Mark A. Kellner
Articles by Mark A. Kellner
Hear from the dead? Slightly more than half of Americans say they have
Slightly more than half of Americans surveyed said they've had interactions with deceased relatives, with many saying such events have happened in the past 12 months, the Pew Research Center said Wednesday. Published August 24, 2023
Liberal school district sued for trying to ‘disrupt thinking’ on traditional gender views
Montgomery County Public Schools "misled" parents and a federal court about the controversial introduction of LGBTQ-related reading materials for grades as young as pre-kindergarten, according to a Muslim civil rights group. Published August 23, 2023
Catholic apple farmer unfairly barred from Michigan public market, judge rules
Declining to host same-sex weddings at an apple orchard is not enough to disqualify a Catholic vendor from the farmer's market in East Lansing, Michigan, a federal district judge ruled Monday. Published August 22, 2023
Christian legal group campaigns to restore prayer, affirmations of faith to public square
A 2022 Supreme Court ruling allowing a Washington state high school football coach to pray on the field at the end of games is the first step in a nationwide push to return affirmations of faith to the public square, according to the Christian legal group that won the case. Published August 21, 2023
Higher Ground: Pro-lifers score legal victories
Dive deep into the major faith-focused headlines, brought to you by The Washington Times Higher Ground. Published August 21, 2023
Pastor’s Washington-area ‘Not a sermon’ radio ads go national, bring Christian message to millions
While many retirees would work on their golf game or take up pickleball, Lon Solomon is working to expand his "Not a Sermon" advertising reach. Published August 18, 2023
Southern Baptist leader out after lying about academic credentials
The Rev. Willie McLaurin, interim president and CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention's Executive Committee for the past 18 months, abruptly resigned Thursday after admitting to lying about his academic credentials. Published August 17, 2023
Colorado regulations put Catholic preschools in dilemma, lawsuit says
Colorado's new universal prekindergarten program, designed to provide at least 15 hours a week of taxpayer-funded preschool for every child in the state, has requirements that unfairly shut out Catholic Church-run programs, according to a lawsuit filed Wednesday in Denver. Published August 16, 2023
‘Sound of Freedom’ distributor repays crowdfunders 120% as film soars at box office
Thousands of crowdfunding investors who supported advertising for "Sound of Freedom" -- the sleeper hit drama about child sex trafficking -- have seen their enthusiasm repaid with a 20% profit in less than 90 days, the film's distributor said Wednesday. Published August 16, 2023
Virginia pastor calls for restoring ‘Judeo-Christian values’ in long-shot GOP presidential bid
It's a safe bet that Bishop E.W. Jackson won't take the Republican presidential primary debate stage in Milwaukee next week, but what he lacks in polls and donors, he makes up for in utter confidence. Published August 16, 2023
New Jersey court backs Catholic school in firing of unmarried pregnant teacher
A Catholic school was within its rights to deny an art teacher a contract renewal after the instructor became pregnant out-of-wedlock, the Supreme Court of New Jersey ruled Monday. Published August 14, 2023
Higher Ground: America’s Christians ‘dread’ the future of faith
Freedom of speech and religion at risk in Britain; prayer at school showdown in Texas; and growing 'dread' in Christian communities. Published August 14, 2023
Sikh recruit makes Marine Corps history, completing boot camp with turban, beard
One of America's newest Marines made history as the first Sikh to complete boot camp without having to shave his head or beard or give up the "articles of faith" that Sikhs consider sacred. Published August 11, 2023
November trial set for British man accused of ‘thought crime’ in silent prayer
A former British army reservist will face a Nov. 16 trial on criminal charges arising from a silent prayer near an abortion clinic in Bournemouth, England, a British court said Wednesday. Published August 9, 2023
House Republicans back Finnish Christians facing retrial for hate speech
A group of House Republicans is calling for the U.S. to support two prominent evangelical Christians in Finland who face a retrial on hate speech charges this month. Published August 8, 2023
American Christians fear for the future of the nation and the world, Lifeway survey shows
Fears for the future of America and the world are on the rise in American Protestant congregations, survey data from Lifeway Research revealed Tuesday. Published August 8, 2023
Texas school district shelves prayer event after out-of-state secular group protests
A Texas school district cut short a three-week prayer campaign after an atheist group in Wisconsin sent a complaint letter. Published August 7, 2023
Higher Ground: ‘Sound of Freedom’ continues to ring
Don't miss the top faith news and commentary in this week's Higher Ground newsletter. Published August 7, 2023
Man charged for silently praying near abortion clinic in England, critics call it a ‘thoughtcrime’
Authorities in Bournemouth, England, have criminally charged a British army veteran for praying silently while standing in a buffer zone outside an abortion clinic, his attorneys said Friday. Published August 4, 2023
Federal judge blocks Illinois law that unleashed prosecutors on pro-life pregnancy clinics
A federal judge has issued a temporary injunction blocking a week-old Illinois law authorizing prosecution of "limited services" crisis pregnancy centers for allegedly duping women to believe they could get abortion services at the pro-life centers. Published August 4, 2023
