Mark A. Kellner
Articles by Mark A. Kellner
Russia sentences female Jehovah’s Witness to six years in prison
A Russian court has sentenced a female member of Jehovah's Witnesses to six years in prison, a term the group says is the longest a woman has received there since 2017. Published January 25, 2022
Christian member of Finnish Parliament on trial for ‘hate speech’ on gays
An evangelical Christian member of the Finnish Parliament went on trial in Helsinki Monday, accused of "hate speech" in connection with her comments and writings on homosexuality and for citing Biblical passages defining homosexual acts as sin. Published January 24, 2022
‘Bargain’ postage seen on social media can stick consumers with headaches, USPS warns
That "bargain" roll of postage stamps advertised on social media -- $58 worth of postage for only $39 -- can stick users with headaches, the U.S. Postal Service said Monday. Published January 24, 2022
Gen Z more socially disconnected, less likely to seek organized religion’s solace, survey finds
Members of Generation Z -- people between 13 and 25 years old -- are more socially disconnected but less likely to find solace in faith, a new survey finds. Published January 24, 2022
Fighting anti-Semitism remains challenge 80 years after genocidal Wannsee Conference
Historians, lawmakers and advocacy groups say anti-Semitism remains a global problem in the wake of the Jan. 15 hostage-taking standoff at a Texas synagogue -- and 80 years since Nazi leaders conspired to launch the Holocaust. Published January 20, 2022
Afghanistan tops roster of global Christian persecutors after Taliban takeover, crackdown
Afghanistan is the world's most dangerous place for Christians, displacing North Korea for the first time in 20 years in a Christian advocacy group's annual report. Published January 19, 2022
Brownback starts group to fund candidates who back religious freedom
Former Sen. Sam Brownback on Tuesday announced he is leading a multi-faith group of religious leaders in the launch of a new group to support and fund candidates who commit to supporting religious freedom. Published January 18, 2022
Brig. Gen. Charles McGee, Tuskegee Airman, dies at 102
Brig. Gen. Charles McGee, a college engineering student who became one of the Tuskegee Airmen in World War II, died in his sleep Sunday morning, Jan. 16, his family said in a statement. Published January 16, 2022
U.S. Jews to increase vigilance, training after Texas synagogue attack, experts say
The 11-hour hostage situation at a Texas synagogue this weekend will prompt increased vigilance at Jewish congregations and other organizations, security experts say. Published January 16, 2022
Supreme Court to hear case of high school football coach who was sacked for praying on field
The Supreme Court said Friday it would hear the case of a Washington state high school football coach who was sacked for praying on the field after games. Published January 14, 2022
Prince Andrew loses military roles, royal patronages, will defend sex charges ‘as private citizen’
Prince Andrew, who lost his royal title, patronages, and military roles on Thursday, will defend himself against a U.S. civil suit alleging sexual abuse as a private citizen, Buckingham Palace said. Published January 13, 2022
N.Y. wedding photographer to appeal court ruling compelling gay-wedding photoshoots
Wedding photographer Emilee Carpenter is appealing a New York federal judge's ruling that her attorneys say compels the evangelical Christian to create photo displays for same-sex weddings. Published January 12, 2022
Biden administration planning lists of employees seeking ‘religious’ vaccine exemptions
An obscure federal agency has proposed creating a database capturing the names and "personal religious information" of employees who submit "religious accommodation requests" to be exempted from the Biden administration's COVID-19 vaccine mandate. Published January 11, 2022
Pope Francis rips ‘cancel culture,’ emphasizes need to combat climate change, global conflict
Pope Francis blasted "cancel culture" this week, calling it a form of "one-track thinking" that flattens history, stifles dialogue and undermines the unity of humanity. Published January 11, 2022
Canadian preachers to push back on ban against gay conversion therapy
An estimated 300 Christian pastors in Canada are planning to deliver Sunday sermons on the Bible's definition of gender as a reproach to a new ban against the promotion of therapy that aims to change the sexual orientation of gays and lesbians. Published January 11, 2022
Europe’s high court backs bakers in Bert and Ernie gay-marriage cake battle
A husband-and-wife team of Northern Ireland bakers had the right to refuse a pro-gay marriage cake order on conscience grounds, the European Court of Human Rights ruled Thursday. Published January 7, 2022
Updated Bible’s interpretation of sodomy stirs debate
An update to the Bible translation used by many mainline Protestant churches has stirred accusations of "gaywashing" over how an ancient Greek word is translated. Published January 6, 2022
Postal Service asks for exemption from Biden vaccine mandate
The United States Postal Service has asked the Occupational Safety and Health Administration for "temporary relief" from the administration's vaccination mandate for organizations with more than 100 workers. Published January 5, 2022
Pope Francis decries couples favoring pets over children
Pope Francis bemoaned Wednesday a "demographic winter" where "people do not want to have children" but instead opt for dogs and cats as pets. Published January 5, 2022
Biden’s 11th Circuit judicial nominee is ‘radical activist,’ Family Research Council says
Nancy Gbana Abudu, President Biden's nominee for the Atlanta-based 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, came under fire Tuesday from the Family Research Council and 52 other conservative leaders and groups. Published January 4, 2022
