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
Tony Perkins on Religious Liberty: ‘We Have Just Begun to Fight’
Tony Perkins, the president of the Family Research Council, says the fight over religious liberty is just beginning, and he’s ready to fight. “To borrow a phrase from history, ‘we have just begun to fight,” Perkins tells The Daily Signal. “We will not shrink back, we will not be silent on our most fundamental freedom….David Brody -
- Opinion
Obama’s Worrisome Interpretation of the Constitution Regarding Religious Liberty
Speaking at a Democratic National Committee LGBT fundraiser on Sunday, President Obama observed that “religious freedom doesn’t grant us the freedom to deny our fellow Americans their constitutional rights.” Coming from a former constitutional law professor who is now chief executive of the United States, these remarks are a cause for concern. The sort of…Mark David Hall -
- News
Over 140 Pro-Life Leaders Pledge to Oppose Any Bill That Funds Planned Parenthood
A group of pro-life leaders have pledged to oppose any bill that funds Planned Parenthood. The Conservative Action Project has released a “Memo for the Movement” on its opposition to any bill that grants taxpayer funds to Planned Parenthood, the nation’s largest abortion provider. The project was founded by former Attorney General Edwin Meese and…Kate Scanlon -
- Opinion
Pope Francis Gives Strong Support to Religious Liberty in America
Yesterday on his flight back to Rome, Pope Francis was asked if he supported government officials who cannot in good conscience issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. His answer: “Conscientious objection must enter into every juridical structure because it is a right.” Although it is unclear if Francis had in mind the recent imprisonment and…Roger Severino -
- Opinion
Appeals Court Rules in Favor of National Abortion Federation Over Pro-Life Group That Created Planned Parenthood Videos
This week, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against the Center for Medical Progress (CMP) in a discovery dispute with the National Abortion Federation. CMP is the group of citizen journalists responsible for producing the undercover videos exposing Planned Parenthood’s practice of selling baby parts. This decision may end up being a costly one…Hans von Spakovsky -
- News
Victims of China’s Religious Liberty ‘Crackdown’ Appeal to Obama. But Will He Help?
Earlier this week, as devout American Catholics took to the streets of Washington to celebrate the arrival of Pope Francis, four Chinese human rights activists sat in a small, plain congressional office room on Capitol Hill. There were neither barricades nor the glaring lights of news camera crews at the press conference hosted by China…Madaline Donnelly -
- News
What Pope Francis Told Obama About Religious Liberty
Pope Francis, with allegiance to Catholic doctrine, spoke out in support of religious liberty to the 11,000 ticketed guests on the South Lawn of the White House Wednesday. In his speech, the pope made clear that religious liberty is an important freedom in the United States. “With countless other people of goodwill, [American Catholics] are likewise…Leah Jessen -
- News
Viral #ShoutYourAbortion Hashtag Met With Pro-Life Response
A pro-abortion hashtag was met with a pro-life response when it trended on Twitter Monday. The hashtag #shoutyourabortion was created by writers Lindy West and Amelia Bonow. The campaign to defund PP “relies on the assumption that abortion is to be whispered about.” #ShoutYourAbortion pic.twitter.com/r1ilpCVr30 — Lindy West (@thelindywest) September 19, 2015 Bonow told Buzzfeed…Kate Scanlon -
- News
This Pro-Life Group Wants You to Try to Schedule a Mammogram at Planned Parenthood
A pro-life organization has planned “Schedule Your Mammogram Day” on Sept. 21, a national campaign to have participants call Planned Parenthood to schedule a mammogram, a service it does not provide. FactCheck.org has verified that “Planned Parenthood health centers do not offer mammography,” but supporters of the organization often claim that women will lose access…Kate Scanlon -
- Opinion
How to Avoid Another Kim Davis Situation, Without Surrendering on Religious Freedom
Editor’s note: This article was originally published Sept. 10. Kim Davis is out of jail and taking a few days off before going back to work as the Rowan County, Ky., clerk. In the meantime, it’s worth reflecting on what we’ve learned thus far from the controversy. After all, it will not be the last….Jennifer Marshall -
- News
Over 70 Pro-Life Leaders Oppose Any Bill Funding Planned Parenthood
More than 70 pro-life leaders signed a memo by the Conservative Action Project to oppose any government spending bill that provides taxpayer funding to abortion provider Planned Parenthood. “The American culture respects human life,” states the memo, whose signatories include conservative leaders such as Eagle Forum founder Phyllis Schlafly and Focus on the Family founder James…Leah Jessen -
- Opinion
In Obamacare Mandate Case, Appeals Court Rules in Favor of Religious Freedom
Thursday, the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of a challenge to the Affordable Care Act requirement that employers offer their employees health care coverage that includes Plan B, ella, and other potentially life-ending drugs and devices—or fill out a form notifying the Department of Health and Human Services of their religious objection…Elizabeth Slattery -
- News
Pro-Life Groups Launch Website to Help Patients Find Alternatives to Planned Parenthood
A group of pro-life organizations have launched a website to help patients seeking health care find alternatives to Planned Parenthood. The Daily Signal previously reported that Alliance Defending Freedom and Charlotte Lozier Institute, the research arm of the Susan B. Anthony List, compiled a map of alternative health centers across the United States. Now, that…Kate Scanlon -
- News
Office Depot CEO Apologizes for Store’s Refusal to Print Pro-Life Flier
The CEO of Office Depot has apologized for a store’s refusal to print a pro-life flier. The office supply store received complaints of religious discrimination from customers after its rejection of the flier. Maria Goldstein, a Roman Catholic, ordered 500 copies of a pro-life flier to be handed out at her parish from an Office…Kate Scanlon -
- Opinion
Lessons Learned From Kim Davis About Religious Liberty and Government Accommodation
“I just want to serve my neighbors quietly without violating my conscience.” With those words, Kim Davis resumed her post as the clerk of Rowan County Monday. Her statement serves as a good reminder of what this case has been all about—finding a way to allow public servants to discharge their duties to God and…Roger Severino -
- News
Why This Libertarian Supports Gay Marriage and Religious Liberty
Many advocates of same-sex marriage are all for equal rights until it comes to the religious liberty rights of individuals and private business owners who don’t want to participate in same-sex weddings. But as Cato Institute constitutional scholar Ilya Shapiro explains, you can be an advocate for both. I begin our conversation by…Genevieve Wood -
- News
Pro-Life Leaders Demand Removal of ‘Racist’ Margaret Sanger Bust From National Portrait Gallery
A group of pro-life leaders will hold a press conference Thursday in Washington, D.C., to demand that a bust of Margaret Sanger, the founder of Planned Parenthood, be removed from the National Portrait Gallery. The bust of Sanger is currently displayed in the National Portrait Gallery’s “Struggle for Justice” exhibit. In an interview, ForAmerica Chairman Brent Bozell,…Kate Scanlon -
- News
At Religious Liberty Rally, Victims Share Their Stories
DES MOINES, Iowa—Several Americans who have faced threats to their religious liberty united for a rally last week. “These threats are not imagined. They’re not made up,” rally organizer Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, said. “These are real people, leading real lives who found themselves facing persecution simply for living out their faith.” The Odgaards’ Story…Leah Jessen -
- News
Teacher Protests Union’s Planned Parenthood Donations, Fights for Ability to Donate to Pro-Life Charity
A Pennsylvania teacher is suing the state’s largest teachers union, the Pennsylvania State Education Association, for preventing her from donating her nonmember fees to a pro-life charity. In an interview with The Daily Signal, Linda Misja, a teacher at Apollo-Ridge High School, said she has never paid for representation by the union, which she does…Kate Scanlon -
- News
Fund Aims to Help Christian Baker Offset Wedding Cake Losses
Family and friends of a Christian cake designer hope to help him with a fundraising campaign after a Colorado court ruled Thursday that he must create cakes for same-sex weddings despite his religious beliefs. “Cake artist” Jack Phillips has said his bakery, Masterpiece Cakeshop, has lost more than a third of its receipts since he…Ken McIntyre