How much does what a pastor wears matter?

That’s the question Sam Rainer, president and senior consultant of Church Answers, recently tackled in a thoughtful column that stirred up an age-old debate: Should pastors dress up to show respect and authority, or blend in with their congregation to be more relatable?

The History Behind Clergy Attire

To start, Rainer gives a quick history lesson. “Between the 4th and 6th centuries, early Christian ministers adopted distinctive attire, setting them apart from the people they shepherded,” he writes. While the rest of the Roman and Greek world ditched their robe-like garments, the church kept them for clergy—and that legacy evolved into the vestments still worn today in many denominations.

But for modern evangelical churches, especially those without a liturgical tradition, the rules aren’t so clear.

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Style Still Sends a Message

“How a pastor dresses is ultimately much less important than teaching sound doctrine and caring for the congregation,” Rainer admits. “But people do notice what you wear.”

And he’s not above enjoying fashion himself. “I’m personally into watches and dress shoes. These two hobbies affect my fashion decisions; my church obviously sees these choices when I preach.”

That weekly prep includes polishing shoes and picking a watch strap to match—a routine that stands out in Southwest Florida, where flip-flops are a typical Sunday choice.

Dress Up or Blend In?

Rainer poses two key questions: “Should pastors dress up on Sunday since they are leaders? Or should they try to blend in with the congregation and be more relatable?”

Dressing up, he argues, “signals discipline, preparedness, and respect.” On the other hand, dressing casually “signals relatability and approachability.” According to Rainer, neither is inherently wrong, but you can’t really do both at the same time.

Personality and Age Play a Role

Much of it comes down to personality and background. “You should feel free to dress in a way that fits who you are,” he writes. Rainer admits his taste leans toward the refined—mentioning Omega watches, Edward Green shoes, and even luxury Bible editions as ways people communicate personal values through style.

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But he also offers a warning: “There is a cringe factor when watching a pastor ‘try too hard’ with fashion.” He encourages pastors to let their style evolve with age—and not to be ashamed of it. “It’s OK to graduate from one style to the next as you get older.”

When Casual Becomes High-End

Interestingly, casual doesn’t always mean low-status. “Some sneakers are status symbols, much more so than bespoke oxfords,” he notes. “Forms of casual dress can be a sartorial flex.”

And in the end, Rainer takes a balanced approach: “Be wise about how you dress, but don’t be overly consumed with fashion.”

So, how should a pastor dress? It’s a question worth thinking about.

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James Lasher is staff writer for Charisma Media.

It’s easy for some to dismiss the Bible as just a spiritual text—until history and archaeology step in and back it up, piece by broken piece.

At the ancient site of Megiddo in northern Israel—yes, that Megiddo, the one Revelation calls Armageddon—archaeologists believe they’ve found fresh evidence of a battle the Bible has told us about for over 2,600 years. And it all comes down to some broken Egyptian pottery.

Dr. Assaf Kleiman, a senior lecturer at Ben-Gurion University, led the excavation at Tel Megiddo, a city layered with history from the Copper Age to World War I. But it’s one moment in time they’re zeroing in on: the Battle of Megiddo in 609 B.C., where Josiah, king of Judah, was killed by Egyptian forces led by Pharaoh Necho II.

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“The exposure of so many Egyptian vessels, including fragments of serving bowls, cooking pots, and storage jars, is an exceptional phenomenon,” Kleiman told Fox News Digital. And he’s not talking about trade items. These weren’t imported for friendly exchange. Kleiman believes they were brought in by troops—Egyptian soldiers who fought and defeated Josiah.

Instead of suggesting commerce, Kleiman points to the “crude production technique, functional mixture, and the lack of similar evidence in nearby settlements” as clues these weren’t your everyday imports. These pots were used by soldiers—possibly even during the very battle the Bible records in 2 Kings 23.

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And there’s more. Grecian pottery at the site could indicate that Greek mercenaries—referenced by both Herodotus and Assyrian records—were among the Egyptian forces. Kleiman notes, “The possibility of the participation of such mercenaries in the killing of Josiah may be hinted in prophetic works in the Bible.”

To be clear, there’s no definitive archaeological proof of Josiah’s physical remains or a labeled battlefield plaque. But Kleiman says the king’s existence “has never been doubted in biblical and historical scholarship.” He adds, “Literacy was more common in that era, and thus his reign was most likely documented by scribes who witnessed the events in real time.”

Still think the Bible’s just a book of spiritual metaphors?

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From the Babylonian chronicles to fragments of jars buried for centuries, history keeps confirming what Scripture already told us. Even the idea that some of the so-called Ten Lost Tribes weren’t completely deported to Mesopotamia is being challenged. According to Kleiman, “This suggests that the social fabric of Megiddo in the Assyrian Era must have been composed of a significant portion of local populations.”

What we’re witnessing is archaeology catching up to the Bible. With every shovel of dirt and shard of pottery, the biblical narrative is being reinforced—not just as a spiritual guide, but as a legitimate historical record.

The evidence is stacking up, and it’s not just theological—it’s physical. Scripture continues to be validated by the dust of the earth, the marks of battles long past, and the records etched in ancient clay.

Critics are increasingly eager to discard the Bible, but it’s the stones that cry out the truth. And they’re telling us it’s not just a book of faith—it’s a book of facts.

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James Lasher is staff writer for Charisma Media.

Seventeen-year-old Canaan James Hill from Dallas didn’t just sing at his American Idol audition—he ministered.

In the final round of auditions before Hollywood Week, Hill stepped in front of the judges and delivered a powerhouse gospel performance of Earnest Pugh’s “I Need Your Glory” that had everyone—literally—on their feet.

“We’re a gospel family,” Hill told host Ryan Seacrest before taking the stage. Inspired by his grandfather’s singing, Hill said, “I was like, ‘Wow, I want to do that.’” And do that he did.

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Judges Carrie Underwood, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan couldn’t contain their reactions. As Hill belted out the lyrics, Richie leaned back in his chair, threw up his hands and eventually broke into what could only be described as a Holy Ghost dance.

“Anybody in here need His glory? I need Your power. Less of me and more of You. The Lord is what I need,” Hill sang, prompting Richie to spring to his feet.

Underwood was left nearly speechless. “Smooth but powerful,” she said, thanking Hill for “bringing your gift.”

Richie, visibly moved, approached Hill after his performance and placed a hand on his shoulder. “Would you do that again?” he asked. “That was powerful. You have been so blessed.”

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Hill didn’t miss a beat. He immediately gave God the glory.

“That was something so spectacular, I just can’t even describe what I heard,” Richie said.

Even Bryan joined in the praise—with his signature humor. “When you sing in church, what do people do? Do they just run to the baptism pit and jump in it and get saved immediately?”

All three judges gave Hill a resounding yes, awarding him the platinum ticket—which allows him to skip the first round of Hollywood Week.

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“You get to sit back [in the first round] and watch all the people you’re gonna slay,” Richie told him.

Backstage, Hill was ready for the journey ahead. “I am so ready to spread the Gospel and that’s what I am going to do,” he said.

As the cameras cut back to the judges, Richie summed it up perfectly: “That boy right there was possessed.” To which Underwood replied, “By the Holy Spirit.”

“You have never seen me act like that before,” Richie added.

Hill’s audition may have been for a singing competition, but it turned into a moment of worship, and America took notice.

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James Lasher is staff writer for Charisma Media.

In a bold move aimed at reshaping U.S. trade policy, President Donald Trump has declared Apr. 2, as “Liberation Day,” unveiling a series of new tariffs intended to bolster domestic manufacturing and address trade imbalances. The announcement marks one of the administration’s most aggressive steps toward redefining America’s economic relationships.

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President Trump says these measures are designed to correct longstanding trade disparities, rejuvenate domestic industries and ultimately reduce prices for American consumers. The tariffs are set to be “reciprocal,” matching the duties that other nations impose on U.S. goods. 

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White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said, “April 2nd, 2025, will go down as one of the most important days in modern American history.”

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While specific details are still emerging, reports indicate the administration is considering a 25% tariff on auto imports. Additionally, tariffs on steel and aluminum imports are also reportedly expected. The White House has indicated that these tariffs will take effect immediately.

To read the full story, please visit our content partners at CBN.

Reprinted with permission from . Copyright © 2025 The Christian Broadcasting Network Inc. All rights reserved.

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Jonathan Cahn just revealed a game-changing announcement.

In a recent video, Cahn revealed two exciting pieces of information. First, he announced that he is currently working on a new book. Second, he unveiled that his book, “The Harbinger,” is coming to life in a brand-new format. The New York Times best seller that has changed people’s lives around the world, will soon be available as a graphic novel.

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Since its release, “The Harbinger” has impacted millions, sparking repentance, prayer movements and even leading many to salvation. Cahn encourages believers to use this new tool for evangelism, gifting it to those in need of salvation.

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“Pray that God powerfully uses it to reach people who could not be reached before,” says Cahn.

Watch the video below to hear Cahn’s full announcement.

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Abby Trivett is content development editor for Charisma Media.

At a recent college campus event, Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk made a bold statement that’s gaining attention: he believes Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs are “unbiblical.”

Responding to a question from a self-described faith-based Democrat, Kirk took the opportunity to explain why he views DEI as fundamentally at odds with Christian teachings.

“I’m going to make a case—and I don’t know if it’ll be persuasive to you—why I think DEI is unbiblical,” Kirk told the audience.

Kirk began by pointing out that, while Jesus was both compassionate and inclusive, He also spoke hard truths. Referencing John 8, Kirk noted how Jesus told the adulterous woman to “sin no more” after preventing her from being stoned.

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“He was 100% grace and truth,” Kirk said. “That tension is very hard in a modern world because we want to overemphasize grace, when in reality Christ loves us too much to have us continue to live in sin.”

When the topic turned to DEI, Kirk didn’t hold back. He challenged the popular assumption that DEI is simply about understanding different perspectives.

“I’m going to go down to just the academic textbook definition of DEI,” he said, referencing the ideological roots of the movement. “Instead of having a goal of race blindness, they want a goal of race obsession and race consciousness—that we should talk about race more, not less.”

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For Kirk, this focus on racial identity directly contradicts Scripture.

“When the apostle Paul wrote, he said, ‘Neither slave nor Greek nor Jew, but we are all one in Christ Jesus,’” Kirk said. “Essentially stating that racial differences are indifferent—mean nothing—to the Almighty God.”

Kirk went further, arguing that DEI programs elevate skin color over the soul and character of a person.

“We should only care about character and the soul of an individual, not the melanin content in their skin,” he said.

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In his view, DEI’s implementation across corporate and academic institutions has created a culture where racial and gender identities are used as tools for discrimination, particularly against white men.

“What DEI does through hiring practices, racial quotas and many other different ways that I could list, is that it has an emphasis on things that the Bible does not categorize as important,” Kirk said. “In fact, it says the exact opposite.”

While the conversation was civil and the questioner emphasized the value of learning about others’ experiences, Kirk’s central message was clear: “Care less about people’s shared racial experience and look at them instead just as their soul as God made them.”

Whether or not his take on DEI is persuasive to everyone, Kirk’s remarks highlight a growing divide between biblical values and some of today’s dominant cultural ideologies.

And as he wrapped up his answer, the audience applauded—not just for the commentary, but for the courage to say what many believers may be thinking, but few are saying publicly.

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James Lasher is staff writer for Charisma Media.

What does a U.S. Army general have to say about demons, spiritual warfare and unforgiveness?

A lot, actually.

In a recent interview with Tyler Feller, retired Maj. Gen. Kurt Fuller shares a powerful testimony about his time in combat—and how it opened his eyes to a much deeper kind of warfare: the spiritual kind.

Fuller, a seasoned combat veteran, doesn’t shy away from discussing spiritual battles with the same seriousness as physical ones.

“There’s a leadership principle when you’re training somebody,” Fuller says. “You want to take them to this place of having an unconscious competence—a basic understanding that they can do what they do without thinking about it.”

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That kind of training, he explains, is critical in both military and spiritual life. Soldiers in the field don’t have time to think when under attack—they just react. He says Christians should be trained the same way to respond to attacks from the enemy.

“If soldiers were out there doing their normal daily stuff and they get attacked by the enemy and they don’t respond, they’re all going to get killed,” Fuller says. “And the same is true in the spiritual thing. Although you’re not going to die physically, but you know, that sin could lead to spiritual death for sure.”

A Near Miss in Afghanistan

Fuller shares an intense personal encounter he had while flying in a helicopter over a battlefield in Afghanistan. What started as a simple prayer turned into a full-blown demonic attack.

“I was praying as I was in a helicopter and flying across the battlefield,” Fuller recalls. “There was some pretty serious stuff going on—big gunfight—and I was praying.”

He had been declaring the region for the kingdom of God. But something didn’t like that.

“This thing got inside my head,” Fuller says. “It told me I needed to jump out of the helicopter. And it was unbelievably powerful.”

Fuller was overwhelmed for nearly a minute. “I had my hand on my harness. I was going to jump out of that helicopter,” he says.

But then something clicked.

“I realized this isn’t natural. It’s unnatural. These aren’t my thoughts. I don’t think that way. So if it’s not natural, it’s supernatural. So I said, ‘OK, now I know what to do.’ And as soon as I started praying and I said the name of Jesus, the attack ended.”

The Root Was Unforgiveness

That attack caused Fuller to go deep into spiritual warfare studies. What he learned surprised him.

“I thought I had on the full armor of God,” he says. “But the Lord showed me that I had unrepented sin in my life. And that’s why that thing got access to me.”

What sin?

“The sin was the spirit—the heart that I was entering into the conflict with. Because it was all about vengeance. These people killed my men, and they’re going to pay the price for that.”

It was a revelation that changed everything for him.

“The Lord showed me that they’re not His enemies. He showed me that they’re the victims. And that they’re the captives that Jesus came to set free.”

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And what’s more—he had to forgive them.

“Now this is the real kicker,” Fuller says. “The Lord showed me not only are they not your enemy, but you have to forgive them.”

Even though they didn’t ask for it. Even though they didn’t deserve it.

“And Jesus said, ‘If you don’t forgive, then my Father in heaven won’t forgive you,’” Fuller adds.

Parallels Between Military and Spiritual Warfare

Throughout the interview, Fuller lays out several key parallels between military operations and spiritual life:

• Unconscious Competence: Soldiers must train to respond instinctively—believers must do the same in spiritual battle.
• Instant Reaction to Threats: In war, hesitation kills. In spiritual warfare, it leads to sin and spiritual destruction.
• Vigilance: Just as soldiers must always be on alert, Christians must stay spiritually alert to demonic thoughts and attacks.
• Understanding the Battlefield: Physical enemies are visible—spiritual enemies are not, but they’re just as real and dangerous.
• The Power of Forgiveness: Victory in both realms sometimes requires releasing hatred and embracing mercy.

No PTSD—Only Growth

Despite years of combat, Fuller says he doesn’t suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder.

“No,” he answers simply when asked about PTSD. “I definitely experienced trauma. Anybody in a combat zone is going to. The question is, what do you do with it? How do you process it?”

He credits God for helping him find “post-traumatic growth” instead of distress.

“It wasn’t me,” Fuller says. “It was obviously the Lord. The Spirit in me is what keeps me balanced there.”

We live in a society that often separates faith and reality, Gen. Fuller offers a sobering reminder: the battles we don’t see are just as real as the ones we do—and we’d better be trained to fight both.

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James Lasher is staff writer for Charisma Media.

Everywhere I go, I meet Christians who were hurt in a church or wounded by the words and actions of other believers. Some people become bitter because of these experiences. Others throw up their hands and give up on church altogether. And a few even leave the faith. The typical scenarios of “church hurt” might include these:

• A pastor may have demanded too much from you as a staff member or a volunteer, and you felt
  unappreciated or even abused
• An immature church member was put in a leadership position and ended up hurting you or
  others
• A Christian you trusted betrayed your confidence by sharing your personal secrets with others
• A pastor or leader you admired had a serious moral failure and you felt betrayed by his or her
  sinful choices
• A church you attended experienced a serious split because of doctrinal differences or
  denominational politics

When church hurt happens, the devil has a field day. He loves to divide and conquer by sowing discord. His ultimate goal is to keep Christians angry at each other so we can’t join hearts in a common purpose.

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Have you given up on church because of betrayal, disappointment, mistreatment or offense? If you or someone you love has been hurt in church, I recommend taking these steps:

Forgive from your heart. The first step is always forgiveness. Don’t fall into the trap of justifying your right to be offended. You may be tempted to scream, “But you don’t understand what they did to me!” God understands — but He requires you to let go of the pain. The Word is clear: “Even as Christ forgave you, so you must do” (Col. 3:13b, MEV).

Learn from the other person’s mistakes. I have mentors who taught me much about God, leadership and ministry. But I also have learned a lot from watching the mistakes leaders make. If someone in ministry hurts you, make a mental note: “That is not the way I want to treat people.” You can actually turn your disappointments into blessings if you learn from them.

Remain humble. Pride thrives in bitter soil. If you allow anger or resentment to lodge in your heart, it won’t be long before your character is completely poisoned. Your desire to prove your point will inflate your ego—and God will resist you. Paul told the Galatians: “For if someone thinks himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself” (Gal. 6:3). Don’t let someone else’s mistake turn you into a monster.

Try to make peace. Never let an offense destroy a relationship. It’s childish just to walk away. Does the leader know how he or she hurt you? Make an appointment and share your heart. Give the other person a chance to apologize or give an explanation. Our tendency is always to magnify the other person’s mistakes while we excuse our own wrong behavior. It’s never wise to break a relationship without making every effort at reconciliation. If you feel you can’t talk to the person because of intimidation, write a letter and explain the situation.

Stay in fellowship. The devil is like a wolf — he isolates his victims before he attacks. Many people who are hurt by leaders leave church altogether. It’s OK to take a short break to recover. But if you go two months, then six months and then a year without being in close fellowship with other Christians, you are making yourself vulnerable. You may be tempted to believe that there are no healthy pastors or churches in your area — but I dare you to disprove that.

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Get godly counsel. It is never wise to walk through a relationship breakup without getting an outside perspective. You may think you are the victim — until a friend points out your own blind spots. Share what happened with trusted, spiritually mature people and ask them how you should respond. If what a leader did to you was criminal (like sexual abuse or financial exploitation), you may have to consult a lawyer. But in most cases, you will simply need to forgive and renounce any desire for revenge. Practice Romans 12:17a: “Repay no one evil for evil.”

Move on. I’ve met Christians who still nurse the same grudges after 30 years. They keep their pain alive by reliving the offense over and over. As a result, they are stuck in an endless loop. And no one wants to be around them because their sarcasm is so toxic. You must let go. Say what Jesus said on the cross: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).

Don’t wait too long to reconnect. We need relationships to be healthy. Don’t let an offense keep you from building friendships, and don’t let the enemy whisper lies to you about a pastor or a church. You cannot thrive in isolation. Leave your offenses at the cross and don’t let anyone’s mistakes prevent you from being a part of God’s family.

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In a recent message, Mike Thompson encourages believers to expand their faith and vision as doors of opportunity are opening in this season. Thompson shares that God is inviting His people to break free from limiting thoughts and embrace the supernatural potential available through Christ. It’s not just about hard work, but about recognizing the power of God’s anointing to bring increase.

Thompson begins by recounting a powerful vision he received of a soldier from biblical times standing on his land. The soldier took aim with his bow and shot an arrow, representing the extent to which God wanted to bless him. This image serves as a reminder that, through obedience, believers can increase their territory and enjoy God’s rewards in their lives.

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This spiritual encouragement is meant to help believers understand the gravity of what it means to hold onto the passions, dreams and visions God has given them. Just as past memories hold power to influence emotions, thoughts and actions, future memories can drive believers toward their destiny. For instance, the apostle Paul, in Acts 26:19, said, “I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision,” showing that memories of God’s promises shape actions and outcomes.

“You are the Lion’s Army,” Thompson says. “You have done great warfare against the enemy to tear down all of the strongholds. The Lord wants to reward you in this season.”

The power of this prophetic imagination is transformative. God’s Word paints vivid pictures of prosperity, health and success—promises that believers can hold onto in faith. When God speaks through Scripture or gives personal visions, these images must be cherished and revisited in prayer, confession and meditation. This helps create a strong sense of direction and authority, making the vision a living, active force in the believer’s life.

To make these heavenly visions a reality, Thompson presents four questions for reflection:

1. Can you see yourself prosperous and successful?
2. How do you stay connected to the memory of that vision?
3. What can you do today to move toward its manifestation?
4. How can you protect the vision from the enemy’s attempts to steal it?

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Thompson stresses that the key to prosperity is not in self-effort but in God’s anointing. He warns against the temptation of trying to manipulate God’s promises through fleshly efforts, using the example of Abraham and Sarah, who initially created an “Ishmael” by taking matters into their own hands, instead of waiting for God’s perfect timing.

As you step into this season of divine opportunity, remember that God has already placed a vision for success and prosperity within you. The key is to see it, believe it and walk in faith toward it. By meditating on His promises, declaring His Word and taking Spirit-led action, you align yourself with the heavenly vision He has given you. Don’t let fear, doubt or the enemy’s tactics steal what God has shown you. Instead, embrace the power of prophetic memory, trust in His perfect timing and move forward with boldness.

Your future is waiting—step into it with faith and authority!

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Abby Trivett is content development editor for Charisma Media.

Utah has become the first state to prohibit pride flags from flying in state government buildings and public schools.

Governor Spencer Cox (R) allowed the bill to become law without his signature. Cox said that he had “serious concerns” about HB77 but believed the Republican majority would override a potential veto.

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“As tired as Utahns are of politically divisive symbols, I think they are also tired of culture war bills that don’t solve the problems they intend to fix,” the governor wrote in a letter obtained by The Salt Lake Tribune. “In an attempt to make some kids feel more welcome, other kids feel less welcome. I appreciate that the bill is neutral on the types of flags in question (and I find it strange that no headline reads ‘MAGA flags banned from classrooms’).”

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Cox wrote that he has asked the State Board of Education to “continue their work to find ways to make our classrooms more politically neutral.”

“The idea that kids can only feel welcome in a school if a teacher puts up a rainbow flag is just wrong,” he noted in the letter. “Let’s do everything possible to make our classrooms one of the last remaining politically neutral places in our state.”

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The governor added that he thinks “it’s wrong for city and county officials to fly divisive flags,” explaining that “elections have consequences and the best way to stop that behavior is to elect people who believe differently. All this bill does is add more fuel to the fire.”

Under HB77, flags that may be displayed include those of the United States, the state flag, flags representing cities, the military, Native American tribes, colleges and universities, and the Olympics.

The law takes effect on May 7.

This article originally appeared on American Faith, and is reposted with permission.

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