Ransom demands and prayers: The kidnapping of a mission group in Haiti
As a journalist who covers religion, I’ve been blessed to report firsthand from countries such as Israel, Mexico, Nicaragua and South Africa. As a result,…
Weekend Plug-In
At 9/11 anniversary, faith remains a big part of the story
Like everybody alive then, I remember what I was doing the morning of Sept. 11, 2001. At the time, I was religion editor for The Oklahoman, the…
Bible in one hand, newspaper in the other
'You preach with the Bible in one hand and the newspaper in the other.” That’s what an Ohio pastor said in a recent front-page feature…
Can government ban singing in worship? U.S. Supreme Court weighs in
Legal battles over pandemic-era worship gatherings rage on. Last October’s confirmation of Justice Amy Coney Barrett flipped the U.S. Supreme Court’s script on such questions.…
Justices flip script on COVID-19 worship bans, but health official urges closures
First New York. Now California. With the addition of a fifth, solidly conservative member — new Justice Amy Coney Barrett — the U.S. Supreme Court…
Churches as superspreaders: Is in-person worship ‘a major source of coronavirus cases?’
Superspreader. That’s a new word we’ve learned in 2020, thanks to the global pandemic. Speaking of which, much attention has focused on in-person worship assemblies…
Landmark LGBT ruling: What it means for religious exemptions and the 2020 election
The U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark ruling Monday barring workplace discrimination against gay, lesbian and transgender workers certainly seemed to catch some by surprise. Take USA…
As violence jolts Minneapolis, George Floyd recalled as man of peace
George Floyd has become the latest symbol of injustice in America. Since video footage captured the black man’s death in police custody Monday, violent protests…
Amid clashes over COVID-19 restrictions, Trump declares houses of worship ‘essential’
Culture wars, meet the coronavirus. In the nation’s latest religious freedom battle, church leaders in numerous states — from New York to Oregon — are…
For lessons on closed churches, look at 1918 flu pandemic
I thought I knew a little about my family’s history. I’ve written about my grandfather Lloyd Lee Ross, whose World War II service earned him…
