Weekly religion news roundup (February 27-March 5, 2026)
Photograph by Utsav Srestha via Unsplash
Hannah Estifanos
Why are the US and Israel framing the ongoing conflict as a religious war? US troops reportedly told the war in Iran is intended to bring about biblical end times, Armageddon. (Al Jazeera)
‘Christ is king’ becomes a loaded phrase in US political debates, especially on the right. On its own, the phrase “Christ is king” sums up a core tenet of the Christian faith, that Jesus is the divine ruler of the universe. Catholics and many Protestants celebrate a Christ the King Sunday each year. But the ancient proclamation can morph into something political, controversial or even sinister, depending on who says it and how it’s said. (Associated Press)
Purim parties shift to bomb shelters as Israelis celebrate under Iran war threat. The Purim holiday is usually marked with boisterous street parades and costume parties to celebrate the Jewish victory over an ancient Persian ruler. This year, the celebrations moved into fortified bomb shelters as the country wages war against Iran’s modern-day leaders. (Religion News Service)
After ICE raids, Ramadan in Minnesota is somber, but some hope it offers healing. For many Muslims in the Twin Cities, Ramadan feels somber after the federal immigration enforcement surge left many immigrant families wary of gathering. But some are hoping the Islamic sacred month of fasting and charity will offer a sense of communal grounding and healing. (The Christian Century)
Celebrating Holi - the Hindu festival brings its array of colours to India and elsewhere. Millions of people are celebrating Holi, the festival of colours, in India and across the world. The spring festival, which celebrates the victory of good over evil, also marks the end of winter. (BBC News)
Two pastors advance in Texas primaries. Religion played a key role in midterm primaries in Texas March 3. A Presbyterian seminarian secured the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate and will face either the incumbent, John Cornyn, a member of the Churches of Christ, or Ken Paxton, a Southern Baptist who’s in the midst of being divorced by his wife for infidelity. Meanwhile, a high-profile Baptist pastor in South Dallas easily secured the Democratic nomination for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in a district that is strongly Democratic. (Baptist News Global)
Each week in The Christian Citizen, we publish a Religion News Roundup with summaries of religion news stories and links for those who want to read more.
Teeth, finger bones and blessings: Buddhist relics inspire belief. Every Lunar New Year, the Wei Mountain Temple in Rosemead, California, publicly displays what it calls the “10,000 Buddha Relics.” The collection prominently features bones and teeth believed to have come from the bodies of the Buddha, his relatives and disciples. (Associated Press)
Gallup Poll: Fewer than half of Americans say religion is ‘very important’ in their lives. President Trump said he was ‘bringing back religion,’ but the latest Gallup Poll shows no evidence of that. (Religion News Service)
Parents awarded $1.5M after Supreme Court win in LGBTQ+ books case. A group of conservative religious parents who sued the Montgomery County Board of Education in Maryland after it refused to let them opt their children out of classes discussing books on LGBTQ+ characters will receive a $1.5 million settlement. (The Christian Century)
Verizon awards $100K to expand emergency alert network for NYC houses of worship. ‘When you can tell congregations to invite the homeless inside during freezing weather, or let elderly parishioners know they can come cool off during a heat wave, it saves lives — not just one or two, but potentially hundreds,’ said the CEO of New York Disaster Interfaith Services. (Religion News Service)
How Mexican Cartel Violence Disrupted a Guadalajara Church. Christians call for peace and prayer after the killing of drug kingpin El Mencho led to violence across the country. (Christianity Today)
Hannah Estifanos is the copyeditor of The Christian Citizen.
The views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily those of American Baptist Home Mission Societies.
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