Latest news with #Christians'
New York Post
13 hours ago
- Politics
- New York Post
Who'll end Christian slaughter, grad schools will survive loan caps and other commentary
Foreign desk: Who'll End Christian Slaughter? 'On Friday June 13, over 500 Christians' were murdered by Islamic terrorists in Nigeria, reports The Free Press' Madeleine Kearns. 'The jihadists broke into homes and shelters, murdering people with machetes,' then 'doused their victims' bodies and homes in petrol and set them ablaze.' And, 'though exceptional in scale and barbarity,' it's just 'part of a pattern of persecution that Christians in Nigeria have come to expect.' Consider: 'Since 2009, Islamists' across Nigeria 'have destroyed over 18,000 churches,' 'murdered over 50,000 Christians' and displaced 'a further 5 million Christians.' Yet Western governments and media 'have turned away from the issue.' Will anyone move to stop the carnage? Libertarian: Grad Schools Will Survive Loan Caps Advertisement A provision in the Republican Big Beautiful Bill 'may make considerable inroads to correcting a decades-long student loan policy that has driven expensive programs and large debt burdens for students,' cheers Reason's Emma Camp. The House bill 'eliminates the Graduate PLUS loan program, which allows graduate students to borrow an unlimited sum of money from the government,' instead capping grad-student borrowing at $100,000, 'with a $150,000 limit for professional programs, and a lifetime cap of $200,000 for all students.' These caps could 'force colleges to lower their prices once their students no longer have access to an infinite pile of government money.' Indeed, If we want more affordable medical schools, 'the first step should involve actually incentivizing medical schools to stop overcharging students.' Conservative: Dems' NYC-led Coastal Elitism 'One interesting aspect of the rise of' socialist Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani 'is what it says about New York City's dominance of national Democratic politics at this moment,' muses the Washington Examiner's Byron York. 'The New York contingent essentially is the leadership of the Democratic Party today,' since congressional leaders Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer as well as stars Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Bernie Sanders are all current or former New Yorkers. 'After the 2024 election, Democratic pollster Mark Penn wrote that Trump was elected by 'Americans who feel abandoned by the coastal elites and a Democratic Party that moved too far from mainstream America.'' 'There are probably a lot of things Democrats might do to broaden their appeal beyond the coastal areas, but' elevating Mamdani 'is definitely not one of them.' Advertisement Antisemitism beat: 'Kosherizing' Jew-Haters Just before New York's mayoral primary, late-night host Stephen Colbert's guests were Zohran Mamdani and City comptroller Brad Lander, notes Commentary's Seth Mandel. 'All three were there' to 'help elect Zohran Mamdani mayor.' Mamdani — 'the poster child for progressive anti-Zionism's conquest of the mainstream Democratic Party' — had defended the phrase 'globalize the intifada,' which calls for violence against Jews, and 'Colbert can be effective at shielding left-wing anti-Semites from criticism.' Then again, the TV host doesn't 'hold a candle in that department to Brad Lander': Indeed, the comptroller's 'alliance with Mamdani' is the 'culmination of years of Lander's efforts to kosherize anti-Semitism.' He's part of the story of 'the collapse of New York's Jewish-political establishment.' Sen. Chuck Schumer, who kissed 'Mamdani's ring,' is 'the capstone of this project.' From the right: Lefties' Chronic Mental Misery Advertisement Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) 'said last week that Donald Trump supporters are mentally ill,' but 'it's her side that is not well,' snarks the Issues & Insights editorial board. 'Nine in 10 conservatives self-report their mental health to be excellent (51%)' versus only 20% of liberals. Meanwhile, 'only 19% of conservatives say their mental health is poor, while 45% of liberals say they have poor mental health.' 'This is not a new development related to Trump returning to the White House. A decade ago, University of Toronto researchers similarly 'found that conservatives are more emotionally stable than liberals.' 'Democrats, progressives, socialists, anti-capitalists, and the rest who reside under the leftist umbrella are unhappy, and they want everyone else to be just as miserable as they are.' — Compiled by The Post Editorial Board
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Why should some workers get a tax break on tips?
Aside from the 1968 World Series, my adolescent highlight was unexpectedly meeting Mr. Dave Bing in Ann Arbor in the early 1970s, then a player for the Detroit Pistons, while he was sidelined by an eye injury. After reading about Mr. Allan Hughes ("He 'loved' Barry Sanders as a Lions staffer, and Jocko Hughes still loves Detroit today," Detroit Free Press, May 25), I can say that it would have been a pleasure to meet Mr. Hughes as well. Kudos to him for his humanity and dedication to serving others. Victor Turner Concord, North Carolina Rather than sacrifice forests for solar farms, why don't utilities seek out roofs of large industrial facilities? (Editor's note: Last week, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources halted a plan to install solar panels on state-managed forest lands.) The shade of the solar panels would reduce air conditioning loads while keeping the generation closer to the users to minimize transmission losses. It could be a win for both parties. Dennis Green Farmington Hills Can anyone explain to me why some people who work in America deserve to not pay taxes on part of their earnings, while other workers who make the same amount must pay on all of them? Perhaps President Donald Trump and those who are leaning towards voting for this economic package feel they have found a way to encourage those folks to vote for them. Yes, it is illegal for them to write them a check to buy their vote but isn't this the same thing, just done in a different way? If we are going to offer this tax break to some workers, why are we not offering it to all that are in the same economic situation? There must be a reason, but it escapes me what it is. Think about it, please. Mitchell Radcliff Ann Arbor If we are going to tariff foreign goods at higher rates, why not try to lower our national debt, instead of trying to find ways to lower personal and business taxes? Why not force foreign countries to take back the tariff money the U.S. is charging their companies to bring foreign goods into our country? The U.S. would give back the tariff money by buying back U.S. Treasury bonds held by these foreign countries. That would finally start lowering our national debt, which is better than the U.S. Congress always raising our government's debt ceiling. Thomas Lukshaitis Sandusky, Michigan I had a deep conversation recently with a friend about the true goodness of people who are widely considered 'good Christians.' It really made me think about preconceived notions concerning religion and religious people that many of us have, so I thought I'd share. I am not very religious, but I have many close friends and relatives who have always been quite religious or found god later in their lives. This friend and I were discussing how it was that I could disagree with many of their beliefs, but I could still think of them as great people. At first glance, they are 'good Christians' who seem to love their neighbors and are kind people. The second glance is good too. It's easy to see that they really try to adhere to most of the teachings of Christ. They care for people, help people, pray for people, and are just good, upstanding members of society. More: Mackinac Policy Conference left early childhood education off this year's agenda | Opinion It is the third glance that got me wondering. While thinking of the disagreements that I might have with my religious friends, I had an epiphany. The so-called Christian tenets that my friends and family follow that I don't believe in, are not, in my opinion, very Christian at all. The most egregious example is that they use their religious beliefs to discriminate against those that are different, specifically those in the LGBTQ+ community. They interpret the Bible incorrectly to say that transgender people don't really exist, or that gay people are sinners, directly contradicting Jesus' teaching to love your neighbor as yourself. Now, the people that my friend and I were thinking of in my circle are truly very sweet people. They would never overtly discriminate against someone in this community, but this was the realization that my friend and I came to: While they aren't discriminating blatantly, they are still in fact discriminating. If you don't go to a gay wedding of a relative because it is not natural, you are spreading hate and unacceptance. If you tell your son that transgender people are an abomination and not just a different type of person, you are potentially propagating violence. If you scoff at someone who puts their preferred pronouns in an email, you are lending credence to the idea that they are weird and wrong. More: Detroit's Board of Police Commissioners needs major changes to be viable | Letter It is still tough for me to conclude, as my friend surmised, that maybe they are just bad people, but it did get me thinking. They may not be bad, but what they are doing is bad … and is there really a difference? Alton Fisher Redford Submit a letter to the editor at and we may publish it online and in print. If you have a differing view from a letter writer, please feel free to submit a letter of your own in response. Like what you're reading? Please consider supporting local journalism and getting unlimited digital access with a Detroit Free Press subscription. We depend on readers like you. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Tax on tips, national debt, solar farms, and good Christians | Letters
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
FBI to probe claims of 'targeted violence' against religious groups after evangelicals' protest in Seattle
FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino said Tuesday he had requested an investigation into allegations of "targeted violence" against religious groups after an evangelical conservative group held a rally at Seattle City Hall in response to the mayor blaming Christians for igniting a weekend demonstration that turned violent. "We have asked our team to fully investigate allegations of targeted violence against religious groups at the Seattle concert. Freedom of religion isn't a suggestion," Bongino wrote on X. The Christians' "Rattle in Seattle" demonstration began at 5 p.m. Tuesday on the 4th Avenue steps of City Hall in downtown Seattle, where counter-protesters were also present, according to Fox 13. A total of eight people were arrested for assault during dueling demonstrations as of 8 p.m., according to Seattle Police. No injuries were reported. Seattle Mayor Blames Christian Rally For Inspiring Violent 'Anarchists' Who 'Infiltrated' Counter-protest "Two opposing groups gathered along 4th Avenue. Streets around the dueling demonstrations were shut down for several hours, but reopened just before 8 p.m.," police said in a press release. Read On The Fox News App Fox News Digital has reached out to Seattle Police for possible updated arrest totals. Tuesday's protest comes after a demonstration on Saturday at Cal Anderson Park during MayDayUSA's "Don't Mess With Our Kids" rally and a pro-LGBTQ counter-protest. Police made 23 arrests at that demonstration after violence broke out when event organizers, attendees and counter-protesters converged. Mayor Bruce Harrell, a Democrat, released a statement after the weekend demonstration, blaming the Christian rally and infiltrating "anarchists" for the violence breaking out at the counter-protest. Blue State Mayor Proposes City Ordinance To Strengthen Transgender Care Protections In The Face Of Trump Eos "Seattle is proud of our reputation as a welcoming, inclusive city for LGBTQ+ communities, and we stand with our trans neighbors when they face bigotry and injustice," the mayor said at the time. "Today's far-right rally was held here for this very reason – to provoke a reaction by promoting beliefs that are inherently opposed to our city's values, in the heart of Seattle's most prominent LGBTQ+ neighborhood." "Anarchists infiltrated the counter-protestors group and inspired violence, prompting SPD to make arrests and ask organizers to shut down the event early, which they did," he continued. The mayor also released respective statements on Tuesday from several of the city's Christian and Jewish leaders siding with Harrell and condemning the weekend "Rattle in Seattle" protest. "Mayday's desire is to wrap their personal hate, fear, and bigotry in Christian speak. It won't work," Rev. Dr. Patricia L. Hunter, a Baptist pastor, said in a statement. "The call of Jesus to his followers was to first love God and secondly to love our neighbors. In no way does the ideology or bad theology of this fringe group embody the love of God we are to exhibit. Those of us who actually follow the Jesus of the New Testament work to make the welcome tent bigger so that all God's children regardless of sexuality or sexual identity are welcome at the table of love, justice, grace, and mercy." Organizers of the "Rattle in Seattle" protest took issue with the mayor's statement, which they said showed religious bigotry and an attack on their First Amendment rights, and held the rally on Tuesday to protest his remarks. "Following the MayDay USA worship event at Cal Anderson Park on Saturday, Mayor Harrell had the audacity to issue a press release blaming Christians for the premediated violence of Antifa which resulted in the hospitalization of Seattle Police Department personnel and the arrest of 23 Antifa agitators," the organizers said in a statement. "Under Mayor Harrell's leadership, the city of Seattle has continued its spiral into lawlessness and dysfunction while the First Amendment rights of citizens to peacefully assemble has been disregarded." Fox News Digital has out to the mayor's office for article source: FBI to probe claims of 'targeted violence' against religious groups after evangelicals' protest in Seattle
New York Post
28-05-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
FBI to probe claims of ‘targeted violence' against religious groups after evangelicals' protest in Seattle
FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino said Tuesday he had requested an investigation into allegations of 'targeted violence' against religious groups after an evangelical conservative group held a rally at Seattle City Hall in response to the mayor blaming Christians for igniting a weekend demonstration that turned violent. 'We have asked our team to fully investigate allegations of targeted violence against religious groups at the Seattle concert. Freedom of religion isn't a suggestion,' Bongino wrote on X. The Christians' 'Rattle in Seattle' demonstration began at 5 p.m. Tuesday on the 4th Avenue steps of City Hall in downtown Seattle, where counter-protesters were also present, according to Fox 13. A total of eight people were arrested for assault during dueling demonstrations as of 8 p.m., according to Seattle Police. No injuries were reported. 'Two opposing groups gathered along 4th Avenue. Streets around the dueling demonstrations were shut down for several hours, but reopened just before 8 p.m.,' police said in a press release. Fox News Digital has reached out to Seattle Police for possible updated arrest totals. 4 People rally in Seattle's Cal Anderson Park on May 24, 2025. KOMO News Tuesday's protest comes after a demonstration on Saturday at Cal Anderson Park during MayDayUSA's 'Don't Mess With Our Kids' rally and a pro-LGBTQ counter-protest. Police made 23 arrests at that demonstration after violence broke out when event organizers, attendees and counter-protesters converged. Mayor Bruce Harrell, a Democrat, released a statement after the weekend demonstration, blaming the Christian rally and infiltrating 'anarchists' for the violence breaking out at the counter-protest. 'Seattle is proud of our reputation as a welcoming, inclusive city for LGBTQ+ communities, and we stand with our trans neighbors when they face bigotry and injustice,' the mayor said at the time. 'Today's far-right rally was held here for this very reason – to provoke a reaction by promoting beliefs that are inherently opposed to our city's values, in the heart of Seattle's most prominent LGBTQ+ neighborhood.' 4 Tuesday's protest comes after a demonstration on Saturday at Cal Anderson Park during MayDayUSA's 'Don't Mess With Our Kids' rally and a pro-LGBTQ counter-protest. KIRO7 4 Law enforcement detain a person during the clash between groups in Seattle over the weekend. KOMO News 'Anarchists infiltrated the counter-protestors group and inspired violence, prompting SPD to make arrests and ask organizers to shut down the event early, which they did,' he continued. The mayor also released respective statements on Tuesday from several of the city's Christian and Jewish leaders siding with Harrell and condemning the weekend 'Rattle in Seattle' protest. 'Mayday's desire is to wrap their personal hate, fear, and bigotry in Christian speak. It won't work,' Rev. Dr. Patricia L. Hunter, a Baptist pastor, said in a statement. 'The call of Jesus to his followers was to first love God and secondly to love our neighbors. In no way does the ideology or bad theology of this fringe group embody the love of God we are to exhibit. Those of us who actually follow the Jesus of the New Testament work to make the welcome tent bigger so that all God's children regardless of sexuality or sexual identity are welcome at the table of love, justice, grace, and mercy.' Organizers of the 'Rattle in Seattle' protest took issue with the mayor's statement, which they said showed religious bigotry and an attack on their First Amendment rights, and held the rally on Tuesday to protest his remarks. 4 Police made 23 arrests at that demonstration after violence broke out when event organizers, attendees and counter-protesters converged. KIRO7 'Following the MayDay USA worship event at Cal Anderson Park on Saturday, Mayor Harrell had the audacity to issue a press release blaming Christians for the premediated violence of Antifa which resulted in the hospitalization of Seattle Police Department personnel and the arrest of 23 Antifa agitators,' the organizers said in a statement. 'Under Mayor Harrell's leadership, the city of Seattle has continued its spiral into lawlessness and dysfunction while the First Amendment rights of citizens to peacefully assemble has been disregarded.' Fox News Digital has reached out to the mayor's office for comment.
The Hindu
14-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Human rights body raises concern over eviction of Christians by land mafia in Pakistan's Punjab
Christian farmers are being evicted from their lands by the mafia in Pakistan's Punjab, and the provincial government appears to be a silent spectator, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) said on Wednesday. Also Read | Five persons, including a Christian, arrested on blasphemy charges in Pakistan's Punjab After conducting a fact-finding investigation on a complaint of the pastor of Church Derek Abad, the HRCP said that the Christian community's farmland has been occupied in Kot Addu, some 400 kms from Lahore. The commission said it has found an alarming rise in Christians' farmland being occupied by local land mafias and a consistent failure by the state to uphold court rulings that protect these vulnerable farmers. The Christian farmers informed the HRCP that their writ petition is pending in the Lahore High Court, which has issued a stay order to prevent any evictions. They said they are still awaiting land allotment letters, following judgments in their favour. The HRCP said it is concerned that in the absence of such documentation, the farmers will lose the little land they currently cultivate. "This will leave them vulnerable to forced displacement and without a source of income, increasing their risk of falling deeper into poverty." The rights group also urged the Punjab government to issue land allotment letters to all eligible farmers in Derek Abad. "The government must also take decisive legal action against land mafias and individuals involved in unlawful evictions and provide urgent protection to the affected families to ensure that they can live and work without fear of reprisal. As Christians, this community is doubly vulnerable and deserves recognition, legal protection and restitution for decades of state neglect," the commission said.
