Los Angeles mayor considers buffer zones at houses of worship after protest at synagogue
LOS ANGELES (RNS) — L.A. Mayor Karen Bass on Wednesday, June 26, said she is exploring the idea of buffer zones around houses of worship in response to a pro-Palestinian protest at a synagogue on Sunday but said that placing regulations on masks at public demonstrations — at this point — would likely not hold up in court.
Mississippi’s ‘In God We Trust’ license plate draws atheist lawsuit
(RNS) – Atheist and humanist groups are suing Mississippi over the state's "In God We Trust" license plate, calling it unconstitutional and seeking alternatives that don't require additional fees for Mississippi drivers.
California legislator wants religious services deemed essential during state of emergency
SAN DIEGO (RNS) – Sen. Brian Jones, a Republican in San Diego County, introduced a piece of legislation on Friday (Feb. 12) that would deem religious services an essential activity during any declared state of emergency.
Rick Warren apologizes for children’s Sunday school video loaded with Asian culture stereotypes
LAKE FOREST, Calif. (AP/RNS) — Saddleback Church Pastor Rick Warren has apologized for a children's Sunday school curriculum video that used Asian culture stereotypes to teach kids about the Bible.
Northern California church accrues tens of thousands of dollars in fees for violating pandemic orders
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP/RNS) — A Northern California church has accrued tens of thousands of dollars in fines for defying public health orders that prohibit indoor worshipping.
Harvest Crusade morphing into cinematic experience
LOS ANGELES (AP/RNS) -- Every year in August, tens of thousands of people fill the seats of Angel Stadium in Anaheim, not for baseball, but for the weekend-long Harvest Crusade.
John MacArthur, Grace Community Church defy California bans on singing, indoor worship
LOS ANGELES (AP/RNS) -- Grace Community Church congregants in Sun Valley gathered indoors and sang hymns on Sunday (July 26), defying California regulations that aim to limit the spread of COVID-19. "This is a very special day in the life of our church family. It is for us a return to what we love the most, the fellowship of the saints and the worship of our Lord," said Pastor John MacArthur from the pulpit.
