Anugrah Kumar

Jesus statue destroyed by government in India after Hindu nationalists complain
Jesus statue destroyed by government in India after Hindu nationalists complain

Authorities in India's southern state of Karnataka demolished a 20-foot-tall statue of Jesus, which had been standing in the village for 18 years, claiming it was built on land earmarked by the government for an animal pasture.

Franklin Graham backlash for urging followers to pray for Vladimir Putin
Franklin Graham backlash for urging followers to pray for Vladimir Putin

A social media post by evangelist Franklin Graham asking followers to pray for Russian President Vladimir Putin to avoid a war with Ukraine is drawing backlash from liberals on social media, while some have come to Graham's defense.

Christians protest 3-day SatanCon
Christians protest 3-day SatanCon

Christians gathered, prayed and read scriptures outside an Arizona hotel that hosted a three-day event by The Satanic Temple called "SatanCon" that included such sessions as "Raising Children in a Satanic Household" and "Abortion as a (Religious) Right."

10 Christian converts forced to take Islamic re-education classes in Iran: report
10 Christian converts forced to take Islamic re-education classes in Iran: report

Intelligence agents in Iran's Khuzestan Province have instructed 10 Christian converts who had been cleared of all charges to participate in "re-education" classes led by Islamic clerics, according to a watchdog report.

Tim Keller defends praise of Stephen Colbert, says Christian critics should read Col. 4:5-6
Tim Keller defends praise of Stephen Colbert, says Christian critics should read Col. 4:5-6

Tim Keller has responded to criticism after praising "The Late Show" host Stephen Colbert, claiming critics need to better understand the teaching of Colossians 4:5-6 about being "wise in the way you act toward outsiders."

Cardinal Joseph Zen and Hong Kong churches accused of inciting protests
Cardinal Joseph Zen and Hong Kong churches accused of inciting protests

A Chinese state-owned newspaper has accused churches and Catholic Cardinal Joseph Zen of inciting Hong Kong's pro-democracy student protests in 2019, and the Chinese Communist Party may consider restricting religious freedom in the city.

Pakistani pastor shot dead in ambush attack after Sunday service; mourners chant 'Long live Jesus Christ'
Pakistani pastor shot dead in ambush attack after Sunday service; mourners chant 'Long live Jesus Christ'

In what police called a "terrorist act," two unidentified men followed a pastor returning home in his car after a Sunday worship service and shot him to death in Pakistan's northwestern city of Peshawar, which in 2013 was the scene of one of the deadliest attacks on Christians in the country.

Brian Houston steps down as Hillsong global senior pastor
Brian Houston steps down as Hillsong global senior pastor

Brian Houston has stepped down as the leader of the global multisite Hillsong Church, saying he will remain absent for the rest of this year as he faces trial for allegedly concealing sex abuse committed by his father decades earlier. Phil and Lucinda Dooley will be new interim global pastors.

$50K raised for family of man fatally shot in front of 2-year-old son while sharing the Gospel
$50K raised for family of man fatally shot in front of 2-year-old son while sharing the Gospel

An online fundraiser has garnered nearly $50,000 for the family of a 37-year-old man who was shot to death in front of his 2-year-old son and pregnant wife while he was sharing the Gospel in Montgomery, Alabama, last weekend.

Indian bishops urged to take a stand as violence against Christians continues to rise
Indian bishops urged to take a stand as violence against Christians continues to rise

A group of Catholic clergy and laity in India has said that "the complete silence" of India's bishops despite a rise in attacks on Christians and other minorities is "shocking" and urged the Catholic Bishops Conference of India to speak out.

Pastors among 9 Christians arrested, charged with 'illegal' conversions in India: watchdog
Pastors among 9 Christians arrested, charged with 'illegal' conversions in India: watchdog

Police in India's central state of Madhya Pradesh arrested nine Christians, including two pastors, on false charges of illegal conversion under the state's controversial "anti-conversion" law, a Christian persecution watchdog organization reports.

School district defends decision to allow After School Satan Club at elementary school
School district defends decision to allow After School Satan Club at elementary school

An Illinois school district is defending an elementary school after it received criticism from parents for handing out flyers promoting a controversial After-School Satan Club for students in the first through fifth grades sponsored by the Satanic Temple.

Jerusalem church leader says radicals are threatening Christian presence in Old City
Jerusalem church leader says radicals are threatening Christian presence in Old City

Weeks after some church leaders in Jerusalem called for a special cultural heritage zone for Christians in Jerusalem, the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem said Israeli radical fringe groups are seeking to drive the Christian community out of the city.

6 Christians killed in 'awful terrorist attack' in Kenya
6 Christians killed in 'awful terrorist attack' in Kenya

"The residents have gathered and are asking why the security officers were not doing enough to protect the Christians from being attacked by the Somali militants."

Pastor's wife shot dead at Bible study in Alabama
Pastor's wife shot dead at Bible study in Alabama

Police have arrested and charged a 26-year-old Alabama woman with the murder of a pastor's wife after a stray bullet killed her as she attended a church Bible study.

Chris Tucker rejects $10 million for movie role over religious objections to content
Chris Tucker rejects $10 million for movie role over religious objections to content

Rapper Ice Cube has revealed that actor Chris Tucker, his co-star in the popular 1995 film "Friday," didn't appear in the sequels because of his Christian faith, turning down a $10 million to $12 million offer to portray a character known for cussing and smoking marijuana.