Religion

The holiday season has a way of bringing people together through shared tradition. Though the rituals may differ, some celebrations share a common theme of devotion, especially for local Catholic immigrant communities.

Across the United States, a growing number of people are identifying as religiously unaffiliated, also known as "nones.” According to PEW research center, they make up more than 25% of the U.S. population. But, this religious shift has ripple effects.

Faith took a bold step forward at the Southwest Florida Pride Festival over the weekend. In attendance were young children, old couples, an HIV testing van and holy crosses. Three faith communities joined the celebration, supporting LGBTQ+ individuals in a way that some say is long overdue.

The state of Florida says three times the amount of sewage flow is going into the septic system and it must be addressed; School cries foul, citing the First Amendment.

The power of music has the ability to bring us joy, comfort and motivation.Gospel music in particular, has long been that medium that connects followers to the message of hope and faith.The black church has a rhythm. From the preaching to the teaching, to the ministries to the choir it has a rhythm in it. There’s a soul to it. It really is the soul of the church which is still the soul of the black community. It has always been centered around preaching and music.

Chabad of Charlotte County and Shalom Babcock hosted the menorah lighting Thursday. The ceremony symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness, a message that resonates universally and embodies the essence of the Hanukkah festival. A candle on the menorah will be lit each night for the next eight nights.

It’s becoming increasingly common for conservative political leaders in the United States — including here in Florida — to use language and put forward policies that conflate American identity with religious identity. Many are focusing on issues like abortion, same-sex marriage, and trans rights — and critics say this trend represents a rise in what’s called Christian Nationalism. Christian Nationalism is best summarized as the belief that the history and character of the United States is defined by Christianity, and that the government should take active steps to keep it that way. Our guest counts himself among its critics, and says that while supporters of Christian Nationalism portray it as a social movement, it’s actually a well-organized political movement that seeks to gain political power and to impose its vision on all of society. Rev. Paul Raushenbush is an ordained Baptist minister, and he is President and CEO of Interfaith Alliance, a national nonprofit founded in 1994 to advocate for religious freedom and pluralism in the U.S.

The Christian & Missionary Alliance Foundation, Inc. of Fort Myers., which founded the Shell Point Retirement Community in Lee County in 1968 as a nonprofit ministry, has agreed to pay the United States $250,000 to resolve allegations that the Foundation violated the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) by failing to maintain records required by the CSA.

The break echoes similar splits among mainstream Protestant denominations.

It’s becoming increasingly common for conservative political leaders in the United States — including here in Florida — to use language and put forward policies that conflate American identity with religious identity. Many are focusing on issues like abortion, same-sex marriage, and trans rights — and critics say this trend represents a rise in what’s called Christian Nationalism. Christian Nationalism is best summarized as the belief that the history and character of the United States is defined by Christianity, and that the government should take active steps to keep it that way. Our guest counts himself among its critics, and says that while supporters of Christian Nationalism portray it as a social movement, it’s actually a well-organized political movement that seeks to gain political power and to impose its vision on all of society. Rev. Paul Raushenbush is an ordained Baptist minister, and he is President and CEO of Interfaith Alliance, a national nonprofit founded in 1994 to advocate for religious freedom and pluralism in the U.S.