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Father's Day Origin Started in Church: Inspiring Bible Verses for Dads
Father's Day started in 1909 when Sonora Smart Dodd, who was at church on the newly recognized Mother's Day, listened to the sermon at a Central Methodist Episcopal Church and thought about how they were celebrating the life of her mother who had died in childbirth when Sonora was 16 years old. Her father, Henry Jackson Smart, a Civil War veteran and farmer, was raising Sonora and her five siblings as a single parent in Washington. Sonora decided she wanted a way to also celebrate and thank her

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Muhammad Ali Believed 'All Religions are Good’
Muhammad Ali converted to being a Muslim in 1964 after learning of militant Islamic freedom fighter Malcom X, however, he has born a Baptist in Louisville, Ky., and promoted world peace his whole life. "Religions have different names and they all contain God and the truth," he said during the 1970s.

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Church Murder Mystery: Lab Results Released For Bloody Shirt in Texas
Authorities concluded red fluid on a blood-spattered shirt, which was dropped off at a dry cleaner by the father-in-law of a Texas woman murdered inside a church, was not from the victim. The man, Randy Bevers took the shirts to a Midlothian dry cleaner four days after the April 18 murder of Terri "Missy" Bevers. Terri Bevers was found dead inside the Creekside Church in Midlothian, about six miles away from the dry cleaner.

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Arizona Mom Charged with Fatally Stabbing Three Sons Screamed Religious Rants
A Phoenix, Ariz., mother reportedly shrieked in religious fervor even as her three, missing young sons were found stuffed in a closet after being stabbed to death and partially dismembered, newly released court records indicate. Octavia Rogers, 29, was released from a hospital and booked into jail Sunday in Phoenix on suspicion of three counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of the boys, who were 8 years, 5 years and 2 months old.

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Christian Cross Decals Removed from Texas Sheriff Patrol Cars to Settle Lawsuit
After a Brewster County, Texas, sheriff added decals of Christian crosses to patrol vehicles, Freedom From Religion Foundation representatives filed a lawsuit against the sheriff department and county government in March. Those cross decals were taken off the fleet's vehicles this week to settle the case, along with covering the legal costs of the atheist group, whose representatives argued the religious symbols represented a government endorsement of Christianity in violation of the First Amend

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Qatar Evangelical Alliance breaks ground on worship center, witnessing Christ in a Muslim nation
A worship center for evangelical churches has commenced construction in Qatar, marking a significant spiritual milestone in the history of evangelicals in the country.

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Hong Kong's deadliest fire in a Century: churches mobilize and pray to support the community
On 26 November, a severe level‑five fire broke out at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po. Early reports said at least 13 people died and 23 were injured. Local churches mobilize to support the community and pray.

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Faith and freedom: USCIRF Chair Vicky Hartzler shares insights on China’s religious landscape
As China continues to update its religious regulations, changes in the country’s faith environment and space for religious practice have drawn increased global attention. In this interview, USCIRF Chair Vicky Hartzler responds to questions about religious policy, human rights, and faith, offering her perspectives on China’s current situation and sharing words of support and encouragement for Christians facing challenges.

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Christians gather in Hong Kong to pray for victims of Tai Po Hong Fu Court fire
More than 1,000 Christians gathered in Hong Kong on Dec. 5 for a united prayer service commemorating the victims of the five-alarm fire that devastated Hong Fu Court in Tai Po on Nov. 26, destroying thousands of homes and killing 159 people.

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U.S. Congressional hearing highlights religious freedom challenges facing Chinese Christians and other faith communities
A recent U.S. congressional hearing cast a spotlight on religious freedom conditions in China, with witnesses sharing firsthand accounts of pressure faced by Christian, Muslim, and Tibetan Buddhist communities.
