Weekly religion news roundup (June 6-12, 2025)
Photograph by Utsav Srestha via Unsplash
Rev. Dr. Anna Piela
Faith leaders, lawmakers argue GOP bill benefits the ultra-wealthy by hurting the poor. ‘May your will be done, and may this bill be killed,’ said the Rev. Teresa Hord Owens, general minister and president of the Disciples of Christ. (RNS)
More than 55,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israel-Hamas war, Gaza health officials say. The Palestinian death toll from the 20-month Israel-Hamas war has climbed past 55,000, the Gaza Health Ministry said Wednesday. The ministry doesn’t distinguish between civilians and combatants but has said that women and children make up more than half the dead. (Associated Press)
Southern Baptists seek overturning of same-sex marriage. ‘For Southern Baptists, the waters of sexuality are not muddy,’ said Southern Baptist Convention President Clint Pressley. (RNS)
Michael Tait issues ‘confession’ confirming abuse and drug reports. Contemporary Christian musician Michael Tait published a “confession” June 10 that largely corroborates accusations against him published the previous week by The Roys Report and also reported by Baptist News Global.(Baptist News Global)
SBC’s attack on women as leaders is ‘historic,’ Beth Allison Barr says. The Southern Baptist Convention’s current attempt to put women in their place “is one of the harshest measures against women in ministry” in history, according to Baylor University history professor Beth Allison Barr. (Baptist News Global)
Each Friday 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.
Pope Leo XIV names first Chinese bishop, signalling he is continuing Vatican’s controversial accord. Pope Leo XIV made his first appointment of a Chinese bishop under the Vatican’s 2018 agreement with Beijing, signalling he is continuing one of Pope Francis’ most controversial foreign policy decisions. (Associated Press)
In ‘Youth Group’ comic, evangelical kids sing silly songs about Jesus, fight demons. Published last year by New York-based First Second Books, “Youth Group” tells the story of Kay Radford, a theater kid who winds up joining the Stone Mission megachurch youth group after her parents split up. (Associated Press)
More Americans See Religion Increasing Its Influence in U.S. Though still the minority view at 34%, it is up from 20% a year ago. (Gallup)
Sanctuaries Of Identity: African Christians Thrive Amid Growing Diaspora Challenges. In cities, both big and small, across large swaths of Europe and North America, it is becoming common to see groups of Africans engaging with the Christian faith. (Religion Unplugged)
Druid Fellowship’s first millennial leader aims to modernize pagan church. Modern Druidry is one of several noncentralized pagan religions practiced worldwide today. (RNS)
In LA, faith leaders protest to stand up for the detained and keep the peace. At one demonstration, faith leaders spread out in front of the line of officers, held hands and occasionally burst into song. (RNS)
Rev. Dr. Anna Piela is senior writer at American Baptist Home Mission Societies and assistant editor 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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