Mark A. Kellner
Articles by Mark A. Kellner
Outgoing United Methodist leader predicts fallout if LGBTQ rules relaxed at upcoming meeting
The United Methodist Church could face a "seismic shift" if next week's business session approves sweeping measures to relax long-held denominational restrictions and policies on homosexuality, an outgoing leader said Wednesday. Published April 18, 2024
Rubio-led measure would undo new Biden rule on faith-based charities
Sen. Marco Rubio and six fellow GOP senators introduced a joint resolution of disapproval Thursday seeking to overturn a new Biden administration rule the lawmakers say will impose "a radical social agenda" on faith-based groups receiving federal funds. Published April 18, 2024
FBI monitoring anti-Jewish threats ahead of Passover, Wray tells security group
A heightened security alert -- but no "direct, known threats" -- overshadows preparations for next week's Passover observation by America's Jewish community, security leaders said Wednesday. Published April 17, 2024
Anti-Defamation League reports average of 24 U.S. antisemitic attacks per day in 2023
About 24 antisemitic acts occurred each day last year in the U.S., totaling 8,873 anti-Jewish incidents of assault, harassment and vandalism -- more than the total for the three previous years combined, according to the Anti-Defamation League. Published April 17, 2024
Pastor’s wife-turned-activist Beverly LaHaye dies at 94, helped defeat Equal Rights Amendment
Beverly LaHaye, a pastor's wife who founded Concerned Women for America and led a revolt that defeated the Equal Rights Amendment, died Sunday at an assisted living facility in El Cajon, California. She was 94. Published April 16, 2024
Men are disconnected from the Bible and need to return, experts say
Evangelical publisher Robert Wolgemuth sees a problem with Christianity in the U.S. today -- men. Published April 15, 2024
More Americans than ever are ‘disengaged’ from the Bible, survey shows
Nearly 6 in 10 Americans say they are "disengaged" from the Bible -- the largest percentage in 14 years, according to a recent survey by the American Bible Society. Published April 15, 2024
Baltimore Catholics to lose 40 parishes under archdiocese’s consolidation plan
The Archdiocese of Baltimore will cut and merge 61 worship centers into 21 parishes as part of a consolidation plan announced Sunday. Published April 15, 2024
Jewish group says ‘no direct credible threats’ against U.S. sites, but calls for increased vigilance
There are "no direct credible threats" against Jewish facilities in the U.S. in the wake of Iran's drone and missile attack on Israel on Saturday, according to a Jewish security monitoring organization. Published April 14, 2024
Pope Francis loses support from U.S. Catholics, sparked by partisan divide
Three-fourths of American Catholics say they approve of Pope Francis, but his poll numbers are slipping as political polarization grows, the Pew Research Center found. Published April 12, 2024
Gaza war, food shortages weigh on U.S. Muslims during Eid al-Fitr celebration
America's 4.5 million Muslims ended Ramadan on Wednesday with a different perspective than previous years because of the Israel-Hamas war, two faith leaders said. Published April 10, 2024
Postal Service seeks five-cent hike to first-class letter price in July
The U.S. Postal Service signaled plans Tuesday for a rate increase that includes hiking the cost of a first-class stamp from 68 cents to 73 cents, part of an overall 7.8% increase to take effect this summer. Published April 9, 2024
Religious freedom activists urge Biden to press Japan’s Kishida at summit
President Biden should raise the issue of the state of freedom of religion in Japan when he meets with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during his visit to the U.S. this week, several religious liberty advocates said Tuesday. Published April 9, 2024
Vatican says ‘gender theory,’ surrogacy, euthanasia among violations of human dignity
The Vatican declared that gender-transition surgery and surrogacy are grave violations of human dignity. It put them on par with abortion and euthanasia as practices that reject God's plan for human life. Published April 8, 2024
Higher Ground: Bibles burned outside Church, Trump on Christian Visibility Day and more
Welcome to Higher Ground, the faith-centric newsletter focused on the intersection of culture and politics from experienced journalists at The Washington Times. Published April 8, 2024
Nicaragua jails, fines Protestant pastors over money laundering charge for which no evidence given
Nicaraguan authorities have sentenced 11 pastors working with an evangelical group to 12-15 years in prison and fined each $80 million on money laundering charges for which the government could produce no evidence. Published April 4, 2024
Easter Sunday arson won’t deter Tennessee pastor’s preaching, outreach
Greg Locke received a shock as he approached his church in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, on Easter Sunday -- the sight of a trailer full of Bibles smoldering in the aftermath of an arson attack. Published April 4, 2024
More Americans say there’s anti-Jewish, anti-Muslim discrimination now than in 2021: Pew survey
Perceptions of discrimination against Jews and Muslims in the U.S. are rising, according to the Pew Research Center. Published April 4, 2024
Iran’s persecution of the Baha’i is a ‘crime against humanity,’ Human Rights Watch says
Iran's decadeslong persecution of members of the Baha'i faith is a "crime against humanity," Human Rights Watch said in a report released Tuesday. Published April 3, 2024
Washington Archbishop Wilton Gregory calls President Biden a ‘cafeteria Catholic’
Cardinal Wilton Gregory, archbishop of Washington, is calling President Biden a "cafeteria Catholic," noting the president's support for abortion and regular Mass attendance. Published April 2, 2024
