Society & Culture

“Pastor Brent Kipfer of Maple View Mennonite Church in Wellesley told the magazine that his church began a discernment process after members of the evangelical congregation noticed a ‘more widely varying theological diversity within MC Eastern Canada and MC Canada.’” - CPost

“Baker County circuit judge Matthew Shirtcliff granted a preliminary injunction to ten churches who had sued the governor over the restrictions, which prevented them from gathering for religious services.” - National Review

“…the questions of politics must focus on how much liberty a society can tolerate before it starts to break down. This is a very old debate, of course. But it’s not a conversation that many critics of ‘liberalism’ seem very interested in having.” - John Ehrett

“In times of actual crisis, it can be easy to let awe and wonder fall by the wayside. Even in times of prosperity and plenty, our politicians and would-be planners are adept at finding urgency and necessity where neither truly exists.” - Acton

Thomas Kidd: Heaven won’t be a Republican Party reunion. Our churches should be crystal clear about that spiritual reality.

My recent research, with Cary Wu, explores whether differences in social capital across counties can help explain the differences in the severity of the pandemic. … Although there are many definitions, social capital refers to the norms and relationships that facilitate coordination and resilience within a community.” - The Public Discourse

“The Supreme Court is hearing oral arguments this week for cases that will be decided in late May or June. Here are five with implications for religious liberty.” - TGC

“…even with precautions taken, 75% of this choir got sick…. at least one of the 61 singers was ‘known to be symptomatic,’ according to the CDC. Second of all, it was a really long rehearsal. They were in a couple of rooms for 2 1/2 hours. They shared food. They stacked folding chairs together.

“The Jewish civil rights group counted 2,107 anti-Semitic incidents in 2019, finding 61 physical assault cases, 1,127 instances of harassment and 919 acts of vandalism. That’s the highest annual tally since the New York City-based group began tracking anti-Semitic incidents in 1979.: - AP

“The bill says that a minor under the age of 16 cannot obtain a marriage license unless the court decides it is in the best interest of the applicants. In addition, no one under the age of 18 can obtain a marriage license unless a parent or legal guardian gives consent.” - Jurist