Religious Liberty

Senators James Lankford and Ted Cruz introduced a bill to exempt qualifying religious-degree programs from losing federal aid under a graduate-earnings test, the Christian Post reports. Supporters cite modest ministry salaries; the Education Department says earnings accountability protects students and taxpayers. The proposal has not become law.

The Supreme Court agreed to review a Kentucky dispute over a Catholic group’s proposed prayer grotto, the Christian Post reports. Neighbors challenged zoning permission, and state courts rejected the variance. The appeal asks how federal religious-land-use protections apply; an argument date and final ruling remain pending.

Police in Taiyuan detained pastor An Yankui on suspicion of organizing illegal religious activities, the Christian Post reports, citing International Christian Concern and a police record. He leads an unregistered Protestant congregation and has been detained previously. The report does not establish a conviction or disclose the outcome of the latest detention.

Lahore High Court restored a police case over the alleged abduction, forced conversion and marriage of Maria Shahbaz, Christian Daily International/Morning Star News reports through the Christian Post, citing her family’s advocates. The family disputes documents and an earlier custody ruling. The restored case permits further proceedings; the allegations and custody challenge remain unresolved.

A Havana court gave Christian content creator Anna Bensi and her mother two years of restricted liberty after they published a video of a state security agent, the Christian Post and Latin Times report. They were convicted under a privacy law; supporters call the case political repression. Their lawyer plans an appeal, and the written sentence’s precise terms remain pending.

The Bible Access Initiative estimates that more than 500 million Christians face restrictions on obtaining or using Scripture, the Christian Post reports. Its 106-country assessment distinguishes persecution from barriers such as poverty, literacy and internet access, and estimates over 125 million want a Bible but lack one. Expanded coverage limits simple year-to-year comparisons.

The Ninth Circuit upheld denial of a preliminary injunction seeking removal of a cross and seasonal Nativity display at Los Angeles’ historic El Pueblo district, The Christian Post reports. The court said the challengers had not met the requirements for interim relief. The case returns to the district court for a final decision; this ruling does not end the litigation.

Released pastor Ezra Jin urged China to free eight leaders of Beijing’s Zion Church, the Christian Post reports from an interview. He said the church expanded through online services after its building closed and expressed hope for religious revival. Those are his account and hopes; the eight leaders remain detained according to the report.

Women of Victory and Bethel Campus Fellowship sued Virginia State University over a policy placing Christian student clubs under one university-employed campus minister, The Christian Post reports. The groups allege unequal treatment and interference with their religious expression. The university did not respond to the outlet’s request for comment; the constitutional claims remain unresolved.

The World Evangelical Alliance urged Israel at the UN Human Rights Council to protect Palestinian civilians and address settler violence, the Christian Post reports. Its statement highlighted threats reported by residents of Taybeh, a predominantly Christian village. The alliance called for accountability and protection of homes, livelihoods and places of worship.

Pastor Nehad Hasan told Christianity Today that Syrian authorities detained him in July over religious speech and online posts before dropping the charges and releasing him in August. The Lebanese-based Kurdish pastor says threatening messages continued after his release. His account raises questions about religious freedom and the gap between official assurances and conduct on the ground.