Mark A. Kellner
Articles by Mark A. Kellner
‘Their blood is on your hands,’ vandals write at Focus on the Family office after Club Q attack
Vandals struck a sign at the Colorado Springs, Colo., headquarters of Focus on the Family on Thanksgiving Day, local police and the evangelical Christian ministry confirmed. Published November 26, 2022
When’s Easter? Pope wants end to differing dates in Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic traditions
Centuries of dispute between Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches on how to calculate the date of Easter may come to an end if Pope Francis' latest appeal is implemented. Published November 26, 2022
Church leaders counter drag queen events for children with ‘Pastor’s Story Hour’ at libraries
On a recent weekend afternoon, two evangelical pastors read children's books in public libraries, events they called "Pastor's Story Hour" to counter the burgeoning number of "Drag Queen Story Hour" readings in libraries and public schools. Published November 23, 2022
Wyoming Christian rescue mission wins right to hire believers only, settles employment lawsuit
A Christian rescue mission in Casper, Wyoming, has won concessions from state and federal regulators and will be able to hire those who affirm the nonprofit's religious beliefs, its attorneys said Wednesday. Published November 23, 2022
Nurse sues Boston hospital that fired her after she refused to take COVID-19 vaccine
A self-described pagan fired from her nursing job at Boston Medical Center has sued the hospital over her termination for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine. Published November 22, 2022
India’s crackdown on non-Hindu faiths a religious liberty concern, U.S. panel says
Laws and regulations on religion passed under Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government "have cultivated an environment that is increasingly hostile toward religious minority communities," the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom said in a survey Tuesday. Published November 22, 2022
Rescue missions return to in-person dining after two pandemic-laden years
Christian rescue missions across the nation are expected to do something this week that most haven't been able to do for several years: provide an in-person, sit-down Thanksgiving meal for those experiencing homelessness and food insecurity. Published November 22, 2022
Higher Ground: Is religious freedom under attack?
The Senate on Wednesday set the stage for passage of the Respect for Marriage Act, a bill that would codify same-sex marriages and interracial unions into federal law. Published November 20, 2022
Tajikistan should release ailing Jehovah’s Witness from prison, Rubio says
Shamil Khakimov, a Jehovah's Witness jailed in Tajikistan, gained new support when Sen. Marco Rubio, Florida Republican, and Nury Turkel, chairman of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, took to social media to advocate for his release. Published November 18, 2022
U.S. Catholic bishops elect conservative officers, rebuff a Francis ally
Conservative Roman Catholic bishops claimed the top spots in the church's just-concluded U.S. leadership conference, angering moderates in the church but bolstering those seen as skeptical of the liberal reform agenda of Pope Francis. Published November 17, 2022
New study finds demand for Jewish chaplains, but lack of recognition in the community
Jewish chaplains in the U.S. operate in health care, hospice, elder care, the military, on campuses and in prisons. But their work is "largely underappreciated and unrecognized" by Jewish organizations, the "Mapping Jewish Chaplaincy" study found. Published November 17, 2022
‘Highly religious’ Americans say Earth merits protection, but fewer fear climate change: Study
Nearly three-quarters of highly religious Americans say they must care for the planet, but a much lower number says climate change is a "very serious problem," according to a new Pew Research Center study that notes political affiliation as a key factor in the issue. Published November 17, 2022
Mormon Church backs ‘Respect for Marriage Act,’ writing same-sex nuptials into federal law
On Tuesday, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints endorsed the pending Respect for Marriage Act, a bill in the Senate that would enshrine protections for same-sex marriage in federal law. Published November 15, 2022
Nashville charity aims to raise awareness of orphans with fundraiser, state capitol lighting
Tennessee's state capitol building will be sporting a new color scheme -- purple -- Monday evening as organizers hope to draw attention to the tens of millions of orphans around the world. Published November 14, 2022
‘Jesus’ movie, outreach tool for decades, dubbed in 2,000th language
When Mang Sing, a Christian pastor born in Myanmar's Chin state, first heard the characters of the film "Jesus" speaking in the Zo language of his people, his heart skipped a beat. Published November 11, 2022
Church-goers not attending services as often post-COVID, survey finds
An estimated 15% of parishioners haven't returned to the pews although nearly every church is open two years after the COVID-19 pandemic shuttered their doors, according to a survey released Tuesday. Published November 8, 2022
United Methodists to meet in 2024 on dividing up church property
The United Methodist Church has said it has settled on a date and place for a long-delayed business meeting on dividing up property among the nation's second-largest Protestant denomination. Published November 8, 2022
Facial hair flap reignites after D.C. fire department reinstates beard ban
Religiously observant D.C. firefighters and paramedics asked a federal district court Monday to throw out a 2020 city policy restricting facial hair, a move they say violates a judicial ruling that blocks the Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department from prohibiting beards. Published November 7, 2022
Prayer and miracles the lead story in Fox News’ Harris Faulkner’s new book
The idea that a television news anchor would collect stories about miraculous answers to prayer and publish a book with theological references might seem far-fetched -- until you talk to the author. Published November 7, 2022
Higher Ground: Politics in the pews heading into midterm elections
With the midterm elections approaching on Tuesday, a new survey found that half of American Protestants want "the church of their choice" to be in sync with their own political views. Published November 6, 2022
