Higher Ground
Welcome to Higher Ground, a faith-centric collection of news and opinion focused on the intersection of culture and politics from experienced journalists at The Washington Times.
Gen Z, millennials say shifting norms make marriage less appealing, survey shows
About 74% of American adults say changes in social norms have made marriage less appealing to younger generations, according to a survey conducted for a Muslim advocacy group.
America, the faithless: Only half in nation now certain God exists
The latest General Social Survey, conducted by NORC, the research arm of the University of Chicago, found only half of Americans say they’re certain God exists. In a country where rights come from God, and government is only in place to protect those inherent birth rights and liberties, this finding spells doom.
Pope Francis resumes regular appointments after canceling schedule with a fever
Pope Francis resumed regular appointments on Saturday, one day after canceling his schedule due to a fever.
Gary Sinise credits ‘Lt. Dan’ for chance to honor Vietnam vets on Memorial Day
Gary Sinise never expected to become the face of the nation’s Memorial Day celebrations when he started performing for military audiences 20 years ago.
Boosters of Israel emigration find friends, support among evangelical Christians
Jewish emigration to Israel is being supported in part by evangelical Christians, an alliance some might not expect, two leading Israeli emigres say.
Indiana doctor faces discipline hearing over 10-year-old Ohio girl’s abortion
An Indiana board is set to hear allegations Thursday that an Indianapolis doctor should face disciplinary action after she spoke publicly about providing an abortion to a 10-year-old rape victim from neighboring Ohio.
America 180: God, Abraham and Mike Pence
A conversation with Mike Pence where we talk about the road forward for the GOP. Also, a conversation with the director of the hit Christian movie, “His Only Son.”
Muslim, Christian parents sue MoCo schools to opt out of mandatory ‘pride’ storybooks
Muslim and Christian parents have sued the Montgomery County Board of Education to allow them to opt their children out of mandatory LGBTQ storybooks and lessons, saying they promote an “extreme ideology” on gender and sexuality.
For two actors, genuine miracle was ‘The Chosen’ becoming a streaming success
The Roman magistrate has been recognized in a coffee shop behind a face mask and eyeglasses, but Mother Mary can still pass through crowds unnoticed.
Ask Dr. E: How one reader struggles to reconcile love vs. legislation in LGBTQIA+ debate
Higher Ground is there for you if you’re seeking guidance in today’s changing world. Everett Piper, a Ph.D. and a former university president and radio host, is writing an advice column for The Times, and he wants to hear from you. If you have any moral or ethical questions for which you’d like an answer, please email askeverett@washingtontimes.com, and he may include it in the column.
South Carolina ready to renew abortion ban around 6 weeks of pregnancy after Senate vote
Abortion will soon be severely restricted in one of the last bastions for legal access in the U.S. South.
Nashville pastor gives first sermon since losing daughter in shooting
Carrying his pain to the pulpit, the Rev. Chad Scruggs choked back emotion as he thanked his congregation for their support in his family’s season of grief, as he delivered his first sermon since a mass shooting claimed the life of his 9-year-old daughter Hallie two months ago.
Catholic clergy sexually abused Illinois kids far more often than church acknowledged, state finds
An Illinois attorney general’s office investigation released Tuesday found that 451 Catholic clergy sexually abused nearly 2,000 children in the state over a nearly 70-year period, which was more than four times the 103 individuals the church named when the state began its review in 2018.
Willie and Korie Robertson discuss new project: A Bible-inspired Broadway-style musical
“Duck Dynasty” stars Willie and Korie Roberston speak with Higher Ground’s Billy Hallowell about how faith has remained central in their lives amidst their rise to fame. They also chat about their new project, a Bible-inspired Broadway-style musical entitled “His Story: The Musical.”
Franklin Graham warns of data, bank cancellations of Christian ministries
Evangelist Franklin Graham warned Christian broadcasters of a “coming storm” of demonic criticism that could cancel their cloud data storage and bank accounts, key elements of business and ministry in the digital age.
Surgeon general warns rampant social media use imperils mental health of teens, adolescents
There is “reason to be concerned” about the potential harm social media inflicts on children and adolescents, the U.S. surgeon general said Tuesday in an advisory that calls for deeper research into the consequences of near-universal use of the platforms among young people.
Stirring DeSantis speech moves Christian broadcasters to cheers, standing ovations
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis conducted a massive focus-group test of a potential presidential-stump speech Monday evening at the National Religious Broadcasters convention.
Intel tops list of faith-friendly Fortune 500 companies
A public policy advocacy group has named semiconductor chipmaker Intel Corp. as the “most faith-friendly” Fortune 500 company.
Higher Ground: How a digital microscope found ‘hidden’ notes in 1,100-year-old Hebrew Bible
A $700 digital microscope helped unlock “hidden” editorial notes in a 1,100-year-old Hebrew Bible known as the “Codex Sassoon,” a noted scholar said.
Christian broadcasters to hear DeSantis, celebrate Israel, laud colleagues at Orlando event
Members of the National Religious Broadcasters will gather in Orlando Monday to trade industry experiences, celebrate Israel’s 75th anniversary and hear from one potential 2024 GOP presidential candidate.
Biden’s open-border policy is unbiblical, historically stupid
Ronald Reagan once said, “A nation that cannot control its borders is not a nation.” Over three decades later, Donald Trump added: “A nation without borders is no nation at all.”
‘Reason for God’ author Timothy Keller dies after years of cancer battle
The Rev. Timothy Keller, an evangelical pastor and bestselling Christian apologist noted for bringing the Gospel message to urbanites — died Friday morning at his home in New York City, the Redeemer Churches and Ministries network said in an announcement circulated online.
America 180: Pastors to the Rescue
A closer look at how pastors are beginning to mobilize politically to save America. David Lane with the American Renewal Project explains. Plus, in search of the truth: the fascinating story of Jim Mosley, “the Bible History Guy!”
FTC accuses fertility tracking app with sharing data with China, Google
A complaint by the Federal Trade Commission accuses popular fertility tracking app Premom of illegally sharing private data.
Did Facebook just censor Jesus? Bizarre ‘hate speech’ message sparks concern
Though some might disagree with the proclamation “Jesus died so you could live,” there’s certainly nothing about the wording that any rational person would call “hate speech.”
What is a woman? Tennessee has the answer, with Gov. Bill Lee signing bill defining sex in state law
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee signed legislation defining the word sex in state law, becoming the second state this year to provide an answer to the increasingly polarizing question, “What is a woman?”
Supreme Court sides with Big Tech in families’ lawsuits over promotion of terrorist videos, content
The Supreme Court gave some breathing room to tech companies in a ruling Thursday, shooting down two lawsuits by relatives of victims of terrorism who wanted to hold social media platforms liable for hosting terrorist content.
Secrets of $38 million Hebrew Bible revealed by $700 digital microscope, scholar says
A $700 digital microscope — in the hands of an ancient manuscripts scholar — may have added to the significance of an ancient Hebrew Bible manuscript sold for $38 million Wednesday.
Dodgers scratch award for drag queens dressed like nuns after Catholic backlash
The Los Angeles Dodgers may have dodged a Bud Light moment after canceling plans to honor a bawdy collective of drag queens who dress up as nuns.
Saddleback, Baptist church with female ‘teaching pastor,’ appeals SBC expulsion
Saddleback Church, a Southern California megachurch expelled from the Southern Baptist Convention in February for installing a woman as a “teaching pastor,” will appeal the move at the denomination’s June business meeting.
Russell Nelson, 98-year-old Mormon Church leader, admits use of wheelchair
The 98-year-old leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is dealing with “a small challenge with my balance” and occasionally uses a walker or a wheelchair, Russell Nelson said on Facebook Tuesday.
FBI raid on home was meant to ‘instill fear in pro-life America,’ Mark Houck tells House panel
The Justice Department might want to forget about the Mark Houck debacle, but there’s no chance of that happening with House Republicans in charge.
Kirk Cameron to unveil children’s book ‘Pride Comes Before the Fall’ during Pride Month
Kirk Cameron plans to release a children’s book about pride on the first day of June, but don’t expect to see it featured at any LGBTQ Pride Month celebrations.
GOP bill to block Biden’s anti-gas stove regulations advanced by House panel
The Biden administration’s proposed regulations discouraging the use of natural gas stoves were on the front burner Tuesday as a House Energy and Commerce subcommittee advanced Republican-led legislation to block new restrictions against the popular household appliance.
Ask Dr. E, Ph.D.: Grappling with abortion, innocent civilian war casualties through a Christian lens
Higher Ground is there for you if you’re seeking guidance in today’s changing world. Everett Piper, a Ph.D. and a former university president and radio host, is writing an advice column for The Times, and he wants to hear from you. If you have any moral or ethical questions for which you’d like an answer, please email askeverett@washingtontimes.com, and he may include it in the column.
Author Salman Rushdie warns that West is closing in on free speech
British author Salman Rushdie is warning that free expression in the Western world is under attack as officials weed out books from libraries and publishers update old novels for modern sensibilities.
Muslim parents join conservatives in confronting LGBTQ books
It turns out Muslim parents and Moms for Liberty have at least one thing in common: Both are alarmed about the infusion of LGBTQ books and materials in school classrooms and libraries.
Biden to mark Jewish American Heritage Month with Broadway stars, speak out on antisemitism
President Biden will mark Jewish American Heritage Month on Tuesday by highlighting his administration’s efforts to combat rising antisemitism when he speaks at a White House reception that will feature performances from the stars of the Broadway revival of “Parade.”
Florida jettisons ‘diversity, equity, inclusion’ in higher education
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation into law on Monday to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI, in higher education. Senate Bill 266 was approved by the state legislators on May 3. Among other things, the bill prevents public colleges and universities from spending taxpayer dollars on programs which emphasize DEI directives.
Filmmaker Timothy Mahoney on his journey to find evidence of Mt. Sinai
Documentary filmmaker Timothy Mahoney talks to Higher Ground’s Billy Hallowell about his latest documentary, “Patterns of Evidence: Journey to Mt. Sinai Part II.” Mr. Mahoney has spent two decades looking for real-world evidence to back up the Bible.
Higher Ground: Inside Millennials’ biblical crisis
The millennial generation — those born between 1981 and 1996 — was the ‘least closely connected to biblical Christianity before the pandemic, and that connection was made even weaker’ by the end of the pandemic.
Nikki Haley says it would be dishonest to pledge a federal ban on abortion
Republican presidential hopeful Nikki Haley says it is not realistic for primary candidates to say they will usher in a federal abortion ban.
One nation, divided by abortion: Blue, red state chasm widens after fall of Roe
Polls show Americans favor limiting abortions to the first trimester in most cases, but that’s not where lawmakers are heading after the Supreme Court overturned the Roe v. Wade decision.
Zelenskyy meets Pope Francis at Vatican and seeks backing for Ukraine’s peace plan
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had private talks with Pope Francis at the Vatican on Saturday, later saying he sought support for his peace plan from the pontiff, who in the past has offered to try to help end the full-scale war launched by Russia a year ago.
What moms today can learn from Eve, Hannah, Sarah and other biblical mothers
Lessons for mom on God’s miracles and investing in children’s spiritual education.
It’s always Mother’s Day at Jill’s House, where special-needs kids’ retreat offers renewal for moms
A resort-like facility in Vienna, Virginia, this week offered a respite for mothers of special-needs kids, serving tea and cookies on white-clothed tables on an open-air patio as they shared their stories.
Pope Francis joins Meloni in urging Italians to have more kids, not pets
Pope Francis joined Italy’s conservative premier on Friday in encouraging Italians to have more children, denouncing the financial precariousness facing young couples and “selfish, egotistical” choices that have led to a record low birth rate that is threatening the country’s economic future.
Kirk Cameron brings anti-woke library tour to Billy Graham Library in North Carolina
Kirk Cameron is making plans to appear at another library, only this time he’s unlikely to run into any drag queens.
