All posts tagged: religious right

James Robison, televangelist known as ‘avenging angel of the religious right,’ dies at 82

James Robison, televangelist known as ‘avenging angel of the religious right,’ dies at 82

Published by Sam Flores

(RNS) — James Robison, a televangelist, author, friend of politicians and key figure in the Moral Majority movement who later led a humanitarian organization, died Saturday (May 16). He was 82. “It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of Rev. James Robison, the beloved founder of Life Outreach International,” the board of directors of the ministry Robison founded said in a statement. “James devoted his life to sharing the Gospel and bringing hope, help, and healing to those in need around the world. Together, James and Betty stewarded a ministry that has touched countless lives and will continue impacting generations to come.” Born Oct. 9, 1943, in Houston, Robison had what his ministry called a “dysfunctional” childhood. His mother, a nurse, was assaulted by the son of a patient, according to his official bio, and became pregnant as a result. She placed her son, Robison, with a Baptist couple that she had found in a newspaper ad.   That couple raised him for five years before he returned to his birth mother. …

Separation of Church and State Was a Baptist Idea. What Happened?

Separation of Church and State Was a Baptist Idea. What Happened?

Published by Sam Flores

(RNS) — The Baptist preacher (and Texas Lieutenant Governor) who stood before the White House Religious Liberty Commission had a message: There is no separation of church and state in the Constitution. That’s a shift… For two centuries, Baptists didn’t just support the wall of separation between church and state — they built it. They famously asked Thomas Jefferson for it. And then as recently as 1960, Southern Baptist leaders argued that a Catholic president would surely subordinate the Constitution to the Pope. This devotion to a secular state was deep. But that was then, this is now… Baylor University historian Elesha Coffman suggests Southern Baptists have become the very force they feared Catholics would be — a dominant religion using political power to shape society along theological ideals. According to Coffman, the receipts are right there in the historical record.  In this episode, Amanda Henderson talks with Coffman about her recent article, “Southern Baptists have become what they once feared Catholics would be,” about the winding path from Jefferson’s reply to the Danbury Baptists, …

Fewer than half of Americans say religion is ‘very important’ in their lives

Fewer than half of Americans say religion is ‘very important’ in their lives

Published by Sam Flores

(RNS) — President Donald Trump has repeatedly encouraged more religion in the public square. “We’re bringing back religion in our country, and we’re bringing it back quickly and strongly,” Trump said at a National Day of Prayer event last year. Many federal departments have held prayer services or Bible studies. Trump created a task force to eradicate anti-Christian bias, and his Supreme Court appointees continue to deliver for Christian conservatives and their allies. But according to a new Gallup Poll, there’s been no significant change in the importance of religion to Americans and church attendance continues to decline. RELATED: Defense Secretary Hegseth tests Constitution in Pentagon worship services The percentage of Americans who say religion is “very important” in their lives has leveled off at 47% in 2025. (It’s been up or down 1 percentage point since 2021.) Religious service attendance reveals a picture of steady decline. A majority of U.S. residents — 57% — say they rarely or never attend religious services. (By comparison, in 1992, only 42% said they rarely or never attend …

Rev. William Barber takes up Mike Johnson’s challenge to debate immigration theology

Rev. William Barber takes up Mike Johnson’s challenge to debate immigration theology

Published by Sam Flores

(RNS) — Longtime activist and anti-poverty advocate the Rev. William Barber is challenging House Speaker Mike Johnson to a theological debate over President Donald Trump’s immigration policies, taking up the Republican congressman’s open-ended offer earlier this week to discuss the topic “with anybody at any time they want to.” Barber made the challenge during a Thursday (Feb. 5) interview for “Complexified,” a Religion News Service podcast created in partnership with Iliff Institute for Religion, Politics & Culture. The episode will be released Monday. “I want to have that debate with him,” Barber told “Complexified” host the Rev. Amanda Henderson. Barber’s challenge came after Johnson was asked during a press scrum on Wednesday to respond to criticism of Trump’s immigration policies levied by Pope Leo. Like his predecessor, Pope Francis, Leo has directly criticized Trump’s immigration policies on multiple occasions: In November, he cited Matthew 25:35 while expressing concern about the president’s approach to immigration, noting that Jesus “says very clearly, at the end of the world, we’re going to be asked, ‘how did you receive …

Abortions Rose After Dobbs—And the March for Life Knows It

Abortions Rose After Dobbs—And the March for Life Knows It

Published by Sam Flores

The Movement Got What It Wanted. Abortions Increased Anyway.One year ago, JD Vance spoke at the March for Life like a conquering hero. Trump had just been inaugurated. Roe was overturned. The movement was jubilant. This year, he had to address his detractors from the stage. Something had shifted. What They WonThe anti-abortion movement got what it wanted: Dobbs overturned Roe. And yet abortions in America have actually risen since the decision fell. Nearly two-thirds of those abortions now happen through medication. Mifepristone gets prescribed via telehealth. It’s accessible even in states with bans. The Trump administration made it clear they’re not touching it. The “Prudential” ProblemFrom the stage, Vance defended that position. He called it a “prudential” decision—strategically and politically wise. On social media, people were furious at the word. In the crowd, one man told RNS reporter Aleja Hertzler-McCain: “I think we are in a difficult political moment. JD Vance’s heart is in the right place. I was worried the Trump administration wanted to compromise on abortion. But I think that’s just their …