July 13, 2026

July, 13, 2026
July 13, 2026

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US Supreme Court To Decide Whether Jewish Man’s ‘Permit To Pray’ Case Can Proceed

The U.S. Supreme Court agreed Tuesday to hear the case of a devout Orthodox Jew suing the city of University Heights, Ohio, after officials required him to obtain a permit to pray in his home with a small group of friends. Lower federal courts threw out his lawsuit and said he needed to finish the permitting process before vindicating his constitutional rights.

US Supreme Court To Decide Whether Jewish Man’s ‘Permit To Pray’ Case Can Proceed

The U.S. Supreme Court agreed Tuesday to hear the case of a devout Orthodox Jew suing the city of University Heights, Ohio, after officials required him to obtain a permit to pray in his home with a small group of friends. Lower federal courts threw out his lawsuit and said he needed to finish the permitting process before vindicating his constitutional rights.

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Christian Persecution

US Supreme Court To Decide Whether Jewish Man’s ‘Permit To Pray’ Case Can Proceed

The U.S. Supreme Court agreed Tuesday to hear the case of a devout Orthodox Jew suing the city of University Heights, Ohio, after officials required him to obtain a permit to pray in his home with a small group of friends. Lower federal courts threw out his lawsuit and said he needed to finish the permitting process before vindicating his constitutional rights.

Ruling Favors Christian Flight Attendants Fired for Expressing Faith

Two former Alaskan flight attendants who filed a lawsuit after they were fired for expressing their faith-based opinions could likely find a jury to rule in their favor, an appellate court decided. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit maintained that a jury trial may find sufficient evidence to rule that Alaska Airlines had discriminated against the employees’ Christian faith, First Liberty Institute, which is representing the flight attendants, announced in a press release.

People Have Woken Up To The Dangers Of A ‘Conversion Practices’ Ban

As long as Christian Concern has existed, we’ve been defending the freedom of people to receive prayer and/or counselling to help them live in line with the body God gave them: male or female, with sexual attractions and behaviours that match how they are made. We stood by people like Lesley Pilkington and Mike Davidson when virtually no other public figure or organisation would defend them. When Theresa May and Boris Johnson first pushed plans for ‘conversion therapy’ bans, few stood with us to highlight the damage that such a ban would cause. Things have changed.

In Opposing Prayer, Australia’s Leaders Have Proven: God Does Not Factor Into Their Vision For The Nation

Although prayer has been preserved at a federal level (in both the House of Representatives and the Senate), individual States are facing ongoing petitions from members determined to see Christian prayer eradicated. This has already happened in the Australian Capital Territory (the location of the nation’s capital city, Canberra). In the Legislative Assembly, the rule in effect is: “Members, at the beginning of this sitting of the Assembly, I would ask you to stand in silence and pray or reflect on our responsibilities to the people of the Australian Capital Territory.”  Similar calls are now being made in Australia’s most western State, appropriately called Western Australia.  In the name of inclusivity, they want Christian prayer excluded with one person claiming it was “no longer appropriate.”

In-Depth: Safeguarding Freedom—A Biblical Model For Defending Our Civic And Religious Rights

Since religious freedom has been a hot-button social issue and is more and more frequently covered in secular and Christian news media outlets, we sometimes are asked these questions. Does the Bible address religious freedom, and, if so, what does it say and where? The Apostle Paul (and his traveling companions on various mission trips) is perhaps the most notable example of a biblical figure who suffered religious persecution and also on occasion stood up for his religious liberty. It is interesting that Paul did so in a government that had some similarities to Western nations.

Christian Officer Barred From Policing For Expressing Concerns Over Radical Islam, Wins Settlement

“Luke’s case should concern everyone,” Williams said. “It exposes how ‘inclusivity’ training within the police has, in practice, become a vehicle for enforcing a narrow ideological orthodoxy, where only approved views are permitted and lawful questioning is punished.” Williams continued, saying that the “message this sends is chilling: that Islam and prevailing secular orthodoxy is now treated as beyond question, while Christians and others are subjected to disproportionate scrutiny and sanction simply for asking reasonable questions during training.”

Justice Department Launches Investigation Into MLB For Flagrant Discrimination Against Christians

In a letter informing Manfred that the Justice Department was referring MLB to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for investigation, Dhillon wrote: “The three players expressed their opposition to MLB's pro-Pride orthodoxy. The Civil Rights Act prohibits MLB and its franchises from unreasonably burdening the rights of players with religious objections to serving as the League's vehicle for pro-Pride messages.

‘In God We Trust’: How These Four Words Became Ingrained In America’s DNA

In spite of America’s founding by people in search of religious freedom, modern critics claim having “In God We Trust” as the national motto goes against the very reason for the founding. However, the courts have made clear that “In God We Trust” is not a government establishment of religion. The term is deeply rooted in history and tradition. We are a people who have confidently placed our trust in God from the very beginning.

Anti-Christian Hate Crimes Are Surging Across Europe—And The Warning Signs Are Also Flashing In America

These aren’t abstract numbers, OIDAC Europe concludes, but vivid pictures of believers struggling to live out their faith without penalty. A café forced to shutter after relentless harassment. Worship disrupted by violence. These recorded cases reflect “a broader pattern repeatedly documented by OIDAC Europe in recent years, namely the pressure faced by Christian individuals and organisations that publicly uphold traditional Christian beliefs and values.”

A Profound Shift In A Nation Founded On Religious Liberty

As society drifts further from biblical foundations, Christian convictions are often portrayed as harmful, divisive, or intolerant. What previous generations considered religious freedom is increasingly being reframed as a potential threat to social harmony. The concern is not merely that Christianity is unpopular. The concern is that biblical faith is being treated as something that must be regulated. Many institutions that once championed freedom of thought now embrace a new form of tolerance that celebrates nearly every worldview except biblical exclusivity.

Dozens Of Christians Detained By Chinese Authorities In Massive Church Raid

Around 11 a.m. on Sunday, June 14, communist authorities raided Early Rain Covenant Church in Chengdu, Sichuan, China, and arrested dozens of believers. Roughly 30 SWAT officers and another 60 police officers reportedly entered the hotel conference room where the church had gathered for worship, recorded the names of those in attendance, and forcibly removed numerous believers from the building. Three believers were also injured during the raid.

Could The Private Prayers Of Australians Now Result In A Knock On The Door From The Government?

Through the use of targeted examples, overreach and ambiguously drafted legislation and booklets, Victorian faith leaders and parents now find themselves the victims of arbitrary limitations that permit the government a place at the dinner table of families that need to have important discussions regarding sexual orientation and gender identity. A conversation which, if led by the clear teachings of the Bible, will only lead to one conclusion. Although the Victorian Government has attempted to grant clear concessions to parents to raise their children according to Biblical values, the undeniable conclusion is that there are limitations as to what the government will accept.

Protections That Exclude Evangelical Christians: City Refuses To Prosecute Protesters For Storming A Church Service

St. Paul City Attorney Irene Kao said that her office would not charge former CNN journalist Don Lemon and the protestors involved in a planned disruption at Cities Church. On Jan. 18, dozens of protestors interrupted a Sunday morning church service, stopping the pastor from opening the service with prayer while shouting anti-ICE agent chants, and screaming in church members’ faces. The protestors claimed that one of the pastors was an ICE agent. 

Colorado Governor Defies Supreme Court Ruling That Struck Down Unconstitutional Conversion Therapy Ban

“In the Supreme Court’s 8-1 decision in Chiles v. Salazar, they made it clear that government cannot censor voluntary conversations directed at the client’s goals,” Frampton told Decision. “Kids deserve real help affirming that their bodies are not a mistake and that they are wonderfully made.”

A Wake-Up Call: Report Finds That Australian Christians Are Opting For Silence Over Societal Pushback

Over the past few years, I have spoken with countless believers who feel increasingly hesitant to express their faith openly. Teachers are unsure what they can say in the classroom. Healthcare workers worry about the consequences of acting according to their conscience. Employees feel pressure to keep their beliefs private in the workplace. Parents are concerned about the values being promoted in schools and public institutions. Perhaps the most significant finding is not that Christians are facing challenges. Jesus told us to expect opposition. Rather, it is that many believers are quietly withdrawing from public life. They are self-censoring.

Chinese Pastors Denied Access To Bibles In Prison

The three men have continued to request Bibles to continue their studies and build their faith while they face terrible conditions. One of the men’s wives filed a complaint against the prison, noting that its own regulations allow detainees to receive reading materials from relatives after inspection.

Finnish MP Persecuted For Biblical Beliefs Submits Testimony Before Canadian Senate On The Danger Of C-9 ‘Hate Speech’ Bill

“Censorship is one of the greatest existential threats to today’s democracies in Europe. You do not need to agree with my beliefs to see the danger of criminalizing peaceful speech. When the state controls which ideas and beliefs may be expressed, democracy becomes fragile. My case reveals where this path can lead. My experience in Finland has shown me that laws which criminalize speech have a very real cost not only to individuals, but also society at large. They encourage law-abiding citizens to censor their speech, and deprive wider society of conversations of critical importance."

‘Increasingly Secular, Coercive, And Hostile’: Australian Christians Highlight A Growing Antagonism Toward Christianity

“God is still sovereign, still calling people to Himself, and still able to do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine. The cultural battles matter—Christians must engage. But we fight not as those who have only earthly weapons. We contend, knowing that the Gospel remains ‘the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes,’” she said, quoting Romans 1:16. “Ultimately, the tide will turn not merely through better policies or political victories, but through faithful witness, fervent prayer and the transforming power of Christ at work in human hearts.”

The Close Linkage Between The Freedom Of Speech And Religious Liberty

Imagine the government made it a crime to say “Merry Christmas” on public streets, but people could still offer non-religious season’s greetings. This war on Christmas would infringe the First Amendment three times over. First, the law prohibits a message based on its content, a violation of the Freedom of Speech Clause. Second, the law targets the sincerely held religious beliefs of only one faith—Christians—in violation of the Free Exercise of Religion Clause. And third, the law favors secularism over faith, in violation of the Establishment Clause.

Illinois School Bans Graduation Prayer After Threats From The Freedom From Religion Foundation

An Illinois grade school has banned prayers at graduation ceremonies. Last year, Lisbon Grade School had invited a local youth ministry leader to deliver an invocation and a benediction for eighth graders. The Freedom From Religion Foundation got wind of the prayers and fired off a threatening letter to the school district

Christian Missionary Missing In Mexico After Armed Men Objected To Distribution Of Bibles

Christian persecution monitors have also warned that pastors and Christian community workers in Mexico are often targeted because their ministry, anti-drug work, and youth outreach can undermine cartel control. Open Doors says criminal violence remains a major danger for Mexican Christians, particularly church leaders who confront evil with good in cartel-dominated areas. Yet even amid violence and intimidation, the evangelical witness in Mexico continues to grow.

New Louisiana Laws Send A Clear Message: Churches And Synagogues Are Not Fair Game For Disruptive Political Theater

Months after protesters stormed a Minnesota church, turning a sacred space into a scene of chaos, Louisiana is taking decisive action to shield its own congregations from similar threats. Gov. Jeff Landry (R) has signed two bills designed to safeguard the sanctity of worship and ensure that prayer and reflection are not interrupted by intimidation or disorder. “In Louisiana,” said Landry, “we are committed to maintaining the right to worship without interference, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to safeguarding religious liberty. With the signing of these two bills, those protections just became stronger.”

SPLC Was The Hub, But Many Spokes Made Up The Wheel Designed To Crush Christians And Conservatives

In America, citizens should not lose access to banking services, digital platforms, public credibility, or physical safety because they believe in biblical teaching on marriage and human sexuality. When government-regulated institutions can apply ideological labels in a coordinated fashion to silence, isolate, or financially cripple opponents, we allow political targeting by proxy, and freedom is at risk. SPLC was the hub, but there were many spokes that made up this wheel designed to crush Christians and conservatives — the congressional inquiry should not stop with SPLC.

Terrorists Storm Three Nigerian Schools, Beheading A Christian Teacher And Kidnapping Several Others

Residents described Oyedokun as a committed teacher and Christian who served his community with dedication. Church leaders and civil society groups have called for the release of the abducted victims and for the arrest of those responsible.  Local officials and education advocates said the attack has renewed concerns about the security of schools in parts of Southwest Nigeria, where kidnappings for ransom have become more frequent in recent years.

Pastors In The Crosshairs: The War Of Attrition Against Free Speech In The UK Must End

ADF legal counsel Jeremiah Igunnubole described the police’s decision to drop the November charges as a “vindication” of Moodley’s conduct. He said the case is a symptom of a wider pattern and called on Parliament to take action.  “The war of attrition against free speech in the U.K., demonstrated in Pastor Dia’s case, must end,” Igunnubole said. “Censorial laws need to be repealed urgently, and stronger protections, including a Free Speech Bill, are needed to reverse the growing culture of censorship within law enforcement.”  Meanwhile, Moodley will continue expressing his faith in the public square.  “I will continue to share my faith publicly, undeterred by the police’s censorship and the threats and violence I have faced, and will stand for free speech not just for myself, but for the rights of all people in the U.K.”

Christian Publishers In China Endure Harsh Conditions In Prison 

Chang Yuchun and his wife, Li Chenhui, remain in brutal conditions in separate prisons in Xi’an City, Shaanxi province, China. The couple was involved in printing Christian literature and materials in Xi’an in 2015. In July 2020, their company was raided and closed. State security police seized more than 210,000 Christian books.

A Constitutional Crisis: COVID May Be Years Behind Us, But The Side Effects To Religious Liberty Still Linger

The era of lockdowns created a constitutional crisis. It opened an entirely new line of attack on religious liberty, creating a whole host of legal issues. Houses of worship and religious freedom became a flashpoint during the pandemic. There were abuses of power and churches felt that overreach the most. This led to unfair treatment of religious people and organizations across America.

‘Genocide Cover-Up’: Report Uncovers $10 Million Lobbying Ploy To Hide Christian Persecution In Nigeria

Released by International Christian Concern (ICC), the report titled “Nigeria’s $10 Million Genocide Cover-Up” alleges that these lobbying efforts were designed to influence U.S. policy discussions on Nigeria and improve Nigeria’s image in regard to the increasing reports of Islamic extremist groups targeting and killing Christians, as well as the government’s failure to intercede.

Nigeria: It Is Time For The US Government And The Media To Answer Their Cries

What’s needed is a comprehensive strategy — one that combines targeted military action with efforts to stabilize conditions on the ground and provide sustained humanitarian support. It will also require leadership that is committed to seeing the mission through to the end. They can’t be distracted by the next flashy story. Past mistakes have shown us that short-term interventions rarely work — and often make conditions worse for those left behind. It is time for the government of the United States — and the media — to answer their cries. Otherwise, we are looking at another record year of Christians killed, with no end in sight. How can we justify our silence?

‘A Dark Day For Christian Freedom’: Northern Ireland Pastor Convicted for Preaching John 3:16 Near ‘Buffer Zone’

“The U.K.’s persecution of silent prayer represents not only an egregious violation of the fundamental right to free speech and religious liberty, but also a concerning departure from the shared values that ought to underpin U.S.-U.K. relations.”

Finnish Parliamentarian Convicted Of ‘Insulting’ A Group For 20-Year-Old Church Booklet to Appeal To European Court

“The retroactive censorship of a 20-year-old booklet produced by and for a church community is among the most chilling developments in the ongoing attack on freedom of speech across Europe,” said Lorcán Price, legal counsel with ADF International, serving on Räsänen’s legal team.

A Clash Of ‘Worldviews’: DOJ Report Lays Bare The Anti-Christian Bias Pervasive In The Biden Administration

The new report released this week by the Department of Justice’s Task Force to Eradicate Anti-Christian Bias is a wake-up call. The task force, led by Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, has produced one of the most, if not the most, substantive works of this administration. The report, entitled “Eradicating Anti-Christian Bias within the Federal Government,” lays bare what is at the heart of the Left’s disdain for religious freedom: it is a clash of “worldviews” over abortion, gender ideology, and sexual orientation.

Christian YouTuber In Egypt Faces Five Years’ Imprisonment And Hard Labor For Teaching His Faith Online 

Egyptian authorities have sentenced Augustinos Samaan, a Christian scholar, and YouTuber, to five years in prison and hard labor for his online videos teaching about and defending the Christian faith.   

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