Mark A. Kellner
Articles by Mark A. Kellner
Moscow’s chief rabbi leaves Russia, family cites ‘pressure by authorities’ to support Ukraine war
Moscow's chief rabbi has fled the country, his family said Tuesday, after being "put under pressure by authorities" to back Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Published June 7, 2022
Baylor professor in op-ed calls for criminal probes of Southern Baptist sex abuse
A Baylor University professor has penned an op-ed calling on Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton to investigate the hundreds of cases of sexual abuse in the state's Southern Baptist churches. Published June 7, 2022
![From left, Jehovah’s Witnesses members Vilen Avanesov, Alkesandr Parkov, and Vilen’s son Arsen Avanesov attend a hearing involving their case in Rostov-on-Don, Russia. On July 29, a court sentenced the men to terms ranging from six years to six and one-half years, following more than two years of pretrial detention. [Photo courtesy of Jehovah’s Witnesses]](https://twt-thumbs.washtimes.com/media/image/2021/07/29/210715_%D0%90%D0%B2%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%B5%D1%81%D0%BE%D0%B2%D1%8B_%D0%9F%D0%B0%D1%80%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%B2_%D0%B2_%D1%81%D1%83%D0%B4%D0%B5_c0-107-1280-853_s652x380.jpeg?9fd21d4650ecf971c7fa538550a4f74c4d7e721d)
Russia ordered to pay $67 million to Jehovah’s Witnesses over illegal ban, human rights court says
Russia must drop its ban on the Jehovah's Witnesses, release the 91 members of the group in its jails, and stop prosecuting citizens for belonging to the movement, the European Court of Human Rights ruled Tuesday. Published June 7, 2022
Nancy Reagan praised by Jill Biden as difference-maker at commemorative stamp unveiling
A commemorative U.S. postage stamp honoring the late Nancy Reagan had its design unveiled at The White House Monday, drawing praise from family members, a former Reagan aide, as well as first lady Jill Biden, a Democrat. Published June 6, 2022
Abuse survivors call for more action than proposed by Southern Baptists’ task force
The Southern Baptist Convention must do more to aid survivors of sexual abuse by Baptist pastors and laypeople than its Sexual Abuse Task Force recently proposed, a group of survivors said Sunday. Published June 5, 2022
Pope Francis asks world leaders ‘do not lead humanity to ruin’ in Pentecost remarks
Pope Francis on Pentecost Sunday called on world leaders to end the war in Ukraine, issuing the urgent plea "Do not lead humanity into ruin, please! Do not lead humanity into ruin, please!" Published June 5, 2022
Pride Month Rainbow flag displayed at American Vatican embassy in Rome
The U.S. Embassy to the Holy See in Rome is displaying a Rainbow Flag in honor of Pride Month, which the diplomatic mission to the Vatican State displayed this week on Twitter. Published June 3, 2022
Blinken vows U.S. will ‘stand up’ for religious freedom around globe
Secretary of State Antony Blinken vowed Thursday the United States "will continue to stand up for religious freedom around the world" as the agency released a more than 2,000-page report on the state of religious tolerance in countries around the world. Published June 2, 2022
Hungary balks at EU sanctions on Patriarch Kirill, blocking overall package
Objections by Hungary to European Union sanctions against Patriarch Kirill, leader of the Russian Orthodox Church, are holding up enactment of stricter measures against Russian oil imports. Published June 1, 2022
Southern Baptist panel buries compensation demands in recommendations to June business session
A Southern Baptist Convention sexual abuse task force buried calls for victim compensation on Wednesday as it suggested reforms for church delegates to approve at this month's business session in Anaheim, California. Published June 1, 2022
Student sues university over ‘no-contact’ orders after Christian statements
A Southern Illinois University Edwardsville graduate student sued the school Tuesday for civil rights violations after she was issued three "no-contact" orders involving peers who disagreed with her conservative and Christian beliefs. Published May 31, 2022
First transgender Lutheran bishop gets council backing against resignation nudge
The transgender bishop at the center of a racially tinged spat received the backing of the church district's council Tuesday in the face of the denomination's presiding bishop's resignation demand. Published May 31, 2022
Poll: Americans want to limit abortion, especially early in pregnancy
Americans generally support greater limits on abortion and it's not just religious voters, according to a new survey from a Southern Baptist seminary revealed Tuesday. Published May 31, 2022
Mormon elder says church backs gay rights with religious protections
Elder David A. Bednar of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said Thursday the church supports the civil rights of LGBTQ people and is working to advance legislation that also protects "the freedom of belief that we hold so dear." Published May 26, 2022
Palestinians, Israelis both gain in Americans’ esteem, survey finds
U.S. public opinion of the Palestinian and Israeli people is warming, but Americans' view of both governments improved even more, a new survey from the Pew Research Center revealed Thursday. Published May 26, 2022
Lamborn, Rubio among sponsors of bill to protect unvaccinated USAF cadets
Ten senators Wednesday introduced legislation to protect what they said were the free conscience rights of cadets at U.S. military academies who refuse vaccinations because of their beliefs. A companion measure is expected to be introduced in the House of Representatives. Published May 25, 2022
Advocacy group seeks to elevate profile of Christians in Middle East region
A nonprofit that advocates for Christian engagement in the Middle East is planning to hold three summit meetings with Christian leaders in the region to promote religious pluralism and assist in the development of their societies. Published May 24, 2022
Southern Baptists to release list of known sex predators
Leaders of the Southern Baptist Convention's executive committee vowed Tuesday to release a list of known sexual predators that a former attorney for the nation's largest Protestant denomination had kept secret over liability concerns. Published May 24, 2022
Lawsuit to continue as ‘overwhelming’ McLean Bible Church vote affirms new election rules
A yearlong dispute over the election of church leaders at McLean Bible Church in Virginia moved closer towards resolution Monday -- at least for the church's side -- when the megachurch announced an overwhelming vote in favor of new voting rules for the elders council. Published May 23, 2022
Survey: American Airlines most faith-friendly among Fortune 500
American Airlines is the most faith-friendly among the Fortune 500 companies, according to a religious freedom survey released Monday. Published May 23, 2022
