More than 40 people killed in stampede at religious festival in Israel
A stampede at a religious festival attended by tens of thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews in northern Israel killed at least 44 people and injured about 150 early Friday, medical officials said. It was one of the country's deadliest civilian disasters.
Faith leaders file suit to block implementation of Georgia election law
Calling Georgia's new voter law unjust, undemocratic, and unconstitutional, a coalition of voting rights groups, faith leaders and churches have filed suit against Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and members of the Georgia State Election Board.
Clergy sex abuse probe launched by Wisconsin AG Josh Kaul
Attorney General Josh Kaul announced a statewide initiative, led by the Wisconsin DOJ, which will review reports of clergy and faith leader abuse.
San Francisco unveils prayer rooms at high-volume vaccination sites during Ramadan
Taking its cue from New York City, San Francisco decided to open up prayer rooms at high-volume vaccination sites during Ramadan and beyond.
Dalai Lama, 100 other Nobel Prize winners call on world leaders to phase out fossil fuels
The Dalai Lama and 100 other Nobel Prize laureates urged world leaders in an open letter to end the expansion of coal, oil and gas production in an effort to tackle the climate crisis.
Tennessee House passes bill mandating that fetal remains be buried or cremated
Medical providers in Tennessee would be required to cremate or bury fetal remains from surgical abortions under legislation advanced by the GOP-controlled House on Monday.
Liberty University sues Jerry Falwell Jr. for millions in damages after alleged sex scandal revealed
Liberty University is suing Jerry Falwell Jr. The school is seeking millions in damages after an acrimonious breakup with its former leader last year.
Atlanta police investigate suspected child molestation case at summer camp
The Atlanta Police Department’s Special Victims Unit said they have arrested a camp counselor accused of sexually abusing several young children.
‘The cathedral is saved’: Construction continues on 2-year anniversary of fire that engulfed Notre Dame
Bystanders stood and watched as reconstruction continues at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France, two years to the day since a devastating fire engulfed the iconic church.
Georgia corporate CEOs, faith leaders to discuss voting rights challenges
Less than a week after religious leaders in Georgia announced they would postpone boycotts of major Georgia companies that failed to challenge new election laws in the state, CEOs of Georgia's biggest companies will meet with those leaders for a digital "summit."
Poll: 40% of evangelical Protestants, largest religious group in US, hesitant to get COVID-19 vaccine
A recent photo posted online of the president of the Southern Baptist Convention, America’s largest evangelical denomination, getting the COVID-19 vaccine drew more than 1,100 comments.
Christians celebrate second Easter marred by COVID-19 pandemic
Christianity’s most joyous feast day is being celebrated worldwide with faithful sitting far apart in pews and singing choruses of “Hallelujah” through face coverings for the second Easter Sunday.
Church offers different kind of service during COVID-19 pandemic
Reverend Eric Thomas of St. Peter Missionary Baptist Church said he was grateful to be able to open the doors of his southwest Atlanta sanctuary for a different kind of church service during Holy Week. His church, along with St. Phillips AME and Jackson Memorial Baptist Church partnered with Walgreens to provide thousands of Pfizer and Johnson and Johnson vaccine doses. Rev. Thomas told FOX 5 more than 1,500 doses were administered at his church in March. He said he found it appropriate that this phase of the immunization program happens to fall on the Christian Holy Week.
Iraqi Christians reenact Jesus carrying the cross on Good Friday
An Iraqi man was filmed carrying a wood cross through a small village in northern Iraq, one of many observances held to commemorate the Christian holiday of Good Friday.
Muslim security guard in San Rafael says her car was vandalized with pig's feet and bacon
A Muslim security guard in San Rafael says she is the victim of a hate crime after someone vandalized her vehicle with pig's feet and bacon.
Some Holy Land sites reopen as Christians mark Good Friday
Christians in the Holy Land are marking Good Friday this year amid signs the coronavirus crisis is winding down.
Georgia voting law: Protestors leave water bottles at state Capitol
In response to new state voting laws, Georgia faith leaders staged a tongue-in-cheek protest at the state Capitol on Wednesday, the last day of the legislative session.
US church membership falls below 50% for 1st time in nearly a century
For the first time since the late 1930s, less than half of Americans say they belong to a church, synagogue or mosque, according to a new Gallup poll.
Activists urging public to boycott Georgia corporations, businesses respond to criticism
Faith leaders and activists are urging people to stop giving money to Georgia-based companies that remain silent over what they call "racist anti-voting bills".
Stores closed on Easter: Target, Costco among chains closed on Sunday holiday
Several major retail franchises, including Target and Costco, are planning to close their doors on Easter Sunday.