Russian police and military officers raided Council of Churches Baptists’ Sunday worship in Krasnodon on January 25th, threatening to stop all future services if the church does not register with Russian authorities. This is part of a pattern of raids on religious meetings (Baptist and Muslim) in Russian-occupied Donetsk and Luhansk Regions between July and December 2025, often resulting in fines for “missionary activity.” Council of Churches Baptists intentionally avoid official registration. The article details specific raids, interrogations, and legal proceedings against pastors, highlighting the Russian occupation authorities’ severe violations of freedom of religion or belief, despite calls from the UN to respect these freedoms.

Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan initiated a reform of the Armenian Apostolic Church, seeking to remove Catholicos Garegin II and establish a state-led Coordinating Council. The government justifies this by accusing the Church leadership of involvement in politics, referencing the Church’s criticism of the government following the Nagorno-Karabakh defeat. The article argues this justification is legally untenable, as Armenian and international law permit religious institutions to engage in political discourse without violating the separation of Church and State principles. A secondary government narrative links some clergy to Russian intelligence (‘KGB agents’), which the author disputes given the Armenian Church’s unique, largely Western-educated, and historically independent ecclesiastical structure. Finally, the PM has publicly accused clergy of moral failings (adultery, violating celibacy), which the author contends fall under the Church’s internal, canonical jurisdiction, not the State’s purview, noting the suspicious timing of leaked private footage.

A couple in Indonesia’s Aceh province, the only region imposing Sharia law, was publicly caned 140 times each for having sex outside marriage and consuming alcohol. The woman fainted after enduring the punishment, which is considered one of the severest since Sharia was implemented in 2001. The punishment included 100 lashes for the sex offense and 40 for alcohol consumption. The couple was among six people flogged that day.

The Texas State Board of Education delayed voting on a proposed mandatory K-12 reading list due to widespread concern over its strong Christian religious focus and a lack of racial, ethnic, and gender diversity. Democrats and public speakers argued that emphasizing Christian texts like ‘The Parable of the Prodigal Son’ conflicts with the Establishment Clause of the U.S. Constitution. Critics also noted the list underrepresents Hispanic and Black students, despite forming the majority of Texas students, favoring classical literature and political addresses. Proponents, mostly Republicans, defended the religious texts as historically significant and emphasized the quality of classical literature over author demographics. The list, which will be mandatory if adopted, allows parents to opt out of instruction, though students might still be tested on the material.

Seventy individuals who gathered in St. Petersburg from across Russia to pray for the health of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky were detained by Russian authorities, who labeled the organization a “radical sect.” The group, reportedly created in Ukraine and focused on spiritual development, also discussed the war and praised the Ukrainian armed forces. One leader is identified as Olga Dautova, a professor from the St. Petersburg Academy of Postgraduate Pedagogical Education. The prayer included specific requests for the protection of Zelensky, his team, and various Ukrainian regions.

Unitarian Universalist Association President Rev. Dr. Sofia Betancourt was arrested by Capitol Police in Washington, D.C., during a protest against the Department of Homeland Security’s budget. The demonstration, which included several hundred faith leaders, targeted federal funding for ICE and Customs and Border Patrol, emphasizing a moral obligation to oppose the dehumanization of neighbors.

In this article, Pastor Klaas Douwes uses the belladonna plant as a metaphor for liberal theology (vrijzinnigheid). He explains that just as the plant can be both a medicine and a deadly poison depending on the dosage, liberal faith offers an antidote to dogmatic rigidity but risks becoming listless and ‘suffocating’ if it lacks conviction or becomes too diluted by tolerance. He concludes that while liberalism is inherently risky due to its embrace of doubt, it remains essential for the vitality of Christianity and society.

World Grand Father Edmond Brahimaj issued a message marking the 96th anniversary of the establishment of the Bektashi World Headquarters in Albania. The message honors the 1930 decision by Sali Njazi Dede to move the seat to Tirana following persecution in Turkey, highlighting the institution’s role in preserving Bektashi traditions and promoting values of love, tolerance, and national identity.

A series of letters debating the legal status of male circumcision in the UK following a CPS document. Perspectives range from a rabbi calling for professional regulation to maintain tradition safely, to men who view the practice as nonconsensual mutilation and support its classification as child abuse.