There’s long been debate over the intentions of America’s founders about the role of religion. That’s been turbocharged with the approaching 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence on July Fourth. Some Christian activists are redoubling claims that the United States had a Christian founding. But scholars note that there’s no established religion in the Constitution and some of the most influential founders weren't Christian. But most of them also weren’t deists or anti-religious skeptics. The founders believed in prayer and that God was helping the revolutionary cause. Scholars say they created a sort of free market in which American religion has thrived to this day.
From
To
A Trump administration task force has alleged discrimination against Christians during Joe Biden's presidency. The report claims Christians were targeted in areas such as education and tax law. Critics argue it lacks evidence and is biased toward conservative Christian causes. The 200-page report accuses the Biden administration of limiting Christians' ability to act according to their faith, especially on issues like abortion and gender. Critics say it misrepresents policy disagreements as persecution.
FILE - President Donald Trump speaks during the National Prayer Breakfast, at the Capitol in Washington, Feb. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)
FILE- President Joe Biden, with from left, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., and House Speaker Mike Johnson of La., pray and listen during the National Prayer Breakfast, Feb. 1, 2024, at the Capitol in Washington. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)
FILE - President Donald Trump sits at a desk as he and religious leaders listen to a musical performance before Trump signs an executive order during a National Day of Prayer event in the Rose Garden of the White House, May 1, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)
RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) — Israeli police said Friday that they arrested a 36-year-old caught on video attacking a nun in the latest incident …
Christian pilgrims visit the Cenacle, traditionally believed to be the site of the Last Supper, in Jerusalem, Friday, May 1, 2026, as they walk past the site where a nun was attacked by a man last Wednesday. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
Christian pilgrims walk past the site where a nun was attacked by a man last Wednesday, after visiting the Cenacle, traditionally believed to be the site of the Last Supper, in Jerusalem, Friday, May 1, 2026.(AP Photo/Leo Correa)
Prosecutors say a man in California is in custody on murder charges in connection with a shooting in January that left two people dead in a Salt Lake City church parking lot. The charges against 32-year-old John Vea Uasike Jr. were unsealed Monday by the Salt Lake County district attorney’s office as authorities seek his extradition to Utah. Uasike was taken into custody on April 14 by law enforcement in California on six felony charges. The violence took place outside a place of worship for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also known as the Mormon church. Six people were injured.
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Young and inexperienced Camp Mystic counselors were not trained to help campers during floods or other emergencies, and f…