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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- Opinion
Apple CEO Tim Cook Is Wrong About Indiana Religious Freedom Law
Apple CEO Tim Cook has taken to The Washington Post to tell the nation that, in the words of the headline, “Pro-discrimination ‘religious freedom’ laws are dangerous.” Notice the scare quotes around “religious freedom.” But the reality is that the only person in favor of discrimination in this debate is Tim Cook. It is Tim…Ryan T. Anderson -
- News
How a Pastor Reacted to Indiana’s Religious Freedom Law
On Thursday, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence signed the Religious Freedom Restoration Act into law, creating a firestorm in the Hoosier State. The legislation allows residents to freely practice their religious beliefs while opponents believe it will allow businesses to discriminate against gay and lesbian patrons. >>> Read More: Mike Pence Signs Religious Freedom Bill In recent…Jamie Jackson -
- Opinion
The True Facts About Religious Freedom Laws
The mainstream media has launched an all-out blitz over a new law that protects the fundamental freedom of Indiana citizens from unnecessary and unreasonable government coercion. The media’s gross mischaracterizations of the Indiana Religious Freedom Restoration Act ignore the truth: Religious Freedom Restoration Acts prevent government discrimination against religious free exercise and simply provide a…Sarah Torre -
- Opinion
Why Are Lawmakers Changing Their Minds on Religious Freedom Law?
When Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., took to Twitter last night to echo opposition and concern from the NCAA about Indiana’s new religious freedom law, some were puzzled—especially since Schumer had sponsored a national religious freedom law that closely matches Indiana’s new law. “.@NCAA if you’re looking for a new place to hold 2021 #FinalFour –…Marguerite Bowling -
- Opinion
Indiana Protects Religious Liberty. Why That’s Good Policy.
In a victory for religious freedom, earlier today Gov. Mike Pence, R-Ind., signed into law the state’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act. This is good policy that protects the fundamental freedom of Indiana citizens from unnecessary and unreasonable government coercion. The Indiana law is based on the 1993 federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act—a law that has served…Ryan T. Anderson -
- News
Mike Pence Signs Religious Freedom Bill
A bill known as the Religious Freedom Restoration Act has been signed into law by the governor. Supporters of Indiana Senate Bill 101 say that the law protects the free practice of religion, and opponents say the law will allow gay and lesbian individuals to be discriminated against. For example, the law could permit business owners…Kate Scanlon -
- Opinion
Cruz, Lankford Move to Protect Religious Freedom of D.C. Private Schools, Organizations
On Wednesday, Senators Ted Cruz, R-Tex., and James Lankford, R-Okla., introduced resolutions of disapproval that, if passed by Congress and signed by the president, would effectively overturn two bad pieces of legislation passed by the D.C. council earlier this year. In January, District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser signed two euphemistically titled bills: the “Reproductive…Ryan T. Anderson -
- News
Should Pro-Life Organizations Be Forced to Hire Pro-Choice Employees?
Conservatives are urging Congress to overrule two pieces of legislation that could force religious and pro-life employers in the nation’s capital to do business in ways that go against their beliefs. The first bill in question, called the Reproductive Health Non-Discrimination Act (RHNDA), seeks to protect individuals from being discriminated against by an employer based…Kelsey Bolar -
- Opinion
Meet the 19th Century American Who Warned About Big Government, Religious Liberty Assaults
2015 marks a milestone in American history. One hundred and fifty years ago, Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered to General Ulysses S. Grant and ended the Civil War. Shortly thereafter, Orestes Augustus Brownson (1803-1876), a prominent journalist and philosopher, published “The American Republic,” an erudite defense of the Federal Constitution. As noted in our…Robert Moffit -
- Opinion
Positive Response to Indian Leader Modi’s Speech on Religious Freedom
Indian Prime Minister Modi has received praise at home and abroad for a speech he gave on February 17 that took a firm stand against religious persecution and violence and pledged equal treatment for all religions in India. His remarks were made to an audience of 1,200 Christians who had gathered to mark the canonization…Lisa Curtis -
- News
Obama Helps Spark a Religious Freedom Debate in India
The issue of religious freedom has sparked heated debate in India in recent weeks, prompting the country’s prime minister to address the subject directly. At an event celebrating Indian Catholics, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told the crowd that “My government will ensure that there is complete freedom of faith and that everyone has the undeniable…Ben Smith -
- News
Pro-Life Group’s Graphic Signs Spark Debate Over Images of Abortion
A recent pro-life protest in Columbus, Ohio, drew a heated response from a neighbor upset by the group’s graphic depiction of aborted fetuses on signs across from his house. It’s also sparked questions of how far is too far when it comes to showing images of abortion. The signs of demonstrators, led by pro-life group…Kate Scanlon -
- News
How This Christian Group Promotes a Pro-Life Message Through Running
It was a cold and cloudy day with poor visibility on the side of a mountain in Colorado when Dr. Pat Castle first encountered Padre Pio, the canonized Roman Catholic priest from Southern Italy, who was known for his healing powers and connection with supernatural occurrences. It was 2006, and Castle was about 10 minutes…Kevin Mooney -
- News
‘It’s a Two-Way Street’: What Americans Think About Same-Sex Marriage and Religious Liberty
A new Associated Press-GFK poll shows that more Americans favor legalizing same-sex marriage, but a majority believe businesses that provide wedding services shouldn’t have to participate in a same-sex marriage if they have a religious objection. According to the poll, 44 percent of Americans favor legalizing same-sex marriage, 39 percent oppose it, and 15 percent…Kate Scanlon -
- Opinion
Congress Can Fix New D.C. Bills That Force Pro-Life Groups to Pay for Abortion, Religious Schools to Violate Beliefs
Over the weekend, District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser signed into law two pieces of bad legislation. These policies will saddle religious organizations and employers with a choice of complying with coercive laws that force them to violate their religious beliefs and organizational missions, or staying true to their beliefs in defiance of unjust laws….Ryan T. Anderson -
- News
How Pro-Life Is Your State? This Map Holds the Answer
How does your state regulate the abortion industry? One pro-life group has released a map to help you find out. “The abortion industry should … not be allowed to keep profits high and standards low,” says @CharmaineYoest. Americans United for Life released the “2015 Life List” this week, ranking all 50 states based on their…Kate Scanlon -
- Opinion
Texas Pro-Life Law Prompts Judges to Weigh Health Risks of Abortion to Women
In the latest challenge to Texas’ so-called “pro-life law of the century” (passed as H.B. 2), last week a three-judge panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals heard the case Whole Woman’s Health v. Lakey. Abortion providers, including Whole Woman’s Health Clinic in McAllen, Texas, sued the state to keep key provisions of…Josh Shepherd -
- News
This Photo Inspired a Book, Film and Pro-Life Message Across the Globe
For the Armas family, one picture meant much more than a thousand words. In August 1999, doctors diagnosed Samuel Armas—who was still in his mother’s womb—with spina bifida, a congenital disorder that causes deformation of the spinal cord. To prevent her future son from suffering severe neurological damage, Armas’s mother, who was 21 weeks pregnant…Gabriella Morrongiello -
- Opinion
BJP Can Do More to Protect Religious Freedom in India
The state of religious freedom in India is in question after a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) member of parliament declared that on Christmas Day he would host a Hindu conversion ceremony, a ceremony where Christians and Muslims are publicly pressured to abandon their faith. While the conversion ceremony has since been temporarily called off after the BJP…Olivia Enos -
- Opinion
D.C. Passes Bill That Could Force Pro-Life Organizations to Pay for Abortion Coverage
Today, the Council of the District of Columbia passed a bill that could force employers in the nation’s capital to cover elective abortions in their health plans and require even pro-life organizations to hire individuals who oppose their views on abortion. The bill will now go to Mayor Vincent Gray for approval. This latest attempt…Sarah Torre