Pastor, city council candidate’s residency challenged

Tracy Simmons

On Tuesday a lawsuit was filed challenging Pastor Mark Hamilton’s candidacy for Spokane City Council. Attorney Frank Malone is disputing Hamilton’s residency, claiming he has not lived inside the Spokane city limits long enough to run for office.
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The bias behind Immigration Reform

Joe Niemiec | May 22, 2013

I have to say I am glad that this type of immigration reform was not created in the late 1800’s or early 1900’s or I would not be here. One of my grandfathers came from Poland just after World War 1 and the other had parents who moved from Canada and then left him an orphan in Texas. I also have a large branch of the family that is one-half French Canadian.
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IRS targets Christian groups, demands content of prayers

Joe Newby | May 19, 2013

Over the last week, Americans learned that the Internal Revenue Service targeted some 500 conservative groups for extra scrutiny, some of which included the words "Tea Party" or "patriots" in their name. Several reports say that the agency has also targeted some Christian organizations, going so far as to demand the content of members' prayers.
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Franklin Graham calls IRS probe of ministry finances ‘un-American’

Adelle Banks | Religion News Service | May 15, 2013

Evangelist Franklin Graham blasted the Internal Revenue Service probe of conservative nonprofit groups as “un-American,” saying both the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and the relief group Samaritan’s Purse were audited by the IRS. In a Tuesday (May 14) letter to President Obama, Graham said the two organizations he leads were notified last September that the IRS would review their records for the 2010 tax year.
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BRIEF: Upcoming interfaith panel to examine death penalty

Tracy Simmons | May 6, 2013

An interfaith panel slated for June 5 will explore why the death penalty should be repealed in Washington. "Honoring Life: A Compassionate Discussion on the Death Penalty" will include five speakers from different faiths, who will discuss why they believe capital punishment is unacceptable for a compassionate, civilized people, according to event organizer Victoria Thorpe.
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Marching for immigration reform

Tracy Simmons | May 2, 2013

On Wednesday, International Worker's Day, more than 100 people gathered in downtown Spokane to stand in solidarity with the estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants living in the United States. The rally, co-organized by M.e.ch.A de EWU (Movimiento Estudiantil Chicana), included an escorted march through Spokane's streets — the first march of its kind since 2007, according to M.e.ch.A organizer Lucy Vazquez.
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Paul Ryan bucks church, backs gay adoption

David Gibson | Religion News Service | May 1, 2013

Republican congressman Paul Ryan, who has touted his Catholic faith as evidence of his social as well as economic conservatism, has come out in favor of gay couples adopting children — a significant break with the Catholic hierarchy, which has even shut down adoption services rather than placing children with same-sex couples.
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Senate bill would allow businesses to refuse service based on religious beliefs

Elizabeth Backstrom | May 1, 2013

If passed, legislation proposed April 26 would allow businesses to refuse service to anyone if providing said services would be contrary to the business owner’s “sincerely held religious beliefs, philosophical beliefs or matters of conscience.”
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Obama praises Boston for overcoming the ‘face of evil’

Caleb K. Bell and Kimberly Winston | Religion News Service | Apr 18, 2013

President Barack Obama praised Bostonians for their actions “in the face of evil” during an interfaith memorial service on Thursday (April 18) for victims of the Boston Marathon bombing. “You’ve shown us, Boston, that in the face of evil, Americans will lift up what’s good. In the face of cruelty, we will choose compassion,” Obama said.
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BRIEF: On tax day, locals will submit photo petitions calling for Pentagon cuts

Tracy Simmons | Apr 15, 2013

Today, as the national debate over sequestration cuts and budget priorities wages on, locals will make their voices heard by delivering hand-written letters and "Money for People, Not for War" photo petitions to Rep. McMorris-Rodgers, Sen. Patty Murray and Sen. Maria Cantwell. This is the latest in a series of actions from community members calling for Pentagon cuts and shifting funds to education, healthcare and community needs, according to the Peace and Justice Action League of Spokane.
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Tolerance has its limits ... as in 9mm’s worth

Cheri Holdridge | Toledo Faith & Values | Apr 12, 2013

I believe I am a tolerant person. I am not a gun owner. I am not a hunter. I don’t even eat meat. But I live with three people who eat meat. I tolerate people who eat meat. I understand that some people like to hunt. But I don’t like guns.
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