Items of interest from various sources of religious news and opinion, in print and on the web.
Imprisoned Chinese Pastor Won’t Yield. China’s campaign against unregistered Christian churches continues to intensify, with pastors and lay leaders increasingly charged with “subversion of state power.” One such pastor, Ezra Jinn, profiled in the Wall Street Journal, refuses to join the state-approved Three Self Church or temper his preaching. His congregation has endured raids, surveillance, and detentions; yet he insists that “Christ, not the state, commands our loyalty.” Authorities aim not only to suppress dissent but also to reshape Christianity into a controllable, patriotic expression of faith. The pastor’s steadfastness has made him a symbol of spiritual resistance in an era of tightening authoritarianism. His story highlights both the cost of discipleship in China and the resilience of underground churches. Spegele, Brian. “China Is Throwing Christians in Jail, but This Pastor Refuses to Back Down.” Religion. WSJ.com, 18 May, 2026. Web. 26 May 2026.
Ban On Religious Symbols Threatens Constitutional Crisis in Canada. A major constitutional showdown is unfolding in Canada as Quebec’s secularism law—Bill 21—heads to the Supreme Court. The law bars public sector workers such as teachers, judges, and police officers from wearing religious symbols, and was shielded from legal challenges by invoking the “notwithstanding clause,” a constitutional mechanism allowing governments to override certain rights. Critics warn that Quebec’s sweeping use of the clause is “spine chilling,” raising fears it could justify restrictions on everything from abortion to political speech. Supporters argue the law protects state neutrality and reflects Quebec’s identity rooted in laïcité. Over 50 interveners, including the federal government, are urging the Court to set limits on the clause’s use, saying it was never meant to “annihilate” Charter rights. Several provinces, however, accuse Ottawa of threatening national unity by challenging provincial sovereignty. The case is widely described as the most consequential constitutional battle in a generation, with implications far beyond religious expression. Murphy, Jessica. “How a Ban on Religious Symbols Has Triggered a Canadian Constitutional Debate.” Canada Digital, BBC.com, 22 Mar. 2026. Web. 26 May 2026.
More Women Than Men in Church? That May Be Changing. An article in First Things argues that American churches face a widening gender divide, with young women leaving organized religion at sharply rising rates while young men show renewed interest. Women under thirty now report religious disaffiliation at 43 percent, a dramatic shift from historic patterns. Larow attributes the trend to cultural forces—feminism, #Me Too, and online influencer culture—that frame traditional Christianity as restrictive or outdated. Young men, by contrast, are drawn to communities offering moral clarity, responsibility, and counter cultural identity. He warns that churches risk losing both sexes if they dilute their message into “a softened, middle-of-the-road version of themselves.” The solution, he argues, is a robust, confident vision of Christian theology that speaks meaningfully to both men and women. Larow, Eddie. “The Church’s Gender Gap Problem.” News. FirstThings.com, 30 Apr. 2026. Web. 26 May 2026.