Mark A. Kellner
Articles by Mark A. Kellner
United Methodists eye redefinition of marriage, massive budget cuts at business session
The United Methodist Church's business session received two proposals Wednesday -- one to scuttle the definition of marriage as being between "one man and one woman," the other to slash the budget by 42%. Published April 24, 2024
Church member sues over $5 million tithe, refund request raises questions about all religious giving
A brother of former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. is suing the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for a $5 million "refund," accusing the church of misusing his mandatory tithing donations. Published April 24, 2024
Jewish-Christian author says Israel-Hamas war, Iranian missile attack spark spiritual searching
Joel C. Rosenberg, a best-selling author based in Jerusalem, says that attacks by Hamas and Iran have sparked a spiritual crisis for Israelis and Palestinians. Published April 24, 2024
Finnish ‘Bible trial’ case goes to high court as prosecutor appeals acquittal, defense attorneys say
The Supreme Court of Finland will hear arguments in the case of an evangelical lawmaker and a Lutheran bishop who are accused of hate speech in expressing their biblical views on homosexuality, defense attorneys said. Published April 23, 2024
Jewish educator links today’s environmental crises to biblical plagues of Passover, seeks change
With Passover and Earth Day being celebrated on Monday, Eli Greenstein Jacober's thoughts turn to plagues -- both biblical and modern. Published April 21, 2024
25 years on, Columbine survivor Craig Scott works to stop other attacks, says faith gets him through
Craig Scott, a survivor of the mass shooting at Columbine High School that claimed his sister as its first victim, says mental health and spiritual issues were the root causes of the attack by two students 25 years ago. Published April 19, 2024
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