This article is from: srnnews.com
( ) A growing number of churches across America have roadside signs with frequently changing messages that range from the practical to the witty to the profound. It’s an effort to inspire and attract drivers and passersby that’s uniquely popular in the quintessential land of open roads and advertisements. Among the classics are weather puns, such as: “Too hot to keep changing sign. Sin bad. Jesus good. Details inside.” Congregations have gotten creative with the signs, aiming to brighten a commuter’s day, spur a reflection while chauffeuring kids to football practice, and maybe convince a lapsed Christian to come back.
( ) The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom is urging the Trump administration to apply targeted sanctions to India’s RSS group for its persecution of Christians. The RSS is a right-wing Hindu nationalist volunteer organization that is accused of fomenting hatred of India’s small Christian minority and allegedly organizing violent attacks against believers. CeCe Heil, vice chair of the Commission, says “The U.S. government has an opportunity to hold India accountable and signal that the United States stands for religious freedom for the people of India.” Persecution in India has been surging in recent years.
( ) A federal judge is siding with a Jewish charter school seeking access to Oklahoma’s public funding. U.S. District Judge David Russell has ruled that the state cannot exclude the National Ben Gamla Jewish Charter School Foundation from funding solely because of its religious character. Oklahoma law requires charter schools to be nonsectarian and unaffiliated with any kind of religious group. The judge said denying Ben Gamla’s application on religious grounds caused an actual injury and cited Supreme Court precedent supporting the school’s argument. This follows a similar Catholic charter school case.
( ) The Anglican Church in Wales is pausing plans to allow same-sex weddings in churches. The Bench of Bishops says more time is needed before the governing body considers changing Church marriage rules. The Bishops indicate that they want further theological discussion about the doctrine of marriage before moving forward. The Church made its liturgy for blessing gay marriages and civil partnerships permanent in April and Church leaders still favor eventually allowing same-sex weddings. A request will be submitted for the governing body to discuss traditional and liberal views on marriage in the Spring of next year.
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