Weekly religion news roundup (April 11-17, 2025)
Photograph by Utsav Srestha via Unsplash
Rev. Dr. Anna Piela
Global outrage over Israel's bombing of Gaza's al-Ahli Baptist Hospital on Palm Sunday. Israel is at the receiving end of international outcry after its military bombed Gaza City's Anglican-run al-Ahli Baptist Hospital on Palm Sunday, triggering concerns over a new humanitarian catastrophe. The bombing, which killed several people, including a child, forced critically ill and wounded patients to scramble into the streets to survive. (The New Arab)
Israeli airstrike hits hospital entrance in Gaza, killing medic and wounding 9 other people. The Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, which runs the hospital, condemned the strike. (RNS)
Tens of thousands of Jews gather for traditional blessing in Jerusalem. The “Birkat Cohanim,” or Cohen’s blessing, is a ritual dating back over 2,500 years to when King Solomon’s Temple stood on the same site. The blessing is performed by male Jews who can trace their lineage back to the priestly caste and takes place three times a year during Judaism’s major holidays. (Associated Press)
Shannon Fleck, who took on Christian nationalists in Oklahoma, named Faithful America leader. Fleck, a former probation officer turned pastor, was one of the leading voices against efforts to put Trump Bibles in schools. (RNS)
Harvard Divinity School Suspends Religion, Conflict, and Peace Initiative. Harvard Divinity School will suspend its Religion, Conflict, and Peace Initiative amid budget cuts at HDS and public accusations that the initiative’s programming presents a one-sided view of the Israel-Palestine conflict. (The Harvard Crimson)
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.
In win for faith groups, federal judge rules Trump must begin admitting some refugees. In his ruling on Wednesday (April 9), U.S. District Judge Jamal Whitehead declared, "the Government must continue processing, admitting, and providing resettlement support to them — and funding (United States Refugee Admissions Program) partners to the extent necessary to do so — consistent with this Court's previous order." (National Catholic Reporter)
Fear and loathing of history led to Hegseth’s book ban, authors say.
The fear and loathing of history motivated the banning of nearly 400 books at the U.S. Naval Academy, according to a panel of scholars whose works were included in the purge. “I think very clearly that my book was taken off because people hate the truth and people hate history more,” said Anthea Butler, a religion and African American studies professor at the University of Pennsylvania and author of “White Evangelical Racism: The Politics of Morality in America.” (Baptist News Global)
Trump’s fight against international students hits home at Baylor. The Trump administration’s unexplained revocation of international student visas hit Baylor University April 9. The Waco, Texas, school currently is among a select few faith-based private universities affected by the unannounced revocations of hundreds of study visas at 120 schools across the nation. (Baptist News Global)
State department staff told to report colleagues for ‘anti-Christian bias.’ The state department is ordering staff to report colleagues for instances of “anti-Christian bias” during the Biden administration, part of Donald Trump’s aggressive push to reshape government policy on religious expression in his first months back in office. (The Guardian)
Federal judge refuses to block immigration enforcement operations in houses of worship. U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich in Washington handed down the ruling in a lawsuit filed by more than two dozen Christian and Jewish groups representing millions of Americans. (NBC News)
What in God’s Name Is Oscar Isaac’s New Jesus Movie ‘The King of Kings’? WHAT THE DICKENS? Oscar Isaac stars in an adaptation of the life and times of Jesus Christ, with computer animation that makes all your favorite Bible characters look like bobble-heads. (The Daily Beast)
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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