Maryland’s Largest School District Must Pay $1.5M to Religious Parents in LGBT Curriculum Case

Maryland’s Largest School District Must Pay $1.5M to Religious Parents in LGBT Curriculum Case

A federal judge has ordered Maryland’s largest public school district to pay $1.5 million to a group of religious parents after the district eliminated notice and opt-out options for LGBT-themed classroom books. The ruling stems from a dispute over elementary school materials, some of which introduced themes of gender transitioning and pride parades to children as young as 4.
  • Kansas Legislature Overrides Governor’s Veto of Transgender Bathroom Bill
    Kansas lawmakers have voted to override Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly’s veto of legislation restricting access to certain public restrooms and locker rooms based on biological sex. Senate Bill 244 was rejected by Kelly last week, but the Republican-controlled Legislature moved swiftly to reverse her decision. The Kansas Senate voted 31-9 on Tuesday to override the veto, followed by an 87-37 vote in the Kansas House on Wednesday.
  • UK Pastor Arrested After Street Preaching on Islam, Biblical Gender Identity
    A street preacher in the United Kingdom was arrested after criticizing Islam and expressing biblical views on gender identity, marking the latest in a series of encounters with police that have fueled debate over free speech protections in the country. Pastor Dia Moodley was taken into custody by Avon and Somerset Police while preaching in Bristol city centre on Nov. 22.

Federal Lawsuit Challenges Colorado’s Blaine Amendment Over Religious School Funding

Two education groups have filed a federal lawsuit challenging a provision in Colorado’s constitution that bars public funds from going to religious schools, contending the restriction infringes on the rights of faith-based institutions and families seeking religious education.
  • Civil Liberties Group Says First Amendment Does Not Protect Disruptions of Church Services
    A nonpartisan civil liberties organization says the First Amendment does not shield protesters who interrupt worship services, pushing back against claims made after last Sunday’s disruption at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota. Tthe Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression emphasized that houses of worship are private spaces, not public forums, and that entering a church to disrupt a service falls outside the scope of constitutionally protected protest activity.
  • UK Christian Lecturer Appeals Ruling Upholding Dismissal Over Evangelical Views
    A Christian lecturer appeared in court this week to challenge a tribunal ruling that upheld his dismissal from a Bible college over social media posts expressing traditional Evangelical beliefs on sexuality. Aaron Edwards is appealing a decision by the Sheffield Employment Tribunal, arguing that the ruling unlawfully infringed on his rights to religious freedom and free expression.
  • Texas School District Cuts Ties With Islamic Games Event Over Terror-Linked Donation Concerns
    A North Texas school district has withdrawn from hosting an Islamic-themed youth athletic event after learning that a listed sponsor had been designated a terrorist organization by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. The Dallas Islamic Games had been scheduled for May 9–10 at Colleyville Heritage High School in Colleyville, part of the Dallas–Fort Worth metro area.
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  • Most Americans Support Supreme Court Decision Protecting Parents’ Religious Freedom

    A newly released study indicates that a majority of Americans approve of recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions that strengthen parental rights and religious freedom, particularly in cases involving objections to instruction related to LGBT issues. Timed to coincide with International Religious Freedom Day, Becket published its 2025 Religious Freedom Index last Friday, offering insight into how Americans view a wide range of church–state and religious liberty issues.

  • Former U.S. Gymnast Slams Celebrity ACLU Ad Promoting Males in Girls' Sports

    A former U.S. champion gymnast is pushing back against a new celebrity-backed advertising campaign that supports allowing males who identify as female to compete in girls’ sports, as the Supreme Court of the United States considers key cases on the issue. The 30-second advertisement, sponsored by the progressive civil liberties group American Civil Liberties Union, is part of its “More Than a Game” campaign.

  • ‘We Need to Turn to God,’ Says Renee Good’s Former Father-in-Law

    The former father-in-law of Renee Good says he does not blame U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for her death and is instead calling on Americans to seek God amid growing turmoil. Timmy Macklin Sr. responded publicly to last week’s fatal shooting in Minneapolis, Minnesota,

  • Franklin Graham Calls Americans to Prayer and Repentance, Warns Nation Is ‘in Trouble’

    The Rev. Franklin Graham is calling on Americans to join a nationwide “time of prayer and repentance,” urging collective prayer at noon Wednesday as he warns the nation faces serious trouble. “If you think our nation is in trouble now, just wait,” said Graham, “As our streets boil over with hate, anger, crime, drugs, and just sheer hopelessness, is there something we can do?”

  • Bible Sales Surge to Record Levels in U.S. and U.K., Signaling Renewed Interest in Faith

    Bible sales have reached historic highs in both the United States and the United Kingdom, according to newly released industry data, pointing to a growing appetite for printed Scripture amid cultural uncertainty. In the United States, figures compiled from Circana BookScan show that Bible sales climbed to 19 million units in 2025. 

  • Christian Converts in Iran Face Risk of Harsh Punishment Over Faith Activities

    Several Iranian Christians sentenced for their faith have been imprisoned in recent days, with additional believers facing harsh penalties, according to Article 18, an organization that monitors religious freedom violations in Iran. The group reported that two Christian converts were taken into custody on Dec. 16 and Dec. 20, while another Christian woman was ordered to begin serving a lengthy prison sentence just days before Christmas.

  • Federal Judge Blocks Progressive Watchdog From Entering Johnson Amendment Lawsuit

    A federal judge has rejected an effort by a progressive church-state watchdog organization to join a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of an Internal Revenue Service rule that restricts political activity by churches. The underlying lawsuit was brought by the National Religious Broadcasters and other plaintiffs.

  • Live Painting of Jesus Fetches $2.75 Million at Trump’s New Year’s Eve Gala

    President Donald Trump helped raise millions for charity after a portrait of Jesus Christ was auctioned for $2.75 million during a New Year’s Eve celebration at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida. Christian worship painter Vanessa Horabuena created the painting in 10 minutes at the event, with proceeds benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
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