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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Conservative Action Project: ‘We Must Act Now to Protect Religious Liberty in America’
The Conservative Action Project has released a “Memo to the Movement” on the state of religious liberty in the United States. The project was founded by former Attorney General Edwin Meese and includes leaders of over 100 organizations in the conservative movement. The signatories urge that “we must act now to protect religious liberty in…Kate Scanlon -
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Pro-Life Leaders Say Planned Parenthood Openly ‘Targets’ Black Community
Following allegations that Planned Parenthood is selling aborted fetal body parts for profit, black pro-life leaders are calling to defund the organization and address what they call “targeting” of their community. “It’s an open secret that they are targeting the black community, that they have located their facilities within a two-mile walking radius of a…Kelsey Bolar -
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Why Are ‘Customers’ So Angry About This New Book on Marriage and Religious Freedom?
Is the debate about marriage over after the Supreme Court’s June decision to redefine marriage in all fifty states? That’s what some Amazon.com reviewers are insisting after a new book was released last week. The book, “Truth Overruled: The Future of Marriage and Religious Freedom,” is a roadmap from Ryan Anderson, a senior research fellow…Marguerite Bowling -
- Opinion
Oregon’s War on the Christian Bakers’ Free Speech
My parents immigrated to the United States in 1951, after surviving the tyranny of Nazi Germany and Soviet Communism. It never would have occurred to them that any American, such as Aaron and Melissa Klein of Oregon, would have their freedom to speak, their right to live their lives according to their religious beliefs and…Hans von Spakovsky -
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Conservatives Plot to Get Religious Liberty Bill to Obama’s Desk
Conservative members of Congress appeared confident today that a new bill designed to prohibit the federal government from taking “discriminatory action” against a person or institution based on his or its religious beliefs about marriage will reach the president’s desk sooner, rather than later. The bill, called the First Amendment Defense Act, was written in…Kelsey Bolar -
- Opinion
Want Religious Freedom? Then Let’s Pass the First Amendment Defense Act.
Two weeks ago, in a usurpation of the democratic process on par with Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court got marriage and the Constitution wrong. Its decision in Obergefell v. Hodges redefined marriage for the entire country. Nothing in the Constitution gives unelected judges the power to do so. But the court did it anyway, and now…Ryan T. Anderson -
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‘Full House’ Star Defends Christian Bakers: ‘I Don’t Think This Is Discrimination’
The talk show “The View” pitted two childhood stars against each other to discuss the controversial issue of Christian bakers receiving a $135,000 fine for refusing to bake a lesbian wedding cake. Candace Cameron Bure of “Full House” and Raven-Symoné of “That’s So Raven” went head to head discussing the hot topic issue, coming down…Samantha Reinis -
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Christian Bakers Fined $135K Over Lesbian Wedding Cake Raise More Than $210K
A fundraising campaign that was launched to help Aaron and Melissa Klein, the bakers fined $135,000 for refusing to bake a cake for a same-sex wedding, has raised more than $210,000. The Kleins told The Daily Signal in an earlier interview that their income has virtually been cut in half since they were forced to…Diana Stancy -
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Christian Baker Makes Case for Not ‘Expressing’ Support of Same-Sex Marriage
The owner of a family business that makes custom cakes today asked a Colorado appeals court to strike down state rulings that he discriminated against a same-sex couple by declining to provide a cake to celebrate their wedding. “People shouldn’t be forced to choose between earning a living and exercising their fundamental rights.”—@AllianceDefend’s Jeremy Tedesco…Ken McIntyre -
- Opinion
Sorry, Slate: Oregon Did Put a ‘Gag Order’ on Those Christian Bakers
On Thursday, The Daily Signal published an article about Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) Commissioner Brad Avakian ordering Aaron and Melissa Klein, Christian bakers who had refused to make a wedding cake for a lesbian couple, to pay the couple $135,000 for “emotional” damages and issuing a gag order against the Kleins. On…Hans von Spakovsky -
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Mike Huckabee in Iowa: ‘Religious Liberty Is the Foundation of All Our Liberties’
FORT DODGE, Iowa—Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee—who won Iowa’s Republican caucuses in 2008—joined a room full of Iowans this morning to lay out the policies he would promote during his latest presidential run. Huckabee, who especially succeeded in winning over evangelicals in 2008, focused much of his speech on religious liberty, which he called “the…Leah Jessen -
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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 -
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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 -
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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