Judge bars ICE from just busting into local Lutheran, Baptist churches without a warrant - or setting up checkpoints just outside to scan people
https://www.universalhub.com/2026/judge-bars-ice-just-busting-local-lutheran-baptist-churches-without

#Boston #Baptists #Lutherans #lawsuits

Martin Luther wrote this 500 years ago: "This is also what Paul says (Titus 3:10): 'As for the heretic, after admonishing him once or twice, have nothing to do with him.' This is the way things are not only in matters of religion but also in government.

"In the affairs of the world this is how things happen: if you give wise advice, you will accomplish nothing and will not be heard except among those who are neutral, who have a calm mind and are not partisans. Those who have a calm mind and are quiet can truly judge that *the shouting of the ruler is foolish*.

"Therefore one must wait until the feelings have become calm, for then someone will hear. Just as roiled water is not clear, but someone who wants to see the bottom must wait for the water to settle, so everyone who has conceived something in his mind is beyond persuasion unless that conception settles, because it holds him captive as though by a charm."

("Notes on Ecclesiastes" (1526) Luther's Works, Vol. 15. Saint Louis: Concordia, 1972; pages 155-156)

I know that many people have real problems with Luther. He said some problematic things and took some problematic positions. But aren't you attracted by his cautions here about repeatedly throwing your pearls of wisdom before the swine? Don't you resonate to his reminder that only the calm and quiet "can truly judge that the shouting of the ruler is foolish"?

#MartinLuther #government #wisdom #Lutherans

"The Southeastern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is suing to block a new law in Tennessee that criminalizes people and organizations who assist undocumented immigrants. The suit alleges the new bill violates the Synod’s First Amendment rights by criminalizing ministry actions they engage in because of Christian teachings."

~ Brian Kaylor

#Trump #Republicans #Tennessee #ICE #immigrants #Lutherans #ELCA
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https://publicwitness.wordandway.org/p/word-and-way-news-june-27

**Scandinavia has its own dark history of assimilating Indigenous people, and churches played a role – but are apologizing**

🔗 https://theconversation.com/scandinavia-has-its-own-dark-history-of-assimilating-indigenous-people-and-churches-played-a-role-but-are-apologizing-255827.

#Finland #Colonialism #Christianity #Scandinavia #Nordic #Sami #Lutherans #Religion