Prominent Alaska church defies mayor’s order restricting religious services
Anchorage Baptist Temple is standing up to Anchorage Mayor Ethan Berkowitz’s latest emergency order that bans churches from having more than 15 people in attendance. On Sunday, Aug. 9, Pastor Ron Hoffman gave an inspired sermon to a large gathering inside
Eastman vs. Sumner for Alaska House: Here’s where they stand
In the race for the Alaska House seat in District 10 (Wasilla), the Alaska Watchman is not making any endorsements. In order to give voters a better idea of how the candidates differ, we sent questions to both incumbent Rep. David Eastman and his Republican
Alaska Attorney General supports high school coach’s right to pray on field
Alaska Attorney General Kevin Clarkson joined 21 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief to the Ninth Circuit in support of a Washington state high school football coach who was fired for exercising his religious freedom by praying after games. Kennedy,
Alaskans scramble to save historic church from falling off cliff
One of the oldest churches in Alaska, and a spiritual treasure to Orthodox Alaska Natives, is on the verge of falling off a massive cliff on Kodiak Island. Built in 1888 by the Russian Orthodox, The Ascension of Our Lord Chapel located near the remote Village
Legal fight possible if Anchorage bans counseling for unwanted same-sex attraction
A leading national attorney warned of legal challenges if the Anchorage Assembly presses ahead with a proposed ban on counseling that aims to help minors overcome unwanted same-sex attraction or gender identity confusion. “So much of this counseling is
The bizarre inconsistency of our Catholic bishops
In these days of Alphabet Madness (COVID, LGBTQ, BLM, CHAZ), many Catholic bishops of the Western world fall lockstep into bizarre inconsistencies. Despite their oft-displayed role as shepherds with their mitre-and-crook and ceremonial affairs, many often
Workshop looks to help Anchorage defend parental rights in face of proposed LGBT ordinance
The day before the Anchorage Assembly takes up debate over an ordinance to outlaw counseling for minors with unwanted same-sex attraction, a conference will occur in Anchorage to help equip parents to take a stand against the measure. Hosted by the Alaska
Let’s cancel the cancel culture
Cancel culture destroys empathy and compassion for others. President Obama addressed this disturbing trend in 2019. Speaking last October at an event in Chicago, the former president criticized the desire of many young people to demonstrate how “woke”
Municipal Attorney: Anchorage mayor’s new order doesn’t apply to churches
In imposing his latest COVID-19 mandate Mayor Ethan Berkowitz’s emergency order made no mention of religious entities. According to July 24 email Municipal Attorney Kathryn Vogel, however, churches are still under a previous order in which gatherings of 500
Mayor’s latest emergency order again treats Anchorage churches as non-essential
Update from editor: While the actual text of Mayor Berkowitz’s latest emergency order makes no mention of churches or religious exemptions, his legal department clarified on July 23 that churches will be allowed to operate under a previous order which
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