Mark A. Kellner

Religious accommodations for Sikhs in Marine Corps backed by Muslim, Jewish groups

Members of the Sikh religion asking for Marine Corps accommodations for long hair and turbans have gained new allies, including a former secretary of the Army.

November 2, 2022

Montgomery County Council unanimous in vote for antisemitism resolution

A unanimous Montgomery County Council on Tuesday passed a non-binding resolution affirming an internationally recognized definition of antisemitism and condemning anti-Jewish hatred.

November 1, 2022

Half of U.S. Protestants want political agreement at church each week: survey

Half of American Protestants who attend church want to be part of a congregation that shares their political views, a recent survey shows.

November 1, 2022

At 50, ‘Day of the Dead’ rituals have found home in U.S. families, commerce

What was an obscure Mexican celebration 50 years ago has exploded into a North American "fan favorite" in Hispanic and White communities, scholars said of the Nov. 1 celebration of "Dia de los Muertos," or "Day of the Dead."

October 31, 2022

Counselor in same-sex marriage fired by Indiana Catholic school plans appeal

A guidance counselor in a same-sex marriage fired by a Catholic school plans to appeal the Sept. 30 dismissal of her lawsuit against the Archdiocese of Indianapolis.

October 31, 2022

Southern Baptist pastor in Northern Virginia issues amendment to exclude women as pastors

A Southern Baptist pastor in Northern Virginia is calling for the denomination's Executive Committee to advance an amendment to its constitution that would explicitly exclude women from holding the title of pastor.

October 31, 2022

Wash. state can investigate evangelical university’s anti-LGBTQ hiring practices, judge rules

A federal judge in Washington state has tossed a lawsuit by a Christian university seeking to stop a state inquiry into the school's hiring practices that block LGBTQ individuals from full-time roles.

October 28, 2022

Jewish couple asks Tennessee court to allow suit over religion-based foster care rejection

Attorneys for a Jewish couple in Knoxville, Tennessee, asked a state appellate court Thursday to allow their lawsuit against the state over a law that permits foster care agencies to deny services on the basis of religion.

October 27, 2022

Presbyterian group to count ‘nonbinary/genderqueer’ members in next census, church says

One of America's oldest mainline Protestant churches is adding a "nonbinary/genderqueer" category to its annual statistical survey, with an official claiming the change boosts inclusivity.

October 26, 2022

Settlement puts Buffalo Catholic Diocese under state supervision for new abuse claims

A rare submission by a Roman Catholic Church diocese to third-party oversight of its clergy was announced Tuesday when New York's attorney general said the state would monitor the Buffalo Diocese's management of sexual abuse complaints and allegations.

October 26, 2022

U.S. Jewish leader says security improved four years after Pittsburgh synagogue attack

America's synagogues have "absolutely making progress" on critical security issues four years after the nation's worst antisemitic attack, according to one of the country's top Jewish leaders.

October 26, 2022

Praying high school football coach to return to the field by March

The high school football coach whose termination for his postgame, on-field prayers was ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in June will return to work in Bremerton, Washington, by mid-March, according to a joint stipulation filed by attorneys for both sides.

October 26, 2022

First Hindu to lead British government will likely downplay the milestone, scholar says

Rishi Sunak, who on Tuesday became first Hindu prime minister in Britain's long history, will want to be known as a leader "who happens to be Hindu," one expert told a panel discussion on the milestone appointment Tuesday.

October 25, 2022

Three senators ask Air Force secretary to explain Yom Kippur scheduling snafu at service academy

Three senators have asked Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall to explain why the U.S. Air Force Academy scheduled a key training exercise for Yom Kippur, the most sacred day of observance in Judaism.

October 25, 2022

Brit police pay settlement to arrested street preacher who criticized Islam at Speakers’ Corner

Britain's Metropolitan Police apologized and paid a woman they wrongfully arrested for preaching against Islam in London's famed Speakers' Corner, a settlement labeled "a rare admission" by an attorney who helped her.

October 24, 2022

Yeshiva University allows Torah-friendly LGBTQ club while school fights pride group’s lawsuit

Yeshiva University, an orthodox Jewish tertiary school in New York City that went to the Supreme Court to block a "pride alliance" of LGBTQ students, said through its attorneys Monday they would sanction a club for those students on campus "willing to adhere to a Torah-based lifestyle."

October 24, 2022

Late Justice Ginsburg to get ‘notorious’ honor on a 2023 U.S. postage stamp

The late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, known as "Notorious RBG" by her fans, will gain even more notoriety next year when the U.S. Postal Service issues a commemorative stamp honoring her.

October 24, 2022

Iranian Christians join protests over woman’s beating death: Reports

Five weeks of street protests in Iran have attracted and emboldened the Islamic republic's Christian minority, human rights advocates said Thursday.

October 21, 2022

Animal welfare, religious slaughtering practices in spotlight at European Union session

An American diplomat said European laws governing the humane treatment of animals must include religious exemptions for Jewish and Islamic slaughtering practices, lest nations be seen as hostile to religious minorities.

October 20, 2022

Trick or … leaflet? Pastors push connections, ‘Gospel tracts’ for Halloween, says survey

Protestant pastors have some advice for Christian families about Halloween: Use it to build relationships with neighbors, invite people to a church-related event or toss a religious leaflet into a trick-or-treaters' candy bag.

October 20, 2022