Brian Kaylor @briankaylor.bsky.social · 17h1st US military execution since WWII by firing squad will be on Dec. 3. Not sure what it is about rightwing Christian politicians killing people during Advent, but some governors have done it as well (publicwitness.wordandway.org/p/christmas-...). 114
Reposted by Brian KaylorWord&Way @wordandway.bsky.social · 20hWhile this year has brought actions across the country by politicians and judges to limit the voting power of Black communities, that issue was particularly fresh for the clergy at the first stop of Interfaith Alliance’s bus tour.publicwitness.wordandway.orgClergy Rally for Voting Rights, Against Gerrymandering at Start of Interfaith Bus Tour“We are here because human dignity matters. 012
Reposted by Brian KaylorWord&Way @wordandway.bsky.social · 06/10/2026Today’s issue of A Public Witness drives over to the opening stop of the 2026 @interfaithalliance.org “The Vote Is Sacred Tour” at a Missouri church that’s seen firsthand the efforts this year to distort elections and dilute the voting power of Black communities.publicwitness.wordandway.orgClergy Rally for Voting Rights, Against Gerrymandering at Start of Interfaith Bus Tour“We are here because human dignity matters. 025
Reposted by Brian KaylorJack Jenkins @jackjenkins.me · 05/10/2026Oh: Looks like there's now a *third* lawsuit against the Trump administration demanding increased access for clergy to immigrant detainees. But this one has a *Catholic archdiocese* onboard. That's a big deal: Catholics are involved in ongoing cases in Illinois and Minnesota, not not the dioceses.reuters.comCatholic diocese sues US government seeking clergy access to detaineesThe Catholic Archdiocese of St. Louis filed a lawsuit against the federal government on Monday, alleging that detainees at an immigration detention facility in Missouri are being deprived of their right to speak privately with priests or receive sacraments like communion and confession. 413339
Reposted by Brian KaylorWord&Way @wordandway.bsky.social · 05/10/2026Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s conscription of Isaiah 6:8’s “send me” to promote military recruitment has drawn rebukes from Sen. Raphael Warnock as well as Christian Nationalist figures such as pastor/commentator Joel Webbon and former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene.publicwitness.wordandway.org‘I’m Standing With Isaiah’: Warnock Blasts Hegseth for ‘Twisting the Scripture’Marjorie Taylor Greene also attacks Hegseth for ‘using God’s name in vain.’ 027
Brian Kaylor @briankaylor.bsky.social · 05/10/2026Rev. Sen. Raphael Warnock blasts Pete Hegseth for "twisting the Scripture" by misusing Isaiah 6:8. "I'm standing with Isaiah. I'm standing in that grand prophetic tradition, which we need so badly during this moral moment in America. Where do you stand?" publicwitness.wordandway.org/p/im-standin...publicwitness.wordandway.org‘I’m Standing With Isaiah’: Warnock Blasts Hegseth for ‘Twisting the Scripture’Marjorie Taylor Greene also attacks Hegseth for ‘using God’s name in vain.’ 1134
Reposted by Brian KaylorBrigit @brigit.bsky.social · 05/10/2026Hooting hollering howling (via @briankaylor.bsky.social ) 0145
Brian Kaylor @briankaylor.bsky.social · 04/10/2026He did add the Nazis over the weekend while doing this again at the Air Force Academy. 230
Reposted by Brian KaylorAdam Serwer @adamserwer.bsky.social · 04/10/2026The “crusader march” would be more historically accurate if instead of going to the palestine fest they just robbed and torched a random church bsky.app/profile/unra... 2251673
Brian Kaylor @briankaylor.bsky.social · 03/10/2026And the Pentagon is this morning again misusing Isaiah 6:8 as a military recruitment meme. This is heresy, as I've explained: publicwitness.wordandway.org/p/hegseth-co... 093
Brian Kaylor @briankaylor.bsky.social · 03/10/2026He did. Though this time he did also add Nazis. 120
Brian Kaylor @briankaylor.bsky.social · 03/10/2026While speaking to cadets at the U.S. Air Force Academy on his "Send Me Tour," Hegseth instructed the cadets to pray with him. This is inappropriate & coercive. And he did this after again misusing Isaiah 6:8 (background here: publicwitness.wordandway.org/p/hegseth-co...). 2138
Brian Kaylor @briankaylor.bsky.social · 03/10/2026Hegseth's repeated misuse of Isaiah 6:8 has sparked a response from Sen. Raphael Warnock, who is also a Baptist pastor. So I'm going to trust Warnock over Hegseth on this. 2144
Brian Kaylor @briankaylor.bsky.social · 03/10/2026Pete Hegseth is continuing his Misuse the Bible Tour. Once again, Isaiah 6:8 is not about military recruitment: publicwitness.wordandway.org/p/hegseth-co... 1178
Brian Kaylor @briankaylor.bsky.social · 01/10/2026My report from attending the European Baptist Federation gathering last week in Albania: publicwitness.wordandway.org/p/gathering-...publicwitness.wordandway.orgGathering in Albania Highlights Challenges of War, Nationalism Facing Christians in Many CountriesIn September 2014, Pope Francis sparked headlines with a surprising choice for the first European pastoral visit of his papacy: Albania. 071
Brian Kaylor @briankaylor.bsky.social · 01/10/2026No, I'm not taking execution advice from the torture memo guy. The fact that he's on Fox News instead of in prison is an indictment of how we failed to deal with the lawlessness of the W. Bush administration. 2185
Brian Kaylor @briankaylor.bsky.social · 01/10/2026And who has "Deus Vult" stamped on his Bible: publicwitness.wordandway.org/p/pete-hegse...publicwitness.wordandway.orgPete Hegseth’s Crusader BiblePete Hegseth’s Bible, like his body, is stamped with two Crusader tattoos. 120
Reposted by Brian KaylorJay Willis @jaywillis.net · 01/10/2026The death penalty is a moral abomination. State-sanctioned barbarism pushed by incompetent morons and sanctioned by the Supreme Court. Absolute ghoul shit. www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news... 11646901166
Reposted by Brian KaylorChris Geidner @chrisgeidner.bsky.social · 30/09/2026In the original action at the Supreme Court, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Alabama — lacking all sense of irony or knowledge of history — accuse New York, Massachusetts, and California of "one of the most serious interstate aggressions in our Nation’s history" because of their abortion shield laws.documentcloud.org 721360
Brian Kaylor @briankaylor.bsky.social · 30/09/2026I liked the @jackjenkins.me line in piece about "a little-noticed document filed" last week. I guess it's "little-noticed" instead of "completely unnoticed" because I wrote about it. I'm the little bit of noticing :) publicwitness.wordandway.org/p/dhs-admits...publicwitness.wordandway.orgDHS Admits It Doesn’t Know How Many Churches It Has Spied OnA federal judge recently ordered the U.S. 0105
Brian Kaylor @briankaylor.bsky.social · 30/09/2026Good @rns.org piece by @jackjenkins.me on how DHS (sometimes) admits it has arrested people on church property even as "border czar" Tom Homan claims it hasn't happened. Despite denials, multiple incidents at churches are documented. religionnews.com/2026/09/30/t...religionnews.comDo federal immigration agents make arrests at churches? Depends on what day you ask.(RNS) — Over the past year, the Trump administration has issued contradictory and, at times, seemingly false statements about whether federal agents have conducted operations at churches. 153
Brian Kaylor @briankaylor.bsky.social · 30/09/2026Yep. And this is Hegseth's favorite Bible verse to misuse; he's done so repeatedly since May (publicwitness.wordandway.org/p/hegseth-co...).publicwitness.wordandway.orgHegseth Conscripts Call of Prophet Isaiah to Serve U.S. Military InterestsPete Hegseth has a new favorite Bible verse he likes to quote in speeches — and it’s not Ezekiel 25:17. In multiple speeches over the past few weeks, the man who likes to call himself “secretary of wa... 100
Brian Kaylor @briankaylor.bsky.social · 30/09/2026Hegseth's favorite Bible verse to misuse is Isaiah 6:8 & he did it again today. The verse is about the call of a prophet, but he conscripts it for military recruitment (as I noted back in June: publicwitness.wordandway.org/p/hegseth-co...). This is heresy. 192
Brian Kaylor @briankaylor.bsky.social · 30/09/2026Hegseth is continuing his efforts to undermine the military's historic chaplaincy program. He's moving from spiritual care to proselytization. He proves this by misusing Psalm 33, Ephesians 6, & Psalm 118 (at least he didn't go for Ezekiel 25:17) 181
Brian Kaylor @briankaylor.bsky.social · 30/09/2026He's done it before, but Hegseth's rewrite of the "Golden Rule" is problematic as he limits Jesus's teaching to only applying for those inside the nation's boundaries. If we were to *really* implement the Golden Rule at the Pentagon, we'd shut down Hegseth's warmongering & bombing of schools. 2121
Brian Kaylor @briankaylor.bsky.social · 29/09/2026My latest on new court filings in the case of DHS spying on churches. DHS was ordered to inform a federal judge of any other potential incidents at a protected church, but DHS claims it can't actually check its records so we have no idea. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ publicwitness.wordandway.org/p/dhs-admits...publicwitness.wordandway.orgDHS Admits It Doesn’t Know How Many Churches It Has Spied OnA federal judge recently ordered the U.S. 031
Brian Kaylor @briankaylor.bsky.social · 29/09/2026Mo Sen. Eric Schmitt is an absolute moron. He won't do it, but he owes Jack Smith a massive apology. What a disgrace! 1100
Brian Kaylor @briankaylor.bsky.social · 28/09/2026@democracyforward.org sues Pentagon for records on Jennifer Hegseth's unofficial role in Department of Defense: democracyforward.org/news/press-r... Good! I've noted her attendance at Pete's prayer services & she even hosted 1 in his absence: publicwitness.wordandway.org/i/181931874/...democracyforward.orgDemocracy Forward Sues Government for Refusing to Reveal Jennifer Hegseth’s Unofficial Role at the Department of DefenseWife of Secretary of Defense Reportedly Has “Heavy Hand” in National Defense Decisions 172
Brian Kaylor @briankaylor.bsky.social · 28/09/2026"To invoke God's name in order to justify violence or oppression is to profane that name. Nothing that disfigures human dignity can claim to be inspired by God." -Pope Leo XIV. (He's looking at you, Pete Hegseth) wordandway.org/2026/09/28/p...wordandway.orgPope Leo Warns: Invoking God to Justify War Is to 'Profane' His Name - Word&WayPope Leo XIV once again stressed that God does not promote war and called for the protection of human dignity and life, during the last day of his papal visit to France on Monday (Sept. 28). 091
Brian Kaylor @briankaylor.bsky.social · 26/09/2026What move to block Missouri GOP's gerrymandering effort means is Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, a Black United Methodist minister, will likely win reelection. Otherwise, a White Christian Nationalist state lawmaker (who I've squared off against in hearings) would've probably won. www.ms.now/opinion/miss...ms.nowOpinion | Missouri Republicans have unleashed pure chaos on us voters ahead of the midterm electionsBrian T. Kaylor: As the midterms approach, the Missouri district I'll vote in has changed back and forth 030
Brian Kaylor @briankaylor.bsky.social · 26/09/2026For 3rd time this month, #SCOTUS blocks GOP gerrymandering in Missouri. This time they made it extra clear the effort is dead for midterm & all chaos is fault of GOP secretary of state: www.politico.com/news/2026/09... I explained the mess earlier this month for @ms.now: www.ms.now/opinion/miss...politico.comSupreme Court again snubs GOP gerrymander in MissouriJustices also warned federal courts not to interfere with state decisions. 2126
Reposted by Brian KaylorWord&Way @wordandway.bsky.social · 24/09/2026Today’s issue of A Public Witness looks at how some Republican politicians are attacking the faith of mainline Christians and how United Methodists are pushing back against the bigotry.publicwitness.wordandway.orgAn Act Against One Church Is An Act Against All“I believe in an America … where religious liberty is so indivisible that an act against one church is treated as an act against all.” 023
Reposted by Brian KaylorAdam Hamilton @hamilton4kansas.bsky.social · 24/09/2026Remember to be a good neighbor. 26516
Reposted by Brian KaylorWord&Way @wordandway.bsky.social · 23/09/2026“We will make sure these guns can never hurt somebody again or in the future,” Word&Way’s own Beau Underwood told @mirrorindy.org. He referenced Isaiah 2:4: “And by doing that, we are living out the biblical vision of weapons being turned into plowshares.”wordandway.orgAn Indianapolis Church Turned an AR-15 Into a Garden Tool - Word&WayA national, faith-based movement called “Guns to Gardens” has the goal of getting guns off the streets and giving people a safe way to dispose of them. 052
Reposted by Brian KaylorMichelle Boorstein @michelleboorstein.bsky.social · 23/09/2026Trump yesterday: The UN are "craven hypocrites" who do nothing for persecuted Christians A few days ago: Christian refugee groups say 2026 "is on track to be the first year" that the US admitted zero Christian refugees of persecution (or any religious persecution refugees) 071
Reposted by Brian KaylorAmericans United for Separation of Church and State @americansunited.bsky.social · 22/09/2026We were in court today challenging an Arkansas law that requires an edited version of the Ten Commandments be displayed in public classrooms and libraries. No matter the state, we are fighting to preserve freedom of and freedom from religion for every American. 🇺🇸 2233
Brian Kaylor @briankaylor.bsky.social · 22/09/2026And I'll again note that all the court maneuvers & shenanigans by Missouri GOP have been in quest to gerrymander out of office a Black United Methodist minister. They want to replace Rep. Cleaver with a White Christian Nationalist. Hopefully their efforts to cheat fail. www.ms.now/opinion/miss...ms.nowOpinion | Missouri Republicans have unleashed pure chaos on us voters ahead of the midterm electionsBrian T. Kaylor: As the midterms approach, the Missouri district I'll vote in has changed back and forth 042
Brian Kaylor @briankaylor.bsky.social · 22/09/2026The GOP federal judges think it's unfair to vote with different maps in primary & general election. But they miss that it would be even more problematic & unfair to use unlawful map in general election just because Secretary of State forced use of unlawful map in primary. Don't let SoS steal a seat! 130
Brian Kaylor @briankaylor.bsky.social · 22/09/2026The 3 GOP federal appeals court judges paused their ruling to let #SCOTUS consider Missouri's maps for 3rd time this month (previously 2 times backed Mo Supreme Court blocking gerrymandered map). It should be too late for federal courts to change things so hopefully SCOTUS will again block this. 110
Brian Kaylor @briankaylor.bsky.social · 22/09/2026Federal appeals court wants to force use of gerrymandered map in Missouri even though ballots have already been printed & mailed with different map: missouriindependent.com/2026/09/21/a... As I explained at @ms.now recently, this whole mess is because of Mo GOP officials: www.ms.now/opinion/miss...ms.nowOpinion | Missouri Republicans have unleashed pure chaos on us voters ahead of the midterm electionsBrian T. Kaylor: As the midterms approach, the Missouri district I'll vote in has changed back and forth 141
Brian Kaylor @briankaylor.bsky.social · 21/09/2026It is. And he's repeatedly misused the verse that way since May: publicwitness.wordandway.org/p/hegseth-co...publicwitness.wordandway.orgHegseth Conscripts Call of Prophet Isaiah to Serve U.S. Military InterestsPete Hegseth has a new favorite Bible verse he likes to quote in speeches — and it’s not Ezekiel 25:17. In multiple speeches over the past few weeks, the man who likes to call himself “secretary of wa... 000
Reposted by Brian KaylorSarah Posner @sarahposner.bsky.social · 21/09/2026Latest from me @talkingpointsmemo.com: Homan Stumps for Georgia GOPers by Promoting ICE Brutality in Speech to Evangelicals talkingpointsmemo.com/cafe/homan-s...talkingpointsmemo.comHoman Stumps for Georgia GOPers by Promoting ICE Brutality in Speech to EvangelicalsIn Church, Merch, and State, Sarah Posner writes about the intersection of religion and... 1217984
Reposted by Brian KaylorWord&Way @wordandway.bsky.social · 21/09/2026Minneapolis-based journalist and Lutheran minister @angeladenker.bsky.social will moderate two upcoming book talk events, the first with @kkdumez.bsky.social on Oct. 6 and the second with @briankaylor.bsky.social on Oct. 12. Both events are free — sign up today!publicwitness.wordandway.orgUnpacking Christian Nationalism in the Twin CitiesAngela Denker will moderate a book talk with Kristin Du Mez and one with Brian Kaylor. 084
Brian Kaylor @briankaylor.bsky.social · 19/09/2026Hegseth has repeatedly misused Isaiah 6:8 since May (including at 9/11 ceremony: publicwitness.wordandway.org/p/hegseth-us...). But his Texas A&M stop takes biblical abuse to new level. He explicitly took took words of God & put them in mouth of nation. #ChristianNationalism makes idol of the nation 0102
Brian Kaylor @briankaylor.bsky.social · 19/09/2026Hegseth continues to misuse Isaiah 6:8, conscripting the verse for military recruitment. Says he's going on a "Send Me Tour" (by which he really means send you to fight his stupid war). But the verse doesn't mean what he thinks it does: publicwitness.wordandway.org/p/hegseth-co... 4135
Brian Kaylor @briankaylor.bsky.social · 18/09/2026Trump nominates Cissie Graham Lynch (daughter of Franklin Graham) as U.S. ambassador at large for international religious freedom. Hopefully, Senate won't confirm her. But this again confirms Trump doesn't understand or respect true religious freedom. wordandway.org/2026/09/17/c...wordandway.orgCissie Graham Lynch, Granddaughter of Billy Graham, Tapped for Religious Freedom Ambassador - Word&WayIf approved by the Senate, Lynch would hold an office that has been unoccupied since the beginning of the second Trump administration. 182
Brian Kaylor @briankaylor.bsky.social · 17/09/2026Incident at Quaker center in Phily involved local police, not DHS. But Quakers in Philly are covered by an injunction blocking DHS warrantless actions: publicwitness.wordandway.org/p/judge-free... Of course, DHS still spied at Baptist church also covered: publicwitness.wordandway.org/p/dhs-denies...publicwitness.wordandway.orgJudge Freezes ICE Raids at Quaker & Cooperative Baptist ChurchesA coalition of Quakers, Baptists, and Sikhs won round one in faith-based litigation against the Trump administration. 091
Brian Kaylor @briankaylor.bsky.social · 17/09/2026This incident by Philly police follows the recent revelations of DHS spying in churches active in anti-ICE advocacy. The lack of respect for houses of worship is a serious problem. publicwitness.wordandway.org/p/in-worship...publicwitness.wordandway.orgIn Worship and in Court, Churches Respond to DHS Spying in Their BuildingsAt the start of worship on Sunday morning (Aug. 16), Rev. Cody Sanders gave an announcement that’s not what he typically offers: the congregation had been one of several churches “targeted by undercov... 1125
Brian Kaylor @briankaylor.bsky.social · 17/09/2026This is alarming. Armed police officer entered a Quaker center in Philly while anti-ICE meeting was occurring. A Mennonite pastor volunteering at meeting sign-in desk escorted officer out but then that officer & another stayed & surveilled the building for 3 hours. www.inquirer.com/news/no-ice-...inquirer.comAnti-ICE activists question why Philly police showed up at their meeting. The department is investigating.“I don’t know a reason that would have justified the officer walking into the premises,” a police staff inspector said. 35629