All articles tagged with #religion and politics
At the Washington, D.C.-based Great American State Fair, evangelical groups frame the nation’s semiquincentennial as an opportunity to spread the gospel, with Revival Ministries International and speakers like Jason Jimenez highlighting faith amid patriotism and politics; attendees describe a mingling of history, faith and public life, some wary of partisan overtones.
Texas’s State Board of Education is weighing two major changes: a rewrite of social studies standards that reduces world history beyond Europe and increases emphasis on Texas and the United States, and a reading list requiring Bible stories in public schools for students from age six to graduation. If approved, the changes would take effect in the 2030-31 school year. Supporters view the move as restoring traditional American foundations, while opponents warn it downplays racial, ethnic and religious diversity and could introduce factual errors; the board’s nine advisers are largely tied to conservative activism. A preliminary vote is scheduled this week, with a final vote expected Friday.
The Defense Department revised its list of religious codes so no group is labeled “Christian,” following complaints from Mormon lawmakers who said their faith was excluded from Christianity. The overhaul shrinks the code set from 211 to 31 groups to streamline chaplain resources, and was praised by Senators Mike Lee and John Curtis, though the Pentagon did not say whether the change was driven by their campaign.
Pope Leo XIV arrives in Madrid for his first Spain visit in 15 years as migration divides Spanish politics: conservatives accuse the church of liberal tilt while the pope seeks unity and positioning as an advocate for migrants and asylum seekers.
Thousands gathered on the National Mall for a White House-led, Trump-backed day-long prayer festival celebrating America’s 250th anniversary, with attendees praising Jesus; critics said the event portrayed the United States as a Christian nation and blurred church-state boundaries.
Pope Leo named Evelio Menjivar‑Ayala, a Salvadoran-born former undocumented immigrant, as bishop of West Virginia and elevated Rev. Robert Boxie III to auxiliary bishop of Washington, highlighting the pope’s pattern of advancing clergy who speak out on immigration and diversity in contrast with Trump-era policies.
Pope Leo XIV, returning from an 11-day Africa tour, shed his previously cautious persona and spoke more forcefully against war in the Middle East while addressing criticisms from Donald Trump, signaling a more assertive, global-facing papacy as he met peace advocates and discussed anew how the Vatican engages world leaders.
A Gallup poll finds more young men in the U.S. attend religious services at least monthly, narrowing the gender gap and signaling pockets of rising religiosity even as overall U.S. religiosity remains historically low; Pew Research Center findings, by contrast, suggest less movement among young adults, underscoring divergent views on the nation’s religious landscape.
President Donald Trump publicly attacked Pope Leo XIV on Truth Social, sparking an unprecedented public feud with the Catholic Church. Observers warn the clash could alienate conservative Catholic voters, a key GOP bloc, even as Leo XIV remains popular.
President Trump posted an AI-generated image depicting himself as Jesus on Truth Social, drawing rare criticism from evangelical Christians and conservative Catholics who called it blasphemous; after the backlash the post was deleted, underscoring a rare rift within his base as a White House official suggested the outrage would fade.
President Donald Trump denounced Pope Leo XIV as “weak on crime” and “terrible for foreign policy,” asserting that Leo’s election was aided by his presidency; Leo, the first U.S.-born pope, has criticized Trump’s Iran policy.
Pope Leo XIV’s 10-day Africa trip will spread Catholicism, promote diplomacy, and navigate internal church debates—such as polygamy—across Algeria, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea and Angola, highlighting Africa’s growing Catholic population and the church’s balancing act with evangelical competition and colonial legacies.
A rare Pentagon meeting with Cardinal Christophe Pierre, the Vatican’s ambassador to the United States, was described as frank and direct, highlighting tensions between the Trump administration and the Catholic Church and underscoring that such talks normally occur through the State Department or White House.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth centers faith in his Pentagon work, hosting worship and elevating religious messaging, drawing concern from current and former leaders who say his proselytizing violates constitutional norms and could undermine troop cohesion, echoing historical wartime prayers while signaling a shift in how faith intersects the military.
A Charlotte bishop’s pastoral letter banning kneelers and altar rails and mandating standing for Holy Communion has sparked backlash from traditionalists, signaling a broader, ongoing rift within the U.S. Catholic community over liturgical practice and church unity.