News
Faith Groups React to SCOTUS Ruling on ‘Remain in Mexico’ Policy
The Migrant Protection Protocols can be terminated, according to a June 30 ruling from the Supreme Court of the U.S. in ‘Biden v. Texas.’ Several faith leaders and organizations offered statements following the decision.
Many U.S. Protestant Churches to Include Patriotic Elements in Worship July 4 Weekend
Many Protestant pastors in the U.S. will incorporate patriotic elements in their church’s worship services during the July 4 weekend, according to a LifeWay research Report published June 28.
Strong U.S. Majority Says Abortion Should Be Legal
A strong majority of U.S. adults say abortion should be legal in all / some circumstances, according to a recent public opinion survey. Of this group, most feel abortion should be legal in certain circumstances.
Faith Responses to SCOTUS ‘Kennedy’ Decision
The Supreme Court of the U.S. ruled on June 27 that a football coach at a public school can pray at midfield following a football game. Faith leaders offered their reaction and response on Twitter and in formal statements.
Faith Leaders, Organizations Respond to SCOTUS ‘Dobbs’ Ruling
Many faith leaders in the U.S. issued tweets and formal statements following the Supreme Court declaring that there is not a constitutional right to abortion in its June 24 ruling.
Strong U.S. Majority Affirms ‘Establishment Clause,’ Divided on Its Application
Most U.S. adults affirm the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause, according to a YouGov report published in mid-June. However, the nation is divided on when, and how, it should be applied.
Annual Report Highlights Challenges, Opportunities for Baptist Women in Ministry
Baptist Women in Ministry released its 2021 Report on the State of Women in Baptist Life on June 21. It highlights both challenges and opportunities, providing suggestions for congregations to better support women in ministry.
SCOTUS Rules Against Maine’s Restriction of Public Education Funding to Non-Sectarian Schools
The Supreme Court of the United States issued a 6-3 decision on June 21 that the State of Maine cannot restrict its public funds to non-sectarian schools. Here is what the justices said as well as reaction from several organizations and individuals.
Belief in God Among U.S. Adults at All-Time Low
The number of U.S. adults who say they believe in God reached an all-time low 2022, according to a Gallup report. Still, more than eight-in-10 affirm that they belief in a higher power.
Deaths from Alcohol, Drugs and Suicide Spiked in 2020
The combined number of U.S. deaths from alcohol, drugs and suicided jumped 20% from 2019 to 2020, according to a report published in late May by the Trust for America’s Health.
People of Good Faith: Kira Dewey
Kira M. Dewey is a sophomore at Palm Beach Atlantic University, studying English and Creative Writing. She is a summer 2022 Ernest C. Hynds Jr. Intern at Good Faith Media.
Republican Majority Thinks Whites Are Being ‘Replaced,’ Says Discrimination Against Whites a ‘Big Problem’
A Republican majority in the U.S. agree that “white people … are being replaced by non-white people” and that “discrimination against white people has become as big a problem as discrimination against Black people,” a recent survey found.
Children’s Ministry An ‘Unmistakable Priority’ in U.S. Protestant Churches
Though most congregants see children’s ministry as an “unmistakable priority” within the church, a recent survey revealed that children’s ministry leaders often feel that their ministry is forgotten.
U.S. Majority ‘Pro-Choice,’ Does Not Want ‘Roe v. Wade’ Overturned
A majority of U.S. adults (58%) do not want to see the 1973 Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision overturned, while a similar majority (55%) identify as “pro-choice,” according to two Gallup reports published June 2.
U.S. Correctional Population at Lowest Levels Since 1996
There were 5,500,600 adults in the U.S. correctional system at the end of 2020, according to a Bureau of Justice Statistics report published in late March. This is the lowest level since 1996.
People of Good Faith: Libby Carroll
Libby Carroll studies professional writing, liberal arts, art history and philosophy at Baylor University. She is a summer 2022 Ernest C. Hynds Jr. Intern at Good Faith Media.
Support for Same-Sex Marriage Increases for Third Straight Year
A strong majority of U.S. adults believe same-sex marriage would be ‘recognized by the law as valid,’ a recent report said. This is the third year in a row that support has increased.
Report: Relationships of U.S. Adults Remain Homogenous
The close relationships of most U.S. adults tend to be very homogenous, a new Public Religion Research Institute report found. White respondents had the highest level of homogenous relationships.
Good Faith Media Welcomes Interns for Summer 2022
Libby Carroll and Kira Dewey are Good Faith Media’s Ernest C. Hynds Jr. Interns for summer 2022, beginning their internship June 1. They are the sixth group of interns since the program’s launch.
Climate Change Indicators Reach Record Levels
Multiple climate change indicators reached record high levels in 2020 and 2021, according to a World Meteorological Organization report. Sea level rise, ocean heat, ocean acidification and greenhouse gas concentrations reached record levels.
Many U.S. Synagogues Experiencing Membership Growth or Stability
Six-in-10 U.S. synagogues from two major traditions within Judaism report that they are either growing or maintaining their membership levels, according to a Faith Communities Today report published on May 17.
Look Back | Mental Illness: A Key Component in Criminal Justice Reform
Effective criminal justice reform must address mental illness as a contributing factor to incarceration and recidivism. This was the focus of a bipartisan Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in early 2016.
History or Memory? A Scholar-Activist Seeks Justice in the Public Square
What should we do with public monuments and statues that are based on problematic interpretations of events handed down through generations? One scholar in Virginia is attempting to answer that question.
Reports Show Mental Health Struggles Increased During Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the prevalence of anxiety and depression by 25% worldwide, according to a World Health Organization report. This is one of several reports noting an increase in mental health challenges in recent years.
Catholic Leaders Condemn Acts of Violence at Journalist’s Funeral
Catholic leaders in Israel issued a joint statement on May 16, condemning the violence that took place on May 13 during a funeral procession for Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh.
Randall Lolley Remembered With ‘Echoes of Mercy, Whispers of Love’
Echoes of mercy and whispers of love flowed as family, friends, colleagues, congregants, students and inspired younger ministers gathered in Greensboro, North Carolina, on May 14 to celebrate the impactful life of W. Randall Lolley.
U.S. Evangelicals Represent More Than One Third of ‘High Conspiratorial Thinkers’
Nearly one-in-five U.S. adults believe in the two central elements of “replacement theory,” according to a new report. U.S. evangelicals represent more than a third of those classified as “high conspiratorial thinkers.”
Talking to History: A Conversation with Lt. Col. Enoch “Woody” Woodhouse
Museums provide insight into people and events that shaped our present-day realities. There’s no substitute, however, for talking to those who made history. Recently, I spoke with one of the Tuskegee Airman of World War II.
Religion Most Common Charitable Donation Category in Florida
Religious organizations in Florida received the highest percentage of all charitable donations and the highest average amount given, a recent report found. This giving level mirrors national trends.
People of Good Faith: J. Daniel Day
J. Daniel Day is pastor emeritus of the First Baptist Church (Salisbury St.) of Raleigh, North Carolina, and former senior professor of preaching and worship at Campbell University Divinity School.