Latest news with #Christian-based
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Hegseth orders review of military homeschooling support
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has directed a review of the Pentagon's support for military families who choose to homeschool their kids, according to a memo released Tuesday. The review, ordered May 15, calls for officials to look at 'current support for homeschooling military-connected families, as well as best practices, including the feasibility of providing facilities or access to other resources for those students.' Hegseth said the evaluation was part of a Defense Department-wide review of educational choices for military families following a Jan. 29 executive order directing the Pentagon to consider using its funding to foot the bill for private, religious or public charter schools for children in military families. He added that ensuring military families receive strong educational support 'maintains morale and readiness, reinforcing the overall stability and effectiveness of our military communities.' The document did not specify when the review is expected to be completed. Roughly 12 percent of active-duty military families homeschooled their children in the 2023-24 school year, double the rate of civilians, at 6 percent, according to a Johns Hopkins University study released in March. That percentage rate has remained consistent even during the COVID-19 pandemic, when schools were temporarily shut down across the country. Homeschooling is seen as a more desirable choice among military families as it can 'stabilize and prioritize their family life' even with frequent moves or family separation due to service members' deployments, the study found. Hegseth in the past has criticized public school education, arguing for more Christian-based teaching. He has claimed the country's public schools are failing to educate students and lack 'virtue and excellence,' according to his book 'Battle for the American Mind: Uprooting a Century of Miseducation.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Hill
Hegseth orders review of military homeschool support
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has directed a review of the Pentagon's support for military families who choose to homeschool their kids, according to a new memo released Tuesday. The review, ordered on May 15, calls for officials to look at 'current support for homeschooling military-connected families, as well as best practices, including the feasibility of providing facilities or access to other resources for those students.' Hegseth said the evaluation was part of Defense Department-wide review of educational choices for military families following a Jan. 29 executive order directing the Pentagon to consider using its funding to foot the bill for private, religious or public charter schools for children in military families. He added that ensuring military families receive strong educational support 'maintains morale and readiness, reinforcing the overall stability and effectiveness of our military communities.' The document did not specify when the review is expected to be completed. Roughly 12 percent of active-duty military families homeschooled their children in the 2023-2024 school year, double the rate of civilians, at 6 percent, according to a Johns Hopkins University study released in March. That percentage rate has remained consistent even during the COVID-19 pandemic, when schools were temporarily shut down across the country. Homeschooling is seen as a more desirable choice among military families as it can 'stabilize and prioritize their family life' even with frequent moves or family separation due to service members' deployments, the study found. Hegseth in the past has criticized public school education, arguing for more Christian-based teaching. He has claimed that the country's public schools are failing to educate students and lack 'virtue and excellence,' according to his book 'Battle for the American Mind: Uprooting a Century of Miseducation.'
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Couple banned from chapel told they are 'going to hell'
A couple who run community events claim they were told they are "going to hell" and were stopped from using a chapel because they are not Christians. For the last three years, Salvaged Creations Wales (SCW) have been running youth clubs, playdays, woodworking classes, and other sessions at a chapel in Markham, Caerphilly. But now Layton Jones and partner Gemma Baker, who run the community interest company, say they've been told to leave the Markham Congregational Chapel, because they're deemed "a non-Christian organisation". The couple say the decision to evict them was made by the Reverend Nick Holloway. Mr Holloway has been asked to comment. Social services face cuts over £646m budget gap Social care reform stuck over funding, expert says The couple said they were shocked at the "unfair" decision, which they believe was taken without consulting the chapel's congregation. Mr Jones said there had been no issues until earlier this year, when Mr Holloway, who took up his post two years ago, informed the couple indirectly via email that they would be leaving the chapel. When the couple tried to arrange a meeting with him to discuss the reasons, Mr Jones claims the reverend launched into an "angry" tirade. After first being told it was due to a contractual issue, the couple said Mr Holloway told them he did not want them there as they are a "non-Christian based group". "Gemma tried to talk to him, and he just shouted in her face 'you're going to hell'," Mr Jones said. The couple, who are unmarried, told him the work of Salvaged Creations Wales was nevertheless valued in the community, and that "all our values are Christian-based". "He was having none of it," said Mr Jones. "He was very angry towards us, [saying] 'my decision is final, I will not be changing my decision, you're out'." Mr Jones and Ms Baker claim the decision appears to have been taken unilaterally by Mr Holloway, without a vote of the congregation. But the reasoning, claims Mr Jones, could potentially breach equality laws and the chapel's own policies on discrimination. "Whatever religion (or not) we are, we are entitled to use the premises of Markham Congregational Chapel," said SCW in a post on their Facebook page. "Many chapels are used for a variety of groups, AA groups, mother and toddler, youth & scouts or brownies for example." The not-for-profit organisation is now faced with finding new premises, something the couple says they can ill afford. "Due to the changes forced upon us, we are now in a position of financial hardship, much more than what we already were," the post added. Mr Jones and Ms Baker said that they had tried to appeal to the Congregational Federation, but that the chapel itself is ultimately its own entity. "We are aware of the situation at Markham," said the Congregational Federation's trust and property manager, Kate Bass, in comments made to the Caerphilly Observer. "While the church is affiliated, all governance and decisions lie solely with the individual church membership, as is the foundation of congregationalism. "We hope a resolution on the matter can be reached for all concerned.".
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Couple banned from chapel told they are 'going to hell'
A couple who run community events claim they were told they are "going to hell" and were stopped from using a chapel because they are not Christians. For the last three years, Salvaged Creations Wales (SCW) have been running youth clubs, playdays, woodworking classes, and other sessions at a chapel in Markham, Caerphilly. But now Layton Jones and partner Gemma Baker, who run the community interest company, say they've been told to leave the Markham Congregational Chapel, because they're deemed "a non-Christian organisation". The couple say the decision to evict them was made by the Reverend Nick Holloway. Mr Holloway has been asked to comment. Social services face cuts over £646m budget gap Social care reform stuck over funding, expert says The couple said they were shocked at the "unfair" decision, which they believe was taken without consulting the chapel's congregation. Mr Jones said there had been no issues until earlier this year, when Mr Holloway, who took up his post two years ago, informed the couple indirectly via email that they would be leaving the chapel. When the couple tried to arrange a meeting with him to discuss the reasons, Mr Jones claims the reverend launched into an "angry" tirade. After first being told it was due to a contractual issue, the couple said Mr Holloway told them he did not want them there as they are a "non-Christian based group". "Gemma tried to talk to him, and he just shouted in her face 'you're going to hell'," Mr Jones said. The couple, who are unmarried, told him the work of Salvaged Creations Wales was nevertheless valued in the community, and that "all our values are Christian-based". "He was having none of it," said Mr Jones. "He was very angry towards us, [saying] 'my decision is final, I will not be changing my decision, you're out'." Mr Jones and Ms Baker claim the decision appears to have been taken unilaterally by Mr Holloway, without a vote of the congregation. But the reasoning, claims Mr Jones, could potentially breach equality laws and the chapel's own policies on discrimination. "Whatever religion (or not) we are, we are entitled to use the premises of Markham Congregational Chapel," said SCW in a post on their Facebook page. "Many chapels are used for a variety of groups, AA groups, mother and toddler, youth & scouts or brownies for example." The not-for-profit organisation is now faced with finding new premises, something the couple says they can ill afford. "Due to the changes forced upon us, we are now in a position of financial hardship, much more than what we already were," the post added. Mr Jones and Ms Baker said that they had tried to appeal to the Congregational Federation, but that the chapel itself is ultimately its own entity. "We are aware of the situation at Markham," said the Congregational Federation's trust and property manager, Kate Bass, in comments made to the Caerphilly Observer. "While the church is affiliated, all governance and decisions lie solely with the individual church membership, as is the foundation of congregationalism. "We hope a resolution on the matter can be reached for all concerned.".
Epoch Times
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Epoch Times
After Outpolling the Greens, Where Do Australia's Minor Conservative Parties Go From Here?
Disillusioned by the Liberal Party's perceived drift from its conservative roots, a surge of right- and conservative-leaning parties have emerged in recent years. And the 2025 election was no different. While Labor may have won the election, smaller parties on the right of the political spectrum (excluding the Liberal and National parties) absorbed about 12 percent of the overall vote—more than the Greens (11.9 percent), and the Climate 200 (Teal) independents. From the well-known One Nation, to the Christianity-focused Family First, they believe they can continue to make a difference. This is what they had to say about the result and their plans for the future. Ballots are seen during counting following the close of polls in Australia's general election at a polling station in Melbourne, Australia on May 3, 2025. Martin Keep/AFP via Getty Images One Nation to Continue Fight for the Bush, Tradies This election saw the well-known One Nation party receive 931,272 votes, a 1.4 percent improvement on the previous election in 2022. Senator Malcolm Roberts was also re-elected. Related Stories 5/12/2025 5/10/2025 Party Leader Pauline Hanson said she was pleased with the result, while criticising the Liberal Party for being too reactive to Labor's campaign. 'Their election campaign was ridiculous; [Peter Dutton] never fought back at all,' Hanson told Sky News Australia. The senator said there could be tough times ahead under the current economic agenda. 'But One Nation will be there to fight for you, and to fight for our nation's future,' she wrote on X. 'From the bush to the suburbs, from tradies to small business owners, from families doing it tough to communities feeling ignored we've heard you loud and clear. And we're not backing down.' Senator and One Nation leader Pauline Hanson speaks in Sydney at CPAC Australia on Aug. 20, 2023. Wade Zhong/The Epoch Times Family First to Contest South Australia, Victoria Elections Nationally, the Christian-based party, which built its brand in the 2000s and re-emerged to contest recent elections, received 256,363 votes, about 1.8 percent of the national vote. 'This is extraordinary and exceeded expectations,' National Leader Lyle Shelton said in a statement. 'It qualifies Family First for significant electoral funding, which otherwise would have gone to the major parties.' Shelton said that while the party had not won seats this time, a foundation had been laid, as well as brand awareness. 'A foundation has now been laid for success in South Australia next March where Deepa Mathew will run for the Upper House,' Shelton wrote 'Our chances are also good at next year's Victorian election, and I started work this week on the New South Wales election which is just 22 months away. 'And in breaking news, we have just received word from the NSW Electoral Commission that Family First is now registered in NSW, allowing us to contest the 2027 state election.' The party is known for tackling 'culture war' issues including abortion, euthanasia, transgenderism, and encouraging the development of nuclear families. Senate Candidate Lyle Shelton attends the Australian Conservatives campaign launch at the Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort on the Gold Coast, Australia, on April 30, 2019. Richard Szabo/The Epoch Times Libertarians Stand Behind Lower Taxes The Libertarians, which have traditionally focused on smaller government and lower taxes, received 79,205 votes, about 0.5 percent of the voting pool. The Libertarians weren't able to secure a single seat this time, despite a strong showing at the NSW council and state elections. 'When other political parties have a disappointing election result, they typically announce they will scrap the old policies and by the next election will have sparkling new ones,' Leader John Ruddick 'The Libertarian Party is a party of principle. When we get the votes to win, great ... but if we don't the principles unflinchingly remain.' Some of their more novel ideas include an income tax-free threshold of $50,000 for individuals, and $100,000 for couples, indexed to inflation. The minor party also suggests a flat tax rate of 20 percent for those above the threshold. Ruddick, a former Liberal member, intends to keep running Libertarian candidates in future elections, and encouraged interested individuals to join. Gerard Rennick Plans to Expand to Other States Gerard Rennick originally ran for the Liberals when he was elected as a senator. He later formed his own party, People First, which stands for lower income taxes, voluntary superannuation, the streamlining of government, and Australian asset ownership. It secured 0.5 percent of the national vote on its first outing, 67,688 votes. Rennick spoke to The Epoch Times about losing his Senate seat and what it meant for the party's future. 'At this stage, the intention is to keep the party going, but how it goes, time will tell,' he said. On Liberal Senator Gerard Rennick during Senate Estimates at Parliament House in Canberra, April 6, 2022. AAP Image/Mick Tsikas Rennick said he ran 'real candidates who worked really hard.' 'I did put a lot of effort into it,' he said. Many People First candidates were ex-military and had high qualifications. Rennick said his stance on the COVID vaccine likely cost him votes, but it was a cause he could not back away from. 'I knew I was a marked man when I went rogue on the COVID vaccine but I couldn't stand by and let people be injured,' he said.
