Faith & Culture News
News and commentary on faith, religious freedom, family values, marriage, parenting, and the cultural trends shaping American life.
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- News
Adoption Forum Calls for Faith Communities to ‘Do More’ for Foster Children, Families
Religious leaders, scholars, and government officials are challenging the nation’s Christian communities to “do more” for foster care families and children. A series of panel discussions hosted by the National Review Institute late last month focused on the role of communities of faith in helping children in the adoption and foster care system. The issue…Jeremiah Poff -
- Opinion
‘Amnesty First’ Breaks Faith With the American People
It’s being reported that House Republicans plan to vote on several immigration bills in June in order to head off a discharge petition by a group of party moderates that would force a vote on amnesty. Those bills, as I noted previously, are in fact amnesty bills. And as is generally the case with amnesty…David Inserra -
- News
Trump Initiative Protects Religious Rights, Faith Groups’ Equal Access to Federal Dollars
President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday focusing on protecting freedom of religion and exploring new ways faith-based agencies can partner with government to effectively provide services. “The prayers of religious believers helped gain our independence, and the prayers of religious leaders like the Reverend Martin Luther King—great man—helped win the long struggle for…Fred Lucas -
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Activists Defend Faith-Based Adoption Agencies From Assault by Left
As the opioid epidemic grows in the United States, driving thousands of children into the foster care system, faith-based adoption agencies can help them find loving homes, says Emilie Kao, director of the DeVos Center for Religion and Civil Society at The Heritage Foundation. But there have been a number of lawsuits filed aimed at shuttering…Chrissy Clark -
- Opinion
Americans Grapple With Evil Amid Decline in Religious Faith
Blaise Pascal once described a “God-shaped vacuum in the heart of each man.” But in modern-day America, few statements can raise eyebrows more swiftly than expressing faith in the transcendent. From Joy Behar mocking Vice President Mike Pence as mentally ill for believing that God guides him, to former President Barack Obama ridiculing “bitter” people…Emilie Kao -
- Opinion
In the War Against Faith-Based Adoption Agencies, Children Lose
I’m a lawyer. I confess that math was never my strong suit, and I figured that law school would keep me safe from it. I did, however, pick up on some of the more basic concepts—like greater than or less than, and more versus less. Surely, we can all agree on the basic math supporting the following statements: For the…Autumn Leva -
- Opinion
Under New Persecution, Faith Groups in Russia Turn to Human Rights Court
Russia and the European Court of Human Rights have not always enjoyed an easy relationship. Though the court dates back to 1959, Russia only accepted its jurisdiction 37 years later in 1996. Even so, according to the court’s records, Russia has continuously ranked as the second-most notorious human rights offender over the years. With its…Jennifer Lea -
- News
Joy Behar Apologizes on ‘The View’ for Mocking Mike Pence’s Faith
A month after mocking Vice President Mike Pence for his Christian faith on an episode of ABC’s “The View,” co-host Joy Behar publicly apologized on air. Behar did so on Tuesday’s show shortly after she apologized to Pence in a telephone call and the vice president said he forgave her. “Vice President Pence is right….Ginny Montalbano -
- News
ABC Silent on Mauling of Pence’s Christian Faith on ‘The View’
It looks like ABC isn’t going to apologize for “The View” co-host Joy Behar’s on-air mocking of Vice President Mike Pence’s Christian faith. Many Christian viewers were offended by Behar’s remarks, and the TV network early on received 25,363 phone calls after the liberal comedian and commentator equated Pence’s faith with “mental illness,” Fox News…Chrissy Clark -
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Trump OMB Nominee, Attacked for Faith, Finally Heads for Confirmation Vote
President Donald Trump’s nominee for a key budget position, stalled by senators on both sides of the aisle, finally will get a vote next week. The Senate likely will confirm the president’s nomination of Russ Vought to be deputy director of the Office of Management and Budget after a cloture vote Monday. Sen. Bernie Sanders,…Fred Lucas -
- Opinion
We Hear You: The State of the Union, the FBI, the Nunes Memo, and Faith at the Super Bowl
Editor's note: President Donald Trump's first official State of the Union address pleased many skeptics as well as supporters, polls say, and our mailbag reflects that. Don't forget to write us at [email protected]—Ken McIntyre Dear Daily Signal: What President Trump got right in the State of the Union address is speaking his mind and doing…Ken McIntyre -
- Opinion
The Inspiring Faith of the Eagles’ Comeback Quarterback
The National Football League has had a tumultuous season to say the least. Politics and sliding ratings have dogged the sport all year. Despite the fact that this year’s Super Bowl was the lowest-rated game since 2010, it ended up being a great, high-scoring contest in which the underdog Philadelphia Eagles stunningly defeated the New…Jarrett Stepman -
- Opinion
The Role Faith Must Play in America’s Future
Does faith matter anymore in America? Should it? That probably depends on who you ask, but what is becoming increasingly evident is a growing hostility among some segments of society and culture. Last month, much of our nation celebrated the birth of Christ—called Christmas, short for Christ’s Mass—yet, the idea of any public display for…Lea Carawan -
- Opinion
Justice Clarence Thomas Opens Up on Life, Faith, and His Interracial Marriage
Justice Clarence Thomas has served 27 terms on the U.S. Supreme Court, and agreed to become the 341st leader interviewed for my Daily Caller News Foundation series. Now at age 69, he is looking back on his life with gratitude and discernment with valuable lessons for others. People often want to define you by the…Ginni Thomas -
- News
Q&A: Rep. Mike Kelly on How to Help Faith-Based Adoption Agencies Under Attack
Rep. Mike Kelly, R-Pa., joined The Daily Signal’s Genevieve Wood to discuss the American Civil Liberties Union’s attack on religious adoption centers and explain the Child Welfare Provider Inclusion Act, a bill he is sponsoring. Below is an edited transcript of the interview. Wood: November is National Adoption Awareness Month and you have legislation you’ve…Genevieve Wood -
- News
After Declining to Make a Wedding Cake, He’s Going to the Supreme Court. Here’s How That Journey Challenged His Faith.
LAKEWOOD, Colorado—”How did we end up at the Supreme Court? It’s a long story,” Jack Phillips, owner of Masterpiece Cakeshop, told The Daily Signal. The story began in 2012, when two men walked into his family-run bakery, and asked Jack to create a custom cake for their same-sex wedding ceremony. Because of his Christian faith,…Kelsey Bolar -
- Opinion
We Hear You: God, Faith, Prayer, Veterans, Columbus, and Originalist Judges
Editor's note: We picked some sentiments and perspectives from The Daily Signal's audience that seem to suit Thanksgiving weekend and what we celebrate, reflect upon, and give thanks for. You can write us at [email protected].—Ken McIntyre Dear Daily Signal: Regarding Katrina Trinko’s commentary, if there is no God, as many have been taught in our…Ken McIntyre -
- Opinion
ACLU Threatens to Stamp Out Diversity by Shuttering Faith-Based Adoption Agencies
November is National Adoption Awareness Month. And how is the American Civil Liberties Union celebrating? By trying to reduce the number of agencies that place needy children with families. Specifically, the American Civil Liberties Union is suing the state of Michigan over a 2015 law that allows religious adoption agencies to decline placing children with…Emilie Kao -
- News
2 States Ravaged by Opioids Show Difference Faith Makes
HANOVER, N.H.—There is a strong correlation between lack of religious attendance and illicit drug use, research shows in contrasting two states hit hard by the opioid crisis. The parallels are demonstrated by two comparative studies of New Hampshire and West Virginia. West Virginia suffers from an ailing economy, while New Hampshire has a strong economy,…Fred Lucas -
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Sen. Dianne Feinstein Defends Comments on Judicial Nominee’s Faith
Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., on Sunday defended her controversial statements about one of President Donald Trump’s judicial nominees. Amy Barrett, Trump’s nominee for the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, was questioned about her Catholic faith by Feinstein at a confirmation hearing Sept. 6. “The dogma lives loudly within you, and that’s a concern,” Feinstein…Casey Ryan