Religious News
The Daily Signal reports on faith and religion in America, covering Christian, Jewish, and other faith communities, with analysis and commentary on cultural trends, religious liberty, and moral issues that influence public life.
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- News
EXCLUSIVE: Religious Freedom Advocates Demand Answers on State Department’s Exclusion of Nigeria, India From Persecution List
FIRST IN DAILY SIGNAL: A group of international religious freedom experts are calling for Secretary of State Antony Blinken to testify before a congressional hearing about the State Department’s decision to exclude Nigeria and India from a list of nations with severe violations of religious freedom. In a letter sent Wednesday, first obtained by The…Mary Margaret Olohan -
- Opinion
Rise in Antisemitism Divides Liberals
Jews are feeling increasingly afraid and unwelcome. Last week, girls on the basketball team of a Jewish private school in suburban Hartsdale, New York, were jabbed and hit with antisemitic slurs by players from Yonkers’ Roosevelt High School. “I support Hamas, you f—ing Jew,” a Roosevelt player snarled. The game had to be called off…Betsy McCaughey -
- News
Despite 5,000 Killings in 2023, Biden’s State Dept. Leaves Nigeria Off Religious Freedom Watch List for 3rd Year
For the third consecutive year, the Biden administration’s Department of State has left Nigeria off of its list of “Countries of Particular Concern,” a list that catalogs the countries around the world that have perpetrated or tolerated “particularly severe violations of religious freedom.” The move comes despite the fact that Nigeria leads the world in…Dan Hart -
- News
SEC Sides With Christian Groups Over Apple on Access to Apps
The Securities and Exchange Commission this week rejected Apple’s request to block a Christian group from making a proposal at a shareholder meeting on what apps the technology company allows users to access. The American Family Association said it planned to introduce a shareholder resolution at Apple’s upcoming annual shareholder meeting. The SEC’s decision begins the…Fred Lucas -
- News
The Harvard Crimson ‘Whitewashes Antisemitism by Using Israel as a Fig Leaf,’ Jewish Leaders Warn
FIRST ON THE DAILY SIGNAL—Orthodox Jewish leaders condemned The Harvard Crimson, the student newspaper of Harvard University, for “whitewashing” antisemitism in a series of op-eds published at the tail end of 2023. Although Harvard’s efforts to respond to antisemitism on campus after Hamas’ terrorist attacks Oct. 7 in Israel drew early scrutiny, the university took…Tyler O’Neil -
- Opinion
Yes, Anti-Zionism Is Antisemitism
Imagine a group of people who work to destroy Italy because, they claim, Italy’s origins are illegitimate. Imagine further that these people maintain that of all the countries in the world, only Italy doesn’t deserve to exist. Then imagine that these people vigorously deny that they are anti-Italian. Would you believe them? Now substitute “Israel”…Dennis Prager -
- News
How Jews Are Planning for Personal Defense During the Rise of Antisemitism
After the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel, many Jews around the world are choosing to arm themselves for self-defense, according to a panel of Jewish professionals. “Jews tend not to own guns, and that’s very unfortunate, because if you look at our history, we could’ve used one or two throughout that time,” Karol Markowicz,…Lucy Gilbert -
- Opinion
Campus Echo Chambers Lay Groundwork for Antisemitism
During a hearing this week on the rise in antisemitism on college campuses, Rep. Glenn Grothman, R-Wis., said a lack of ideological diversity contributed to the hateful educational environment endured by Jewish students since the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks in Israel by Hamas. He’s right. A recent poll found that 73% of Jewish college students and about 44%…Sara Garstka -
- Opinion
First Amendment Right to Religious Freedom Applies to Everyone but Jews
The First Amendment no longer applies to the openly Jewish. As antisemitic rallies, chants, and violence skyrocket in the United States and the Biden administration shifts focus to Islamophobia, many Jews have been forced to take their safety into their own hands. In America, rallies and other activities in support of the Hamas terrorist organization…Tony Kinnett -
- News
‘Have You Apologized?’ Congressman Grills DOJ Official About Targeting of Catholic Father Mark Houck
Republican Texas Rep. Chip Roy grilled the assistant attorney general for civil rights at the Department of Justice on Tuesday over the DOJ’s targeting of pro-life activists like Catholic father Mark Houck. Kristen Clarke, who oversees investigations into violations of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act, came before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution…Mary Margaret Olohan -
- Opinion
Transgender Activist Threatened to Target Christian Girls in Bathrooms and Rape Them to Death
“Transgender” people pose no threat to girls in girls’ restrooms, they say. Gender ideology is not a threat to Christianity, they say. The rhetoric of “trans genocide” does not inspire hatred or violence, they say. One grand jury indictment debunks that entire narrative, however, and news about it appears to have gone under the radar….Tyler O’Neil -
- News
‘Are You Going to Fire These People or Not?’ Hawley Demands Answers on FBI Catholic Memo
FBI Director Chris Wray admitted to Sen. Josh Hawley that he has not fired anyone at the FBI’s Richmond office over the memo urging the FBI to investigate “radical traditional Catholics.” “You haven’t fired anybody,” Hawley, a Missouri Republican, said to Wray in a Senate hearing Tuesday. He pressed Wray on the FBI Richmond office’s…Tyler O’Neil -
- Opinion
Nicaraguan Regime Continues to Imprison Catholic Bishop
Nicaragua has been in a state of turmoil since 2018. The leadership and actions of President Daniel Ortega’s regime have created an eruption of violence, civil unrest, and mass protests against the government. Defenders of human rights across the globe have strongly condemned the repressive actions of the regime. Amid this human rights crisis, the…Kristina Hjelkrem -
- Opinion
Why Are Federally Funded University Centers Pushing Antisemitism?
The federal Department of Education spends $75 million annually on foreign language and culture educational programs in the United States, but much of that funds academic centers that side with America’s antagonists and enemies. Just look at funding to study the Middle East. Beginning Oct. 20, university Middle Eastern studies centers have co-organized a weekly…Adam Kissel -
- Opinion
After 30 Years of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, the Law—and Our Liberty—Are Under Attack
Thirty years ago today, President Bill Clinton signed into law the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, or RFRA, to protect what he called “the most precious of all American liberties.” Presidents of both parties have declared religious freedom to be one of our most fundamental freedoms, a “critical foundation of our nation’s liberty,” and “a fundamental…Thomas Jipping -
- Opinion
The Antisemitism of the University Double Standard
A central feature of antisemitism is the application of a double standard by treating Jews differently from how other groups would be treated in similar circumstances. By this definition, antisemitism is a common practice at universities. My recent experience at the University of Arkansas helps illustrate the problem. When Donald Trump was elected president in…Jay Greene -
- Opinion
The Ideas Behind the Surge of Antisemitism on America’s Campuses
On the Senate floor Wednesday, Sen. Eric Schmitt delivered a speech about the recent wave of antisemitism from college students, and the ideologies driving it. Watch the speech, above, or read his remarks, lightly edited: I rise to bring attention to a problem that’s plaguing our great country. Americans and the rest of the world…Eric Schmitt -
- Opinion
Reporting of Antisemitism, Anti-Israel Bias Gets Short Shrift From Media
On the morning of Oct. 21, a 40-year-old synagogue president in Detroit named Samantha Woll was found stabbed to death outside her home. It appeared she had been attacked inside, and stumbled outside before being discovered the next morning. In the wake of the horrific Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attack in Israel, it was inevitable…Steve Krakauer -
- News
‘End the Occupation!’ Chants Derail House Hearing on Antisemitism
Anti-Israel protesters briefly derailed a House Judiciary Committee hearing on free speech and antisemitism on college campuses Wednesday morning. Right after committee chairman Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, swore in the witnesses, a protester shot up, holding a sign reading “Pro-Palestine [doesn’t equal] antisemitism.” The protester shouted something about “genocide,” adding, “Over 10,000 people have been…Tyler O’Neil -
- News
Christian Wedding Photographer Who Refused to Celebrate Same-Sex Marriage Wins Settlement
Virginia state officials agreed to settle a lawsuit with a Christian wedding photographer after he refused to use his business to celebrate same-sex marriage, according to a press release. Bob Updegrove filed a lawsuit against then-Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring in September 2020 after a state law required him to affirm same-sex marriage in his photography business,…Kate Anderson