An anti-religion nonprofit has requested Alabama sheriff Nick Smith to stop mentioning prayer on the Sheriff’s office’s Facebook page.

“The issue here is that the sheriff’s office has a pattern of using tragedy to promote the idea of prayer and our letter reminds the sheriff not everyone in Walker County prays or believes in the same religion,” said Sam Grover, the Associate Counsel for the Freedom from Religion Foundation (FFRF).

Two local tragedies prompted the foundation to send a letter. When Lowndes County Sheriff Williams was shot and killed, Smith requested prayer from the community. He posted a similar message for another tragedy involving a young boy and a sheriff’s deputy.

“Yet another heartbreaking and senseless tragedy in our great state involving a law enforcement officer,” said one of the posts referencing Sheriff Williams’ death. “Let us pray for this fallen officer’s family and loved ones tonight as they endure such a devastating time.”

According to local news, Smith has no intention of changing the nature of his Facebook posts to accommodate the request.

The Foundation works to “promote nontheism and defend the constitutional separation between religion and government” and acts as a “voice for freethought (atheism, agnosticism, skepticism).”

With Christmas approaching, FFRF has exhibited secular banners in San Diego denouncing…

WHEATON, Ill. (RNS) — The day pastor and mental health advocate Jarrid Wilson died was the day organizers began planning a one-day evangelical Christian summit about pastors and mental health.

Wilson, a pastor at Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, California, spent his life advocating for mental health through his nonprofit, Anthem of Hope. He shared openly about his depression, offering words of hope on social media and calling on the church to better understand mental health.

He died by suicide in September.  

Organizers of Friday’s gathering of pastors and other Christian leaders said they were continuing Wilson’s work.

“Today, we join a conversation already in progress, often in the mental health community, but less so — and sometimes tragically so — the conversation has not yet made it into many of our churches,” said Ed Stetzer, executive director of the Billy Graham Center.

About 400 ministry leaders filled a sold-out auditorium at the Billy Graham Center for GC2: Facing Hard Truths and Challenges of Pastoral Ministry, focused on the topics of leadership, burnout and mental health. Another 77 churches around the world live-streamed the event, according to Stetzer. 

The event is the fourth annual GC2 summit organized by the Billy Graham Center and Wheaton College School of Psychology, Counseling and Family Therapy on the evangelical Christian school’s campus…

After spending ten years behind bars for a murder they did not commit, five Christian men in India have been acquitted and set free, as reported by CBN News.

“This is a big victory for truth and justice for Kandhamal,” said journalist Anto Akkara, who worked hard for the captives’ release. “I am thrilled.”

In 2008, the group of men were accused of killing a prominent Hindu priest, Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati, in the Kandhamal District. Hindu nationalists dragged the men into the police station demanding justice, despite Maoist leader Sabyasachi Panda claiming responsibility for the murder.

Approximately 160 Christians were killed in the aftermath of the attack, based on lies from Hindu nationalists perpetuated of a “Christian conspiracy” in the district. Six thousand homes were also destroyed.

In November, the Supreme Court of India granted bail for the five men, citing their good behavior as the reason for their release.

“Considering the fact that the accused—appellant(s) had already undergone 10 years of their sentence as is the case of other accused directly to be released on bail, and taking an overall view of the matter, we are of the opinion that the above—named accused—appellant(s) should also be released on bail…” wrote Supreme Court Justices A.M. Khanwilkar and Dinesh Maheshwari.

Though the men will still have to fight their case in the High…

Texas megachurch pastor Joel Osteen and superstar rapper Kanye West are teaming up once again to host a massive evangelical event at Yankee stadium in New York City.

The pair, who appeared together at Osteen’s Lakewood church a few weeks back, will pair up to for the “America’s Night of Hope” event, with Pastor Joel preaching and Kanye bringing the worship courtesy of his acclaimed “Sunday Service” choir.

You’d think that Yankee Stadium, with its 55,000-capacity seating, would be a significant step up even for Osteen, who’s vast worship center holds around 16,800 people. In fact, this will be the third time the popular preacher has hosted his touring evangelical event at the venue. It will, however, be his first one in partnership with Kanye West.

TMZ reports that the event is slated for May 2. Tickets for Osteen’s previous events have cost around $15, though the price is likely to be hiked up now that one of the world’s most famous rappers is taking to the stage too.

West has become increasingly vocal about his faith in recent months, repeatedly testifying to having experienced a profound spiritual transformation.

“I know that God has been calling me for a long time and the devil has been distracting me for a long time,” he said during his much-publicized interview with Osteen at Lakewood last month.

The artist also spoke openly about…