Mark A. Kellner
Articles by Mark A. Kellner
Gail Halvorsen, Berlin Airlift’s ‘Candy Bomber’ and Mormon icon, dies at 101
Retired Air Force Col. Gail S. Halvorsen, the "Candy Bomber" whose exploits endeared him to a generation of children in war-ravaged Berlin and made him an iconic figure in his Mormon community, died Wednesday at his home in Salt Lake City. He was 101. Published February 17, 2022
Persecution of India’s Christians on pace for second record year, group says
A "sharp increase" in the persecution of Christians across eight states in India suggests the South Asian nation is on track for a second record year of such attacks, a religious liberty group said Monday. Published February 14, 2022
Scores of congregations quit United Methodist Church over gay clergy, same-sex marriage
At least 130 congregations have quietly walked away from the United Methodist Church in a schism over the denominations' planned acceptance of same-sex marriage and homosexual clergy. Published February 11, 2022
Virginia’s AG Miyares rejects blanket dismissals of failure to pay child support prosecutions
Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares said Thursday the state will no longer request dismissals of petitions against parents who are not paying child support unless there are special circumstances. Published February 10, 2022
Biden’s approval rating plummets among Black Protestants, religiously unaffiliated: Pew poll
President Biden's approval among Black Protestants and the religiously unaffiliated -- the so-called nones -- has fallen dramatically after a year in office, the Pew Research Center said Thursday. Published February 10, 2022
Naval chaplaincy appointee under fire for alleged Islamophobia, Christian nationalism
One week after his appointment as deputy Naval Chief of Chaplains was announced, Rear Adm. Carey H. Cash is facing stiff opposition from advocacy groups who call him an "Islamophobe" and a "Christian nationalist." Published February 8, 2022
Max Lucado: Time to recapture ‘core’ of Christian message
Bestselling evangelical author Max Lucado wants Christians to revisit the "core question" of the faith, which concerns "God's great invitation" to salvation. Published February 8, 2022
CVS accused of religious discrimination over contraception exemption in EEOC complaint
A Texas nurse practitioner has filed a religious discrimination complaint against CVS Pharmacy, which she says fired her over her faith-based opposition to prescribing contraception. Published February 8, 2022
Bakers, therapists to lose conscience protections under proposed Arizona ‘Equality’ bill
A proposed Arizona bill will require bakers, flower arrangers, photographers and web designers, among other creative professionals, to make available their services regardless of their individual conscience, advocates said Monday. Published February 7, 2022
Jerry Falwell Jr. reaffirms faith after scorching Vanity Fair profile
Jerry Falwell Jr., former president of powerhouse Christian school Liberty University and a prominent ally of former President Donald Trump, took to the internet to defend his faith after a scorching profile in Vanity Fair magazine. Published February 3, 2022
Televangelist T.D. Jakes takes aim at automation’s job losses with STEAM program
Bishop T.D. Jakes, the televangelist and bestselling author, is aiming to help avert a looming employment crisis for minority communities by promoting a camp based on STEAM. Published February 3, 2022
White evangelicals less likely to favor amnesty for illegal immigrants, survey finds
White evangelical Christians are least likely to support amnesty for illegal immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children, according to a survey published Thursday. Published February 3, 2022
Vandals strike Catholic church grotto in Fairfax County, destroy statues
Fundraising plans are underway to replace statues that were vandalized last month at a Roman Catholic church's grotto in Fairfax County, officials said. Published February 2, 2022
Bipartisan support grows for nonprofit security grant funding hike after Texas synagogue siege
A bipartisan group of senators is calling for increasing federal funding for security measures at houses of worship following last month's hostage standoff at a Texas synagogue. Published February 1, 2022
School sued over social media ban on religion, restriction on religious expression at school
A Michigan high school junior and his parents are suing educators for banning the student from expressing religious views on his private social media accounts, or in school without a teacher present to "monitor and guide" the conversation. Published January 31, 2022
D.C. Mormon Temple extends ‘open house’ period, moves rededication to August
The two-month open house for the recently refurbished Washington Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will be extended by nearly two months, the faith's leaders said Friday. Published January 28, 2022
Louisville to pay $75,000 to cop suspended for off-duty prayer outside abortion clinic
Louisville, Kentucky, is paying $75,000 to a police officer who says he was suspended for four months after offering up an off-duty prayer outside an abortion clinic. Published January 27, 2022
Exhibits, online events to mark 2022 observance of International Holocaust Remembrance Day
Exhibits and online programs spotlighting one of history's darkest events were planned Thursday for International Holocaust Remembrance Day, commemorating when Soviet troops liberated the Auschwitz concentration camp in Europe in 1945. Published January 27, 2022
Oregon appeals court orders state agency to reconsider $135,000 fine against Christian bakers
The Oregon Court of Appeals Wednesday issued a partial reversal of a state agency's ruling against two evangelical Christian bakers who declined to create a custom cake for a same-sex wedding on religious grounds. Published January 26, 2022
State Department sharply criticizes Russia over prison term for female Jehovah’s Witness
The State Department on Wednesday denounced Russia's crackdown on Jehovah's Witnesses in a blistering response to reports that a Russian court has sentenced a female Witness to six years in prison for practicing her faith. Published January 26, 2022
