Federal court permanently blocks NY restrictions on houses of worship

A US federal court has permanently blocked New York’s highly contested COVID-19 restrictions on indoor worship, the Christian Post reports. Tuesday’s ruling by District Judge Kiyo A. Matsumoto follows a temporary block on the restrictions that were issued by the US Supreme Court in November.

New report: most churches suffered financial anxiety

A new survey reveals that some pastors worry their church may not survive the COVID-19 pandemic because of financial pressures, Christian Today reports. Titled “Something other than a Building,” and compiled by Churches in Ireland and Queen’s University, Belfast, the survey shows finances have been a source of anxiety for most of the pastors who participated.

Bombing at California church accused of hateful messaging against LGBT community

The FBI is investigating a bomb blast that broke windows at a California Baptist church that has been subject to protests for what has been described as extremist, hateful messaging against the LGBT community, Religion News reports. El Monte police said the city’s First Works Baptist church building was attacked at 1 am Saturday when an “improvised explosive device” was thrown at it. No one was in the building at the time and no injuries have been reported.

Christian advocacy group: Biden’s executive order targets people of faith

A Christian advocacy group has said one of President Joe Biden’s first executive orders is an “assault on biological reality” that negatively targets people of faith and faith-based organizations that provide social services, Christian Today reports. The Family Research Council (FRC) said the president’s Executive Order on Preventing and Combating Discrimination on the Basis of Gender Identity or Sexual Orientation may result in Christians having to violate their consciences and even lose government contracts for failure to comply.

Pakistan: Christian leader threatened with death for Facebook post criticizing Islam

A Christian lay leader in Pakistan was taken into police custody last month as hundreds of Muslims descended on his Lahore neighborhood threatening to kill him for sharing a post against Islam on his Facebook page, Morning Star News reports. The outraged mob also threatened to burn down homes in Raja Warris’ neighborhood in the Charar area of Lahore, causing Pakistani Christians in the community to flee for their lives.

Church Asks Ninth Circuit to Lift California’s Ban on Indoor Worship

A Ninth Circuit judge Monday expressed concern that California’s effort to curb Covid-19 transmission by banning all indoor religious gatherings could extend into the summer months or beyond if the pandemic worsens, further restricting people’s constitutional right to practice their religion.

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