Religion In America Archives - Universal Life Church Monastery Blog

Pastor Takes on AOC for House Seat

November 15th, 2019

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is defending her House of Representatives seat next year, her first re-election since her surprise win in 2018. Now a local pastor is mounting a primary challenge for 2020, hoping his brand of religious centrism will appeal to voters more than AOC's Democratic Socialism. Continue Reading »

Posted in: Political & Religious Controversy, Christian | 84 Comments »

Texas Pastor Burns Book About Atheism, Claims USA is a “Christian Nation”

October 24th, 2019

An online feud between an attorney representing the Freedom For Religion Foundation (FFRF) and an outspoken Texas pastor escalated this week when the pastor posted a book-burning video to his official Twitter account. But by some accounts, the move backfired. Continue Reading »

Posted in: Political & Religious Controversy, Christian | 61 Comments »

Report Predicts 35 Million Christian Youth Will Leave Faith by 2050

October 1st, 2019

A new report from two Christian organizations shows that Millennials are leaving Christianity in droves. Calling it "the largest single generational loss of faith in American history," the report's authors are suggesting Christians mobilize fast if they want to hold on to some of those young believers. Continue Reading »

Posted in: Christian | 42 Comments »

Presidential Candidate Takes Heat After Suggesting Prayer Could Repel Hurricane Dorian

September 6th, 2019

Democratic presidential candidate Marianne Williamson sparked a fierce online debate earlier this week when she posted on Twitter urging her fellow Americans to pray and visualize Hurricane Dorian changing direction. “Millions of us seeing Dorian turn away from land is not a wacky idea; it is a creative use of the power of the mind,” she wrote. Continue Reading »

Posted in: Political & Religious Controversy, Christian | 116 Comments »

Cross on Pennsylvania County's Seal Ruled Constitutional

August 14th, 2019

The official seal of Lehigh County, Pennsylvania can stay, says the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The Lehigh County seal, which prominently features a large cross front and center, was challenged by the Freedom From Religious Foundation as discriminatory, but the court ruled the seal's 'broader meaning' and cultural familiarity in Lehigh County trumped any religious significance the cross might have. Continue Reading »

Posted in: Political & Religious Controversy, Christian | 13 Comments »

City Removes "Lord" References From Police Monument

August 2nd, 2019

“Thou shall not utter the Lord’s name in vain” is one thing, but what are the rules for erasing it entirely? That’s the question faced by a South Carolina city that’s still trying to recover from a high-profile controversy involving a memorial to fallen police officers that was installed on city property. Continue Reading »

Posted in: Political & Religious Controversy, Christian | 31 Comments »

Should Catholics March in Pride Parades?

June 6th, 2019

While some Catholic leaders do participate in Pride events, many more do not – often citing their belief that homosexuality should not be celebrated. Continue Reading »

Posted in: LGBTQ & Human Rights, Political & Religious Controversy | 44 Comments »

Alabama Refuses to Air "Arthur" Episode Featuring Same-Sex Wedding

May 24th, 2019

Alabama has decided not to air the season premiere of the famed children’s television show “Arthur” because it features a same-sex marriage between two of the characters. Continue Reading »

Posted in: LGBTQ & Human Rights, Political & Religious Controversy | 246 Comments »

Is the "National Day of Prayer" Constitutional?

May 3rd, 2019

The National Day of Prayer has long been celebrated by religious groups as an opportunity for Americans to unite and connect with their faith. But critics say it's blatantly unconstitutional. Continue Reading »

Posted in: Political & Religious Controversy, Christian | 243 Comments »

Donations Pour in for Destroyed Black Churches After Notre Dame Fire

April 20th, 2019

Over the course of several weeks prior to the Notre Dame blaze, three historically black churches in Louisiana were destroyed by an arsonist. And yet, what began as a tragic story of hate soon morphed into one of unity and common humanity. Continue Reading »

Posted in: Progressive Spirituality, Christian | 28 Comments »