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NORTH CAROLINA |
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===north carolina===
North Carolina is in the Southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Virginia to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, South Carolina to the south, Georgia to the southwest, and Tennessee to the west. The state is the 28th-largest and 9th-most populous of the United States. Along with South Carolina, it makes up the Carolinas region of the East Coast. At the 2020 census, the state had a population of 10,439,388. Raleigh is the state's capital and Charlotte is its most populous city. The Charlotte metropolitan area, with an estimated population of 2,805,115 in 2023, is the most populous metropolitan area in North Carolina, the 22nd-most populous in the United States, and the largest banking center in the nation after New York City. The Research Triangle, with an estimated population of 2,368,947 in 2023, is the second-most populous combined metropolitan area in the state, 31st-most populous in the United States, and is home to the largest research park in the United States, Research Triangle Park.
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Appeals court upholds religious schools’ right to choose teachers A federal court ruled in favor of a Roman Catholic school in North Carolina on Wednesday, affirming the school’s constitutional right to choose teachers that uphold its religious beliefs. The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals determined that even substitute teachers at religious schools serve in roles similar to ministers. The recent ruling stems from Charlotte Catholic High School’s 2014 dismissal of former substitute English and drama teacher Lonnie Billard. The school did not renew Billard’s contract after he announced his plans on Facebook to enter into a same-sex marriage weeks after the state legalized it. (World 5/14/24) READ MORE>>>>> |
North Carolina pastor calls Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible 'blasphemous' in viral sermon
A North Carolina pastor has gone viral after urging his congregants not to embrace the "God Bless the USA Bible" endorsed by former President Donald Trump, which includes documents central to the founding of the United States. Pastor Loran Livingston of Central Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, condemned the "God Bless the USA Bible" in a sermon delivered on April 14. Clips of the sermon have been viewed millions of times after various users have shared them on social media in recent days. During Holy Week, Trump endorsed the "God Bless the USA" Bible in a video posted to Truth Social last month. On sale for $59.99, the special edition Bible contains copies of the U.S. Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, and the Pledge of Allegiance, along with the handwritten chorus to the Lee Greenwood song "God Bless the USA," which is frequently played at Trump's rallies. (Christian Post 4/26/24) READ MORE>>>>>
A North Carolina pastor has gone viral after urging his congregants not to embrace the "God Bless the USA Bible" endorsed by former President Donald Trump, which includes documents central to the founding of the United States. Pastor Loran Livingston of Central Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, condemned the "God Bless the USA Bible" in a sermon delivered on April 14. Clips of the sermon have been viewed millions of times after various users have shared them on social media in recent days. During Holy Week, Trump endorsed the "God Bless the USA" Bible in a video posted to Truth Social last month. On sale for $59.99, the special edition Bible contains copies of the U.S. Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, and the Pledge of Allegiance, along with the handwritten chorus to the Lee Greenwood song "God Bless the USA," which is frequently played at Trump's rallies. (Christian Post 4/26/24) READ MORE>>>>>
NEW REPORT MAPPING CHRISTIAN NATIONALISM BY STATE SUGGESTS ELECTION NEED NOT BE PLAYED OUT ON CHRISTIAN NATIONALIST TERMS
Intuitively, this lines up with secular descriptions of the political landscape. Hardcore conservative supporters of Trump are a very small group. Surrounding them is a larger group of traditionalists. Together, those groups make up a majority (55%) of all Republicans. The vast majority of both Democratic voters (83%) and Independents (73%) are Skeptics or Rejecters. The 2024 election will be largely contested over the few Republicans suspicious of Christian nationalism and Independents friendly to it. You can literally map out these differences. Blue states have very low levels of support for Christian nationalism. Red states are just the opposite. And the battleground states of Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, and Wisconsin? They’re all right around the national average. Those numbers are not destiny, however. Conservative Utah has low levels of agreement with Christian nationalism, at just 28%. Meanwhile its solidly Democratic neighbor New Mexico is a bit higher, at 32%. (Religion Dispatches 2/28/24) READMORE>>>>>
Intuitively, this lines up with secular descriptions of the political landscape. Hardcore conservative supporters of Trump are a very small group. Surrounding them is a larger group of traditionalists. Together, those groups make up a majority (55%) of all Republicans. The vast majority of both Democratic voters (83%) and Independents (73%) are Skeptics or Rejecters. The 2024 election will be largely contested over the few Republicans suspicious of Christian nationalism and Independents friendly to it. You can literally map out these differences. Blue states have very low levels of support for Christian nationalism. Red states are just the opposite. And the battleground states of Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, and Wisconsin? They’re all right around the national average. Those numbers are not destiny, however. Conservative Utah has low levels of agreement with Christian nationalism, at just 28%. Meanwhile its solidly Democratic neighbor New Mexico is a bit higher, at 32%. (Religion Dispatches 2/28/24) READMORE>>>>>
PHOTOS: Hamlet kicks off Christmas season
HAMLET — Children of all ages had the opportunity to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Hamlet Depot Monday evening following the town’s annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony. The event, now in its 37th year, began in Main Street Park with a welcome from outgoing Mayor Bill Bayless and invocation from Pastor Dan Blair.
(William R Toler/Richmond Observer 11/27/23) READ MORE>>>>
HAMLET — Children of all ages had the opportunity to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Hamlet Depot Monday evening following the town’s annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony. The event, now in its 37th year, began in Main Street Park with a welcome from outgoing Mayor Bill Bayless and invocation from Pastor Dan Blair.
(William R Toler/Richmond Observer 11/27/23) READ MORE>>>>
July 13, 2023: Politics North Carolina: EVANGELICAL IMPERIALISM
GOP legislators have introduced a bill that would transfer full control of public education to the evangelical community. This is not the banner under which they’ve brandished the legislation; their marketing consists, as usual, of pablum referring to “parents’ rights.” But the parents to whom they are referring are perfectly unambiguous: white people who identify as born-again Protestants. These are the people seeking a kind of cultural irredentism in our country.
GOP legislators have introduced a bill that would transfer full control of public education to the evangelical community. This is not the banner under which they’ve brandished the legislation; their marketing consists, as usual, of pablum referring to “parents’ rights.” But the parents to whom they are referring are perfectly unambiguous: white people who identify as born-again Protestants. These are the people seeking a kind of cultural irredentism in our country.
June 28, 2023: WGLT: Bloomington-Normal churches join a campaign to erase medical debt
When a North Carolina church's debt jubilee service went viral back in April, Bloomington-based pastor Brian Hastings saw the headlines online and was intrigued — but he didn't immediately watch the video or read the corresponding articles and posts about it.
When a North Carolina church's debt jubilee service went viral back in April, Bloomington-based pastor Brian Hastings saw the headlines online and was intrigued — but he didn't immediately watch the video or read the corresponding articles and posts about it.
June 11, 2023: ABC11: Former NC NAACP head Bishop Barber celebrates retirement from Goldsboro church
Bishop William J. Barber II celebrated his retirement after three decades as the head of the congregation of Greenleaf Christian Church.
Reverend Barber announced his retirement in December but stayed to assist the church with COVID and until a new pastor could be put in place.
Bishop William J. Barber II celebrated his retirement after three decades as the head of the congregation of Greenleaf Christian Church.
Reverend Barber announced his retirement in December but stayed to assist the church with COVID and until a new pastor could be put in place.
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March 3, 2023: Blue Ridge Christian News: ‘In God We Trust’ Would be Placed in N.C. Legislative Chambers Under New Bill
A North Carolina legislator introduced a bill this week that would require the national motto “In God We Trust” to be placed prominently in both legislative chambers, saying it would serve as a “constant reminder” that legislators are serving God in their elected roles. |
“North Carolina is one state, and part of one nation under God,” Moss said in a statement. “Having our national motto, ‘In God We Trust,’ in the center of the House Chamber will serve as a constant reminder that with every vote we take, we do as an act of service to the Lord our God and to help advance His Kingdom in our elected capacity — and I believe strongly that this legislation will help retain our religious founding and our Nation’s identity.” |
Oct 26, 2022: NC Policy Watch: North Carolina Republican leaders embrace Christian nationalism
Conservative pastors, political allies aim to tear down any wall between church and state
When Pastor Ken Graves took the podium at Calvary Chapel Lake Norman in Statesville last month, he cut an imposing figure.
Conservative pastors, political allies aim to tear down any wall between church and state
When Pastor Ken Graves took the podium at Calvary Chapel Lake Norman in Statesville last month, he cut an imposing figure.
Aug 4, 2022: WFAE: What the Christian nationalist movement means for North Carolina and the nation
As a growing number of voters and politicians appear to be blending their faith with anti-Covid restrictions, gun rights and election lies, experts fear some extremist values are going mainstream by the way of Christian nationalism.
As a growing number of voters and politicians appear to be blending their faith with anti-Covid restrictions, gun rights and election lies, experts fear some extremist values are going mainstream by the way of Christian nationalism.
July 1, 2022: USA Today: Two North Carolina workers fired for not joining company Christian prayer, EEOC says
Two employees with a North Carolina company say they were fired after refusing to participate in the firm’s daily Christian prayer meetings, which they said went against their respective religious beliefs, according to a lawsuit filed by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Two employees with a North Carolina company say they were fired after refusing to participate in the firm’s daily Christian prayer meetings, which they said went against their respective religious beliefs, according to a lawsuit filed by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.