Mark A. Kellner
Articles by Mark A. Kellner
End of the world as pope knows it? Francis’ latest remarks stir prophetic interest
Pope Francis on Monday said he sees "still greater omens of greater destruction and desolation" in the world and called on people "to put aside selfishness, indifference and antagonism." Published December 13, 2022
Forever stamp to honor Rep. John Lewis, civil rights activist, in 2023
Rep. John Lewis, the late civil rights leader and Georgia Democrat, will be portrayed on a U.S. commemorative postage stamp in 2023, the U.S. Postal Service announced Tuesday. Published December 13, 2022
More happiness, sexual satisfaction in marriage come with high ‘dosage’ of religion: Study
Religious adults who attend worship services more than once a week are happier, have higher levels of "life meaning" and say they are more sexually satisfied in their marriages than those who minimally participate in faith activities or avoid religion entirely, according to a new study. Published December 13, 2022
Aging leadership at Christian nonprofits raises succession questions
The leaders of America's largest Christian organizations increasingly have something in common: they're closer to eligibility for Medicare than their college graduation, a new study finds. Published December 12, 2022
And then there were ‘nones’: Americans identifying as nonreligious plateaus in yearly Gallup survey
There's been a rise in the number of Americans identifying as claiming no religious affiliation -- often referred to as "nones" -- but the surge may have hit a speed bump. Published December 9, 2022
Trial of Hong Kong publisher Jimmy Lai could feed mainland revolt, Catholic cleric says
Imprisoned Hong Kong publisher Jimmy Lai -- the 74-year-old founder of the now-defunct pro-democracy Apple Daily newspaper -- is facing trial on charges that he violated Hong Kong's strict new national security laws. Published December 9, 2022
Federal court halts Biden’s decree that doctors must provide gender-transition treatment
Religious doctors and hospitals will not have to perform gender-transition procedures in violation of their conscience, a federal appeals court ruled Friday. Published December 9, 2022
Ex-NSO violinist Jenny Oaks Baker touring with family in Christmas concert series
Violinist Jenny Oaks Baker, who spent seven years as first chair for the National Symphony Orchestra, is now also a musical entrepreneur of sorts. Published December 8, 2022
Idaho Christian law students, adviser, claim victory in settlement with university
Three members of a Christian student group and their faculty adviser settled a lawsuit against the University of Idaho after officials agreed to pay $90,000 and drop sanctions imposed after a complaint about the group's stance on marriage. Published December 7, 2022
Pregnancy center fundraiser disrupted by shouting pro-abortion demonstrators
Protesters disrupted the annual fundraising banquet held by the Capitol Hill Pregnancy Center at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington Thursday. While local police helped remove the demonstrators, no arrests were made. Published December 4, 2022
Nigeria skates on State Dept. rights blacklist for second consecutive year, critics charge
The State Department drew fire Friday for again omitting Nigeria from its "Countries of Particular Concern" list of states with religious freedom violations. Published December 2, 2022
Conn. school board drops Jewish holy days from school calendar, rejects Hindu festival of Diwali
Parents in Farmington, Connecticut, are fuming over the local school board's decision to drop Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, two of Judaism's "high holy days," from the list of school closings, as well as its refusal to add Diwali, a Hindu observance. Published December 2, 2022
A Christian nation no more? Census numbers fuel debate on Britain’s identity, Christianity’s future
Its king is the "defender of the faith" and the supreme governor of the Church of England. More than half of the church's archbishops of the Church of England sit by right in the House of Lords. The national anthem is "God Save the King." Published December 1, 2022
Vermont agrees to pay religious school tuition where public schools are unavailable
Parents in Vermont can now use the state's tuition assistance for towns without public education at faith-based schools, attorneys announced Thursday, ending a 20-year dispute. Published December 1, 2022
Former Southern Baptist leader accused of sexual abuse not restored to ministry, says president
The Rev. Bart Barber, president of the Southern Baptist Convention, on Wednesday said no group of pastors can declare another minister accused of sexual abuse as being "restored" to ministry and that efforts to return the cleric to public ministry are "repugnant." Published November 30, 2022
Britain, Wales see dramatic drop in Christian populations, U.K. census reveals
For the first time in a census of England and Wales, fewer than half the population -- 46.2% -- described themselves as Christian in a 2021 headcount, the Office for National Statistics said Tuesday. Published November 29, 2022
23% of world’s nations used force to halt religious gatherings in 2020: Pew report
Governments in nearly a quarter of the world's nations, including the United States, used force to prevent religious gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, a new Pew Research Center study says. Published November 29, 2022
Tennessee county should drop ‘Judeo-Christian values’ from document, Atheist group says
Officials in Sumner County, Tennessee, are under fire for including a reference to "the Judeo-Christian values inherent in our nation's founding" in a document outlining "standing rules" for county commissioners. Published November 28, 2022
Pope Francis admonishes U.S. bishops group, says to shun polarization in Jesuit magazine interview
Pope Francis said Roman Catholics in the United States should shun polarization. Published November 28, 2022
Higher Ground: a whopping 70% of FBI’s abortion-related probes involve threats to pro-life outfits
"We have quite a number of investigations as we speak into attacks or threats against pregnancy resource centers, faith-based organizations, and other pro-life organizations," FBI Director Christopher Wray said. Published November 27, 2022
