Patheos

BuddhistCatholicContemplativeEvangelicalGeneral ChristianHinduJewishLatter-day SaintMuslimNew VisionsProgressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Patheos

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos Patheos on Facebook Patheos on YouTube

Hedgerow

2020-02-10T15:16:50-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Bobby Jindal Leads the Saints in the Greatest Game Ever Played

Last updated on: February 10, 2020 at 3:16 pm   By Bethany Blankley

Prior to New Year’s Eve, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal sent a letter to 100,000 pastors to “discuss the importance of raising up the next generation of leaders in America,” referring to the men of Issachar in the Old Testament of the Bible. He asserts that America needs “such men and women of wisdom today who will accept the challenge to restore America’s Judeo-Christian heritage.” Jindal’s letter was a precursor to his busy schedule, which began in Iowa in early January... Read more

Christianity

politics

American Renewal Project

Bobby Jindal

religious liberty

The Response

2020-01-14T11:21:50-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Understanding America’s Christian Heritage and why it isn’t a theocracy

Last updated on: January 14, 2020 at 11:21 am   By Bethany Blankley

Some argue that Christianity has influenced the western world more than any other faith or ideology. More than 2,000 Bible verses teach civics, providing examples of good and evil rulers and government authorities. They contain approximately 500 verses on salvation, 400 on hell, and 250 on heaven—with the overall foundation that right living best leads to a peaceful, flourishing society. Six of the Ten Commandments specifically define civil law. The western concept and definition of murder, manslaughter, theft, assault, marriage,... Read more

Christianity

politics

Christianity

Christianity in America

Constitution

First Amendment

free speech

religious freedom

theocracy

Thomas Jefferson

2020-01-15T10:18:45-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Preaching in 2014 America, Similar to Soviet Occupied Poland

Last updated on: January 15, 2020 at 10:18 am   By Bethany Blankley

I recently had the privilege to join 100 ministers and faith leaders on Gov. Mike Huckabee’s Journey Tour, traveling to Poland, Germany, the UK, and California. During this time I had the opportunity to speak to ministers and faith leaders about a range of issues related to religion and politics in America. After visiting Arka Pana Church in Poland and hearing Gov. Huckabee’s Q &A with Priest Wladyslaw Palmowski (the underground church’s leader during Soviet occupation), I wondered if American... Read more

Christianity

politics

Arak Pana Church

Christian pastors

Christianity in America

Mike Huckabee

Pope John Paul II

religious freedom

Solidarity Movement

Wladyslaw Palmowski

2020-01-15T10:18:52-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Huckabee and American Ministers Invigorated by the Power of the Cross in Poland, Seek to Harness that Power in America

Last updated on: January 15, 2020 at 10:18 am   By Bethany Blankley

A common theme arose throughout Gov. Mike Huckabee’s Journey tour with Christian leaders in Poland. They heard firsthand how Poland’s freedom from communist occupation was significantly possible because of Pope John Paul II. But equally important, was the Polish people’s struggle to maintain their national identity, which was deeply rooted in their Roman Catholic faith. When the Soviets occupied Poland after World War II, they systematically destroyed churches, removed crosses in public and private locations, and eliminated any expression of their... Read more

Christianity

politics

atheism

Blonia Krakowskie

Christianity

communism

Mike Huckabee

Poland

Pope John Paul II

religious freedom

Solidarity Movement

Wladyslaw Palmowski

2020-01-15T10:18:59-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Religious Influence on America’s Identity

Last updated on: January 15, 2020 at 10:18 am   By Bethany Blankley

For many reasons, religious beliefs have greatly influenced American public policy and political elections. Because of its demographics and history, the United States has numerically more Christians (and more Protestants) than any other country in the world. There are nearly 313 million people in America, making the United States the third most populous country in the world. According to the 2012 U.S. Census, three quarters of Americans claimed adherence to the Christian faith. Whether or not they understand Christianity or are genuine... Read more

Christianity

politics

Christianity

politics

Public Religion survey

religion

religious makeup of Congress

religious makeup of Supreme Court

U.S. Census

voters

2020-01-15T10:19:04-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

The U.S. Supreme Court Has Never Defined “Religion”

Last updated on: January 15, 2020 at 10:19 am   By Bethany Blankley

Debate about religion in American public life existed well before independence from the British government. Many talk about religious freedom, the First Amendment, and mistakenly argue that the U.S. Constitution delineates a “separation of church and state.” Yet the highest court of the land, the U.S. Supreme Court has never formally defined what actually constitutes “religion.” Nor has the court ever defined “God.” In fact, its standards for referring to “religion” evolve, change, and remain inconsistent. For example, in 1890,... Read more

Christianity

politics

First Amendment

free exercise clause

God

Lemon Test

religion

separation of church and state

Sherbert Test

U.S. Constitution

U.S. Supreme Court

2020-01-15T10:19:14-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

“Separation of Church and State” Is Not in The U.S. Constitution

Last updated on: January 15, 2020 at 10:19 am   By Bethany Blankley

Contrary to popular belief, the phrase “separation of church and state” is not written in the U.S. Constitution. In fact, not one of the ninety founding fathers stated, argued for or against, or even referred to such a phrase when they debated for months about the specific words to use when writing the First Amendment to the Constitution. Congressional Records from June 7 to September 25, 1789 reveal that none of these men, including Thomas Jefferson, ever used the phrase,... Read more

Christianity

politics

First Amendment

Fourteenth Amendment

separation of church and state

Thomas Jefferson

U.S. Constitution

U.S. Supreme Court

2020-01-15T10:19:20-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

The Legacy of the Meikleour Beech Hedge

Last updated on: January 15, 2020 at 10:19 am   By Bethany Blankley

The word “Hedge” is derived from the Old English, German (Hecke) and Dutch (haag), meaning “enclosure.”  Historically, hedges were constructed for protection; to prevent soil erosion, provide shelter from the wind, shield crops from livestock, separate fields, demarcate land ownership, and serve as wall fortifications. Consecutively entwining shrubs and trees creates a hedgerow, or a formidable wall, which can last for centuries. The highest hedge of its kind in the world, the Meikleour Beech Hedge, is rooted in Scottish soil that... Read more

Christianity

politics

Bonnie Prince Charlie

divine right of kings

Jacobites

Jean Mercer

Meikleour Beech Hedge

Robert Murray Nairne

Scotland

The Glorious Revolution

2020-01-15T10:19:27-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

The Origin of “Separation of Church and State” in America

Last updated on: January 15, 2020 at 10:19 am   By Bethany Blankley

The United States America’s story began in Europe at a time when symbiotic state-church powers owned land and people, controlled ideas, and attempted to crush those who opposed their authority. By 1517, the Protestant Reformation coincided with revolts throughout Europe that displaced and decimated economies and populations, led to widespread famine and disease, and helped propagate general confusion and distrust about the authority of the government and the church. The Inquisition, The Thirty Years’ War, The Eight Wars of Religion... Read more

Christianity

politics

freedom of conscience

John Locke

Protestant Reformation

religious freedom

Roger Williams

separation of church and state

The Bloudy Tenent

Follow Us!

Follow Us on Twitter



TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Which book in the New Testament is the shortest?

Select your answer to see how you score.

3 John 2 John Jude Philemon


Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Christianity Islam politics Sexuality transgender Uncategorized

Select a Month January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 October 2019 September 2019 July 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 June 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 October 2016 July 2016 June 2016 April 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 November 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014


TRENDING AT PATHEOS Evangelical

He’s Making A List… A Great Way to...

I’ve been having a problem. It’s a problem with distraction, and if...

To Halloween or Not to Halloween… That Is...

This week, as I put the finishing touches on my church’s Trunk...

Do You Know Yourself?

The great theologian, John Calvin, said that nearly all the wisdom we...

Creation as Secondary to Judgment

Creating is a most human act. A good canonical (classical) education will...

Nuggets of Wisdom—Fall 2026

Every few months or so I like to share quotes that I...

How the author of the world's best hymn...

I've been working with John Newton for a while now. This makes...

view all Evangelical blogs

Patheos on Facebook Patheos on YouTube

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Copyright 2008-2026, Patheos. All rights reserved.

Subscription Support Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In

Follow Patheos Patheos on Facebook Patheos on YouTube