South Dakota
Evangelical John Thune wants to succeed Mitch McConnell as Senate GOP leader John Thune, the evangelical Christian elected to the U.S. Senate 20 years ago from South Dakota with the help of James Dobson, announced he wants to succeed Mitch McConnell as Senate GOP leader after McConnell retires later this year. McConnell showed Americans how influential the Senate GOP leader can be, using his power to promote obstruction rather than legislation and reshaping the Supreme Court by refusing to consider one of President Barack Obama’s nominees but moving to advance all of Trump’s nominees. (Baptist News Global 3/28/24) READ MORE>>>>> ELCA hears from Indigenous boarding school survivor ahead of National Day of Remembrance George McCauley can still hear the school secretary’s voice calling his name over the loudspeaker on the wall of his 11th grade English classroom. He can still remember walking back to his dorm at the Flandreau Indian School in South Dakota, wondering what he had done wrong, and the school official who met him there, telling him instead that his mother had died. (Emily McFarlan Miller/Religion News Service 9/20/23) Read More>>>>> |
How some South Dakota churches are adapting to attendance declines
Falling attendance and membership at many South Dakota churches has prompted pastors, leaders and elders to look for creative ways to keep people engaged and pursuing a larger purpose. Constanze Hagmaier, bishop of the South Dakota Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, said that includes using technology to allow for remote attendance and encouraging lay church members to take a more active role in spreading the gospel outside the walls of the church. (Bart Pfankuch/Sioux Falls Argus Leader 4/8/23)
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Falling attendance and membership at many South Dakota churches has prompted pastors, leaders and elders to look for creative ways to keep people engaged and pursuing a larger purpose. Constanze Hagmaier, bishop of the South Dakota Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, said that includes using technology to allow for remote attendance and encouraging lay church members to take a more active role in spreading the gospel outside the walls of the church. (Bart Pfankuch/Sioux Falls Argus Leader 4/8/23)
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Feb 19, 2023: Argus Leader: Dreiske: Religious freedom or religious fear?
As an active member of my Jewish Community as well as the Interfaith Community in Sioux Falls, I am greatly concerned about how the religious fear of one religious group is being imposed on the religious freedoms of our religiously diverse communities in South Dakota.
Religious freedom, according to the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, says everyone in the United States has the right to practice his or her own religion, or no religion at all. Religion is a set of communal beliefs, practices and perspectives that affect and provide direction for the believer’s life. It is a lens in which we see and interact with the world around us. Freedom is the power to be who we are without hindrance. Fear is the belief that something is dangerous.
As an active member of my Jewish Community as well as the Interfaith Community in Sioux Falls, I am greatly concerned about how the religious fear of one religious group is being imposed on the religious freedoms of our religiously diverse communities in South Dakota.
Religious freedom, according to the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, says everyone in the United States has the right to practice his or her own religion, or no religion at all. Religion is a set of communal beliefs, practices and perspectives that affect and provide direction for the believer’s life. It is a lens in which we see and interact with the world around us. Freedom is the power to be who we are without hindrance. Fear is the belief that something is dangerous.
Feb 16, 2023A: Argus Leader: Christian film 'Jesus Revolution' to debut in Sioux Falls with Celebrate Church connection
A Christian film starring Kelsey Grammer will make its worldwide premiere in Sioux Falls next week.
The film, "Jesus Revolution," is "based on the true story of a spiritual awakening that originated in the early 1970s in a community of teenage hippies in Southern California," according to a press release from Celebrate Community Church.
The film will debut on 10 of the 12 screens at Century East at Dawley Farm on Feb. 21 before its nationwide opening on Feb. 24.
A 5 p.m. red carpet event will have appearances from a director and producer of the film, as well as Mayor Paul
A Christian film starring Kelsey Grammer will make its worldwide premiere in Sioux Falls next week.
The film, "Jesus Revolution," is "based on the true story of a spiritual awakening that originated in the early 1970s in a community of teenage hippies in Southern California," according to a press release from Celebrate Community Church.
The film will debut on 10 of the 12 screens at Century East at Dawley Farm on Feb. 21 before its nationwide opening on Feb. 24.
A 5 p.m. red carpet event will have appearances from a director and producer of the film, as well as Mayor Paul
Feb 12, 2023: Argus Leader: South Dakota's Republican Party is dangerous to individual rights
Groups, which are faith based Constitutional movements that are a “political movement that embraces far-right nationalism and the forceful suppression of any opposition, all overseen by an authoritarian government (10-20-2020, CBS News Leslie Gorstein.),” − this is ChristoFascism.Look to the HB 1234 that allows public funds to be spent at private (and religious) schools). Again, the right GOP, legislators, and associated groups will support the destruction of public schools.
Groups, which are faith based Constitutional movements that are a “political movement that embraces far-right nationalism and the forceful suppression of any opposition, all overseen by an authoritarian government (10-20-2020, CBS News Leslie Gorstein.),” − this is ChristoFascism.Look to the HB 1234 that allows public funds to be spent at private (and religious) schools). Again, the right GOP, legislators, and associated groups will support the destruction of public schools.
Dec 6, 2022: AP: South Dakota Legislature tackles Christian marks in Capitol
South Dakota lawmakers can adorn their office with a crucifix, but they can’t pound the nail into the state Capitol’s wall, a legislative oversight board clarified on Tuesday as part of a policy regulating how religious symbols can mark the state’s seat of government.
South Dakota lawmakers can adorn their office with a crucifix, but they can’t pound the nail into the state Capitol’s wall, a legislative oversight board clarified on Tuesday as part of a policy regulating how religious symbols can mark the state’s seat of government.
Aug 16, 2022: Only Sky: South Dakota’s new social studies standards promote Christian nationalism
South Dakota’s Gov. Kristi Noem is on the verge of instituting social studies standards for public schools that promotes Christian nationalism without ever saying it outright. The standards treat Jesus as a real-life historical figure, say the Founding Fathers believed in “an eternal God” who created a standard of justice in nature, and downplay the nation’s embrace of slavery and systemic racism.
Noem announced the new standards on Monday, claiming they had no “political agendas” and focused more on Native American history, unlike a controversial draft of the standards released last year. But the political agenda is loud and clear. You don’t even have to read between the lines.
South Dakota’s Gov. Kristi Noem is on the verge of instituting social studies standards for public schools that promotes Christian nationalism without ever saying it outright. The standards treat Jesus as a real-life historical figure, say the Founding Fathers believed in “an eternal God” who created a standard of justice in nature, and downplay the nation’s embrace of slavery and systemic racism.
Noem announced the new standards on Monday, claiming they had no “political agendas” and focused more on Native American history, unlike a controversial draft of the standards released last year. But the political agenda is loud and clear. You don’t even have to read between the lines.
Aug 15, 2022: NPR: A reservation in South Dakota bans outside missionaries
The Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota has banned outside missionaries in response to one evangelist's pamphlet denigrating traditional faith practices.
The Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota has banned outside missionaries in response to one evangelist's pamphlet denigrating traditional faith practices.
July 19, 2022: Aberdeen News: Churches in South Dakota, nationwide dealing with lower attendance, affiliation numbers
Membership in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, one of the largest churches in South Dakota, is down 40% over the past 30 years nationally and has fallen by almost 10% in South Dakota over roughly the past decade. Attendance at ELCA churches in South Dakota is down about 14% since 2013, and the the South Dakota Synod recently closed churches in Newell in Butte County and Bradley in Clark County.
Membership in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, one of the largest churches in South Dakota, is down 40% over the past 30 years nationally and has fallen by almost 10% in South Dakota over roughly the past decade. Attendance at ELCA churches in South Dakota is down about 14% since 2013, and the the South Dakota Synod recently closed churches in Newell in Butte County and Bradley in Clark County.
April 10, 2022: CBN: Kristi Noem Exposes What So Many Get Wrong About Prayer, Public Schools, and the Constitution. And She's Not Backing Down.
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R) believes too many critics misunderstand the First Amendment, particularly regarding the presence of faith in the public square.
“I have been, over the last 10 years, just constantly surprised by the amount of people who think that religion and prayer cannot be in our schools,” Noem recently told “The Prodigal Stories Podcast.” “And that that is what our Constitution and Founders intended, which is not true whatsoever.”
The governor said the real purpose of the constitutional language surrounding religious freedom was to ensure “our religion could not be unduly burdened by the government.”
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R) believes too many critics misunderstand the First Amendment, particularly regarding the presence of faith in the public square.
“I have been, over the last 10 years, just constantly surprised by the amount of people who think that religion and prayer cannot be in our schools,” Noem recently told “The Prodigal Stories Podcast.” “And that that is what our Constitution and Founders intended, which is not true whatsoever.”
The governor said the real purpose of the constitutional language surrounding religious freedom was to ensure “our religion could not be unduly burdened by the government.”
Dec 16, 2021: CBN: South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem Makes Big Move to ‘Restore Protections For Prayer’ in Public Schools
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R) is on a mission to “restore protections for prayer in schools.” The conservative governor announced this week her administration has drafted a bill aimed at that very goal.
The proposed legislation, which would create an opportunity for kids to “pray in schools at the start of every school day,” is sure to draw the ire of atheist activist groups and other First Amendment watchdogs, who are already taking aim at similar measures.
But Noem isn’t legislating sectarian prayer. The bill, titled, “A Moment of Silence,” would create a moment during which students are permitted to reflect on whatever they so choose.
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R) is on a mission to “restore protections for prayer in schools.” The conservative governor announced this week her administration has drafted a bill aimed at that very goal.
The proposed legislation, which would create an opportunity for kids to “pray in schools at the start of every school day,” is sure to draw the ire of atheist activist groups and other First Amendment watchdogs, who are already taking aim at similar measures.
But Noem isn’t legislating sectarian prayer. The bill, titled, “A Moment of Silence,” would create a moment during which students are permitted to reflect on whatever they so choose.
Dec 13, 2021: Argus Leader: Gov. Kristi Noem wants 'moment of silence' legislation to protect prayer in schools
Gov. Kristi Noem announced Monday morning she's drafted legislation to create a moment of silence up to one minute at the start of every school day to "restore protections for prayer in schools."
It will afford students and teachers a reprieve from the frenzy of daily life and set a tone of decorum conducive to learning, Noem said in a the draft of the bill, which will go before lawmakers next year.
During the minute of silence, students and teachers can engage in voluntary prayer, reflection, meditation or other quiet, respectful activity, the bill states.
Feb 2018: Believe Out Loud: 10 Reasons Christians Support Transgender Students In South Dakota
Last week, the South Dakota state legislature passed one of the worst anti-trans bills in the country—a bill that singles out trans students by forcing them to use separate restrooms and locker rooms from their friends and peers. These legislators are sending a message that it is okay to ostracize, humiliate, and bully trans students.
Last week, the South Dakota state legislature passed one of the worst anti-trans bills in the country—a bill that singles out trans students by forcing them to use separate restrooms and locker rooms from their friends and peers. These legislators are sending a message that it is okay to ostracize, humiliate, and bully trans students.