religion

Churches are mobilizing voters ahead of the Nov. 3 election, with faith leaders divided over whether religious beliefs should guide abortion laws or protect individual choice. Amendment 3 would reinstate an abortion ban in Missouri.

While Republican Sen. Roger Marshall has blamed Hamilton for one-fourth of churches leaving the denomination, church members and experts say the answer is more complex.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints temple, located in northwest Wichita, is the first built in the state. It will give the state’s more than 45,000 church members a closer place to perform sacred worship.

The Society of St. Pius X — a faction of conservative, traditionalist Catholics who reject major reforms adopted in the 1960s — boasts The Immaculata in St. Mary’s, Kansas, as one of its largest churches worldwide. The SSPX caused a schism in the Catholic Church earlier this month when it ordained new bishops against the orders of Pope Leo.

The Rev. Adam Hamilton thinks that faith can play a role in turning the political tide towards Democrats during the midterm elections. The Leawood pastor spoke with KCUR’s Up To Date about the issues important to him in his run for a Kansas U.S. Senate seat, and about bridging the divide in Washington.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been building more temples over the past decade. A new one under construction in Wichita will open later this year.

Missouri schools will be required to outline prohibited antisemitic behavior in their codes of conduct. Most opposition came from Democrats who voiced concerns the bill would discourage debate about conflict in the Middle East.

Debate is growing among Catholics in Kansas City and beyond after President Donald Trump criticized Pope Leo XIV over the Iran war, and shared an AI-generated image of himself as Jesus.

A Missouri bill would forbid state and local governments from restricting religious services during a state health emergency.

The legislation underwent major changes in the Senate, including new reporting requirements for all forms of discrimination. But some House Democrats still dissented, saying it will discourage discussion about the Middle East.

The Missouri House passed over 20 bills on Thursday, sending most of them to the Senate. It is unclear how many of them will make it to Gov. Mike Kehoe.

Supporters say the bill would expand placement options for children in state custody, while critics worry it could shelter bad actors — following years of abuse allegations at unlicensed boarding schools in Missouri.