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CBS News
4 days ago
- General
- CBS News
Boulder Christian faith leaders in Colorado lead prayer at site of terror attack on Jewish community members
Christian faith leaders of multiple denominations arrived Tuesday afternoon at the site of the Boulder terror attack to pray and show solidarity with the city's Jewish community. CBS Standing on the same brick pathway that was scorched on Sunday in a firebombing attack by suspect Mohamad Solamin, locals like Reverend Dr. Pamela Challis of Trinity Lutheran Church aimed to make the space one of hope and unity. "The burn is only surface, but the love we have is deeper," Challis told CBS Colorado. Multiple denominations, be they Catholic, Lutheran, Episcopal or others, united in prayer. All of it started with a phone call from Challis to others in the Boulder community. Her church, Trinity Lutheran, is just two blocks from the Boulder courthouse, and many stood in front of the church for hours Sunday watching everything unfold. "We as Christian siblings needed to come together for our Jewish community here in Boulder," Challis explained. While many Jewish faith leaders were still observing Shavuot -- one of the three biblically ordained Jewish festivals -- Rabbi Ruthie Gelfarb of Congregation Har Hashem in Boulder wanted to stop by. Even though the plan to get together was set into motion 24 or so hours prior, she couldn't believe how many people arrived. "Once I heard, I wanted to be here so they could see that we're very grateful and thankful for their message and their love," Gelfarb said. The circle caught the eyes of passersby such as Hindu practitioner Sadananda of the Alandi Ashram in Boulder. He witnessed the attack and, like many, tried to run to the aid of those who were caught up in the firebombing. "I didn't even know this was happening," Sadananda said. "I was just on a walk because I have felt trauma." All of them gathered in a circle, saying their prayers and offering their solidarity. "Showing up in allyship means so much," Gelfarb added. For many of the leaders, Jewish and Christian, who were in attendance in Boulder Tuesday, the action meant a little more. The Abrahamic religions -- Judaism, Christianity and Islam -- all contain references to the other within their holy books -- the Bible, the Torah and the Quran. While they diverge on key issues, those that make them different religions from one another entirely, the faith systems have commonalities that people such as Rev. Challis say are important to remember during times like this. "We are so connected to our Jewish siblings and through that connected to our Muslim siblings because we are people of the same book," Challis said. Continued support and collective action from faith groups in the area are being planned in Boulder and around the Denver area in the coming days and weeks. "Much of the deep spiritual messages of our tradition," added Rabbi Gelfarb, "The 'Do unto others as you as you'd want them to do unto you.' The compassionate one. People created in the image of the divine, that's something we all share."
Wall Street Journal
27-04-2025
- Politics
- Wall Street Journal
Supreme Court Test: CanSt. Isidore Be a Religious Charter School?
Religious liberty is on a historic winning streak at the Supreme Court, and one side effect of this happy story is that the cases are getting trickier. Consider Wednesday's argument in what could become a landmark case: Does a church have a First Amendment right to open a taxpayer-funded charter school? Or can a state exclude religious charter applicants in the name of secular public education? That's the dispute in Oklahoma Statewide Charter School Board v. Drummond, which concerns St. Isidore, an online school proposed by two Catholic dioceses. The state charter board approved its application. But the Oklahoma Supreme Court held that authorizing and funding a religious school would violate state law and the First Amendment's promise of no 'establishment of religion.' St. Isidore and the state charter board invoke the First Amendment's other religion clause, guaranteeing 'free exercise,' and they cite recent High Court precedents. In Trinity Lutheran (2017), the Justices said Missouri couldn't deny grant money for playground resurfacing to a church-run preschool. In Espinoza (2020) and Carson (2022), the Court said families given state money to attend private schools have a right to choose religious options. As Chief Justice John Roberts wrote in Carson: 'We have repeatedly held that a State violates the Free Exercise Clause when it excludes religious observers from otherwise available public benefits.' Yet does this extend to an applicant seeking direct taxpayer funding to run a religious charter under state contract?
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Yahoo
Fatal Caledonia fire, 1 person dead; neighbors react
The Brief One person died in a fire in Caledonia early Sunday morning, April 6, 2025. The fire happened near Nicholson and 7 Mile Road. A woman confirmed to FOX6 that the person who died was her father, but couldn't provide any more info. CALEDONIA, Wis. - Investigators in Caledonia are trying to get to the bottom of a fatal fire early Sunday morning, April 6, 2025. It happened near Nicholson and 7 Mile Road, just before 3 a.m. What we know As Sunday service began at Trinity Lutheran church, some parishioners couldn't help but think of the scene across the street. "I'm sure there will be people praying for everybody here today," said Ken Werner. FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android The initial police and fire units arrived at the scene within four minutes and observed a fully engulfed barn. The flames tore through the now-blackened building next to a home. A woman told FOX6 off-camera her father died in the fire, but she couldn't share much more. The Caledonia Police Department is working with the medical examiner's office on the positive identification of the deceased person located within the burned-out structure. What they're saying "It's really tragic. I can see here the fire burned really hot," Werner added. And neighbors say this fire got so big and bright overnight, they were able to see it from down the street. "I got dressed and walked over around 3:15 in the morning. I noticed there was a building on fire," said Michael Uher. "By the time I left around 3:30 it was practically out." Racine County law enforcement and fire crews remained on the scene mid-morning, trying to piece together what went wrong. Neighbors like Michael Uher have questions. "Well, if there is anything possibly suspicious about it or not," Uher added. SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News The smoke and rubble are the aftermath of a sad and deadly night. "This is just…who knows what could have happened over there," said Uher. The fire remains under investigation. The Source FOX6 crews went to the scene of the fire, and spoke to people nearby as well as a woman who told FOX6 that she is the daughter of the man who died in the fire.
