Leonardo Blair

US Supreme Court blocks New York restrictions on places of worship

"The Supreme Court has made it clear that governors can no longer use a public health emergency as a pretext for dictates shutting or severely restricting the use of houses of worship while secular businesses and activities they deem 'essential' â and even certain favored 'non-essential' secular businesses and activities â are not subjected to the same draconian restrictions," said the Thomas More Society.
Pastors and pro-lifers celebrate confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court

Conservative leaders and prominent evangelical pastors praised the confirmation of Judge Amy Coney Barrett as an associate justice to the U.S. Supreme Court Monday evening, describing her as a fair and highly qualified voice to join the bench.
Churches drive online giving as collection plates take a hit

Churches across all denominations are now increasingly turning to online giving as a majority of them report reduced giving in the pews amid the coronavirus pandemic, according to Ministry Brands.
Pope Francis signals approval of same-sex civil unions

Pope Francis has called for the creation of civil union laws that would help same-sex couples create families as "children of God," challenging a previous conclusion by the Catholic Church that endorsing such unions would be an "approval of deviant behavior."
Teens are sleeping better and enjoying more family time during pandemic - report

While the coronavirus pandemic has resulted in declining mental health for many adults, the findings are different for teenagers, particularly those in two-parent households.
UN's World Food Programme wins the Nobel Peace Prize

Amid a looming global hunger crisis accelerated by the coronavirus pandemic, the United Nations World Food Programme, which works to bring aid to millions of food-insecure people, has been awarded the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize, the Norwegian Nobel Committee announced Friday.
Southern Baptists distance themselves from Trump's 'stand back and stand by' comments

Senior officers of the Southern Baptist Convention reaffirmed the denomination's repudiation of white supremacy as a "scheme of the devil" Wednesday after a controversial call by President Donald Trump to far-right activists to "stand back and stand by" during the presidential debate on Tuesday.
'Get your knee off our necks' - Rev Al Sharpton calls for change at George Floyd's memorial

In his eulogy for George Floyd at a memorial service in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Thursday, civil rights activist Rev Al Sharpton declared that now is the right time for the United States to reform its criminal justice system and promised to march on Washington come August to get it.
Christian leaders call for justice after death of George Floyd

Many people, including several prominent Christian leaders across racial and denominational lines, are now speaking out and urging others to take a stand against racial injustice.
Not all churchgoers have been faithfully tuning into services during the pandemic

Nearly half of churchgoers haven't watched an online service in the last four weeks, and among those who have, only 40% say they've been watching services from their regular home church, according to recent polling data.
Chain store behind Museum of the Bible sues Christie's over sale of rare cuneiform

Arts-and-craft retailer Hobby Lobby, led by billionaire evangelical Steve Green, has filed a lawsuit against renowned British auction house Christie's for allegedly deceiving the company about the legality of the sale of a rare cuneiform tablet it acquired for display in the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C.
It's 'dumb' to flout social distancing measures, says TD Jakes

Bishop T.D. Jakes slammed Christians who flout social distancing guidelines as a demonstration of how their faith will protect them from the coronavirus as "foolishness" and "dumb."