularly has Bible verses inscribed on his boots, including Isaiah 54:17: “No weapon forged against you will prevail.”
Guéhi made international headlines when he wrote “Jesus loves U” on a Rainbow Pride captain's armband during a Premier League fixture. While the gesture resulted in a reprimand from the Football Association, it also sparked widespread discussion about faith, freedom of expression, and Christian witness in professional football.
Bukayo Saka (England)
Few players have captured the hearts of England supporters quite like Bukayo Saka. Born in London to Nigerian parents, Saka came through Arsenal’s academy and has become one of the club's brightest stars, helping them secure the Premier League title during the 2025-26 season.
Internationally, Saka has been a crucial player for England, featuring in the Euro 2020 and Euro 2024 finals and scoring three goals at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Despite his rapid rise, Saka consistently places his faith above football. In an interview during the 2022 World Cup, he said: “It's really important to obviously have the presence of God in me all the time, and it gives me more confidence that God’s plan is perfect so I can go on the pitch and know that God has my back.”
Saka has repeatedly spoken about the importance of his Christian faith and the role it plays in every area of his life. At Arsenal, he has been part of a group of Christian players affectionately known as the “Bible brothers,” alongside Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke. Teammates have often noted how his faith influences his attitude, humility and character both on and off the pitch.
Christian Pulisic (United States)
Nicknamed “Captain America,” Christian Pulisic has become the face of American soccer.
Raised in Pennsylvania, Pulisic moved to Germany as a teenager and developed at Borussia Dortmund, where he emerged as one of the Bundesliga's most exciting young talents. A transfer to Chelsea followed in 2019, and since joining AC Milan in 2023 he has become one of Serie A’s standout attacking players.
For the United States men's national team, Pulisic has already established himself among the country’s greatest players, becoming one of its leading goalscorers and helping guide the team into the knockout stages of the 2022 World Cup with a decisive goal against Iran.
Throughout his career, he has frequently spoken about his dependence on God. After a Champions League match in 2021, Pulisic said: “I've had to continue to prove myself over and over again. But, as always, I reach out to God and He gives me strength. With that behind me, nothing can stop me, really.”
His comments reflect a recurring theme among many Christian athletes: confidence rooted not in personal ability alone, but in trust in God's presence and purpose.
Alisson Becker (Brazil)
Brazil has produced some of football's greatest players, and goalkeeper Alisson Becker is widely regarded as one of the best in his position.
Alisson began his career with Internacional in Brazil, winning the Campeonato Gaúcho in 2014 and 2015 before moving to Roma in Italy in 2016. His performances earned him a transfer to Liverpool in 2018 for what was then a world-record fee for a goalkeeper. Since arriving at Anfield, the team has won the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup, while also receiving the Best FIFA Men's Goalkeeper award.
Now Brazil's first-choice goalkeeper for a third consecutive World Cup, Alisson remains outspoken about his faith. Writing about his Christian journey, he explained: “Real faith came to me later in life. Faith is not something that can be seen, or even put into words. It is a force that is more powerful than just a feeling of emotion, or a slogan. It is the complete trust in the Son of God, Jesus Christ.”
His faith is evident beyond public statements. In 2020, Alisson baptised Liverpool teammate Roberto Firmino in the swimming pool at his home. He has also spoken about the difference between religion and a personal relationship with Christ, saying: “I'm not religious. I'm a follower of Christ. Religion is often tied to traditions that have clouded the true message of Christianity. Jesus is far greater than religion.”
Noah Sadiki (DR Congo)
At just 21 years old, Noah Sadiki represents one of the rising stars of this World Cup.
Born in Brussels, Sadiki progressed through Anderlecht's academy before spells with Union Saint-Gilloise and Sunderland. Since joining Sunderland in 2025, he has quickly adapted to Premier League football and earned praise for his energy, athleticism and technical ability.
Although he represented Belgium at youth level, Sadiki chose to play internationally for the Democratic Republic of Congo. The 2026 tournament marks a historic moment for the nation, which is making its first World Cup appearance since 1974, when it competed as Zaire.
Sadiki is also unapologetic about his Christian faith. “I feel well talking about my faith because it's giving me peace and I thank every day my Lord and Savior to give me another day to enjoy the sport I did since I was young,” he said.
Following his first Africa Cup of Nations appearance, journalists asked him about the secret behind his strong performances. Rather than giving a lengthy answer, Sadiki simply held up his Bible.
Final thoughts
The World Cup is often a showcase of extraordinary talent, national pride and sporting drama. Yet for these players, the tournament is also an opportunity to bear witness to something greater than football.
Whether through Bible verses on boots, public testimonies, baptisms, post-match interviews or simple acts of gratitude, these players remind fans that faith and sport do not have to exist in separate worlds.
As millions tune in to watch the action unfold, they will be hoping to lift football’s most coveted trophy. But they are also among a growing number of players seeking to use the world's biggest sporting stage to point people towards Christ.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Over a million abortions took place in the US last year]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiantoday.com/news/over-a-million-abortions-took-place-in-the-us-last-year</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiantoday.com/news/over-a-million-abortions-took-place-in-the-us-last-year</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Samantha Kamman]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[abortion, pro-life]]></media:title>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Fri, 19 Jun 2026 09:21:00 +0100</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[DIY abortions now account for over a quarter of all abortions in the US.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
Abortion estimates released by the Society of Family Planning’s #WeCount project show a slight increase in abortions and highlight how telehealth abortions are undermining state abortion restrictions in the post-Dobbs era.
The #WeCount project report published earlier this month estimated that 1.13 million abortions took place across the United States in 2025. The Society of Family Planning’s (SFP) research initiative stated that the number of abortions in 2025 was slightly higher than it was in 2024. 
While the in-person abortion volume appeared to fluctuate from month to month, with monthly numbers in 2025 being lower than in 2024, the report found an increase in the number of telehealth abortions - those carried out by women at home using pills delivered in the mail following a virtual consultation with an abortion provider.
More than 300,000 abortions were provided via telehealth, according to the report, which found that, overall, 28% of abortions took place via telehealth. 
Telehealth abortions grew from 5% of all abortions in April 2022 to 29% in December 2025. In comparison, 13% of abortions were done via telehealth in 2023, and 22% were done by telehealth in 2024.
“Across the US, in states that permit abortion and telehealth provision of abortion, there was substantial variation in the proportion of abortions provided via telehealth, ranging from 8% to 44%,” the report stated. “In several larger population states (eg, New York, California, Illinois, and New Jersey), telehealth represents a smaller share of abortions, at 10-13% of all abortions.” 
As for states with restrictions on abortion and telehealth abortions, the report found that the share of abortions provided via telehealth under shield laws “varied widely.” 
In states that have a near-total ban on abortion, researchers found that telehealth abortions provided under shield laws made up “nearly all abortions occurring within those states.”
According to the report, the number of abortions remains higher than before the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization U.S. Supreme Court decision that overturned Roe v. Wade in June 2022 and ruled abortion is not a constitutional right.
Michael New, a senior associate scholar at the pro-life Charlotte Lozier Institute and an assistant professor of social research at The Catholic University in Washington, told The Christian Post that the #WeCount figures show that telehealth abortions are playing “a large role in this abortion increase.”
“Overall, this #WeCount report provides evidence that stopping telehealth abortions needs to be a top priority for pro-lifers. A recent Lozier Institute report shows that these telehealth abortions are largely unregulated," he said. 
“This is an important public health concern. The Trump administration’s [Food and Drug Administration] need not wait for the completion of a study to halt telehealth abortions.”
The #WeCount figures provide evidence about the importance of policy changes in the post-Dobbs era, he stressed. 
“Strong pro-life laws were struck down in both Missouri and North Dakota in 2024. Unsurprisingly, abortion numbers in both states dramatically increased in 2025. Delaware saw an increase as well — partly because their state Medicaid program started covering elective abortion in January 2025,” New told CP. 
Earlier this year, Planned Parenthood's former research arm released estimates that also show a rise in abortions in the United States despite the passage of restrictions. 
According to the data released by the Guttmacher Institute, an estimated 1,126,000 abortions were performed in the U.S. last year, a slight increase from the estimated 1,124,000 conducted in 2024.
In a statement to CP at the time, New said the data shows fewer women living in states with strong laws against abortion obtained abortions out of state in 2025, but the decline was "more than offset by the increase in women living in pro-life states who obtained telehealth abortions."
"Overall, Guttmacher's data indicated that 91,000 women living in states with strong pro-life laws obtained telehealth abortions in 2025 — an increase of more than 26% over the previous year."
"Overall, telehealth abortions are weakening the strong pro-life laws that many states passed after the Dobbs decision," he continued.
The pro-life scholar noted, however, that in-state abortion rates fell by approximately 25% in 2025 in Florida and Iowa after the states began enforcing heartbeat abortion bans that prohibit abortion once a preborn child's heartbeat becomes detectable.
"In 2024, Missouri voters placed legal abortion in the state's constitution," New stated. "Similarly, North Dakota's life at conception law was struck down in 2024. Both Missouri and North Dakota experienced large abortion increases in 2024."
While the pro-life scholar acknowledged the abortion estimates released by Guttmacher are "fairly accurate," he warned that the prevalence of telehealth abortions may reduce the accuracy of these recent abortion estimates.
© The Christian Post]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Fewer Americans believe faith is good for the country]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiantoday.com/news/fewer-americans-believe-faith-is-good-for-the-country</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiantoday.com/news/fewer-americans-believe-faith-is-good-for-the-country</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Staff writer]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[USA, United States, America]]></media:title>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Fri, 19 Jun 2026 09:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[The proportion of Americans who believe their country would benefit if more people were religious has declined since 2013.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
A new opinion poll from Gallup has suggested that while most Americans believe their country would benefit if more people were religious, the proportion has declined.
Nearly two thirds (65 per cent) felt that more religious people would be good for their country, down from 75 per cent who agreed with that view in 2013.
At the same time, the proportion of people who believe greater religiosity would be bad for society has risen from 17 per cent to 22 per cent.
Broken down into different demographics, Gallup's figures show that the change in attitudes is by no means taking place across the board. Among Republican voters and Catholics, the proportion believing faith is good for the country has actually risen since 2013.
Among every other group measured the figures have dropped. The biggest drops were among women, people aged 18-34, those with some college education, and Democrat voters, all of whom saw a 16 per cent drop in the idea that faith is good for the country.
Perhaps surprisingly, even among those who go to a religious service at least once a week, the proportion who believe faith is good for the country fell by five per cent. Protestants and those in non-denominational churches also saw a drop of seven per cent since 2013.
The poll showed that every demographic is more likely to believe that government policies impact on moral values.
Between 2006 and 2026 the proportion of people who believed this has risen from 59 per cent to 69 per cent. The biggest change was among 18-34 year olds and those with no religious affiliation, who both saw a 19 per cent rise in the belief that government policies impact moral values.
The smallest change was among 35–54 year olds, who went from 61 per cent agreeing with the statement in 2006 to 63 per cent this year.
Commenting on the results of their findings, Gallup said, “While Americans continue to believe a more religious society would serve the US well, fewer hold this view than did in 2013.
"This shift has come as the percentage of Americans who are religious are, by nearly any measure, near historical lows.
“Americans are divided, mostly along party and religious lines, on whether government should promote moral values in the US, but fewer also believe this than did three decades ago.
"At the same time, more Americans think that government policies can affect moral values.”]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Bethel Church distances itself from Todd Bentley and Mike Bickle]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiantoday.com/news/bethel-church-distances-itself-from-todd-bentley-and-mike-bickle</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiantoday.com/news/bethel-church-distances-itself-from-todd-bentley-and-mike-bickle</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Katelyn Webb]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Bethel Church]]></media:title>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Sat, 06 Jun 2026 11:18:00 +0100</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[Bethel Church has announced a sweeping review of its leadership culture, saying that some areas  require "attention and reform".]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
Months after placing pastor Ben Armstrong on administrative leave amid sexual abuse allegations, Bethel Church has announced a sweeping review of its leadership culture and distanced itself from several controversial figures in the charismatic movement, including Todd Bentley, Mike Bickle and Shawn Bolz.
In a lengthy update released by church leadership on May 28, the influential California megachurch said feedback from congregants, staff, alumni, elders and leaders throughout the broader Christian community revealed areas of its culture and leadership that require "attention and reform."
"This feedback was moving and important," the church said. "It has shown us areas in our leadership and culture that need attention and reform. Since February, we have been working hard to make positive changes to our culture and structure."
The church said it has already implemented a number of changes, including canceling its 2026 Healing Conference in April, reshaping major conferences to focus more heavily on serving local church members, gathering feedback from staff and creating volunteer focus groups aimed at strengthening accountability and connection.
Bethel also said it engaged outside leadership to review the church's governance, organizational structure, leadership culture and operational health. Meanwhile, day-to-day operations are now being overseen by an executive team led by Steve Moore and Richard Gordon. Senior leaders Bill Johnson, Kris Vallotton, Kathy Vallotton and Dann Farrelly will remain in their ministry roles.
The reforms come as an independent investigation continues into allegations involving Armstrong, Bethel's Prophetic Ministry director and former Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry Revival Group pastor.
In February, the church placed Armstrong on administrative leave after a former student publicly alleged she was groomed and sexually abused by him in 2009 while attending Bethel's ministry school. Bethel said the investigation is currently being conducted by an independent organization with expertise in complex investigations.
The church said its broader review includes leadership accountability, prophetic ministry oversight, pastoral conduct, reporting procedures, restoration practices, public ministry accountability and the theological frameworks that have shaped Bethel's culture.
Leaders also said they are specifically examining teachings related to honor, authority, accountability, restoration and reconciliation, as well as the culture and power dynamics within the Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry.
Among the most notable announcements was Bethel's decision to publicly confirm that it no longer platforms or endorses several prominent ministry figures.
"Following internal review and discussion, we've made the decision to confirm publicly that we no longer platform the following individuals," the church said before naming Todd Bentley, Mike Bickle, Shawn Bolz and Bob Hartley.
The church devoted significant attention to explaining its position on restoration and ministry leadership, emphasizing that forgiveness and personal restoration do not automatically qualify someone for a return to public ministry.
"Restoration and reinstatement are not the same thing," Bethel said. "Restoration is about healing, repentance, redemption, and helping someone be made whole again in Christ. Reinstatement is about returning someone to a previous position of leadership, influence, or responsibility."
The statement added that leaders must demonstrate "the fruit of repentance" and rebuild trust before being considered for positions of influence.
"We should always pursue restoration, but reinstatement must be approached with wisdom, because grace offers forgiveness, but it does not remove the need for stewardship, consequences, and rebuilding trust," the church said.
Bethel also addressed Bob Hartley specifically, stating that concerns raised in previous years led the church to restrict his ministry involvement, inform the congregation and later limit his access to Bethel's campus.
“We restricted his ministry involvement, informed our church community, and later limited his access to Bethel’s campus. As part of our current review, we want to clearly state that Bob Hartley is not endorsed, platformed, or permitted to serve in ministry influence at Bethel,” the church said.
The church said it has expanded its Safe Church reporting processes, strengthened review procedures for allegations involving misconduct or misuse of spiritual authority and begun consulting with outside experts in clergy accountability and leadership dynamics.
"We believe God is calling us to create a healthier culture," church leaders wrote. "We want our church family to be known for God's presence, purity, power, humility, wisdom, integrity, healthy leadership, accountability, safety, and real pastoral care."
In wake of the controversies, Jenn Johnson, who with her husband, Brian, have served as senior worship pastors at Bethel since 2000, recently told podcaster Alex Enfiedjian the church is a “very big organization” with people of various beliefs and “good hearts and good intentions, but kind of just doing a lot of different things that necessarily we wouldn’t all on a leadership level vouch for.”
“I definitely have seen a beautiful, healthy correction along the years,” she said, adding the church’s leaders are “very good, trustworthy people who are very human and are trying to live their lives according to the Bible and run the good race and shepherd an insane amount of people.”
“We definitely don’t all believe the same things at Bethel,” she continued, “and there are definitely some very weird things that have happened from people who are in lower levels, especially of leadership, but also higher, [myself] included, because we’re all human.”
© The Christian Post]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Washington Archdiocese parts ways with exorcist priest over UFO remarks]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiantoday.com/news/washington-archdiocese-parts-ways-with-exorcist-priest-over-ufo-remarks</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiantoday.com/news/washington-archdiocese-parts-ways-with-exorcist-priest-over-ufo-remarks</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Duncan Williams]]></dc:creator>
                                                                                                                            <media:content  url="https://www.christiantoday.com/media/original/img/9/89/98902.png">
                            <media:title><![CDATA[Stephen Rossetti]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Stephen Rossetti ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Fri, 05 Jun 2026 11:32:00 +0100</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[A prominent Christian exorcist has been removed from his role by the Archdiocese of Washington after suggesting that many reported UFO sightings could be linked to demonic activity.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
A prominent Christian exorcist has been removed from his role by the Archdiocese of Washington after suggesting that many reported UFO sightings could be linked to demonic activity.
Cardinal Robert McElroy announced on 3 June that Monsignor Stephen Rossetti had been removed as an exorcist for the archdiocese following comments made in a recent online video. Rossetti, a priest of the Diocese of Syracuse in New York, had served in the role for 19 years.
The archdiocese also confirmed that it had ended its affiliation with the St Michael Center for Spiritual Renewal, a Washington-based Catholic non-profit organisation led by Rossetti. The centre provides spiritual education programmes and training for clergy, religious communities and lay people.
The decision follows a video posted to YouTube on 29 May in which Rossetti discussed unidentified flying objects and their possible origins. In the video, he expressed his personal belief that "many, if not most, [UFO] sightings are, in fact, demons".
Such entities, he said, "can do things that we can't do, such [as] the speed and all sorts of things that human beings can't do."
In a statement published by the Archdiocese of Washington, Cardinal McElroy said Rossetti's remarks "gravely undermine the Church’s very precise teaching on the devil, demons, and exorcism".
The cardinal also criticised the St Michael Center's "recent use of social media", although no further details were provided.
Responding to the decision, Rossetti said he was "saddened" by the archdiocese's actions and acknowledged the concerns that had been raised.
"I ask forgiveness for any ways that I have not been faithful to the teachings of the Church’s magisterium, particularly in the cited video on 'aliens and the demonic'," he said. 
Rossetti also reflected on his long service within the archdiocese.
"I am grateful for 19 years of ministering in the Archdiocese of Washington as its exorcist and I thank the archdiocese for its support and blessing all these years," the statement continued.
"We will remember the cardinal and all in [the archdiocese] in our prayers for its important ministry."
Despite the separation from the Archdiocese of Washington, Rossetti indicated that the St Michael Center would continue operating.
"The St Michael Center plans to continue its ministry elsewhere," he said.
Shortly after the controversy emerged, the YouTube video that prompted the archdiocese's decision was made private.
The Archdiocese of Washington's decision signals a clear effort to distance itself from interpretations it believes fall outside official Church teaching.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[A growing number of Protestants say others don’t know they’re Christian]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiantoday.com/news/a-growing-number-of-protestants-say-others-dont-know-theyre-christian</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiantoday.com/news/a-growing-number-of-protestants-say-others-dont-know-theyre-christian</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Leonardo Blair]]></dc:creator>
                                                                                                                            <media:content  url="https://www.christiantoday.com/media/original/img/9/79/97965.jpg">
                            <media:title><![CDATA[coffee, friends, fellowship, friendship, sharing the faith, evangelism]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ (Photo: Getty/iStock) ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Wed, 27 May 2026 09:04:00 +0100</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[The honesty of churchgoers about gaps in living unashamed reveals large numbers have room for growth in this important aspect of discipleship,” said Scott McConnell, executive director of Lifeway Research.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
A growing share of Protestant churchgoers in the US say many people aren’t aware that they’re Christians. Still, a majority of them wouldn’t hesitate to let non-Christians know where they stand on their faith, according to a new Lifeway Research study.
In the study, 2025 State of Discipleship Living Unashamed, Lifeway researchers highlight the beliefs, desires and actions of Protestant churchgoers in the U.S. around living unashamed. Living Unashamed is one of eight signposts in Lifeway’s Discipleship Pathway Assessment used to measure spiritual maturity.
The latest Living Unashamed study included responses from 2,130 Protestant churchgoers to six questions collected in a survey conducted from March 19–26, 2025. On a scale of 0 to 100, the average churchgoer scored a 61, which is the seventh lowest among the signposts.
More than half (53%) of Protestant churchgoers either somewhat or strongly disagreed with the statement that “Many people who know me are not aware I am a Christian.” Another 30%, however, either strongly or somewhat agreed while 17% were neutral.
The 30% share of Christians who agree that many people aren’t aware they are Christian reflects a doubling of that cohort since 2013.
Data from a 2013 Lifeway Research study shows that 14% of churchgoers said many people who knew them weren’t aware they were a Christian. That climbed to 20% in a 2019 Lifeway Research study. Approximately six years later, it stands at 30%.
“Ideally, a Christian would be talking about their relationship with Jesus Christ, not as something they have to say, but as an overflow of their love for Him and His impact on their lives. The honesty of churchgoers about gaps in living unashamed reveals large numbers have room for growth in this important aspect of discipleship,” Scott McConnell, executive director of Lifeway Research, said in a statement on the study.
“It can be very easy to compartmentalize our lives. We have work friends, neighborhood friends, church friends and friends we meet up with for fun who may not overlap,” added McConnell. “The discipleship question is whether Jesus Christ is in all of these parts of our lives as part of our core identity as a follower of Christ.”
When it comes to letting non-Christians know about their faith, however, 65% of churchgoers either strongly or somewhat disagree with the statement that “I am hesitant to let non-Christians know that I am a Christian.” Some 17% either strongly or somewhat agree with the statement, while an identical share said they neither agree nor disagree.
Protestant churchgoers were also almost equally resistant to the statement that “Many aspects of who I am have nothing to do with God.” A healthy 61% of them somewhat or strongly disagree. Another 21% strongly or somewhat agree while 18% neither agree nor disagree.
The study also showed that even when speaking with other Christians, only 35% of American Protestants either somewhat or strongly disagree with the statement that “Spiritual matters do not tend to come up as a normal part of my daily conversations with other Christians.” A significant 42% of respondents in the study either somewhat or strongly agree with the statement while 23% neither agree nor disagree.
When it comes to identifying as a follower of Christ, churchgoers are divided.
In response to the statement, “I don’t think everyone I am acquainted with needs to know I am a follower of Christ,” less than half of churchgoers (47%) somewhat or strongly disagree with it. Another 33% strongly or somewhat agree while 20% neither agree nor disagree.
Research released by Barna in 2022 found that a majority (56%) of Christians see their spiritual lives as private. A 2021 survey released by Probe Ministries, a nonprofit that seeks to help the Church in renewing the minds of believers with a Christian worldview, found that the acceptance of pluralism was among the top reasons they gave for not telling others about their faith.
When asked why they don’t share their beliefs with others, born-again respondents selected the following as their top three responses: “They can get to Heaven through their different religious beliefs,” “We shouldn’t impose our ideas on others” and “The Bible tells us not to judge others.” 
“At first glance, this may seem surprising. But in a culture where pluralism is a dominant part of all religious groups, it begins to make sense,” said Steve Cable, senior vice president of Probe Ministries. “And the pluralistic reasons were dominant, attracting around two-thirds of the population across all religious groupings.” 
© The Christian Post]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Pastor Greg Locke's 20-year-old son dies from drug overdose]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiantoday.com/news/pastor-greg-locke-s-20-year-old-son-dies-from-drug-overdose</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiantoday.com/news/pastor-greg-locke-s-20-year-old-son-dies-from-drug-overdose</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Leonardo Blair]]></dc:creator>
                                                                                                                            <media:content  url="https://www.christiantoday.com/media/original/img/9/88/98835.png">
                            <media:title><![CDATA[Pastor Greg Locke]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ (Photo: TKO Publicity) ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Pastor Greg Locke ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Sun, 10 May 2026 17:25:00 +0100</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[Greg Locke, pastor of Global Vision Bible Church in Lebanon, Tennessee, announced Friday that his 20-year-old son, Evan Roberts Locke, has died.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
Greg Locke, pastor of Global Vision Bible Church in Lebanon, Tennessee, announced Friday that his 20-year-old son, Evan Roberts Locke, has died.
The pastor's announcement was made on his social media just a few hours after he was told his son had died from a drug overdose.
“Today, words fail us. It’s been a long, hard battle the last few years. In times like this, the sacrifices and the struggles don’t even matter. A few hours ago we received the most earth-shattering news that our 20-year-old son, Evan Roberts Locke, could not be revived after his heart stopped due to an overdose,” Locke said.
“His struggle was very public. It was used as a warning to many, a punchline to the haters, but an overall reminder that even in our deepest pain, the grace of Jesus will sustain us. I’ll address the church family with arrangement details this Sunday. Please respect our privacy. He has 5 heartbroken siblings and a world of people that helped him along his journey,” the statement ended.
Since making the announcement just after 8 p.m. ET on Friday, Locke has received an outpouring of support from Evangelicals, like missionary and activist Sean Feucht.
“Brother I am so so sorry and my heart and prayers are with your family,” Feucht replied on X.
“Absolutely heartbreaking!!! Greg Locke, I’m praying for Holy Ghost Comfort, Strength and Supernatural Healing for you, your Family and everyone of us who were blessed to know Evan in JESUS Mighty Name!!!! Much love from our Family to each of you!!!” wrote revivalist and evangelist Stan Lovins II on Facebook.
© The Christian Post]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Campaign seeks to put children's rights first in gay marriage debate]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiantoday.com/news/campaign-seeks-to-put-children-s-rights-first-in-gay-marriage-debate</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiantoday.com/news/campaign-seeks-to-put-children-s-rights-first-in-gay-marriage-debate</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Obianuju Mbah]]></dc:creator>
                                                                                                                            <media:content  url="https://www.christiantoday.com/media/original/img/9/88/98826.png">
                            <media:title><![CDATA[Katy Faust]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ (Photo: Them Before Us) ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Katy Faust ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Wed, 06 May 2026 06:42:00 +0100</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[Katy Faust is challenging the legal definition of marriage in the US, arguing that the rights of children to a mother and father have been undermined, and she sees parallels with the UK.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
Katy Faust, the founder of Them Before Us, has set out a fresh campaign to challenge the legal redefinition of marriage in the US, arguing that the issue is ultimately about children, parenthood and the role of the state.
Speaking to the Coalition for Marriage’s Tony Rucinski, Ms Faust said the Greater Than Alliance was, in her view, “the first attempt in any country to retake marriage on behalf of children” after same-sex marriage had been written into national law.
The campaign seeks to make what she called a direct connection between same-sex marriage and a wider shift in how parenthood is understood. 
“If you believe in gay marriage, mothers and fathers are optional in the life of a child,” she said. “If you believe children have a right to their mother and father, benefit from their mother and father, long to be known by their mother and father, you cannot support gay marriage as policy.”
She highlighted that the debate is not centred on opposition to individuals, but on how law defines parenthood. 
Throughout the interview, Ms Faust returned to the argument that marriage should not be treated chiefly as an expression of adult desire or identity. Instead, she described it as a social institution ordered towards children and their bond with their biological parents.
She explained: “You can and should love your gay family and friends, but you have to reject the idea that marriage is a vehicle of adult validation. It is not. It is and always has been the tool that nearly every society throughout history has used to unite children to their mother and father so that they can have the best shot at being safe and loved, invested in, connected to, discover their identity and maximising their development.”
The Greater Than Alliance brings together around 100 organisations and individuals in the US. The aim, she explained, is to challenge not only same-sex marriage itself but the wider legal and cultural assumptions that sit behind it.
A major theme in the discussion was adoption. 
Ms Faust rejected the idea that adoption policy should focus primarily on meeting a couple’s needs for children, saying: “Adoption doesn’t exist for adults. This is not some vehicle to have a DEI win on the registry … You talk about it [adoption] as an industry. I talk about it as an institution, an institution that is centred around the best interest of the child.”
Drawing on her own experience as an adoptive mother, Ms Faust argued that children benefit from both maternal and paternal influence. 
Speaking about one of her sons, she said he needed both deep nurture and firm boundaries, adding: “He needed one of each.”
The conversation then widened into questions of parenthood, fertility law and the state’s authority. 
Ms Faust said the deeper issue was whether parenthood is something to be recognised in law or something the state can assign. 
She expounded: “Parenthood should be observed, not assigned … If biology does not matter when it comes to parenthood, you render children as legal accessories. They are now objects to be assigned to any adult.”
In her view, once the law detaches parenthood from biology, it opens the door to a much broader reordering of family life. 
She warned that the implications stretch well beyond marriage policy alone, affecting adoption, surrogacy and birth registration. 
“If the state has the ability to assign parentage to an unrelated adult, they have much more the ability to unassign parentage from you, from your own relationship with your own child,” she said. 
The interview also touched on the UK. In response to questions from Mr Rucinski, Ms Faust argued that Britain had already shifted significantly by treating parenthood in increasingly legal rather than biological terms. 
She said that any attempt to “retake marriage” in the UK must begin by restoring what she called the “natural contours of the family” in law and public language. 
She added: “We will say mothers and fathers, not guardians, not parents. We are going to say biology matters. We're going to recognise that in our laws. We are going to say there's something different about a procreative relationship versus a relationship that centres around adult identity. These things do different things for children.”
While the US and UK differ in their legal frameworks, Ms Faust believes the underlying questions are shared. 
“It all comes back to this child,” she said. “Where do they come from? To whom do they have a natural right? What are the conditions that lead to their flourishing?”]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Sam Allberry resigns after being 'disqualified' from ministry by church]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiantoday.com/news/sam-allberry-resigns-after-being-disqualified-from-ministry-by-church</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiantoday.com/news/sam-allberry-resigns-after-being-disqualified-from-ministry-by-church</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Staff writer]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Sam Allberry]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ (Photo: Identity Project) ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Sam Allberry ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Tue, 05 May 2026 08:48:00 +0100</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[Sam Allberry has resigned from his position as associate pastor of Immanuel Church Nashville after reportedly being in an “inappropriate relationship with an adult man in 2022". ]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
Sam Allberry, one of the leading apologists for the view that Christians can identify as same-sex attracted and celibate, has resigned from his position as associate pastor of Immanuel Church Nashville. 
He had been in the role since 2023 prior to his resignation, which came after he was “disqualified from gospel ministry” by the church elders after reportedly being in an “inappropriate relationship with an adult man in 2022". The church's leadership includes Barnabas Piper, the son of John Piper.
Protestia reports that the relationship had already ended before Allberry's appointment and that the church became aware of it in 2024 but did not believe his conduct amounted to disqualifying behaviour. The church leadership changed their position after new information came to light. 
In a statement the church said that his conduct had "constituted a serious breach of trust and a failure to walk in a manner worthy of the gospel". 
"The Elders are unanimous in their decision that Sam is currently disqualified from gospel ministry. Sam agrees with this decision and has resigned from Immanuel Church," they said.
They added, "Throughout this process, Sam has been repentant, humble, and cooperative with the Elders and outside counsel."
Allberry has also resigned from the Keller Center for Cultural Apologetics. 
The Gospel Coalition, which Allberry contributed to, said it would be removing his articles "per TGC policy and procedures".
"We are heartbroken over this news, and we continue to pray for Sam, Immanuel Church and everyone affected," it said. 
Living Out, which Allberry co-founded in the UK for Christians who identify as gay and celibate, said it would not be removing his articles as "his many past contributions to this site retain their value".
It said in a statement, "Living Out exists because of people like Sam, and for people like Sam. We continue to appreciate all that he has contributed to Living Out. Please join us in praying for Sam and everyone involved – and all of us impacted by this news."
Allberry has been one of the leading voices for the contested view that same-sex attraction is not sinful so long as it is not acted upon. He is the author of Is God Anti-Gay?, which is widely read in evangelical circles.
Church pastor and writer Michael Clary said he hoped Allberry's resignation would prompt discussion in the Church. 
"This was no random, moral failure, but the fruit of a system that refused to acknowledge 'same sex attraction' as a dangerous and sinful error, one that particularly aligns with the world’s agenda of normalizing every kind of sexual perversion," he said. 
"This is one of the most destructive forces in modern evangelicalism. And the whole godless enterprise needs to be dismantled, brick by brick, and burned to the ground."]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[US churchgoers report stronger faith and renewed commitment five years after Covid pandemic]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiantoday.com/news/us-churchgoers-report-stronger-faith-and-renewed-commitment-five-years-after-covid-pandemic</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiantoday.com/news/us-churchgoers-report-stronger-faith-and-renewed-commitment-five-years-after-covid-pandemic</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Obianuju Mbah]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[church, Christianity, church attendance]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ (Photo: Getty/iStock) ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Sat, 02 May 2026 05:31:00 +0100</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[A major new survey of over 24,000 Christian churchgoers in the US suggests many believe their faith and congregational life have strengthened in the years since the Covid-19 pandemic.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
A major new survey of over 24,000 Christian churchgoers in the US suggests many believe their faith and congregational life have strengthened in the years since the Covid-19 pandemic.
The report, This Place Means Everything to Me, was produced by Faith Communities Today and the Exploring the Pandemic Impact on Congregations project. 
Based on responses gathered from Christian churchgoers across over 80 denominations, it offers a rare look at post-pandemic church life from the perspective of worshippers rather than clergy.
Overall, the findings present a “largely positive picture” among those still attending church. 
Researchers found that 64% of respondents attend worship at least weekly, while 21% said they attend more frequently than they did five years ago. 
More than 80% said their attendance had either stayed the same or risen over the past five years. Only 15% reported a decline in attendance.
The findings also point to a significant post-pandemic influx of new churchgoers, with over a third (38%) saying they had joined their current congregation within the past five years. 
Among them, 69% had moved from another church, while 22% were returning after a long absence and 8% were attending church for the first time.
The leading reason new attenders chose their church was congruence with their beliefs, values and preferences, cited by 63%. 
A warm atmosphere and worship experience were each cited by 45%, while 44% pointed to denominational or faith tradition links.
Online worship also remains a significant part of church life, though in-person attendance is still favoured. 
Three quarters of respondents attend mainly in person, while around 26% of respondents regularly worship online or combine online and in-person attendance. 
Among online worshippers, 46% cited convenience as a reason for participating virtually. Others pointed to work schedules, illness, caregiving, family responsibilities or accessibility. 
Only 8% said they preferred online worship itself.
The report found that online worshippers are often more engaged than some church leaders may assume, with 95% saying they pray or meditate during services, 79% reading along, and 71% singing along. However, 64% said they were also occupied with other tasks while watching.
The report found high satisfaction with online worship, with 87% of virtual churchgoers saying they were satisfied or very satisfied.
Financial giving and volunteering also appear to have recovered. Nearly all respondents (93%) said they give financially to their church, while 37% said their giving had increased over the past five years. 
Half volunteer at least monthly, and 24% said they now volunteer more than before. Around one in five (19%) said they were volunteering less.
The pandemic also appears to have reinforced personal faith for many active churchgoers. Over half (55%) said their religious faith had grown stronger, while 57% reported stronger spirituality. 
Almost half said they felt more connected to their church (49%) and more confident in its leadership (49%) and spiritual support (48%).
Most respondents also viewed their churches positively, with 84% saying they approved of their church’s pandemic response, and 49% believing their church has emerged stronger than before.
One respondent said their church was “a beacon of hope, healing and restoration,” while another said, “becoming a Christian has done nothing but vastly improve my life.”
Another worshipper reflected: “This place means everything to me.”
The study also highlighted changing patterns of church loyalty. Nearly half (46%) of respondents said they often take part in services at other churches, while 7% identify with more than one home church.
Researchers said those with multiple home churches tend to show lower commitment to any one congregation, though regularly engaging with other churches does not necessarily weaken involvement in a primary church.
The authors cautioned that the findings should not be read as a complete picture of all Americans’ religious experience. 
Respondents were mostly active churchgoers, and many attended larger congregations, which were often better equipped to withstand pandemic disruption.
Lead researcher Dr Scott Thumma said: “These findings shed light onto the changing patterns of attender participation that we can’t easily observe.
"For those who have remained as active participants in their churches, the pandemic seems to have been a catalyst to strengthen their faith, increase their giving and explore new ways of enhancing their spiritual practices.” ]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[King Charles tells US Congress Christianity is his ‘firm anchor and daily inspiration’ during historic Washington address]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiantoday.com/news/king-charles-tells-us-congress-christianity-is-his-firm-anchor-and-daily-inspiration-during-historic-washington-address</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiantoday.com/news/king-charles-tells-us-congress-christianity-is-his-firm-anchor-and-daily-inspiration-during-historic-washington-address</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Obianuju Mbah]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[King Charles III]]></media:title>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Wed, 29 Apr 2026 12:29:00 +0100</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[King Charles III declared that Christianity remains a “firm anchor and daily inspiration” in his life as he delivered a landmark address to a joint session of the United States Congress during his first official state visit to the US as monarch.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
King Charles III declared that Christianity remains a “firm anchor and daily inspiration” in his life as he delivered a landmark address to a joint session of the US Congress during his first official state visit to the US as monarch.
Speaking in Washington DC the King reflected openly on the role of faith in public and personal life, telling lawmakers: “For many here - and for myself - the Christian faith is a firm anchor and daily inspiration that guides us not only personally, but together as members of our community.”
The British monarch, who serves as Supreme Governor of the Church of England and holds the title “Defender of the Faith,” said his hope is rooted in Christian belief, noting that the liturgical calendar is still in the Easter season, “the season that most strengthens my hope.”
He added: “Having devoted a large part of my life to interfaith relationships and greater understanding, it is that faith in the triumph of light over darkness which I have found confirmed countless times.
“I believe, with all my heart, that the essence of our two nations is a generosity of spirit and a duty to foster compassion. To promote peace, to deepen mutual understanding and to value all people, of all faiths and of none.”
King Charles also referenced his long-standing commitment to interfaith dialogue, saying he had witnessed “the profound respect that develops as people of different faiths grow in their understanding of each other.”
The address formed part of a four-day visit to the US by the King and Queen Camilla, at the invitation of President Donald Trump, as America marks the 250th anniversary of its founding.
It was the King's first address to Congress as monarch, following in the footsteps of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, who spoke there in 1991. His grandfather, King George VI, became the first reigning British monarch to visit the US in 1939.
Marking the upcoming 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Charles said: “This atrocity was a defining moment for America, and your pain and shock were felt around the whole world. We stood with you then. And we stand with you now in solemn remembrance of a day that shall never be forgotten.”
The King said he and Queen Camilla would travel to New York later in the trip to honour victims and their families.
He also pointed to NATO’s invocation of Article 5 after the attacks and highlighted the military cooperation between the UK and US in conflicts including the two World Wars, Afghanistan and the ongoing support for Ukraine.
He remarked: “Today … that same, unyielding resolve is needed for the defence of Ukraine and her most courageous people in order to secure a truly just and lasting peace.”
The King returned to one of the causes he has championed for decades: environmental protection.
He warned lawmakers of “the collapse of critical natural systems” and said ignoring environmental threats would come “at our peril,” arguing that nature underpins both “prosperity” and “national security.”
Charles praised generations of Americans who have worked to preserve the nation’s “most precious and irreplaceable asset,” from rural communities to political and civic leaders.
He also celebrated diversity as a source of national strength, saying that America’s founders were helped by the country’s diversity. 
“In both of our countries, it is the very fact of our vibrant, diverse and free societies that gives us our collective strength, including to support victims of some of the ills that, so tragically, exist in both our societies today,” he said.
In his closing remarks, the King urged America not to become “ever more inward-looking” and called for renewed international cooperation.
“To the United States of America, on your 250th birthday, let our two countries rededicate ourselves to each other in the selfless service of our peoples and of all the peoples of the world,” he said.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Is Donald Trump religious?]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiantoday.com/news/is-donald-trump-religious</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiantoday.com/news/is-donald-trump-religious</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Staff writer]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Donald Trump]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ (Photo: JDA Worldwide) ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Faith leaders praying for Trump at the White House. ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Tue, 28 Apr 2026 13:10:00 +0100</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[New figures from Pew Research Center suggest that most Americans believe President Trump is not a very religious person.]]></description>
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New figures from Pew Research Center suggest that most Americans believe President Trump is not a very religious person.
The research was conducted prior to a row that broke out after Trump posted an AI-image of himself in which he appeared to be Jesus healing a sick man. Trump later deleted the image and claimed he thought the depiction was of himself as a doctor from the Red Cross.
Whatever the case, the Pew figures suggest that around 70 per cent of US adults believe Trump is either “not too” or “not at all” religious. Almost a quarter of respondents (24 per cent) believed Trump to be “somewhat” religions, while just five per cent believe him to be “very” religious.
Among Christians, the figures are somewhat different, with nearly two thirds (64 per cent of Protestants) and nearly three quarters (71 per cent) of Catholics saying that Trump is either “not too” or “not at all” religious. Among white Evangelicals, a core Trump-supporting demographic, that figure drops to 51 per cent.
Perhaps the biggest divide in views is between Republicans and Democrats, with 42 per cent of Republicans believing Trump to be somewhat religious, compared to just 8 per cent of Democrats.
Some reports have suggested that following an assassination attempt during his re-election campaign, Trump became more open to religion. A shooter’s bullet grazed Trump’s ear and the nearest of near misses has led some, including Trump himself, to speculate that he was saved by God.
If such speculation is true, there is still no agreement as to why God decided to save Trump. Options range from making America great again, to being a staunch supporter of Israel, or both.
While many may doubt Trump’s personal faith, around 22 per cent of US adults believe Trump stands up for people of faith either “a great deal” or “quite a bit”. This figure rises to 43 per cent among Republicans and to 67 per cent among white Evangelicals.
Analysing the data, Pew Research Associate Chip Rotolo said, "Even among Trump’s strongest supporters, relatively few people say they think he is very religious. Just 8% of Republicans and 5% of White evangelicals say this is the case."
He added, “White Catholics are far more likely than Hispanic Catholics to say Trump stands up at least somewhat for people with religious beliefs like theirs.
"Hispanic Catholics, in turn, have become more likely to say Trump doesn’t stand up for people with their religious beliefs. [Fifty-five percent] now say he stands up a little or not at all for their religious beliefs, up from 40% when we last asked this question in February 2024.”]]></content:encoded>
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