The Culture

A detransitioner has testified before lawmakers, sharing the story of a childhood spent believing that gender transition would heal deep pain. The testimony adds to a growing chorus of voices challenging the medicalization of gender dysphoria in minors.

The CEO of the Babylon Bee is urging Christians to produce 'more good books' as a way to push back against bad ideas in the culture. The call to action reflects a growing movement within evangelical circles to engage the culture through creative, high-quality content rather than retreating from public discourse.

Germany's ruling conservative party has passed a motion to ban social media use for children under 14 and introduce stricter digital verification checks for teenagers. The move at a CDU conference in Stuttgart builds momentum for child protection limits in Germany and across Europe.

The Make America Healthy Again movement is fracturing after Trump signed an executive order protecting the herbicide glyphosate from regulation. MAHA supporters who backed RFK Jr.'s health crusade are calling the movement a 'sham' after Kennedy appeared to support the order, turning on the very constituency that championed his appointment as HHS Secretary.

A BBC presenter has found faith in Jesus Christ after investigating Christianity to answer questions from her skeptical daughter. What began as a journalistic inquiry into the faith turned into a personal transformation, adding to a growing list of high-profile conversions in the British media landscape.

A British street evangelist has been arrested for publicly criticizing Islam and gender ideology, raising alarm about the erosion of free speech protections for religious expression in the UK. The arrest comes as religious liberty cases proliferate across the West, from Maryland's $1.5M settlement with religious parents to Louisiana's Ten Commandments ruling.

CNN is airing an hour-long documentary on 'Christian nationalism' that has drawn backlash for appearing to link the ideology to Charlie Kirk's assassination last fall and for casting suspicion on classical Christian schools. Critics say the documentary unfairly paints orthodox Christian education and conservative political engagement as dangerous extremism.

A Louisiana appeals court has given the green light for the Ten Commandments to be displayed in public schools, a significant victory for religious liberty advocates. The ruling comes as Kansas lawmakers also overrode the governor's veto of a transgender bathroom bill and Tennessee passed legislation protecting the right to decline recognition of same-sex marriage — a trio of culture war wins for social conservatives.

Japan is gifting 250 new cherry blossom trees to be planted along the National Mall's tidal basin, honoring America's 250th birthday and replacing trees removed during restoration. The gesture continues a tradition of friendship dating back to 1912, when Japan first sent cherry trees to Washington as a symbol of goodwill between the two nations.

Actor Dennis Quaid calls himself a 'common-sense independent' who leans conservative and says Hollywood has shifted dramatically leftward in recent years, creating an environment where traditional viewpoints are no longer welcome. His comments add to a growing chorus of industry voices pushing back against ideological conformity in entertainment.

A confrontational interview between Tucker Carlson and U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee at Ben Gurion airport revealed a widening rift in the Republican Party over Israel. Carlson's Christian nationalist wing views the U.S.-Israel alliance with growing suspicion, while Huckabee represents an older Christian conservative establishment that sees the relationship — rooted in biblical covenant — as sacrosanct. The exchange illuminates a theological and political fault line among evangelicals.

The Trump-Kennedy Center was targeted in what officials described as a 'calculated, malicious attack' after a dark toxic substance was deliberately poured across the venue's outdoor ice rink, forcing performance cancellations and prompting a law enforcement investigation. The incident escalates concerns about politically motivated vandalism against cultural institutions during an increasingly polarized era.

Babylon Bee CEO Seth Dillon addressed the National Religious Broadcasters convention in Nashville, urging Christians to create more high-quality content as a counterweight to cultural narratives they oppose. Dillon acknowledged the satire outlet's mission has evolved as the cultural landscape has shifted.

As ICE enforcement operations intensify, churches in upstate New York have emerged as unlikely champions of due process for detained immigrants. The story of Manuel Mayllazhungo — shackled and transferred from New York to Louisiana — illustrates how faith communities are grappling with the tension between law enforcement and mercy.

A detransitioner shares their harrowing personal account of childhood gender transition, describing how the hormones and surgeries they received were presented as carefully considered and lifesaving — yet the risks were substantial. The testimony adds a powerful voice to the growing debate over pediatric gender medicine.

In a keynote speech laden with biblical references and patriotic fervor, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth addressed the National Religious Broadcasters' Freedom 250 Celebration, drawing a direct line from the Bible to the founding of the United States and declaring war on what he called the 'godless left.'

A federal appeals court ruled Friday that Louisiana's law requiring the posting of the Ten Commandments in public schools can proceed, finding the legal challenge was not yet ripe for a decision. The ruling hands a significant victory to religious liberty advocates who have long pushed for the measure.

An anti-ICE school walkout in Cincinnati escalated when groups of teenagers left campus and invaded a nearby Kroger grocery store, hurling objects and vandalizing property in scenes captured on viral video. The incident has drawn widespread condemnation and calls for prosecution, adding a chaotic new chapter to the nationwide student protests over immigration enforcement.

A Muslim man in Uganda stabbed his son to death with a long knife after the young man accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior. The killing underscores the extreme risks faced by Christian converts in regions where leaving Islam can carry violent consequences, and highlights the ongoing persecution of believers in East Africa.

Montgomery County, Maryland will pay $1.5 million to a group of religious parents who sued the school board over a policy that blocked them from opting their children out of instruction using books promoting transgender ideology. In addition to damages, the board must now inform parents whenever gender identity materials will be used and allow opt-outs, marking a significant legal victory for parental rights in education.

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has asked broadcast stations to air 'patriotic' programming as part of Trump's yearlong America 250 celebration, including daily recitations of the Pledge of Allegiance. The request raises questions about the appropriate relationship between government regulators and media content, drawing praise from supporters of civic education and concern from free press advocates.

As Los Angeles loses film and television productions at an alarming rate, Nashville is emerging as an unlikely new hub for faith-based filmmaking. The city's deep roots in music, storytelling, and Christian culture are attracting producers seeking alternatives to Hollywood, joining cities like Atlanta in building viable production ecosystems outside of traditional entertainment capitals.

Harvard University's faculty committee is tackling a persistent grade inflation problem that has made an 'A' the average grade. The issue, first highlighted decades ago by professor Harvey Mansfield, follows Princeton's failed attempt at imposing grading restrictions.

Liberty University has launched a 28-day challenge inviting students to step away from social media throughout February, with campus leaders warning that Satan uses phones and devices to 'separate us from God.' The initiative comes amid growing concern about social media's impact on young adults' mental health and spiritual lives.

The head of the Armenian Apostolic Church faces criminal charges and a travel ban as part of an escalating government crackdown. The situation raises serious religious liberty concerns in the historically Christian nation.

Hundreds of K-12 students across the country have received detention or suspension after participating in classroom walkouts to protest ICE enforcement efforts. The 'ICE out' walkouts have spread following the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis last month, raising tensions between student activism and school discipline.

President Trump ordered the Pentagon and other agencies to declassify and release government files related to extraterrestrials and UFOs, citing 'tremendous interest.' The move came after former President Obama stated on a podcast that aliens 'are real,' prompting Trump to accuse him of sharing classified information.

Ron Kenoly, one of the first celebrity worship leaders to rise to prominence as a recording artist with Integrity Music, has died. Known for the iconic praise anthem 'Ancient of Days,' Kenoly changed the sonic landscape of contemporary worship music and influenced generations of church musicians worldwide.

Trump's executive order declaring the weedkiller glyphosate a 'national defense priority' has fractured his Make America Healthy Again coalition. MAHA mothers who supported Trump based on RFK Jr.'s promises to address food safety and chemical exposure feel betrayed, with some saying 'women feel like they were lied to.' Kennedy has defended the order, but the backlash is growing as midterm elections approach.

A street evangelist in the United Kingdom has been arrested for publicly criticizing Islam and gender ideology, reigniting the debate over free speech and religious liberty in Britain. The case highlights growing tensions between speech protections and expanding hate-speech laws across Europe.

Kansas lawmakers have overridden Democratic Governor Laura Kelly's veto of a bill prohibiting biological males who identify as women from entering restrooms and locker rooms designated for women and girls. The Alliance Defending Freedom praised the override as prioritizing 'privacy and safety over ideology,' while the ACLU has vowed to challenge the law in court.

The new Toy Story 5 trailer is generating buzz as Pixar takes on children's screen addiction. The villain is a tablet called 'Lilypad' that steals protagonist Bonnie's attention from her beloved toys, pitting Buzz and Woody against the very technology reshaping childhood. The film arrives at a cultural moment when concerns about kids and screens have reached a fever pitch.

The Global Methodist Church, founded as a theologically conservative alternative to the United Methodist Church, has surpassed 7,000 member congregations — months after crossing the 6,000 mark. The rapid growth reflects the ongoing realignment within American Methodism following years of debate over LGBTQ inclusion and biblical authority.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth invited controversial Christian nationalist pastor Doug Wilson to deliver a sermon at the Pentagon as part of a monthly worship series Hegseth established at the Department of Defense. Wilson, who has argued that women should be denied the right to vote, delivered a 15-minute sermon to military personnel, intensifying debate over the intersection of faith and government under the Trump administration.

Former President Obama stated during a podcast interview that aliens are real, though not held at Area 51. President Trump fired back aboard Air Force One, calling it a 'big mistake' and accusing Obama of divulging classified information. The exchange comes as Trump adviser Lara Trump suggested the president has a prepared speech on extraterrestrial life, fueling one of the most bizarre political sideshows in recent memory.

MercyMe's beloved hit gets the sequel treatment as 'I Can Only Imagine 2' arrives in theaters. Christianity Today examines how the Christian band navigates the challenge of following up one of the most successful faith-based films ever made, and whether the sequel can recapture the original's emotional power.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's budget woes are mounting as the Washington Post mocks his threatened property tax hike and residents swarm a free grocery pop-up amid crushing food costs. Florida Governor DeSantis weighed in, contrasting NYC's fiscal struggles with Florida's lower-tax approach. The crisis highlights the real-world costs of progressive fiscal policy.

Stephen Colbert claimed CBS lawyers blocked him from airing an interview with Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico, citing FCC equal time concerns. CBS denied the claim. The dispute highlights tensions between broadcast regulations and political coverage under the Trump-era FCC.

President Trump suggested during a Black History Month event that Atlanta might be the next American city to see a surge of federal resources and National Guard troops to combat crime, saying 'they'll never fix it themselves.'

FBI Director Kash Patel says federal investigators have uncovered significant funding streams tied to antifa, signaling potential new enforcement actions as the bureau intensifies scrutiny of left-wing violence under the Trump administration.

President Trump is holding onto a speech detailing extraterrestrial life and spaceships, according to his daughter-in-law Lara Trump, who said the president is waiting for the right time to deliver it. The revelation adds to a growing series of disclosures about UFOs and non-human intelligence by current and former officials.

Texas state Rep. James Talarico, a Democratic Senate candidate, claimed in an interview that the Bible has nothing to say about abortion or gay marriage, and that Jesus taught salvation is obtained by treating people well and 'welcoming the stranger.' His claims have drawn sharp criticism from theologians and conservative commentators.

NYU Langone Health in Manhattan announced it will permanently end its transgender treatment program for children, citing the 'current regulatory environment' under the Trump administration. The decision reflects a broader trend of institutions pulling back from pediatric gender medicine amid increased government scrutiny.

Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, co-author of the Great Barrington Declaration and current NIH director, will temporarily serve as acting CDC director following the departure of Jim O'Neill. The move continues HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s reshaping of health agency leadership.

Maryland Governor Wes Moore, frequently mentioned as a potential presidential candidate, signed legislation that effectively bans all state and local participation in federal immigration enforcement agreements. The move directly counters the Trump administration's push to expand ICE cooperation nationwide.

A federal judge has ruled against the Trump administration's policy of conducting immigration enforcement raids at certain churches, calling the practice 'profoundly troubling.' The ruling adds another dimension to the ongoing tension between federal immigration enforcement and religious communities.

A Nashville charter school issued a 'Final Warning' to a Christian first-grade teacher after he refused to read a book featuring same-sex marriage to his class. Eric Rivera, who teaches at KIPP Antioch College Prep Elementary, has sought legal representation from a religious liberty advocacy group.

President Trump honored the late Rev. Jesse Jackson as 'truly special' during a Black History Month event at the White House, a day after the civil rights leader's death at 84 from a rare neurological condition. The tribute comes amid broader debates about Jackson's complicated legacy.

President Trump addressed the National Religious Broadcasters convention in Nashville, the largest Christian media event worldwide, emphasizing his administration's efforts to combat anti-Christian bias. The speech comes as debates over religious liberty, Christian nationalism, and the role of faith in public life dominate the cultural landscape.

Martin Luther called Psalm 110 'the very core and quintessence of the whole Scripture,' and no Old Testament text is more quoted in the New Testament. In just 70 Hebrew words, it encapsulates the breadth of Christian doctrine from priesthood to kingship.