A fringe Israeli settler group has been crossing into southern Syria to claim land for potential Jewish settlements. The group targets areas in several southern provinces, citing biblical history and security concerns for the Golan Heights. Israeli soldiers have intercepted these incursions, detaining activists who attempt to establish footholds. While the military condemns the actions for compromising operations, some far-right government ministers support the settlers. This activity follows the recent ouster of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and mirrors similar settler movements in the West Bank and Lebanon.
Religion News Service reports on the origins and suppression of Falun Gong, a spiritual movement founded in China in 1992 by Li Hongzhi. The group combines physical exercises with moral teachings, attracting tens of millions of followers during the 1990s. In 1999, the Chinese government banned the organization following a large protest, accusing it of challenging state authority. The outlet explains that practitioners view their resistance as a spiritual duty, enduring persecution to uphold their beliefs. Falun Gong members now operate globally, using media outlets and performance groups to oppose the Chinese Communist Party, while alleging severe human rights abuses against members within China.
Rabbi Brad Hirschfield writes that antisemitism is rising in the United States, citing statistics that nearly 70 percent of faith-driven hate crimes target Jews. He recently lived in New York City, where half of all hate crimes this year targeted the Jewish community. Hirschfield argues that leaders must acknowledge this reality rather than dismissing attacks as isolated incidents or mental illness. He emphasizes that while Jews face increased danger, they remain safer than in most historical periods. The author urges a balanced approach that takes fear seriously without letting it govern daily life.
Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina, will offer the first Doctor of Education in Artificial Intelligence and Moral Agency starting next year. The divinity school aims to address ethical implications of AI for vulnerable communities. Regional accreditation is secured, while national theological approval is pending. This initiative follows broader trends in theology education, including Notre Dame’s ethics network and Pope Leo XIV’s recent encyclical on human dignity. The program targets experienced ministry professionals and reflects Shaw’s historical commitment to social justice and civic leadership.
New York police arrested Raul Morales, 51, following two separate stabbings on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. Witnesses report Morales stabbed an Asian man and a Jewish man while shouting “Allahu Akbar.” The New York Police Department is investigating the incidents as possible hate crimes, though officials note mental health may be a factor. Both victims survived and were hospitalized. Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Governor Kathy Hochul condemned the attacks, emphasizing support for affected communities. This occurs amid a reported rise in hate crimes in New York City, with Jewish people being a primary target this year.
Bill Gothard, the 91-year-old founder of the Institute in Basic Life Principles, remains in a coma following a heart attack in late June. Survivors of his ministry express mixed feelings, noting that while he can no longer cause harm, he has avoided legal accountability. Gothard resigned in 2014 after abuse allegations emerged, though he has consistently denied sexual misconduct. Recent lawsuits in Texas allege that IBLP’s teachings fostered a culture enabling abuse. Despite the dismissal of earlier civil cases, survivors continue to pursue justice and healing, asserting that the organization failed to protect victims or report crimes to authorities.
Restore Austin, a progressive church in Texas, has grown to approximately 1,200 members after being expelled from the Evangelical Free Church of America in 2019. Founder Zach Lambert established the congregation to serve individuals leaving conservative evangelicalism, particularly those seeking LGBTQ inclusion and rejection of Christian nationalism. The church recently joined the United Methodist denomination. It attracts former evangelicals by blending liberal theology with familiar evangelical aesthetics, such as contemporary worship music and casual attire. Members report finding safety and acceptance after experiencing trauma in previous religious communities.
The Vatican confirmed on Wednesday that a canonical trial against ex-Jesuit artist Marko Ivan Rupnik is ongoing, rejecting reports of an acquittal. The Holy See defended the proceedings' secrecy as necessary to ensure fairness. Rupnik faces allegations of sexual and spiritual abuse dating to the 1990s. Pope Francis waived the statute of limitations in 2023 to allow the case to proceed. Victims' lawyer Laura Sgro criticized the lack of transparency, noting that canon law does not grant victims access to case files or updates. The Vatican stated that information cannot be shared to protect the integrity of the investigation.
Christian leaders in South Africa are intensifying efforts to calm sustained anti-migrant unrest that has displaced over 160,000 foreign nationals. According to Religion News Service, the violence, which began weeks ago across several provinces, has resulted in at least 12 deaths. Pastors and bishops, including Chris Oyakhilome and Archbishop Sithembele Sipuka, are urging restraint, condemning vigilante action, and providing humanitarian aid to displaced communities. The crisis stems from economic hardship and crime concerns, with churches opening their doors to victims while calling for unity and lawful processes to address migration issues.
Sisters Theresa Aletheia and Danielle Lussier are establishing a new Catholic religious order in Lexington, Kentucky, dedicated to supporting survivors of clergy abuse. The two women, who left their previous community after experiencing spiritual abuse themselves, now serve as the only group fully committed to this mission. They provide prayer and counseling to victims of emotional, financial, and sexual harm within the Church. Currently a private association, they seek official recognition from Bishop John Stowe of the Diocese of Lexington. The sisters aim to expand their community and help heal the Church by addressing these traumas directly.
Assemblies of God leaders state that Nepthali Zozaya Saucedo and Cinthia Cardona Otero, detained in Texas, were pressured to sign voluntary departure papers under threat of separation from their U.S. citizen children. The couple, who hold R-1 religious worker visas, refused these demands while held at a Border Patrol facility in McAllen. The Department of Homeland Security disputes this account, alleging the pastors overstayed their visas by four years. Church members and network leaders argue the detention was traumatic and unjust, calling for immediate release and oversight of ICE conduct. The couple was released on Saturday.
Sister Leticia Ugboaja, a nun and nurse in McAllen, Texas, described her shock after being arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement while walking to Mass. Although she holds protection from removal to Nigeria due to torture risks, she was detained on June 28. Her attorney stated she had complied with all legal requirements. After social media attention and congressional intervention, she was released. Ugboaja spoke at a news conference to highlight the uncertainty faced by others with similar legal protections under the current immigration enforcement policies.
European religious scholars and human rights experts are calling for the release of Lee Man-hee, the 95-year-old chairman of Shincheonji Church in South Korea. During the European Academy of Religion’s conference in Rome, speakers argued that detaining an elderly man for non-violent electoral law violations violates international standards and human dignity. The group claims the detention damages South Korea’s democratic reputation. Shincheonji states its members participated in politics freely and that the church has cooperated with investigations. Human rights organizations have also submitted statements to the UN Human Rights Council, urging the government to respect freedom of religion and cease what they describe as targeted persecution.
Religious leaders gathered at the Texas State Capitol in Austin on July 22 to condemn recent immigration enforcement-related deaths in Texas, Maine, and Florida. Organized by Texas Impact following the fatal shooting of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo by ICE agents in Houston, the event featured statements from Lutheran, Methodist, Episcopal, and Jewish representatives. The group described current tactics as a terror campaign rather than peacekeeping. They demanded accountability, body cameras, and limits on lethal force, asserting that enforcement must not sacrifice human dignity. Texas state representative Vikki Goodwin attended, supporting the call for humane treatment and transparency in federal immigration operations.
Following a June 25, 2026 U.S. Supreme Court ruling allowing the Trump administration to end Temporary Protected Status for 350,000 Haitians, Ohio communities are mobilizing to provide support. With work permits expiring July 24, faith-based organizations and local residents in Springfield and Columbus are organizing food drives, rallies, and legal assistance. The article highlights how these groups, termed 'sanctuary people,' are expanding their definition of sanctuary to include accompaniment and practical aid for vulnerable immigrants facing potential deportation and renewed harassment.
In Kerr County, Texas, first responders are managing renewed psychological trauma following recent floods that mirrored the deadly 2025 disaster. Volunteer firefighters and chaplains, including those from Warriors Sworn to the Cross, are relying on faith and mutual support to cope with the stress of evacuating residents and witnessing destruction. Although casualties were lower this time, widespread property damage and the painful memories of the previous year's tragedy have left many struggling. Local churches and emergency officials are providing counseling and resources to help the community process the grief and recover from the devastation.
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Brooklyn, New York, has centered its ministry on supporting immigrants under the leadership of Rev. Juan Carlos Ruiz. The congregation operates a food pantry, legal clinic, and weekly prayer vigils outside the Metropolitan Detention Center. According to the outlet, the church accompanies members in immigration courts at Federal Plaza and files habeas corpus petitions for those detained by ICE. Pastor Ruiz, who previously served in the Catholic Church, draws on his own undocumented past to guide the multiethnic community. The church aligns with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America’s sanctuary commitments, offering protection and advocacy as federal deportation efforts intensify in the United States.
More than 80 survivors and advocates have signed an open letter demanding apologies from Southern Baptist Convention President Willy Rice and pastor Jack Graham. The group condemns the leaders' recent comments describing the denomination's sexual abuse crisis as a hoax or ruse. They argue these statements discourage victims from coming forward and hinder efforts to address abuse in churches. The letter also rejects claims that advocates are politically motivated. This appeal follows new arrests in South Carolina involving church leaders who allegedly allowed a convicted sex offender to work with children. Rice and Graham have not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the letter.
Kenya’s High Court dismissed a petition by Rastafarians seeking an exemption to use cannabis for religious purposes. Justice Bahati Mwamuye ruled that existing drug laws do not violate freedom of religion rights, stating the petitioners failed to provide a sufficient constitutional basis for the exemption. The judge suggested a national debate on drug policy is needed. Rastafarians protested in Nairobi after the ruling, while some residents expressed support for the decision. The petitioners’ lawyer indicated plans to appeal to the Court of Appeal. The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act currently prohibits marijuana use, with penalties including fines and imprisonment.
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