|
|
WASHINGTON
|
|
|
|
Washington
Washington is the 18th-largest state, with an area of 71,362 sq mi (184,830 km2), and the 13th-most populous state, with a population of over 8 million. The majority of Washington's residents live in the Seattle metropolitan area, the center of transportation, business, and industry on Puget Sound, an inlet of the Pacific Ocean consisting of numerous islands, deep fjords and bays carved out by glaciers. The remainder of the state consists of deep temperate rainforests in the west; mountain ranges in the west, center, northeast, and far southeast, and a semi-arid basin region in the east, center, and south, given over to intensive agriculture. Washington is the second-most populous state on the West Coast and in the Western United States, after California. Mount Rainier, an active stratovolcano, is the state's highest elevation at 14,400 feet (4,389 meters), and is the most topographically prominent mountain in the contiguous U.S.one 51 percent of adults in Washington state identify as Christian, making it the largest religious demographic in the state despite Washington ranking among the least religious states in the country. A data profile curated by the Pew Research Center Religious Landscape Study details the distribution of Christians across the state: Evangelical Protestants (23%): The single largest religious group in Washington. Catholics (14%): The second-largest group, maintaining a visible presence in both urban and rural communities. Mainline Protestants (9%): Congregations such as Lutherans, Methodists, and Presbyterians. Other Christian Denominations (5%): This includes Mormons (3%) and Jehovah's Witnesses or Orthodox Christians. Religious Unaffiliated (38%): Popularly called "nones," this segment consists of those who identify as atheist, agnostic, or "nothing in particular". In the Seattle metropolitan area, the Christian population drops slightly lower to 44% of adults. Regions like the Yakima Valley and Clark County feature a higher density of churches and religious adherence. Current Cultural and Legal Landscape Christian communities in Washington are actively engaged in several prominent legal and social developments. In May 2026, a federal judge issued a temporary injunction against the Everett Public Schools district. The court halted restrictions placed on Lifewise Academy, a non-profit providing off-campus Christian extracurricular instruction to public school students during release hours. Clergy Mandatory Reporting Laws: On May 2, 2025, Governor Bob Ferguson signed Senate Bill 5375. The law added clergy members as mandatory reporters of child abuse with no exceptions for the religious confessional seal, sparking intense opposition from Catholic and orthodox communities. Public Ministry and Clashes: The evangelical "Mayday USA" prayer rallies hosted by Pursuit Church Northwest in downtown Seattle became a point of national interest after descending into violence with counter-protesters, prompting an FBI investigation into targeted religious violence. Relief and Education Hubs: Washington serves as the headquarters for major international Christian organizations, including the prominent relief entity World Vision, Inc. based in Federal Way, and higher education hubs like Seattle Pacific University, a Free Methodist institution.
|
Local clergy urge voters to distinguish Christianity from Christian nationalism Organizers of a July 6 forum at Wenatchee United Methodist Church set out to answer what they described as a growing misconception about Christian nationalism: that it is merely a political label rather than a defined ideological movement with identifiable characteristics. During a presentation titled "Demystifying Christian Nationalism," Pastor Aaron Musser of Faith Lutheran Church in Leavenworth argued that Christian nationalism is distinct from Christianity itself and drew on biblical interpretation, constitutional history, academic research and video clips to explain why organizers believe its defining characteristics have become visible in North Central Washington. Opening the evening, the Rev. Debbie Sperry, pastor of Wenatchee United Methodist Church, described the conversation as a personal one. "I am a white, Christian American," Sperry said. "These days, I find it exceedingly frustrating that I need to justify what kind of Christian I am and what kind of Christian I'm not." (Cashmere Valley record 7.12.26)READMORE>>>>>> TPUSA Cancels Event After Alleged Antifa Threats: ‘I Hope You Get Kirked’ Turning Point USA (TPUSA) canceled an event scheduled at the University of Washington (UW) after detransition activist and speaker Chloe Cole allegedly received threats in the days leading up to her appearance and following the death of a transgender student on Sunday. Cole told Newsweek in an email, "I received over 200 explicit calls for violence from various groups and some individuals against me and the UW chapter." She had previously told Fox News, "There were local Antifa groups that were actually scheduling these large-scale protests, and there were so many people who I saw online, just out in the open, who were saying things like, 'I hope you get Kirked.’” The phrase is in reference to TPUSA’s former leader, Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated while speaking at Utah Valley University last fall. (Newsweek 5.14.26)READMORE>>>>> Turning Point USA cancels university event after trans student’s death Students at the University of Washington pushed back this week after Turning Point USA planned to move forward with an event featuring controversial speaker Chloe Cole just days after a 19-year-old transgender student was fatally stabbed near campus housing. Chloe Cole is a person who has detransitioned and advocates against access to gender affirming care. The “Pick Up the Mic” event, organised by TPUSA’s UW chapter and scheduled to take place today (13 May), has drawn widespread criticism from students online, many of whom argue that the university should postpone or cancel the appearance, given the timing and the organisation’s rhetoric surrounding trans people. (Pink News 5.13.26)READMORE>>>>> Students Call Out UW for Hosting Turning Point USA Event Days After Killing of Trans Student Students at the University of Washington are criticizing the school for continuing to host a Turning Points USA event days after the fatal stabbing of a 19-year-old transgender student. The event, scheduled for the evening of May 13, is a “Pick Up the Mic” event with Chloe Cole, a right-wing detransitioner who actively opposes access to gender-affirming care. According to an Instagram post from Turning Points USA UW, the event is produced in collaboration with the Intercollegiate Studies Institute, a conservative nonprofit focused on higher education. “Pick Up the Mic” events were popularized by the late TPUSA co-founder Charlie Kirk with a format that invites students on college campuses to debate a featured speaker. (Them 5.12.26)READMORE>>>>> WA senator refuses to apologize for inflammatory remark A Republican Washington state senator refused to apologize for using an offensive term during floor debate Wednesday to refer to people with developmental disabilities. Debating legislation to eliminate a program for people with developmental disabilities and also a history of violent behavior, Sen. Leonard Christian, R-Spokane Valley, argued “we’re putting rapists in with retarded people.” The comment drew immediate criticism and tears on the Senate floor. The Senate Republican leader on Thursday apologized for Christian’s remarks without name-checking the member of his caucus. He also said reprimanding Christian was “under discussion.” (Washington Standard; 3.5.26)READMORE>>>>>> Christian Nationalists fared poorly on election day Voters continue to support public libraries. EveryLibrary reported that voters in Skagit County, Wash., Truckee, Calif., and Washington County, Oregon, approved ballot measures to provide adequate funding for public libraries in the communities. The situation at the national level may be discouraging these days, but Tuesday’s results show that we are not fated to live under the iron heel of Christian Nationalism. When voters get organized and show up, things can and do change. (Americans United 11/10/25) READMORE>>>>> |
March 24, 2023: Christian Post reported: Docs show churches paid up to $100K to be part of Hillsong Family, an alleged honorarium scheme Among the churches stateside that have paid or are currently paying since 2014 to be a part of the Hillsong Family are: The Judah Smith-led Churchome in Washington state; City of Life Church in Kissimmee, Florida; Grace City Church in Lakeland, Florida; The Cause Community in Kansas City; Chicago City Church in Illinois; Calvary Church in Miami, Florida; City of Grace in Arizona; Capital City Church in Washington, D.C.; El Lugar De Su Presencia in Arizona; Citizen Heights in Washington, D.C., Christian Faith Center in Seattle, Washington; Colonial Church in St. Augustine, Florida; and Motor City Church in Detroit, Michigan March 5, 2022: Christian Post reported: NFL greats rally behind high school coach fired for postgame prayer amid Supreme Court battle Numerous “friend-of-the-court” briefs have been filed in the case Kennedy v. Bremerton School District, in which former Seattle-area football coach Joe Kennedy is seeking to reverse a lower court decision that allowed the school district to fire him because fans and students could see him take a knee in silent prayer at the 50-yard line after football games. |
Christian worship event in deep blue city faces fierce backlash from LGBTQ leaders
A Christian worship leader will hold a concert in Seattle this weekend, even as LGBTQ activists urge city leaders to revoke his permit. Sean Feucht, a Christian singer and conservative activist, is scheduled to bring his "Revive in ’25" tour to Gas Works Park on Saturday. Feucht rose to national prominence during the COVID lockdowns, when he launched his "Let Us Worship" movement protesting restrictions on religious gatherings. He has also faced criticism over the years for his support of President Donald Trump and his comments about the LGBTQ community. Earlier this month, eight Canadian cities revoked permits for Feucht’s tour. Now, Seattle activists are pressing city officials to do the same. (Fox newse 8/30/25) READMORE>>>>>
A Christian worship leader will hold a concert in Seattle this weekend, even as LGBTQ activists urge city leaders to revoke his permit. Sean Feucht, a Christian singer and conservative activist, is scheduled to bring his "Revive in ’25" tour to Gas Works Park on Saturday. Feucht rose to national prominence during the COVID lockdowns, when he launched his "Let Us Worship" movement protesting restrictions on religious gatherings. He has also faced criticism over the years for his support of President Donald Trump and his comments about the LGBTQ community. Earlier this month, eight Canadian cities revoked permits for Feucht’s tour. Now, Seattle activists are pressing city officials to do the same. (Fox newse 8/30/25) READMORE>>>>>
Catholic Bishops Defy New US State Law To Report Child Abuse
Catholic bishops in Washington state are rejecting a new law that requires clergy to report child sexual abuse revealed during the sacrament of confession—setting up a constitutional clash between church doctrine and state law. The law requires clergy of all faiths and traditions throughout Washington to come forward about child abuse, including priests who are told about abuse during confession. However, a priest who reveals anything told to him during confession will be excommunicated from the Church, even when it comes to a crime being committed within their congregation. (Newsweek 5/9/25) READ MORE>>>>>
Catholic bishops in Washington state are rejecting a new law that requires clergy to report child sexual abuse revealed during the sacrament of confession—setting up a constitutional clash between church doctrine and state law. The law requires clergy of all faiths and traditions throughout Washington to come forward about child abuse, including priests who are told about abuse during confession. However, a priest who reveals anything told to him during confession will be excommunicated from the Church, even when it comes to a crime being committed within their congregation. (Newsweek 5/9/25) READ MORE>>>>>