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
Bobby Jindal: ‘Religious Liberty Created the United States of America’
BOONE, Iowa—Wearing cowboy boots and jeans, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal told supporters watching him speak at an Iowa cafe that he will “fight for our religious liberties” if elected president. Jindal, who recently declared his candidacy for the Republican nomination for president, said he is disappointed in last week’s Supreme Court decision to legalize gay…Leah Jessen -
- Opinion
How to Preserve Religious Freedom After Supreme Court’s Activist Decision on Marriage
The Supreme Court’s 5-4 decision on Friday redefining marriage across all 50 states will likely have many serious, even unintended, consequences for the rule of law, democratic self-governance, and—in particular—religious freedom. Before the ink was dry on the court’s activist decision, a columnist for The New York Times was already calling for the end of…Sarah Torre -
- News
Senator Mike Lee’s Call to Action for Religious Liberty
If Americans are to preserve religious liberty in the country, they must tackle the topic proactively, live by their beliefs and set an example, said Sen. Mike Lee Thursday in a talk at Hillsdale College’s Kirby Center. “We will have this debate. The only question is whether we start a conversation or we let the…Diana Stancy -
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Christian Bakers Respond to Government Agency’s Ties to LGBT Group
The Oregon couple who refused to bake a cake for a same-sex wedding says the case against them should be "pulled out" of the state's administrative court system due to concerns that the government agency responsible for overseeing the trial is biased. The Daily Signal obtained communications between Basic Rights Oregon, a prominent gay rights group, and the Bureau of…Kelsey Bolar -
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Bobby Jindal on Religious Liberty Order: ‘Don’t Waste Your Time Trying to Bully Me in Louisiana’
Defying state legislators who rejected a measure that sought to protect “the right of conscience as it relates to marriage,” Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal acted on his own Tuesday. “I’m going to do anything I can to protect religious liberty,” the Republican governor told The Daily Signal in a phone interview on Wednesday. His executive…Kelsey Bolar -
- News
This Woman Left the Abortion Industry for the Pro-Life Movement. Now, She’s Written a Book About Her Journey ‘From Death to Life.’
Jewels Green was a mess when she was 17. She was a drug-using high school dropout who had had an abortion. Reeling from depression, given to self-harm, she even tried to kill herself before she was admitted to a psychiatric hospital. Not long after, she turned to the abortion industry again, this time for a…Kate Scanlon -
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9 Takeaways From Jeb Bush’s Remarks on Religious Freedom
Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush defended religious freedom during remarks at Liberty University’s 42nd Commencement ceremony on Saturday. During his remarks at the Christian university, Bush also praised Christianity as “a voice like no other”: “Whether it is captured on scrolls and paper, or in bits of data; seen in the example of Francis the…Kate Scanlon -
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Pro-Life Organizations Pledge to Risk Violating D.C. Anti-Discrimination Law
Hours after the Senate allowed a controversial anti-discrimination law to officially take effect in the nation’s capital, a group of pro-life organizations released a joint statement pledging to continue operating in accordance with their beliefs—thereby putting themselves at risk of violating the law. “Despite the enactment of this unjust law, we will continue to hire…Kelsey Bolar -
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House Passes Resolution Banning D.C. ‘Anti-Religious Freedom’ Law, but Senate Fails to Act
In a historic move, the House voted late Thursday in favor of striking down a Washington, D.C., anti-discrimination law that opponents say infringes on the ability of organizations to operate in accordance to their religious beliefs. The Senate, however, is choosing not to move forward with its own vote, essentially blocking any chance of overruling…Kelsey Bolar -
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After Shutting Down Christian Bakers’ Fundraising Campaign, GoFundMe Makes Policy Change
The popular crowdfunding website, GoFundMe, quietly changed its public policies Wednesday after coming under scrutiny for shutting down a campaign setup for the Christian bakers facing a $135,000 fine for refusing to bake a cake for a same-sex wedding. Instead of prohibiting “campaigns in defense of formal charges of heinous crimes, including violent, hateful, or sexual…Kelsey Bolar -
- News
Caving to Conservative Pressure, GOP Leadership Agrees to Hold Vote to Protect Religious Freedom in D.C.
After facing pressure from conservative lawmakers, House leadership has agreed to hold a vote on a measure that could strike down a Washington, D.C., anti-discrimination law that opponents say infringes on the ability of organizations to operate in accordance to their religious beliefs. “We exerted a lot of pressure in the last 48 hours to…Kelsey Bolar -
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Should GoFundMe and Christian Bakers Be Treated the Same? We Ask
Why does GoFundMe, a crowdsourcing website that raises money for a variety of personal causes and life events, get to choose who they do business with, but the owners of Sweet Cakes by Melissa do not? After GoFundMe shut down a campaign set up for Aaron and Melissa Klein, bakery owners who were fined $135,000 by…Paul Runko -
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Angie’s List CEO Resigns After Stirring Controversy Over Indiana’s Religious Freedom Law
Bill Oesterle, co-founder and chief executive of Angie’s List, announced he is stepping down from his position just weeks after the company took an outspoken stance against Indiana’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act. Oesterle’s announcement comes after Angie’s List decided to withdraw a proposal before the Indianapolis City Council to expand its headquarters. Angie’s List provides…Kate Scanlon -
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To Protect Religious Freedom, Republicans Attempt Historic Move Against D.C.
A powerful congressional committee last night passed a measure to kill one of two controversial pieces of legislation from taking effect in the District of Columbia, moving closer to acting out a historic power play against a bill that critics believe infringes on religious liberty. Opponents of the bill, called the Reproductive Health Non-Discrimination Act,…Kelsey Bolar -
- Opinion
Do Sofia Vergara’s Embryos Have a Right to Life?
Should a separated couple’s frozen embryos be allowed to survive? “Modern Family” actress Sofia Vergara and her ex-fiancé Nick Loeb have two frozen embryos created from when they were still in a relationship and were pursuing in-vitro fertilization. At the time, the couple, who planned to use a surrogate to carry the children to term, reportedly…Katrina Trinko -
- Opinion
Will We Surrender on Religious Freedom?
“They won’t go to Indiana, but they will go to Saudi Arabia.” That’s Carly Fiorina speaking about Apple CEO Tim Cook and his well-publicized opposition to Indiana’s religious freedom law. Fiorina, a former CEO herself, was underscoring what she quite rightly views as hypocrisy. Here Cook is, excoriating Indiana lawmakers for protecting the freedom of business owners to…Ed Feulner -
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Q&A With Washington Florist on Religious Freedom: ‘Who Are the Real Bigots Here?’
Barronelle Stutzman, a Christian florist from Washington state, is all too familiar with the public backlash that the owners of Memories Pizza faced after supporting Indiana’s controversial religious freedom law. “I think it is sad that it has come to this,” Stutzman told The Daily Signal via email in an exclusive interview. “We all have…Kelsey Bolar -
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A Pastor’s Easter Message on Religious Freedom
Pastor Jesse Johnson of Immanuel Bible Church just outside Washington, D.C., has a new appreciation for religious freedom in the United States after a recent trip overseas. He shared his insights with The Daily Signal about the fight for religious freedom around the globe and here at home. “It is in light of the resurrection and God’s sovereignty that…Jamie Jackson -
- Opinion
What Would the Founders Think About Religious Liberty and Indiana?
As the loud opposition to Indiana’s religious freedom law subsides, plenty of confusion needs to be cleared up. We need to explain to our friends what religious liberty is, why it matters, and what the consequences are of undermining it or, as is the case with the “fix” enacted in Indiana, restricting its protections. Now is…Ryan T. Anderson -
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The Religious Freedom Debate Explained in 90 Seconds
Lawmakers in Indiana and Arkansas have revised language in two controversial religious freedom bills. Originally, both bills were intended to prohibit state and local government from infringing on someone’s religious beliefs without a compelling reason. Here’s what you need to know about the debate in 90 seconds.Alex Anderson