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Church

St. John the Evangelist church in Montreal

Zoning

Historic Preservation Laws Are Stopping This Historic Church From Preserving Itself

Montreal's heritage laws could prevent the financially troubled St. John the Evangelist church from converting its little-used parish hall into a much-needed, revenue-generating asset.

Christian Britschgi | 1.13.2023 2:25 PM

U.S. District Judge John Sinatra Jr.

Second Amendment

A Federal Judge Says New York's Ban on Guns in Church Is Unconstitutional

The state made it a felony to carry handguns for self-defense in "any place of worship or religious observation."

Jacob Sullum | 10.21.2022 2:25 PM

minisKeep-Sweet–Pray-and-Obey_netflix

Documentary

Review: After Cult Leader Was Convicted, His Compound Was Raided by Child Protective Services

The Netflix docu-thriller Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey shows the downfall of Warren Jeffs and the unjustified taking of 450 children inside his religious community.

Natalie Dowzicky | 9.2.2022 6:30 AM

National United Methodist Church in Washington, DC

Religion

What the Methodist Split Tells Us About American Political Polarization

However this denominational divorce plays out, theology around same-sex relationships isn’t the only thing driving Methodists apart.

Bonnie Kristian | 8.10.2022 2:55 PM

Soup Kitchen

Zoning

Pennsylvania Town Threatens Churches With $500 Fines for Providing Free Meals, Counseling Services

Borough officials in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, told Mission First and Christ Episcopal churches that their charitable work goes beyond what the zoning code allows for downtown churches.

Christian Britschgi | 7.7.2022 1:45 PM

4-feature-christian-homeless

Zoning

Labyrinthine Zoning Rules Restricted Homeless Shelters During the Pandemic

As COVID-19 spread across the country, complex rules around land use and building permits made housing the poor and vulnerable effectively impossible.

Christian Britschgi | 6.11.2022 6:00 AM

denise-jans-dPeMksg59lA-unsplash

Coronavirus

New York's Nonsensical COVID Rules Force Theaters To Operate at 33 Percent. Unless They Host Church Services.

If hosting a religious service or a performance that includes food service, theaters can open to 50 percent capacity. But plays and other performances are still capped at 33 percent.

Eric Boehm | 5.14.2021 11:20 AM

1

Politics

Only Tolerance Can Save Us From Political Fanatics

With ideological crusades replacing theological battles, we will again have to learn to live and let live.

J.D. Tuccille | 3.19.2021 7:00 AM

dreamstime_xxl_175304249

Coronavirus

Stop Saying Lockdown Is 'Not That Hard'

Staying isolated from family and friends is wrenchingly difficult, even when it’s the right thing to do.

Bonnie Kristian | 12.10.2020 2:55 PM

Pendleton-Lighthouse-Church

Coronavirus

Churches, Which Account for 0.02% of COVID-19 Cases, Are a 'Major Source' of Infection, The New York Times Says

The paper's claim reflects the same arbitrary distinction between religious and secular activities that churches are challenging in court.

Jacob Sullum | 7.8.2020 1:45 PM

abaphotosthree140529

First Amendment

Prohibiting Religious Services Makes the First Amendment a Coronavirus Victim

While governments are shutting down religious services and fining pastors who defy those orders.

Ira Stoll | 5.6.2020 10:45 AM

Large image on homepages

The Netherlands

Dutch Church's Month-Long, 24/7 Service Is Saving a Family of Refugees From Deportation

The church faced a dilemma: "choosing between respect for the government and protecting the rights of a child."

Joe Setyon | 11.28.2018 12:25 PM

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North Carolina

A Church's Dramatic Attempt to Stop a Deportation Reflects the Crackdown on Sanctuaries

CityWell United Methodist Church sheltered an undocumented immigrant until they said he was lured to an immigration office under false pretenses.

Zuri Davis | 11.26.2018 5:00 PM

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Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Lawmakers Want to Lift the Statute of Limitations Amid the Catholic Priest Sex Abuse Report

The bill was passed unanimously by the state Senate, but has remained in the House since February 2017.

Zuri Davis | 8.16.2018 4:30 PM

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Roman Catholic

Vatican Official Says China, Which Persecutes Christians and Murders Dissidents, Is the Country 'Best Implementing the Social Doctrine of the Church'

An Argentinian bishop in Rome may not be the best authority on Chinese politics.

Stephanie Slade | 2.6.2018 5:25 PM

Large image for longform feature pages.

Marriage

Getting the State Out of Marriage

A brief history of love, money, and power

Steven Horwitz and Sarah Skwire | 10.21.2017 6:00 AM

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Civil Liberties

What Does Today's Gay Marriage Ruling Mean for Religious Organizations?

Could Christian schools and other groups lose their tax status for treating same-sex couples differently?

Stephanie Slade | 6.26.2015 1:20 PM

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Politics

A Swingers Club Is Rebranded a Church To Evade Local Busybodies

"It will have the same rules that many churches observe" except adultery is OK.

Amanda Winkler | 5.28.2015 3:05 PM

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Politics

A Swingers Club Is Rebranded a Church To Evade Local Busybodies

"It will have the same rules that many churches observe" except adultery is OK.

Amanda Winkler | 5.28.2015 12:20 PM

Politics

The Pope Can Make All of Us More Thankful Today, Says Shikha Dalmia…

Reason Staff | 11.28.2013 11:50 AM

Policy

Better They Sleep Outside: Zoning Commission Shuts Down Housing Shelter For No Good Reason

John Ross | 9.15.2013 10:00 AM

Policy

Unitarian Church Leads NSA Lawsuit: Q&A with Rev. Rick Hoyt

Tracy Oppenheimer | 8.8.2013 12:30 PM

Politics

Jersey Senate President Calls on Newark Archbishop To Resign Over Priest Who Violated Ban on Ministering to Children

Separation of church and state not a deterrent when there's a situation to take political advantage of

Reason Staff | 5.9.2013 9:48 AM

Superstorm Sandy

New York Times Correctly Denounces Post-Sandy Fed Bailout of Churches, Synagogues, and Mosques

Ronald Bailey | 3.5.2013 2:03 PM

Politics

Arkansas House Approves Bill to Allow Guns in Churches

Individual places of worship would be able to set their own rules

Reason Staff | 2.4.2013 6:40 PM

Policy

Supreme Court Won't Hear Challenge to Church Gun Ban

Justices made no comment when rejecting review of the case

Reason Staff | 1.7.2013 10:44 AM

Politics

Freedom of Religion vs. Freedom from Religion

If churches want to be left alone, they should stop begging alms of the government.

Ronald Bailey | 2.28.2012 4:45 PM

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