Atheist Group Opposes Inmate Baptisms in Arkansas

Religious Freedom, , , ,

A Wisconsin-based atheist organization is once again opposing inmate baptisms in Arkansas.

Earlier this month, the Freedom From Religion Foundation sent a letter to Drew County Sheriff Tim Nichols complaining about inmate baptisms after Sheriff Nichols posted on the Drew County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page about 13 inmates who were baptized at Pauline Baptist Church in March.

All told, 27 inmates at the Drew County Detention Facility reportedly have been baptized since 2023.

The Freedom From Religion Foundation’s letter accused the sheriff of “unconstitutionally encouraging or coercing inmates to participate in religious exercise.”

This is not the first time the FFRF has targeted an Arkansas sheriff over inmate baptisms. In 2023, the group sent a similar complaint to the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office after inmates there were baptized in partnership with a local church.

The FFRF’s argument is the same one it always makes — that any visible expression of faith by a government official amounts to a constitutional violation. But that argument goes too far.

Nothing in the Constitution requires public officials to hide their faith or strip religious programming from county jails. Inmates are free to participate or not participate in religious activity. And there is a real difference between a government forcing someone to practice a religion and a sheriff who personally believes in God and wants to see the people find hope and redemption.

It’s also worth noting that groups like the Freedom From Religion Foundation tend to threaten lawsuits. If people stand their ground, these organizations rarely follow through.

Religious freedom is a fundamental right in America, and groups like the Freedom From Religion Foundation ironically infringe that liberty when they work to purge the free exercise of religion from public life.

Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.

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Church Attendance Is Up. Here’s Why That Matters.

Church Ambassador Network, , ,

Research continues to show church attendance in America is growing.

A recent report from the Hartford Institute for Religion Research found that median in-person worship attendance rose from 65 in 2020 to 70 in 2025. That may sound modest, but researchers called it significant.

The data suggests more congregations are stabilizing or growing rather than shrinking. Volunteers are showing up, and ministers are feeling more optimistic.

This is part of a broader trend we have been watching for a while now.

We have written before about the “quiet revival” taking place among young adults in America and abroad.

Bible sales have soared, young men and women are driving a resurgence in church attendance, and CBS News has reported on the large number of adults — particularly Gen Z — who have been baptized into the Christian faith in recent years.

A recent Gallup poll shows young men are now more likely than young women to say religion is “very important” in their lives.

It’s good to see more Americans returning to church and engaging with scripture.

Of course, as we have said many times, it isn’t enough simply to show up at church or own a Bible, but all of this is very encouraging.

Church congregations help believers live out their faith in daily life. Being part of a local community of believers is an essential part of discipleship.

Hopefully this “quiet revival” is one that will continue to spread.

Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.

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Arkansas Legislature Approves $3.5M in Grant Funding for Mothers with Unplanned Pregnancies

Abortion, , , , ,

The Arkansas Legislature continues to put its money where its mouth is by approving millions of dollars in grant funding to support women with unplanned pregnancies.

Since 2022, Arkansas law generally has prohibited abortion except to save the life of the mother, and abortion facilities in the state have closed down. But data shows that Arkansans may be traveling out of state for abortions. We also know that abortionists in other parts of the country are shipping abortion drugs into Arkansas illegally.

That’s why Family Council has encouraged Arkansas’ lawmakers to provide grant funding for pregnancy help organizations across the state.

These pro-life charities give women real options besides abortion. That’s why a growing number of states provide these organizations with public funding.

This year, the Arkansas Legislature raised its Pregnancy Help Organization Grant fund from $2 million to $3.5 million.

Lawmakers approved the funding last Wednesday as part of the Department of Finance and Administration’s 2026-2027 budget for its Disbursing Officer, and Governor Sanders signed the budget proposal into law.

The measures makes it clear that “pregnancy help organizations” include nonprofit organizations that promote infant and maternal wellness and reduce infant and maternal mortality by:

  • Providing nutritional information and/or nutritional counseling;
  • Providing prenatal vitamins;
  • Providing a list of prenatal medical care options;
  • Providing social, emotional, and/or material support; or
  • Providing referrals for WIC and community-based nutritional services, including but not limited to food banks, food pantries, and food distribution centers.

Abortionists and their affiliates are not eligible for grant funding.

Family Council is grateful to the General Assembly and Governor Sanders for approving this $3.5 million in grant funding to provide alternatives to abortion. This is money well spent. We look forward to seeing the state award the funds to pregnancy help organizations in the coming months.

Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.

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