Lead story
Editor's note:
For decades, conservative legal groups have argued that the Johnson Amendment, an IRS rule barring nonprofits from endorsing political candidates, was unconstitutional. Now, the IRS asked a federal court to rule that the Johnson Amendment should not apply to what is said during religious services. The court filing is part of a proposed settlement of a lawsuit arguing that for some religious groups, speaking about politics is a free exercise of their faith. According to a 2023 analysis by the Public Religion Research Institute, however, Americans — including many religious Americans — generally take a dim view of political endorsements from the pulpit. One outlier: People PRRI labels “adherents” to Christian nationalism — people who agree with statements such as “the U.S. government should declare America a Christian nation” — were statistically more likely to support pulpit endorsements.
Religion News
Newly elected Seventh-day Adventist Church leader reflects on challenges and faith’s healthy living
Erton Köhler will serve as the spiritual and administrative leader for the global movement, which claims 23 million members. By Luis Andres Henao/The Associated Press
Ukraine strips Orthodox leader of citizenship, alleging links to Moscow
Ukraine’s security service accused the head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of supporting ‘the policy of the Russian Orthodox Church and its leadership, in particular Patriarch Kirill,’ and ‘the aggressive policy of the Russian Federation.’ By David I. Klein/Religion News Service
The dispensation is a move usually reserved for extenuating circumstances, like the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. By Deepa Bharath/The Associated Press
Inside Colorado’s psychedelic church: ‘What makes this place magical is not the mushrooms’
As psychedelics are decriminalized in Colorado, one unconventional church is building community in the basement of a suburban home. By Hayley Sanchez/Religion News Service and NPR
Faith-based camps like those hit by Texas floods are rite of passage for many. They’re now grieving
For many campers and young camp counselors, they are crucial independence milestones — the first time away from family or with a job away from home. By Giovanna Dell’Orto and Mariam Fam/The Associated Press
Commentary and Analysis
The Seven Mountain Mandate calls on Christians to gain influence, or ‘take dominion,’ over seven key areas of culture: religion, family, education, government, media, business and the arts. By Art Jipson for The Conversation
A new report follows the money as it moves from reactionary advocacy groups and think tanks to groups waging war on women’s equality and related causes. By Katherine Stewart/Religion News Service
Catholic opposition to the death penalty is relatively new in the church’s history, but has helped shape public debate. By Austin Sarat for The Conversation
Amid national truth and reconciliation processes, Scandinavian churches are taking stock of their past policies toward the Sámi people. By Thomas A. DuBois for The Conversation
Iranian Shiite Muslims mourn in a ceremony in Tehran, Iran, on Saturday, July 5, 2025, on the eve of Ashoura, the death anniversary of Prophet Muhammad's grandson, Hussein, who was killed with his 72 companions in a 7th-century battle in Karbala in present-day Iraq. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
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