Mark A. Kellner
Articles by Mark A. Kellner
United Methodist Church shrinks by 25% over LGBTQ ministry row: Report
The United Methodist Church's schism over LGBTQ issues has cost the nation's second-largest Protestant denomination about one-quarter of its congregations, mostly in the South, according to a new study. Published January 23, 2024
Atheist group demands GOP congressman remove Christian flag displayed outside office
An atheist group is demanding that a Republican House lawmaker remove a Christian-themed flag that stands outside his Capitol Hill office. Published January 22, 2024
U.S. Jewish schools see 47% increase in security costs since Oct. 7 Hamas terror attack in Israel
Jewish schools in the United States have seen a 47% increase in security costs since the Oct. 7 terrorist raid by Hamas in southern Israel, according to an educational outreach of the Orthodox Union. Published January 22, 2024
Higher Ground: The countries persecuting the most Christians
Welcome to Higher Ground, the newsletter and website dedicated to helping families of faith navigate a chaotic world with rigorous reporting, commentary and analysis on national, global and cultural issues, with reporting from the experienced journalists of The Washington Times. Published January 22, 2024
Lawmakers take on court rulings that apply sex discrimination rules to religious schools, churches
New legislation in Congress would stop federal judges from applying Title IV sex discrimination rules on religious schools or churches because of their tax-exempt status. Published January 19, 2024
California church, preschool win food aid reinstatement after suing over federal gender rules
A San Diego-area church and its preschool will rejoin a California food assistance program in a settlement of a religious discrimination lawsuit. Published January 18, 2024
Alaska Airlines, union cooperated in firing flight attendants for biblical beliefs, says lawyer
Two Alaska Airlines flight attendants who were fired for posting "biblically based" comments are seeking a ruling in their wrongful termination lawsuit following disclosures that airlines officials and the attendants' labor union cooperated in removing them, their lawyer says. Published January 18, 2024
Nigeria, sub-Saharan Africa account for nearly all reported Christian killings in 2023, group says
Sub-Saharan Africa led the world in killing Christians in 2023, according to an annual assessment by an evangelical aid mission for persecuted Christians. Published January 17, 2024
Workplace religious freedom, parental rights backed in annual religious liberty poll
Favorable views of religious acceptance in the workplace, the role of religion in aiding society and parental rights based on religious beliefs are on an upswing, according to a survey from the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty. Published January 17, 2024
Almost two-thirds of Americans approve pro-life sidewalk counselors at abortion clinics, poll finds
Nearly two-thirds of Americans say local governments should not be able to bar pro-life pregnancy counselors from offering assistance on sidewalks near abortion clinics, according to a survey from a public-interest law firm. Published January 16, 2024
Higher Ground: Catholics, bishops worldwide respond to Pope
Welcome to Higher Ground, the newsletter and website dedicated to helping families of faith navigate a chaotic world with rigorous reporting, commentary and analysis on national, global and cultural issues, with reporting from the experienced journalists of The Washington Times. Published January 15, 2024
Finnish prosecutor appeals hate speech acquittal of Christian lawmaker who quoted Bible online
Finnish lawmaker Paivi Rasanen said Friday that a state prosecutor has asked the nation's Supreme Court to hear an appeal of her most recent acquittal on hate speech charges stemming from a social media message quoting Bible verses opposing homosexuality. Published January 12, 2024
African Catholic bishops say ‘no’ to Vatican’s call for blessing same-sex couples
Catholic bishops in Africa on Thursday rejected the Vatican's call to bless same-sex couples. Published January 11, 2024
Growing disapproval of Pope Francis found among Americans, U.S. Catholics: poll
A new poll shows growing displeasure among Americans and U.S. Catholics for Pope Francis, who nonetheless maintains high approval ratings. Published January 11, 2024
Attacks on Jews in U.S. soar 360% since Oct. 7 Hamas raid in Israel: ADL report
U.S. attacks on Jews and Jewish institutions increased 360% in the three months that ended on Jan. 7, the Anti-Defamation League reported Wednesday. Published January 10, 2024
Kiss and don’t tell: Vatican doctrine chief revealed as author of book discussing orgasms
The head of the Vatican's doctrine office is taking heat over a book he wrote that features graphic descriptions of orgasms and sexual anatomy. Published January 9, 2024
Pope calls for global ban on surrogate motherhood, says practice exploits women, harms children
Pope Francis lashed out Monday against surrogate motherhood, calling it a "deplorable" practice that turns an unborn child "into an object of trafficking." Published January 8, 2024
Religious freedom panel seeks hearings as State Dept. omits India, Nigeria from watchlist
A federal religious liberty watchdog has called for a congressional hearing after the State Department again failed to place India and Nigeria on its annual list of "countries of particular concern" regarding international religious liberty issues. Published January 8, 2024
Higher Ground: Harvard and DEI’s downfall
Welcome to Higher Ground, the newsletter and website dedicated to helping families of faith navigate a chaotic world with rigorous reporting, commentary and analysis on national, global and cultural issues, with reporting from the experienced journalists of The Washington Times. Published January 8, 2024
Vatican further clarifies ‘blessing’ rules, says prayer for same-sex couples is not ‘blasphemous’
The Vatican insisted Thursday that its new guidelines for blessing same-sex couples cannot be considered heretical or blasphemous. Published January 4, 2024
