Pew Survey Finds Most Americans View Religion as a Positive Force in Society

Pew Survey Finds Most Americans View Religion as a Positive Force in Society

A new report from the Pew Research Center shows that most Americans continue to believe religion has a beneficial influence on public life, even as many remain cautious about direct political involvement by churches and religious organizations. The survey found that 75% of Republicans view religion’s influence positively, compared to just 38% of Democrats.
  • LAUSD Reverses Decision, Allows Christian Club Promotion in Weekly School Webinar
    The largest public school district in California has reversed its earlier position and agreed to allow a Christian student group to promote its activities during a school-wide webinar after facing legal pressure over alleged discrimination. The Los Angeles Unified School District decided to permit the Faith and Fellowship Club at its Arts and Entertainment Virtual Academy to advertise during the school’s weekly webinar following a demand letter from Liberty Counsel.
  • Church Attendance Shows Strongest Recovery Since Pandemic Closures
    Religious congregations across the United States are experiencing their strongest in-person worship participation since the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 shutdowns, according to newly released research. Hartford Institute for Religion Research reported that average weekly attendance levels at churches and other faith communities have risen above pre-pandemic figures for the first time in several years.

Federal Judge Allows Christian Foster Parents’ Lawsuit Over Washington Policy to Proceed

A federal judge has declined to dismiss a lawsuit brought by a Christian couple who argue they were denied a full foster care license in Washington due to their religious beliefs regarding gender and sexuality. David G. Estudillo of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington rejected the state’s motion to dismiss the case filed by Jennifer DeGross and Shane DeGross.
  • Supreme Court to Weigh Whether Christian Schools Can Join State Pre-K Program
    The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to consider whether two Catholic schools in Colorado were improperly excluded from a state-funded preschool initiative due to their religious beliefs on LGBT-related issues. In an orders list released Monday, the Court granted certiorari in the case of St. Mary Catholic Parish v. Lisa Roy, taking up the question of when the government may bar religious organizations from participating in public programs.
  • Franklin Graham Downplays Trump AI Jesus Meme Backlash as ‘A Lot to Do About Nothing’
    Franklin Graham has dismissed criticism of a now-deleted social media post shared by President Donald Trump depicting him in a Christ-like image, calling the controversy overblown. Graham responded to the backlash over the AI-generated image, which depicted Trump in robes with light emanating from his hands, saying he does not believe the president intended to present himself as Jesus.
  • Indiana School Counselor Awarded $200K After Firing for Opposing Gender Identity Policy
    An Indiana school district has agreed to pay close to $200,000 to resolve a legal dispute with a counselor who was dismissed after speaking out against a student gender identity policy. Kathy McCord filed a lawsuit against the South Madison Community School Corporation after she was terminated for declining to comply with a policy requiring staff to withhold from parents information about a child identifying as the opposite sex at school.
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  • Alabama Enacts ‘Released Time’ Law Allowing Students Off-Campus Religious Instruction

    Alabama has enacted a new law allowing public school students to leave campus during the school day to participate in religious instruction, a practice commonly referred to as “released time.” Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey signed Senate Bill 248, also known as the Alabama Released Time Credit Act, into law last Wednesday, formally authorizing the program statewide.

  • Pro-Life Activist Wins $1M Settlement After DOJ Case, Calls It “Huge Victory”

    Pro-life activist Mark Houck has secured a settlement exceeding $1 million, nearly four years after an FBI raid on his home sparked widespread backlash among supporters. The 40 Days for Life Institute of Law & Justice confirmed the outcome, highlighting the resolution of a long-running legal battle tied to the early morning federal operation.

  • Catholic Nuns Sue New York Over LGBTQ Law, Arguing It Forces Them to Violate Religious Beliefs

    Catholic nuns who have long cared for terminal cancer patients in New York have launched a federal legal challenge against a state law they say compels them to act against their convictions on sex and gender identity.

  • Judge Upholds Massachusetts Church’s Right to Operate Homeless Shelter

    A Massachusetts judge has ruled that a local church can move forward with operating an emergency homeless shelter on its property, rejecting objections raised by some nearby residents. Diane R. Rubin of the Massachusetts Land Court issued a decision affirming the Somerville Zoning Board of Appeals’ approval.

  • Armed Man Tackled at Houston Church Service After Alleged Plot to Kill Pastor

    A Texas man carrying a loaded firearm was subdued by a church security team member during a Sunday service in downtown Houston before he could carry out a potential shooting. Emmanuel Ahsono Mbwavi has been charged with two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in connection with the March 15 incident at Eden Church Houston.

  • Texas Court Dismisses Mosque Lawsuit, Allowing Christian Evangelists to Continue Public Outreach

    A Texas court has thrown out a lawsuit brought by a Dallas-area mosque that aimed to stop Christian evangelists from preaching and distributing religious materials on public property nearby. The legal action was filed in October 2025 by East Plano Islamic Center against Testimonies of God, an evangelism ministry led by Landon Thurman, along with Heritage Grace Community Church, Jason Osborne, and multiple unnamed defendants. 

  • Nvidia Executive Donates $50 Million to Austin Christian University

    Roger Bringmann, a longtime executive at Nvidia, has contributed $50 million to Austin Christian University, a newly established institution in Georgetown, Texas. The donation was announced last Friday during a groundbreaking event for the university’s upcoming Bringmann Center, a facility that will feature a 750-seat auditorium and function as a central location for student services and campus gatherings.

  • California Ordered to Pay $4.5 Million After Losing Gender Policy Case on Parental Notification

    The state of California has been ordered to pay $4.5 million after failing to defend a law that barred school officials from informing parents about their children’s gender-related issues. Roger Benitez of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California approved a request from several California teachers and parents.
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