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
Pro-Life Activist Who Filmed Planned Parenthood Responds to ‘Bogus’ Charges
The pro-life activists who created undercover videos that triggered multiple state and congressional investigations into Planned Parenthood’s abortion practices are facing more than a dozen new felony charges in California. The charges, brought by the state’s attorney general, allege Center for Medical Progress founder David Daleiden and his partner, Sandra Merritt, unlawfully recorded people without…Kelsey Bolar -
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Gorsuch Credits Liberal Democrats for ‘Very Strict Law’ Defending Religious Freedom
Neil Gorsuch, President Donald Trump’s nominee for the Supreme Court, deftly paid respect to liberal Democrats in remarks Tuesday on protecting religious liberty in cases such as the Hobby Lobby decision. “Hobby Lobby came to court and said, ‘We deserve protections too. We’re a small, family-held company … ,’” Gorsuch said of the retail chain in a…Rachel del Guidice -
- Opinion
We Hear You: Religious Liberty, Same-Sex Marriage, and Wedding Cakes
Editor's note: We got a big reaction with our report on the appeals court date for the husband-and-wife Oregon bakers ordered by a state agency to pay $135,000 for declining to make a wedding cake for a lesbian couple. Here's a sampling to lead off our latest roundup of mail. —Ken McIntyre Dear Daily Signal: How can Aaron…Ken McIntyre -
- Opinion
India’s New Restrictions on Religious Liberty Threaten Critical Aid to the Poor
In a sad development, the government of India is clamping down on religious liberty, and impoverished children stand to lose the most. Compassion International, a Christian organization that partners with local churches around the world to improve the lives of children in poverty, began shutting down its operations in India due to financial restrictions imposed…James Di Pane -
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Pro-Life Groups Sound Caution on Obamacare Replacement Bill
Pro-life leaders are voicing concerns over elements of the Obamacare replacement plan unveiled Monday evening by House Republicans. Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, a conservative policy organization, issued a statement Tuesday noting that money from refundable tax credits provided by the plan could be used to pay for abortions. House Speaker Paul…Rachel del Guidice -
- News
Conservative Leaders Call on Trump to Protect Religious Freedom
Conservative leaders are calling for President Donald Trump to move forward on an executive order to protect the exercise of religious beliefs by rolling back Obama-era regulations that targeted Catholic Charities, the Salvation Army, a military chaplain, Christian business owners, and others. “[Americans] are about to suffer under Obama-era anti?religious regulations,” a CNP letter says….Fred Lucas -
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Activists Discuss What Can Be Done to Advance Pro-Life Cause in Trump Era
Panelists told attendees of the Conservative Political Action Conference, or CPAC, that President Donald Trump has reset the tone of the pro-life movement for the better. “President Trump … has put an end to the failed Republican strategy of … personally professing our adherence to the pro-life cause and then equivocating when it came time…Rachel del Guidice -
- Opinion
The Pro-Life Legacy of Norma McCorvey, the ‘Roe’ of Roe v. Wade
Jane Roe did not live out her life by the script. As the “Roe” of the 1973 Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion, she would have been expected to be a staunch pro-choice advocate for the rest of her life. She wasn’t. Roe, whose real name was Norma McCorvey, died Saturday in Texas of a heart…Katrina Trinko -
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This Federal Agency Is Targeting a Family Business. A Religious Liberty Organization Is Calling on Trump to Protect It.
A religious liberty organization is asking President Donald Trump to sign a proposed executive order that would protect the religious freedom of a family-owned business and others like it from the punitive actions of an executive agency. “The Vander Boons are at risk of having their plant shut down and their employees left jobless because…Rachel del Guidice -
- Opinion
Misleading Report Exaggerates ‘Harmful Effects’ of Religious Freedom on Texas Economy
The Texas Association of Business—the state’s largest business advocacy organization—cites economic studies of dubious quality in projecting a loss of $964 million to $8.5 billion of gross state product if Texas were to strengthen its Religious Freedom Restoration Act in its current legislative session. In reality, the economic impact of changes to this law is…Jamie Bryan Hall -
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Meet the New Leader of One of the Biggest Religious Liberty Organizations
“I am the guy that runs to the fight.” For Michael Farris, the decision to lead one of the biggest organizations advocating religious liberty was motivated by thinking that threats to religious liberty were reaching a crisis point in America. “If religious freedom falls, then other rights [will fall],” Farris tells The Daily Signal. “Free…Rachel del Guidice -
- News
She’s Taking What She Learned on Capitol Hill to a National Pro-Life Group
Autumn Christensen has spent over a decade on Capitol Hill working to advance the pro-life cause, something that has been important to her since she was a girl. “The more we see, the more we know, and the more likely we are to grow into a country that cherishes life.” —@SBAList’s Autumn Christensen “I grew…Rachel del Guidice -
- Opinion
Sean Spicer Knows the Importance of Religious Liberty. Now Trump Should Act to Secure It.
In a press conference last Thursday, White House press secretary Sean Spicer was asked about a draft executive order on religious freedom and the president’s thoughts on the topic more generally. His response was excellent. After the Obama administration tried for years to reduce religious freedom to “freedom of worship,” Spicer’s robust defense of free…Melody Wood -
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Pro-Life Groups React to Sheryl Sandberg’s $1 Million Donation to Planned Parenthood
Facebook Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg recently made headlines when she donated $1 million to Planned Parenthood. Now, pro-life groups across the country are voicing their disappointment in the tech billionaire’s decision to support the nation’s largest abortion provider. Girls aborted by Planned Parenthood “will never get the chance to, in Sheryl’s words, ‘lean in,’”…James Rogers -
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Little Sisters of the Poor Respond to Draft of Trump Religious Freedom Executive Order
After a draft of a religious freedom executive order from President Donald Trump was leaked to the media, a group of Catholic nuns have once again found themselves in the spotlight. “I am aware of the draft executive order that seems to be circulating as of the last couple of days,” Sister Constance Veit, director of communications for…Kelsey Bolar -
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Religious Freedom Advocates Urge Trump to Sign Executive Order
Conservatives and religious groups are calling on President Donald Trump to stand firm on a draft executive order asserting the federal government recognize religious freedom as not only the right to worship but the right to express one’s religion. The draft of the executive order, reportedly called “Establishing a Government-Wide Initiative to Respect Religious Freedom,”…Fred Lucas -
- News
Pro-Life Lawmakers: Planned Parenthood Shouldn’t Get Another ‘Dime of Taxpayer Dollars’
Pro-life advocacy group Live Action, joined with members of Congress, called Thursday for the ending of taxpayer funding of Planned Parenthood, the nation’s largest abortion provider. “I hope that the sands of time blow over that Capitol dome before we ever give one more dime of taxpayer dollars to this insidious, deceptive, and evil enterprise,”…Caleb Ecarma -
- Opinion
Mr. President: Don’t Cave to Liberal Fearmongering. Protect Religious Freedom.
Liberals are up in arms over a possible executive order from President Donald Trump protecting religious freedom. A draft copy of the executive order was leaked to LGBT groups and liberal media outlets in an attempt to prevent the president from issuing it. But the president should not cave. He should stand up to the…Ryan T. Anderson -
- Opinion
Trump Should Rescind Obama’s Transgender Agenda and Protect Religious Liberty
The media was abuzz yesterday with rumors that President Donald Trump was preparing an executive order that would protect religious liberty in the aftermath of the redefinition of marriage. Trump should issue such an executive order, and he should rescind former President Barack Obama’s executive actions on sexual orientation and gender identity that created many…Ryan T. Anderson -
- Opinion
Why a Delay of Obamacare Repeal Threatens Pro-Life Goals
Troubling signs are appearing that congressional Republicans may not be as committed to the life agenda as they once were. The pro-life movement, tens of thousands of whom gathered in Washington, D.C., this weekend to participate in the March for Life, has long advocated stripping funds to America’s largest abortion provider, Planned Parenthood. The movement…Rachel Bovard