“Alabama’s decades-old ban on yoga in public schools could stay in place a little longer following push-back from conservative groups,” the AP reports.

“The Alabama Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday did not advance the bill after a public hearing in which representatives from two conservative groups objected, saying they were worried it could lead to the promotion of Hinduism or guided meditation practices.”

Gallup: “Americans’ membership in houses of worship continued to decline last year, dropping below 50% for the first time in Gallup’s eight-decade trend.”

“In 2020, 47% of Americans said they belonged to a church, synagogue or mosque, down from 50% in 2018 and 70% in 1999.”

“One of the most prominent Southern Baptists in the country is leaving the denomination. Beth Moore, an author and speaker who teaches on biblical topics to arenas filled with evangelicals, cited the ‘staggering’ disorientation of seeing denominational leaders support Donald Trump, among other issues,” the New York Times reports.

Said Moore: “There comes a time when you have to say, this is not who I am. I am still a Baptist, but I can no longer identify with Southern Baptists.”

Religion News Service has the bombshell interview.

“A southeastern Missouri preacher went on leave from his church and is seeking professional counseling after giving a sermon that chastised married women who ‘let themselves go’ and held up former first lady Melania Trump as the pinnacle of feminine beauty,” the Associated Press reports.

Said Pastor Stewart-Allen Clark: “I’m not saying every woman can be the epic — the epic – trophy wife of all time like Melania Trump. Most women can’t be trophy wives, but you know… maybe you’re a participation trophy.”

“A splintered U.S. Supreme Court blocked California from enforcing coronavirus-related bans on indoor worship services, but declined to upset other state rules banning singing and chanting and limiting the number of worshipers,” Politico reports.

“The ruling issued just before 11 p.m. ET Friday produced four separate statements by the justices, as well as a convoluted description of what relief various justices would have granted to churches objecting to the limits.”

“However, a majority of the court was only willing to lift the ban California has applied on all indoor worship in Tier 1 counties — those most challenged by Covid-19. The other restrictions remain undisturbed, for now.”

The Vatican launched an investigation after Pope Francis’ official Instagram account liked a picture of a Brazilian bikini model in a scantily-clad schoolgirl outfit, according to Catholic News Agency.

Washington Post: “While most White conservative Christian churches might only touch on politics around election time and otherwise choose to keep the focus during worship on God, politics and religion are inseparable here. The Tennessee congregation is one of three Patriot Churches that formed in September. The other two are near Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va., and in Spokane, Wash.”

“The Patriot Churches belong to what religion experts describe as a loosely organized Christian nationalist movement that has flourished under President Trump. … For many churchgoers in suburban Knoxville, the political boldness in worship is a breath of fresh air. They complain that social media restricts their free speech, and they fear government-mandated vaccines. And whether Trump wins or loses, religion experts believe these Americans are building powerful networks that are expected to endure long after Trump has left the White House.”