Government Archives - Universal Life Church Monastery Blog

Ohio Lawmaker Defies Mask Policy, Claiming 'Faces are the Likeness of God'

May 12th, 2020

Representative Nino Vitale is defying recommendations to wear masks while in public to limit the spread of COVID-19 by claiming a religious exemption. He says faces are the "likeness of God" and should not be covered. Continue Reading »

Posted in: Political & Religious Controversy | 48 Comments »

Why Some Churchgoers Believe They're Immune to Coronavirus

April 8th, 2020

Churches across the country are leaving their doors open for visitors, going against the CDC's coronavirus recommendations. And some of their parishioners believe they are immune to the virus because of their faith. Continue Reading »

Posted in: Science & Technology, Life and Death | 91 Comments »

Pastor Helping Asylum Seekers Lands on Secret Government Watchlist

July 12th, 2019

A prominent NYC pastor and long-time advocate for immigrant rights is suing the federal government after she was placed on a federal watchlist for conducting ministry work with migrants south of the border. Continue Reading »

Posted in: LGBTQ & Human Rights, Political & Religious Controversy, Christian | 106 Comments »

Lawmaker Preaches About Jesus as Muslim Woman Is Sworn into Office

March 27th, 2019

The swearing-in ceremony for Pennsylvania's first Muslim state legislator was marred by an opening address asking Jesus for forgiveness and claiming that America has "lost sight of God." Continue Reading »

Posted in: Political & Religious Controversy, Christian | 223 Comments »

Teacher at Religious School Fired for "Living in Sin"

March 18th, 2019

When a teacher got divorced and moved in with another man, she unknowingly violated a school employment clause that forbids "any sexual activity outside of a heterosexual marriage." The school superintendent found out and she was forced to resign. Continue Reading »

Posted in: LGBTQ & Human Rights, Christian | 41 Comments »

Karen Pence Draws Criticism for Taking Job at Anti-LGBT School

January 28th, 2019

Second Lady Karen Pence, wife of Vice President Mike Pence, sparked backlash with a recent announcement that she’ll be taking a position at a Christian school with strong anti-LGBT policies. Continue Reading »

Posted in: Political & Religious Controversy, Christian | 106 Comments »

Indiana Teacher Forced to Resign After Refusing to Use Transgender Pronouns

June 13th, 2018

An Indiana high school teacher was forced to resign amid growing pressure from school officials after he refused to address transgender students by their preferred names and pronouns. He insisted it violated his religious beliefs, but school officials saw it differently. Continue Reading »

Posted in: LGBTQ & Human Rights, Christian | 284 Comments »

Return of the Ten Commandments: Arkansas Replaces Embattled Statue

April 30th, 2018

Nearly a year after the first Ten Commandments statue was toppled at the Arkansas State Capitol, a new replacement monument was installed. However, pending legal challenges from the Satanic Temple and the ACLU mean that its not guaranteed to remain standing this time, either. Continue Reading »

Posted in: Political & Religious Controversy, Christian | 97 Comments »

Should “So Help Me God” Be Removed From U.S. Citizenship Oath?

November 13th, 2017

Olga Paule Perrier-Bilbo is a French green-card holder on the verge of becoming a full-fledged U.S. citizen. All the paperwork is in order, and there’s just one thing left to do: take the oath of citizenship. But therein lies the problem. As an atheist, Continue Reading »

Posted in: Political & Religious Controversy, Christian | 240 Comments »

Free at Last: Immigrant Spends a Year Hiding From ICE in Church Basement

October 16th, 2017

Countless people report being “saved” by Christ each year, but one Philadelphia man took the opportunity quite literally. When a deportation order was issued in his name, Javier Flores sought refuge from ICE agents in a local church. The pastor and congreg Continue Reading »

Posted in: LGBTQ & Human Rights, Political & Religious Controversy, Christian | 43 Comments »