Higher Ground
Higher Ground is dedicated to helping families of faith navigate a chaotic world with rigorous reporting, commentary and analysis on national, global and cultural issues. It is a refuge for families under siege from radical secularism. Powered by the award-winning staff of The Washington Times, Higher Ground's stories, videos and podcasts look to inspire and help readers make decisions about the world around them in a tone respectful of the tenets that forged America: Freedom, faith and family.
‘Our values are valid’: NBA player who refused to kneel in 2020 launches faith-based clothing line
When NBA player Jonathan Isaac refused to kneel during the National Anthem in the midst of the Black Lives Matter protests in the summer of 2020, it sparked a new determination in him to wear his Godly principles and values on his sleeve — literally.
Maui Harvest church, untouched by fire, turns attention to recovery - here’s how you can help
Harvest Kumulani Chapel on Maui is open to provide prayer, aid and supplies to those impacted by the fires. Here’s how you can help.
Youngkin administration tells Fairfax to ‘follow the law’ after district defies transgender policy
The Fairfax County superintendent’s decision to defy Virginia’s newly released policy on transgender students isn’t sitting well with Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin.
Nicaraguan government seizes highly regarded university from Jesuits
Nicaragua’s government has confiscated a prestigious Jesuit-run university alleging it was a “center of terrorism,” the college said Wednesday in announcing the latest in a series of actions by authorities against the Catholic Church and opposition figures.
House GOP lawmaker apologizes for demanding pro-life advocate delete ‘religious freedom’ post
A GOP lawmaker has apologized for a social media post about religious freedom aimed at a pro-life activist, after conservatives and a progressive lawmaker criticized him.
Pride Month backlash leads to first quarterly sales drop for Target in six years
Target slashed its annual earnings forecast after its quarterly sales dropped for the first time in six years, a decline attributed to inflation, retail theft, and the consumer boycott over the retail giant’s transgender-themed Pride Month collection.
Virginia pastor calls for restoring ‘Judeo-Christian values’ in long-shot GOP presidential bid
It’s a safe bet that Bishop E.W. Jackson won’t take the Republican presidential primary debate stage in Milwaukee next week, but what he lacks in polls and donors, he makes up for in utter confidence.
North Carolina GOP seeks to override governor’s veto of bill banning gender transitions for youth
Gender transitions take center stage in North Carolina again Wednesday as GOP supermajorities in the General Assembly attempt to override the governor’s vetoes of legislation banning gender transitions for minors and limiting transgender participation in school sports.
Pro-life leaders press GOP candidates to defend abortion limits as state ballot fights loom
Last week’s constitutional amendment vote in Ohio is just the start of a wide-ranging plan to obliterate abortion limits in red states, say pro-life advocates, who are urging Republican leaders, starting with the presidential primary candidates, to fight back.
NBA player who refused to kneel and stood for Christ against BLM, launches sports fashion line
Jonathan Isaac, NBA star playing for Orlando Magic, is again taking a stand for his values, beliefs and community by launching an athletic apparel company.
Court rules in favor of pro-life activists arrested for D.C. sidewalk chalking
A federal appeals court ruled Tuesday that pro-life activists arrested for sidewalk chalking outside a Planned Parenthood during the Black Lives Matter heyday were likely victims of viewpoint discrimination, reviving a case that a lower court had dismissed.
Criminalizing Christianity: March toward ideological totalitarianism may land believers behind bars
As society navigates the percolating intensity of the culture wars, the fragility of freedom and liberty is ardently being tested. Nations predicated upon these ideals have begun to allow the erosion of what was once sacrosanct at the whim of emotive impulses and self-indulgent cultural shifts.
Texas wants Planned Parenthood to repay millions of dollars
Texas wants Planned Parenthood to give back millions of dollars in Medicaid reimbursements — and pay far more in fines on top of that — in a lawsuit that appears to be the first of its kind brought by a state against the largest abortion provider in the U.S.
New Jersey court backs Catholic school in firing of unmarried pregnant teacher
A Catholic school was within its rights to deny an art teacher a contract renewal after the instructor became pregnant out-of-wedlock, the Supreme Court of New Jersey ruled Monday.
Ask Dr. E: Are Christians becoming too political?
Higher Ground is there for you if you’re seeking guidance in today’s changing world. Everett Piper, a Ph.D. and a former university president and radio host, is writing an advice column for The Times, and he wants to hear from you. If you have any moral or ethical questions for which you’d like an answer, please email askeverett@washingtontimes.com, and he may include it in the column.
Higher Ground: America’s Christians ‘dread’ the future of faith
Freedom of speech and religion at risk in Britain; prayer at school showdown in Texas; and growing ‘dread’ in Christian communities.
Sikh recruit makes Marine Corps history, completing boot camp with turban, beard
One of America’s newest Marines made history as the first Sikh to complete boot camp without having to shave his head or beard or give up the “articles of faith” that Sikhs consider sacred.
Republicans need to focus on family issues to win
The establishment media are doing their best to scare Republicans away from running on family issues. Stampeding a herd of rabbits isn’t hard.
Fear in the church: Too many of God’s people afraid to fight
Sixty-nine percent of Protestant pastors in a Lifeway Research survey said they see a “growing sense of fear” among their congregants, and another 63%, that their pews are also filled with people who feel “dread” about the “future of Christianity” in America and around the world. That explains a lot.
From the Pulpit: How God calls us to break the mold and be unordinary in an ordinary world
God has called us to be Unordinary. When we follow Christ, we must be willing to stand out, to be different, to be… Unordinary.
One NYC pastor is bringing the gospel to the streets, subways and lost souls of sin-filled city
In a city flush with crime and sin, Kings Church is bringing the Gospel into the most public of domains: The New York City subway system.
FBI’s alarming targeting of Catholics as ‘potential terrorists’ grows more alarming
FBI Director Christopher A. Wray may have testified under oath to Congress that a memo calling out Catholics as “potential terrorists” was a “single product by a single field office.” But turns out the good director lied. Or, in deep state lingo, that he erroneously stated facts in a manner that was unintentionally false.
LISTEN: Actress Nan Gurley talks about her role as Christian hero who risked everything to hide Jews
Actress Nan Gurley discusses what it took to prepare for her protrayal of Corrie ten Boom in “The Hiding Place,” currently playing in theaters across the nation.
Open letter to Christian pastors: It’s time to leave the sidelines and enter the fray
We turn to spiritual leaders for advice, clarity and wisdom during turmoil and uncertainty. It’s time for Christian leaders to lead their flocks into society in order to defend our faith and influence culture.
‘America’s in Trouble’: Presidential hopeful Ryan Binkley on why God wants him to run for office
Meet the pastor, CEO and father of five who says God called him to run for president and turn things around for an America that’s “lost it’s compass, it’s soul, what it means to be an American.”
November trial set for British man accused of ‘thought crime’ in silent prayer
A former British army reservist will face a Nov. 16 trial on criminal charges arising from a silent prayer near an abortion clinic in Bournemouth, England, a British court said Wednesday.
Ohio vote underscores the power of abortion as spur to polls
An Ohio vote rejecting changes to how the state amends its constitution shows that abortion access continues to spur people to the polls, even in red states, and is ringing alarm bells among pro-life groups who want their GOP allies to fight back.
The biggest threat to Christianity isn’t what you think
Christianity is unquestionably under assault in our relativistic, befuddled and rabidly flummoxed culture, with multiple forces increasingly placing intense pressure on the traditional beliefs that were once core to the American identity.
Biden hails Ohio voters for rejecting measure intended to thwart an abortion rights vote
President Biden is hailing Ohio voters for voting down an initiative that would have required 60% support for voter-driven changes to the state constitution instead of a simple majority.
Ask Dr. E: Is building a border wall biblical?
The message I keep hearing over and over again is that the Bible demands we welcome the “stranger in our midst” and that the call to secure our borders is unbiblical. Do you agree with this? What does the Bible actually say about immigration?
Pastor and GOP White House hopeful Ryan Binkley explains his faith-fueled presidential run
Pastor and businessman Ryan Binkley talks with Higher Ground’s Billy Hallowell about how God guided him to run for president in 2024.
Georgia man accused of breaking into Florida church, stealing electronics and baptizing himself
A Georgia man stands accused of breaking into a Panama City Beach, Florida, church, purportedly vandalizing the interior and stealing electronics before baptizing himself.
House Republicans back Finnish Christians facing retrial for hate speech
A group of House Republicans is calling for the U.S. to support two prominent evangelical Christians in Finland who face a retrial on hate speech charges this month.
American Christians fear for the future of the nation and the world, Lifeway survey shows
Fears for the future of America and the world are on the rise in American Protestant congregations, survey data from Lifeway Research revealed Tuesday.
LISTEN to Dr. E: Truth is the only rebellion left
Listen to the latest episode of Dr. Everett Piper’s podcast, “The Rebellion.”
Election on constitution leads up to abortion vote; Issue I outcome to help sway Ohio law
Ohio voters will decide Tuesday whether future changes to the state constitution require a simple majority or 60% support, a decision that will have a major impact on a November fight over a pro-choice abortion measure.
Texas school district shelves prayer event after out-of-state secular group protests
A Texas school district cut short a three-week prayer campaign after an atheist group in Wisconsin sent a complaint letter.
‘In God We Trust’ makes a comeback
Louisiana just signed into law a requirement that all public school administrators make sure the motto “In God We Trust” is displayed in every classroom, in every building, in every district. It’s a law that’s been passed in several other states of late as well. Praise the Lord. God is making a comeback in America.
Higher Ground: ‘Sound of Freedom’ continues to ring
Don’t miss the top faith news and commentary in this week’s Higher Ground newsletter.
Families gather at libraries to pray, sing ‘God Bless America’ and join in Kirk Cameron’s story hour
Nearly 20 children gathered Saturday at their local library for story time hosted by a mother of two, who volunteered to organize a “See You at the Library” event sponsored by Brave Books and its Christian author Kirk Cameron.
Church of Scientology calls actress Leah Remini a ‘horrible person’ and ‘anti-free speech bigot’
The Church of Scientology called actress Leah Remini an “anti-free speech bigot” in its response to a lawsuit the former member of the church filed this week.
Man charged for silently praying near abortion clinic in England, critics call it a ‘thoughtcrime’
Authorities in Bournemouth, England, have criminally charged a British army veteran for praying silently while standing in a buffer zone outside an abortion clinic, his attorneys said Friday.
Pro-life activist targeted by Biden’s DOJ now running for Congress in Pennsylvania
A father of seven whose home was raided by the FBI because of his pro-life activism has launched a campaign for a House seat in Pennsylvania, saying it’s time to bring back family, faith and freedom to Washington.
Alabama library cancels Kirk Cameron’s children’s book reading event, sparking First Amendment fight
Lawyers for Kirk Cameron told a public library in Alabama that it is running afoul of the First Amendment by canceling a children’s reading event just days before Mr. Cameron and female swimming and sports activist Riley Gaines were set to appear at the reading.
‘Pretty significant’: Faith-affirming ‘Jesus Revolution’ rockets up Netflix rankings
One of this year’s top-grossing faith-affirming films, “Jesus Revolution,” is available on Netflix in the United States, where a reported 75 million Americans are subscribers.
Billy Graham’s daughter, family’s ‘best preacher,’ has book on preparing for eternity
Anne Graham Lotz, daughter of the late evangelist Billy Graham, said this week she is preparing to meet Jesus — and every other Christian should, too.
GOP lawmakers call for investigation into Planned Parenthood COVID-19 relief money
Republican lawmakers are demanding that Planned Parenthood be investigated for possibly falsifying or misleading the federal government in requests for COVID-19 relief money.
Anheuser Busch revenue drops nearly $400 million after Bud Light controversy
The controversy surrounding Bud Light in the U.S. seriously cut into parent company Anheuser Busch’s bottom line, according to a recent report.
LISTEN: Is there a genocide on the horizon for Armenian Christians?
Listen to The Higher Ground Podcast with Billy Hallowell, only on The Washington Times.
Kirk Cameron’s plan to ‘win back the culture’ won’t be stopped by religious discrimination
Threats to prevent the “Growing Pains” actor from carrying out his See You At The Library event on August 5 won’t deter Kirk Cameron from “protecting the hearts and minds of children.”
Rock star’s sermon draws cheers, hits nail on the head about cultural chaos
“What if there is a God?” Skillet frontman John Cooper uttered this proclamation from an Indiana stage July 23 as a packed audience clung to every one of his indispensable words.
Hologram of late televangelist Jerry Falwell at center of lawsuit against Liberty University
Jerry Falwell Jr. has filed a $5 million lawsuit to stop Liberty University from featuring a hologram of his late father in a planned center to honor the televangelist founder of the nation’s largest Christian university.
Inside Disney’s dramatic downward spiral as Americans increasingly shun the Mouse House
“It’s not hard to make decisions when you know what your values are,” said the co-founder of the most well-known children’s brand, Roy Disney.
Decline of Hollywood followed the summer of 1977
In the summer of 1977, nearly everyone in the country was seeing “Star Wars” or “Smokey and the Bandit” in movie theaters.
