Featured essay: ‘Christofascism’ is here: inside the slow demolition of U.S. public health
Three Things to Know About the Anti-Christian Bias Task Force
The article presents three criticisms of the Trump administration’s anti-Christian bias task force: that its hypocrisy is intentional, that it manufactures controversies around LGBTQ issues, public health, and Easter/Trans Day of Visibility, and that Interfaith Alliance is actively fighting back through lawsuits and coalition-building. It argues the task force is part of a Christian nationalist effort rather than a genuine defense of religious freedom.
In a Letter to Trump, the UUA Calls for an End to the Iran War and Criticizes Extremist Christian Nationalism in the U.S. Military
The Unitarian Universalist Association wrote to President Trump and congressional leaders calling for an immediate end to the war in Iran. The letter says the conflict violates UU religious principles, lacks proper congressional authorization, and is being justified by extremist Christian nationalist rhetoric within the U.S. military. It also criticizes Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s evangelical influence and highlights the UUA’s long-standing preference for diplomacy and human rights over military intervention.
India: Conversion beyond Hinduism, Sikhism or Buddhism ends SC status, rules Supreme Court
The Indian Supreme Court has ruled that Scheduled Caste (SC) status is lost upon conversion to Christianity or Islam, as the Constitution (Scheduled Caste) Order, 1950, only recognizes Hindus, Sikhs, and Buddhists for this status. The court clarified that individuals who convert cannot claim protection under the SC/ST Act, even if they were born into an SC community, as seen in a case involving a pastor whose legal challenge was dismissed.
NYC Council approves ‘buffer zone’ legislation insulating houses of worship from protests
The New York City Council passed a bill to create protective buffer zones around houses of worship in response to a rise in disruptive protests near synagogues. The legislation empowers the police to prevent intimidation and physical obstruction, though critics argue it may infringe upon First Amendment rights to free speech and assembly.
Will other Western economies follow Europe on religious slaughter?
Recent judicial rulings in Europe are enabling member states to require pre-stunning for ritual slaughter in the interest of animal welfare, potentially impacting the production of halal and kosher meat. This has led to a varied regulatory landscape across the continent, with some countries maintaining religious exemptions while others implement stricter welfare mandates.
Europe’s FoRB envoys: Few posts, many offices
A 2026 analysis of religious freedom infrastructure in Europe reveals a lack of a unified network of envoys across the continent. While high-profile appointments have been made at the EU and Council of Europe levels, most national governments continue to manage religious community relations through existing domestic ministries and administrative bodies.
‘Only true religion’ claim an insult to others’ belief, says Allahabad high court
The Allahabad High Court ruled that claiming any faith is the only true religion constitutes a disparagement of other faiths and is a criminal offense under Section 295A of the IPC in a secular state.
Feminist mystic with attention to the earth
This article profiles the 12th-century mystic Hildegard von Bingen and her relevance to modern liberal thinkers. Researcher Kitty Bouwman discusses Hildegard’s visions, her defiance of medieval gender roles by preaching in public, and her ‘eco-centric’ spirituality. Her theology, which views all creatures as interconnected with divine love, is highlighted as particularly relevant for addressing the current climate crisis.