The 3 - October 5, 2025

There certainly seems to be a wave of hostility toward people of faith and specifically the places they gather, including their houses of worship.  And, last week, yet another church building was the target of a vicious, deadly attack.  WORLD Magazine reported that on Sunday, September 28 in Grand Blanc, Michigan, "The attack took place shortly before 10:30 a.m. local time, according to Grand Blanc Township Police Chief William Renye. A religious service with hundreds in attendance was taking place at the time of the attack, Renye said. Local firefighters extinguished the blaze Sunday afternoon, and authorities uncovered two other deceased victims by Sunday night, bringing the death toll to four."

The story identified a 40-year old suspect, who was shot and killed by police in what was described as a "firefight."  He had driven his vehicle through the front doors of the building, according to the article, then began shooting, and started a fire in the building.  

Also, this week, in Manchester, England, two people died in an attack at a synagogue, in which an attacker drove into a crowd of people and then began to stab some of them.  The Washington Post notes:

Religious leaders have worked in recent months with specialists to install bulletproof film on windows, reinforce doors, erect fences and bollards in parking lots, and set up surveillance systems designed to detect potential threats during services. One security consultant said he had placed ballistic material in a pulpit to protect a pastor who was worried about armed threats.

Churches, synagogues, mosques and other houses of worship are also stepping up training for members and staff on how to respond to a potential attack, recognizing that physical security is not always sufficient, experts said. Some have conducted active-shooter drills, studied de-escalation techniques, and participated in medical and firearms classes.

There was great expectation recently in the pro-life community when it was announced that the Department of Health and Human Services and the Food and Drug Administration would be investigating the abortion pill, mifepristone, for its potential harm to women (not to mention pre-born children).  

Then, last week, the FDA made an announcement which had the opposite effect on pro-life leaders.  The Washington Stand reported: "The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) quietly approved a new generic version of the abortion drug mifepristone on Tuesday — produced by Evita Solutions LLC, a company that’s mission is to make abortion 'normal' and 'accessible to all.' The new drug will most likely be sold at a lower price...When the news broke on Thursday afternoon, pro-lifers immediately sounded the alarm."  Marjorie Dannenfelser of SBA Pro-Life America said the move was "unconscionable," and stated, "These dangerous drugs take the lives of unborn children, place women and underage girls at serious risk, empower abusers, and trample the pro-life laws enacted by states across the nation.”

Other reaction was noted by the website:

“UNACCEPTABLE,” wrote Lila Rose of Live Action. “This drug starves babies and harms mothers! The FDA just said it would do a new serious safety study — so why approve another generic now? [Secretary Kennedy] must reverse this decision!” Kristan Hawkins, president of Students for Life of America, also posted, stating this decision “represents a true failure” on behalf of the Trump administration.

The Daily Citizen from Focus on the Family had reported: "In July, 22 state attorneys general asked HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and FDA Commissioner Marty Makary to reinstate safety guardrails on the abortion drug the Biden administration had terminated...On September 19, 2025, Secretary Kennedy and Commissioner Makary replied to the attorneys general, revealing HHS is investigating the drug." They had stated, “Since its original approval, the FDA has received reports of serious adverse events in patients who took mifepristone,” adding, "As with all approved drugs, when the FDA receives new information regarding adverse events, the agency reviews the new information and, as appropriate, takes necessary actions.”

It was called the Mayday event, and a permit was requested for a city park in Seattle; it was described in this way by Liberty Counsel: "The purpose of the event was to worship, advocate against abortion and human trafficking, and advocate for protecting children and the family unit. City officials refused to grant the permit over its scope and lack of community support despite the city’s permitting scheme not containing such requirements. In fact, the lawsuit notes shutting down speech on the basis of listener reaction alone is a First Amendment violation."

The city did not grant the organizers' request for a particular venue, but redirected them into a neighborhood known for its concentration of LGBT population.  The presence of the Mayday attendees allegedly led to a tense situation, according to Liberty Counsel, which stated:

During the event, violent gender-confused and antifa rioters dressed in black and wearing face masks assaulted the Christians in attendance with “urine-filled balloons,” pepper spray, tear gas, threats, and other obscene behaviors. Police eventually shut down the event. Afterward, Seattle Mayor Harrell blamed the Mayday violence on the peaceful Christian victims by stating that they “picked” Cal Anderson Park “to provoke a reaction.” Mayor Harrell described the event as “right wing” and opposed to the “city’s values.” His public condemnation also incited “a mob of hecklers” to publicly express equal condemnation of the Christian organizers for the violence they suffered.

Liberty Counsel has now sued the city, its mayor, and police chief; in a statement, it related: "Mayday’s voice was silenced by the city’s weaponization of the unbridled discretion granted to it under its permitting scheme…to target, censor, and unconstitutionally restrict Mayday’s religious beliefs, expression, and speech,” adding,  “Simply put, ‘majority votes do not, as such, defeat First Amendment protection."