A group of religious parents who sued the Montgomery County Board of Education in Maryland after it refused to let them opt their children out of classes discussing books on LGBTQ+ characters will receive a $1.5 million settlement. (André, Religion News Service)
Read MoreThe online dating service announced the rebranding Feb. 24, saying its "new direction reflects the company's changing membership, along with a cultural shift prioritizing discretion." According to the company, its internal signup data revealed that in 2025, more than half (57%) of all new members identified as single. (Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today)
Read MoreOnly slightly more than a third of nones (36%) say they have a complete absence of religious beliefs. A similar share (37%) say they are somewhere between belief and unbelief, while 12% have strong religious beliefs. Another 15% aren’t sure. (Earls, Lifeway Research)
Read MoreIn 2024, Lifeway Research estimates 3,800 new Protestant churches were started in the U.S., while 4,000 churches were closed. This is based on analysis of congregational information provided by 35 denominations or faith groups, representing 58% of all Protestant churches. (Earls, Lifeway Research)
Read MoreSales of the Good Book have doubled in five years. Is it an aesthetic statement; a smokescreen co-opted by the far right under the guise of religious nationalism; or a sign that young people are searching harder than ever for meaning in a chaotic world? (Coffey, The Independent)
Read MoreBlack Americans are more likely to consider people not related to them by blood or marriage part of their families, according to a new study from the Pew Research Center. Religious affiliation, Pew found, is a key factor in forming these alternative family networks. (Murphy, Religion News Service)
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