In the news

Anugrah Kumar Christian Post Contributor 

A new study has revealed that 22% of U.S. evangelicals appear to reject the Bible’s teaching that the gender of a person as male or female is given by God, the Creator, and instead believe in “gender fluidity.”

While 73% of American evangelicals disagree that “gender identity is a matter of choice,” 22% say they believe in that statement, according to the LifeWay Research “State of Theology” poll released Sept. 8.

https://www.christianpost.com/news/1-in-5-evangelicals-reject-bibles-teaching-on-gender-report.html

Leonardo Blair Christian Post Reporter

Pastors John MacArthur and Andy Stanley, who are both influential  Christian leaders, presented dueling advice on how churches should respond to government restrictions amid the pandemic this week, with MacArthur urging pastors to open because the supposed need for indefinite lockdowns is a “lie,” while Stanley recommended cooperation.

Both MacArthur, who leads Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, and Stanley, who leads North Point Community Church in Alpharetta, Georgia, shared their thoughts on the controversial issue during a Q Session discussion with moderator and Q Ideas founder Gabe Lyons on Wednesday.

https://www.christianpost.com/news/john-macarthur-urges-churches-to-challenge-govt- and-reopen-in-pandemic-andy-stanley-disagrees.html

Bob Smietana

(RNS) Megachurch pastor John MacArthur and his congregation can continue to meeting indoors for worship, a California judge ruled Friday. (August 14).

But they must wear face coverings and practice social distancing, according to a California Superior Court judge's order.

Los Angeles County health officials had sought temporary restraining order barring the church from violating health orders that ban large indoor meetings and singing during meetings.

The judge granted part of the restraining order request and denied part of it.

https://religionnews.com/2020/08/15/john-macarthur-grace-community-church-judge-order-masks-social-distance-during-services/

Emily McFarlan Miller

(RNS) — When it comes to coping with the stress and uncertainty of a pandemic, most Americans are turning not to God, but to TV.

That’s just one of the findings of a Pew Research Center survey released Friday (Aug. 7) on how the novel coronavirus pandemic has impacted the worship habits of Americans.

Pew surveyed 10,211 American adults online between July 13 and 19.

Here’s what the nonpartisan fact tank found.

https://religionnews.com/2020/08/07/to-cope-with-pandemic-americans-choose-binge-watching-tv-over-the-bible-prayer/

Yonat Shimron

The Supreme Court has ruled that religious school teachers who perform a religious role, even if they are not ordained, and even if religious instruction makes up a small part of their overall responsibilities, are subject to a ministerial exception from civil rights protections afforded to other employees.

The 7-2 ruling on Wednesday (July 8) hands religious institutions a big win after a momentous defeat last  month when the high court ruled that gay and transgender people are protected from workplace discrimination. Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Sonia Sotomayor dissented.

https://religionnews.com/2020/07/08/supreme-court-broadens-scope-of-ministerial-exception/

Elana Schor Religious News

NEW YORK (AP) — Abortion opponents vented their disappointment and fury on Monday after the Supreme Court issued a 5-4 decision to strike down a Louisiana law that would have curbed abortion access.

The ruling delivered a defeat to anti-abortion activists but could intensify interest in the November election among religious conservatives who are a key part of Trump's base. Some top religious conservative backers of President Donald Trump noted pointedly that both justices he named to the high court dissented from Monday's decision, portraying it as an argument to ensure Trump has another term in office to potentially tap more conservative nominees.

https://religionnews.com/2020/06/29/abortion-foes-vent-disappointment-after-supreme-court-ruling/

Michael Gryboski   Christian Post Reporter

The head of a human rights group that monitors Christian persecution worldwide has expressed concern over news that the People’s Republic of China has enacted new security legislation over the semi-autonomous city of Hong Kong.

Recently, China passed “national security” legislation aimed at cracking down on sedition and other subversive acts against the Communist government in Beijing.

https://www.christianpost.com/news/christian-watchdog-group-finds-chinas-increased-control-over-hong-kong-concerning.html

Anugrah Kumar, Christian Post Contributor

A federal judge in North Carolina issued an order Saturday to allow indoor worship services, blocking Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper’s enforcement of restrictions on churches during the coronavirus pandemic. Read more below:

https://www.christianpost.com/news/nc-judge-sides-with-churches-blocks-gov-coopers-restrictions-on-indoor-services.html