The Trump Department of Justice has sided with a Catholic foster care agency in a major religious liberty case that could resolve the conflict between governments and faith-based adoption agencies that won’t place children in same-sex homes due to religious beliefs.

The case began in 2018 when the Philadelphia Inquirer published a story saying Catholic Social Services – which had a foster care contract with the city – does not place children in same-sex homes. The city subsequently terminated the contract, asserting the agency’s policy violated a city law prohibiting contractors from discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation.

Catholic Social Services then sued. Although lower courts ruled against the agency, the U.S. Supreme Court took up the case and is expected to hear oral arguments this fall.

The Justice Department, in a brief to the high court this month, said Philadelphia has “displayed hostility toward religion” and violated the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment.

Further, the city authorizes some exemptions to its policy it doesn’t offer to religious organizations, the brief says.

“In short, the City’s actions and words reflected ‘animosity to religion or distrust of its practices,’” the Justice Department brief says.

Catholic Social Services “adheres to the belief that marriage is the union of a man and a woman.” Because of…

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Tuesday applauded the nationwide protests against racial injustice while criticizing Democratic leaders for a “double standard” that has kept churches in some areas closed.

“I have no criticism for the millions of Americans who peacefully demonstrated in recent days. Their cause is beyond righteous,” said McConnell, a Republican from Kentucky. “It is the inconsistency from leaders that has been baffling.”

Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio drew McConnell’s frustration.

“It’s becoming clear to many Americans … that our national life during this pandemic has slid toward a double standard,” McConnell said. “For weeks state and local leaders put normal American life totally on ice and asked citizens to prioritize fighting the virus. For weeks, the mainstream media heaped scorn on any small citizen protest, outdoor gathering, or even the suggestion that other important values might require a reappraisal of certain restrictions.

“A month ago, small protest demonstrations were widely condemned as reckless and selfish. Now, massive rallies, that fill entire cities, are not just praised, but in fact are called especially brave, because of the exact same health risks that brought condemnation when the cause was different.”

McConnell said he…

The creator of VeggieTales, Phil Vischer, reposted to his blog this week a podcast episode from 2017 that explained how white privilege gave him opportunities that black and brown people do not have.

“Way back in the 1930s the federal government decided that white families should be encouraged to own homes, and black families should not. Seventy years of policies encouraging and underwriting white homeownership, and discouraging black homeownership have led to a profoundly inequitable America,” he said, according to the Christian Post.

The 53-year-old filmmaker went on to explain the success his family achieved despite difficult odds. After his parents divorced, Vischer and his siblings struggled on a single-parent income.

“[Racism in America] has me examining how I tell my story, and I am more convinced than ever that how we tell our stories matters. I have benefitted from racial injustice,” he said. “After marrying a tradesman, my mother got her doctorate at age 50 and became a college professor. My brother ended up at Harvard Law and is now dean of a law school in Minnesota. My sister has a doctorate and teaches in NYC. And I am a filmmaker of moderate renown.”

“Did we work hard? Yes, I guess so. But lots of people work hard and don’t have nearly as much to show for it. So what is the missing factor? The factor that may be even more important than the hard…

An atheist group is claiming victory after a Georgia school district pledged not to allow outside groups like the Gideons to distribute religious materials in the classroom.

The Freedom from Religion Foundation, which represents atheists, agnostics and skeptics, sent a letter to Effingham County Schools in Springfield, Ga., last December alleging that two schools – Ebenezer Elementary and Marlow Elementary – had allowed the Gideons to “enter classrooms, preach to students about the significance of the bible, and distribute Bibles to students.” The allegations were made on behalf of “multiple” parents of students, according to the letter. 

“It is our understanding that every child was given a bible, but they were told that they could return it to the teacher if they don’t want it,” the letter, dated Dec. 13, said. “… Courts have uniformly held that the distribution of bibles to students at public schools during instruction time is prohibited.”

The district had “egregiously violated” the rights of its students, the letter said.

Attorney James D. Kreyenbuhl, representing the school district, responded May 29 and said the matter had been resolved. 

“Although I disagree with your characterization of the School District’s handling of this matter or that any students’ rights were ‘egregiously violated,’ the Board of Education has authorized me to assure that…

The street in Minneapolis where George Floyd died in police-custody has become a place of baptism and prayer.

According to CBN News, people have posted images and videos of Christians gathering near the site, worshiping and praying.

Joel Bomberger, a preacher with Circuit Riders, posted a photo of a baptism “right at the corner of where George Floyd was killed,” he wrote in a Facebook post.

Floyd was a black man who died after Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin detained him and pressed his knee into Floyd’s neck for several minutes. Floyd fell unconscious and later died.

Bomberger said people have been impacted by the prayers and worship in the city.

“A team of our Circuit Riders went to Minneapolis to hold open-air preaching of Jesus and healing calls at the intersection where George Floyd was killed,” Bomberger said. “There are too many testimonies to recount!! They were able to preach to thousands and saw hundreds responding to the Gospel of Jesus!!”

He also reports, “Dozens and dozens of people healed, filled with hope, changed, and born again by the power of Jesus this weekend in Minneapolis!”

“Just got a text that a deaf ear was just opened by the power of Jesus! Praise God!” Bomberger said.

Other ministries, including Youth With a Mission and Worldwide Outreach for Christ, have been holding daily services at the Minneapolis site.

“We’re going from pain and hatred to healing…

Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Ben Carson is speaking out against those wanting to “defund the police” in light of George Floyd’s death at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer.

According to the Daily Wire, Carson argued that largely low-income communities are under police protection, and that those wanting to defund the police must see that it would negatively impact the communities that the police are protecting.

“Well, it’s low-income communities where the police are needed the most,” said Carson on Tuesday at a Senate Committee Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee.

“Places where there’s a lot of criminal activity, obviously you need to police,” he added.

“So, as usual, when people make decisions when they’re emotional, and they’re angry. They don’t think it through, and that’s what this [is]. It will go away when people have time to think it through and realize how irrational it is.”

Advocates of the “defund the police” movement are urging that the funds geared towards law enforcement be shifted over to social service programs as communities would benefit from it.

While the importance of social programs is acknowledged by Carson, he found it unwise to view them as a primary defense against crime.

“Social programs are important,” Carson said. “And they’re part of the entire system, but…

(RNS) — An ecumenical group of clergy, scientists and other experts has released a guide to help congregations consider best practices for reopening for worship.

Among their suggestions:

Refrain from congregational singing. Clap or stomp instead.

Preachers, shorten your sermon.

Congregants, mouth your response during Communion instead of speaking.

Pass the peace to other worshippers with a gentle nod or a reverent bow, but no physical contact.

The 36-page document notes that church leaders will make different decisions depending on the recommendations of denominational and health officials.

“Christians will refrain from judging the witness of others as long as others are not endangering the common good,” it states.

“Resuming Care-filled Worship and Sacramental Life During a Pandemic” includes links to recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and to guidelines issued by regional denominational groups as they respond to the CDC’s recommendations.

The guide urges worshippers not to dwell on limitations during the pandemic. Instead, it suggests that they focus on creative approaches to worship. 

“As states ‘re-open,’ how will we resume worship gatherings in person while the pandemic is still with us?” the document asks in its introduction. “A care-filled response to that challenge is much more than unlocking the church doors and…

(RNS) — In a speech offered in lieu of his address at the denomination’s canceled annual meeting, Southern Baptist Convention President J.D. Greear called for members of the nation’s largest Protestant denomination to declare that “black lives matter.” 

“We realize that, especially in a moment like this one, we need our brothers and sisters of color,” Greear said Tuesday (June 9) about how the leadership of the denomination lacks diversity. “We know that many in our country, particularly our brothers and sisters of color right now, are hurting.

“Southern Baptists, we need to say it clearly: As a gospel issue, black lives matter. Of course, black lives matter. Our black brothers and sisters are made in the image of God.”

While he used the phrase “black lives matter,” which has become a widespread motto of civil rights since the shooting death of Trayvon Martin in Florida eight years ago, Greear noted in his speech that he is not aligned with Black Lives Matter, the organization founded in 2013. 

Greear, who is pastor of The Summit Church, a megachurch in Durham, North Carolina, was also careful to point out that he disagrees with some of that organization’s agenda.

“I think saying bold things like ‘defund the police’ is unhelpful, and deeply disrespectful to many public servants who bravely put themselves in harm’s way every day to protect us,” he…