A Trump commission urges 'bridges' between church and state in sweeping draft report
A new report by a Trump administration commission suggests replacing the idea of separating church and state with the idea of building bridges between them.
Peter Smith, The Associated Press
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Rejecting church and state separation is on the wish list for Trump's religious liberty commission
One member calls for a Presidential Medal of Freedom for a baker who refused to create a wedding cake for a same-sex couple.
Did the founders create a Christian nation? No, but religion did shape their thinking
When he talks about the role of religion in the founding of the United States, historian Gregg Frazer does not attract eager audiences.
Trump task force report alleges anti-Christian discrimination under Biden administration
A Trump administration task force has alleged wide-ranging discrimination against Christians during the tenure of former President Joe Biden, claiming in a new report they were targeted in areas such as education, tax law and prosecution of anti-abortion protesters.
'If my people': Here's why the Bible passage Trump read aloud is so potent and polarizing
The scriptural passage that President Donald Trump read Tuesday evening in a livestreamed Bible-reading marathon dates back to the depiction of an ancient event -- but it's one that carries a highly charged significance in the current religious and political climate.
'If my people': Here's why the Bible passage Trump will read aloud is so potent and polarizing
The scriptural passage that President Donald Trump plans to read Tuesday evening in a livestreamed Bible-reading marathon dates back to the depiction of an ancient event -- but it's one that carries a highly charged significance in the current religious and political climate.
'Christ is king' becomes a loaded phrase in US political debates, especially on the right
On its own, the phrase "Christ is king" sums up a core tenet of the Christian faith, that Jesus is the divine ruler of the universe. Catholics and many Protestants celebrate a Christ the King Sunday each year.
Orthodox archbishop apologizes to anyone pained by his meeting with Putin
An Orthodox archbishop who exchanged friendly greetings and gifts with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska has apologized to "those who have experienced pain, suffering, or confusion because of my actions."
US archbishop's meeting with Putin denounced as 'betrayal of Christian witness'
An American Orthodox archbishop's meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, in which they exchanged warm greetings and gifts of holy icons -- is drawing a denunciation by Ukrainian Orthodox bishops in the U.S. They called it a "betrayal of Christian witness" in the wake of the Russia-Ukraine war.
Takeaways from AP's report on Alaska Natives' response to oil and mining proposals
FAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP) -- President Donald Trump's administration and its allies have pushed aggressively for drilling, mining and logging in Alaska.
Trump's push for drilling, mining sharpens debate for Alaska Natives about land they view as sacred
BETHEL, Alaska (AP) -- Fish camps still dot the banks of the broad Kuskokwim River in southwestern Alaska. Wooden huts and tarped shelters stand beside drying racks draped with bright red strips of salmon, which Alaska Native families have harvested for generations and preserved for the bitter winters ahead.
Southern Baptist policy head resigns after 4 years of navigating internal conflicts
The head of the Southern Baptist Convention's policy arm has resigned after nearly four years leading the staunchly conservative agency, which in recent years has fended off critics within the nation's largest Protestant denomination seeking to push it even further to the right.
Southern Baptists target porn, sports betting, same-sex marriage and 'willful childlessness'
Southern Baptists meeting this week in Dallas will be asked to approve resolutions calling for a legal ban on pornography and a reversal of the U.S. Supreme Court's approval of same-sex marriage.
With a massive ark and museum, he spreads creationism a century after Scopes trial. He's not alone
WILLIAMSTOWN, Ky. (AP) -- As the colossal replica of the biblical Noah's Ark rises incongruously from the countryside of northern Kentucky, Ken Ham gives the presentation he's often repeated.
Takeaways from AP's report on creationist beliefs 100 years after the Scopes trial
WILLIAMSTOWN, Ky. (AP) -- Some people thought the 1925 Scopes monkey trial marked a cultural defeat for biblical fundamentalism.
Critics say Trump's religion agenda will benefit conservative Christians the most
White House Faith Office. A Task Force to Eradicate Anti-Christian Bias. A Religious Liberty Commission.
Episcopal Church says it won't help resettle white South Africans granted refugee status in US
The Episcopal Church's migration service is refusing a directive from the federal government to help resettle white South Africans granted refugee status, citing the church's longstanding "commitment to racial justice and reconciliation."
Black churches back embattled Smithsonian African American history museum after Trump's order
As he does one day each month, the Rev. Robert Turner hit the road from his home in Baltimore last week and traveled -- on foot -- 43 miles (69 kilometers) to Washington.
Catholic bishops end refugee aid partnerships with US government, citing funding cuts
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops announced Monday that it is ending a half-century of partnerships with the federal government to serve refugees and migrant children, saying the "heartbreaking" decision follows the Trump administration's abrupt halt to funding.
US bishops halt partnerships with federal government on aid programs, citing funding cuts
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops says it is ending a half-century of partnerships with the federal government to serve refugees and children, saying the "heartbreaking" decision follows the Trump administration's abrupt halt to funding for refugee resettlement.
Most immigrants at risk of deportation from US are Christian, report finds
As many as four in five immigrants at risk of deportation from the United States are Christian, according to a new report that calls on their fellow believers to consider the impact of the Trump administration's aggressive deportation policies.
Vice President JD Vance, a Catholic, acknowledges the pope's criticism of US immigration crackdown
Vice President JD Vance acknowledged Pope Francis' criticism of the Trump administration's crackdown on immigration, without responding to any of its specifics or to the pontiff's apparent criticism of Vance's own deployment of Catholic tradition to justify such policies.
Catholic Vice President JD Vance acknowledges Pope Francis' criticism of US immigration crackdown
Vice President JD Vance acknowledged Pope Francis' criticism of the Trump administration's crackdown on immigration, without responding to any of its specifics or to the pontiff's apparent criticism of Vance's own deployment of Catholic tradition to justify such policies.
US Catholic bishops sue Trump administration for halt in funding for refugee settlement
Catholic bishops sued the Trump administration on Tuesday over its abrupt halt to funding of refugee resettlement, calling the action unlawful and harmful to newly arrived refugees and to the nation's largest private resettlement program.
Given Christianity's dominance in US, Trump raises eyebrows with anti-Christian bias initiative
Christianity is by far the largest faith in America, and Christian conservatives have a strong grip on the levers of government. That dominance is leaving many to question why President Donald Trump's new task force on eradicating anti-Christian bias is needed.
A short honeymoon for Catholics in D.C. as Vice President Vance clashes with bishops on migration
The sense of Catholic unity didn't last long. Less than a week after Vice President JD Vance shared the inauguration stage with a senior Catholic cardinal, Vance picked a fight with the top American leaders of his church.
US military takes pride in religious diversity. Would things change if Pete Hegseth takes charge?
It was a history-making event: In a chapel at Fort Liberty, North Carolina, 2nd Lt. Khady Ndiaye stood proudly -- wearing a hijab - as she became the first Muslim woman commissioned by the U.S. Army as a chaplain candidate.
Beyond evangelicals, Trump and his allies courted smaller faith groups, from the Amish to Chabad
A social-media tribute to Coptic Christians. A billboard in Amish country. A visit to a revered Jewish gravesite.
White evangelical voters show steadfast support for Donald Trump's presidency
After former President Donald Trump gave his victory speech early Wednesday, at the Palm Beach Convention Center, dozens of his supporters gathered in a lobby to sing "How Great Thou Art," reciting from memory the words and harmonies of a classic hymn, popular among evangelical Christians.
Candidates' supporters seek Pennsylvania's Catholic voters, whose votes may be crucial
PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Nationally, Catholic voters have been closely divided in recent presidential elections. This year, in the vital state of Pennsylvania, they'll likely comprise at least a quarter of the electorate -- and thus play a pivotal role in deciding the overall outcome.
Pennsylvania's Catholics are divided over an election where their votes may be decisive
PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Nationally, Catholic voters have been a crucial swing constituency in recent presidential elections. This year, in the vital state of Pennsylvania, they'll likely comprise at least a quarter of the electorate -- and thus play a pivotal role in deciding the overall outcome.
Republicans seek votes among the Amish, who rarely cast them, in swing-state Pennsylvania
LANCASTER, Pa. (AP) -- On a recent weekday afternoon, an Amish man in a horse-drawn buggy navigated through a busy intersection of auto traffic in Pennsylvania's Lancaster County, past a billboard proclaiming: "Pray for God's Mercy for Our Nation."
Swing-state priest teaches ancient techniques for surviving today's political turmoil
LANCASTER, Pa. (AP) -- The Rev. David Peck knows first-hand how divided communities wracked by violence can be gutted by that repeated devastation.
Oops. Southern Baptist agency announces firing of its leader, then retracts that announcement
In under 48 hours, the head of the staunchly conservative public-policy arm of the Southern Baptist Convention rankled fellow Baptists by applauding President Joe Biden's "selfless act" of withdrawing his candidacy for re-election. Then, his agency reported he was fired -- and now they have reaffirmed his leadership.
After key Baptist leader applauds Biden's withdrawal, agency retracts announcement of his firing
In under 48 hours, the head of the staunchly conservative public-policy arm of the Southern Baptist Convention rankled fellow Baptists by applauding President Joe Biden's "selfless act" of withdrawing his candidacy for re-election. Then, his agency reported he was fired -- and now they have reaffirmed his leadership.
Southern Baptists expel Virginia church for believing women can serve as pastors
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Even as they prepare to vote on a formal ban on churches with women pastors, delegates to the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting voted overwhelmingly Tuesday to boot one such church from its ranks.
More than 10,000 Southern Baptists gather for meeting that could bar churches with women pastors
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- More than 10,000 voting representatives gathered Tuesday for the opening of the Southern Baptist Convention's two-day annual meeting, where they will vote on whether to ban churches with women pastors and deliberate yet again on how to respond to sexual abuse within churches.
From women pastors to sexual abuse to Trump, Southern Baptists have a busy few days ahead of them
Thousands will gather in Indianapolis June 11-12 for the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention.