Weekly Roundup: September 6th
Updated: Sep 12
This week’s religious freedom news takes us across the country and into some important conversations about faith, government, safety, and belonging.
From clergy members putting their freedom on the line in protest of immigration enforcement, to a federal judge weighing whether immigration arrests can take place at houses of worship, religious communities continue to find themselves directly involved in some of the nation’s biggest debates.
At the same time, Jewish communities are facing growing security concerns, a Tennessee couple is challenging religious discrimination in the foster-care system, and past comments about Wicca and witchcraft are receiving renewed attention as a former Navy officer moves toward one of the military’s highest positions.
Not every story this week is about Paganism specifically. Religious freedom is interconnected. The legal precedents, public rhetoric, and policies affecting one minority faith can ultimately shape the landscape for all of us.
So, as we do each week, here’s a look at the stories worth knowing and the conversations that could have a lasting impact on religious communities across the United States.
Legal News:
Seven Vermont Clergy Arrested Protesting ICE Targeting Center
Seven clergy members were arrested September 4 in Williston, Vermont, after blocking the entrances to a building housing the National Criminal Analysis and Targeting Center, which assists Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations. The group was made up of a United Methodist, United Church of Christ, Episcopal, Quaker and various other Unitarian Universalist leaders.
The clergy members prayed, sang and read the names of people they said had died during interactions with ICE or while in detention. Vermont State Police charged those arrested with unlawful trespass.
The demonstration is part of a larger display of religious leaders becoming involved in protests and legal challenges surrounding immigration enforcement. Religion News Service reports that dozens of religious groups and faith leaders have filed lawsuits challenging immigration policies since the beginning of the Trump administration.
Why we're watching: Religious conscience and civil disobedience have a long history in American religious life, and these protests raise questions about how religious communities understand their obligations when they believe government policies conflict with their faith.
Federal Judge Blocks Some Immigration Arrests at Houses of Worship
A federal judge in Maryland has issued a temporary injunction preventing federal immigration authorities from making arrests at houses of worship operated by several religious organizations involved in the lawsuit.
The case involves Quaker, Sikh and Cooperative Baptist organizations challenging a federal policy that rescinded previous guidelines limiting immigration enforcement near "protected areas," including houses of worship.
Judge Theodore Chuang ruled that the policy could interfere with the plaintiffs' religious exercise.
The ruling requires the government to continue following a 2021 policy limiting immigration enforcement at or near the plaintiffs' houses of worship.
Importantly, the ruling is not nationwide. It applies specifically to the houses of worship operated by the organizations that brought the case.
Why we're watching: This is directly connected to religious liberty. The case asks what happens when the presence or possibility of government enforcement affects whether people feel safe attending religious services.
The Debates:
Navy Secretary Nominee's Past Comments About 'Witchcraft' Resurface
President Donald Trump has nominated acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao to become the permanent Secretary of the Navy. Cao, a former Navy special operations officer, has served as acting secretary for around four months.
The nomination has also brought renewed attention to comments Cao made during his 2023 Senate campaign. He described the Monterey area as a "really dark place" with "a lot of witchcraft" and claimed that the Wiccan community had "really taken over" there.
The comments previously prompted a witch-themed gathering at Lovers Point in Pacific Grove and other responses from local residents. KSBW notes that, despite Cao referring to Lovers Point as being in Monterey, the landmark is actually in Pacific Grove. If confirmed by the Senate, Cao would oversee both the Navy and Marine Corps.
Why we're watching: Comments about Wicca and witchcraft from someone being nominated for a senior federal position are particularly relevant to minority-faith communities. It becomes especially relevant when language characterizes a religious community as "dark" or threatening. Cao potentially having an impactful role within our government could shape how minority faiths are viewed on a broader scale.
Our Source: https://www.ksbw.com/article/trump-nominates-acting-navy-secretary-monterey-witchcraft/73586416
Discrimination and Bullying:
CAIR Condemns Anti-Muslim Remarks at Jewish American Summit
The Council on American-Islamic Relations and its Los Angeles chapter are calling on organizers of the Jewish American Summit to apologize and further condemn anti-Muslim remarks made at the event in Los Angeles.
According to CAIR, a speaker at the summit made comments telling Muslims to leave the United States, and the audience applauded. CAIR identified the speaker as Mosab Hassan Yousef and called on the event's organizers and participants to refuse the remarks.
The organization also connected the incident to broader concerns about anti-Muslim discrimination and violence. These statements come from CAIR and represent the organization's characterization of the incident; the controversy centers on remarks made during the summit and the response to them.
Why we're watching: Religious freedom protections apply across faith traditions. Public rhetoric targeting Muslims is part of the broader conversation about religious discrimination, religious pluralism and the treatment of minority faith communities in the United States.
American Synagogues Are Spending More Than Ever on Security
As Jewish communities prepare for the High Holidays, synagogues across the country are confronting an increasingly difficult question: How do you make a house of worship safer without turning it into a fortress?
A report from The Forward, republished by Religion News Service, examines the growing security costs facing American Jewish institutions. The Secure Community Network estimates that Jewish institutions in the United States now spend approximately $765 million to $1 billion annually on security and safety.
One Michigan synagogue, Temple Israel in Bloomfield, is spending millions on security improvements following a March attack. Those measures include a new gatehouse, artificial intelligence technology and physical and ballistic upgrades.
But security comes with another concern: maintaining the open, welcoming nature of religious communities. Congregations are increasingly having to balance physical safety, financial sustainability and accessibility for people who simply want to worship.
Why we're watching: The security challenges facing Jewish communities also raise a broader question for minority religions: How can houses of worship protect their congregations while remaining open and accessible spaces for their communities?
Tennessee Jewish Couple Challenges Foster Care Religious Discrimination
A Tennessee court was asked to rule in favor of Elizabeth and Gabriel Rutan-Ram, a Jewish couple from Knox County who say they were denied foster-care services by a state-funded, religiously affiliated agency because they are Jewish.
The couple's attorneys argue that Tennessee's system violates provisions of the Tennessee Constitution concerning religious freedom and equal protection by allowing taxpayer-funded foster agencies to use religious eligibility requirements when serving prospective parents.
Americans United for Separation of Church and State, DLA Piper and Kramer Law Center are representing the couple. The case, Rutan-Ram v. Tennessee Department of Children's Services, centers on the intersection of religious freedom, taxpayer-funded services and the ability of religious organizations participating in government programs to set eligibility requirements based on faith.
Why we're watching: This case raises a question that extends far beyond Tennessee. When religious organizations provide government-funded services, how much freedom should they have to make decisions based on religious beliefs?
The Bigger Picture
Taken together, this week's stories touch on several recurring issues in American religious life:
Religious conscience: Clergy are participating in civil demonstrations based on their understanding of their religious obligations.
Minority-faith representation: Comments about Wicca and witchcraft are receiving renewed attention as their speaker moves toward a major federal leadership position.
Religious safety: Jewish congregations are spending unprecedented amounts to protect worshippers while trying to preserve open houses of worship.
Religion and government enforcement: Courts are being asked to determine when government actions near religious spaces interfere with religious exercise.
Faith and public services: The Tennessee foster-care case examines what happens when religious organizations participate in government-funded programs.
And that's ultimately what makes these stories worth following for our community: religious freedom isn't only about one religion. It is about what happens when the beliefs, practices and institutions of religious minorities encounter the power of government.
Upcoming:
Pagan, Witchcraft & Earth-Centered
Mabon / Autumn Equinox — September 22, 2026
A major Pagan/Wiccan seasonal observance associated with the autumn equinox, harvest, balance, and the transition into the darker half of the year. Different traditions interpret Mabon differently.
Samhain — October 31–November 1
One of the most significant observances in many modern Pagan and Wiccan traditions, associated with the end of the harvest season and remembrance of the dead.
Astrology:
For September 6–12, 2026, the big story is September 10, when several major shifts happen within about a day: a New Moon in Virgo, Venus entering Scorpio, Mercury entering Libra, and Uranus turning retrograde in Gemini.
September 6 — Moon in Cancer
Today, the Moon is moving through Cancer, putting an emphasis in astrology on home, family, emotional security and belonging. The Moon also makes several aspects involving Mars, Saturn, Neptune and Pluto today, which astrologers may interpret as an emotionally intense or somewhat complicated day.
September 10 — New Moon in Virgo:
This is probably the biggest event of the week.
The New Moon occurs in Virgo, traditionally associated with organization, work, health, routines, service and practical improvement. Astrologically, New Moons are associated with beginnings and setting intentions.
A Time to Reset:
Rather than the generic "manifest your dreams" approach, you could explore the traditional symbolism of clearing out what isn't working, tending to the mundane, and bringing spiritual practice into everyday life.
Venus moves into Libra:
Venus moves from Libra into Scorpio on September 10. In traditional astrology, Venus relates to love, relationships, beauty, pleasure and values, while Scorpio is associated with intensity, intimacy, transformation and things beneath the surface.
Mercury enters Libra:
Mercury enters Libra, shifting the astrological emphasis toward communication, diplomacy, relationships and weighing different perspectives.
Uranus turns retrograde in Gemini:
Uranus begins its retrograde in Gemini on September 10 and remains retrograde for several months. In astrology, Uranus is associated with disruption, innovation, unconventional thinking and sudden change; Gemini is associated with communication, information and ideas.
September 22 — Sun enters Libra
Then we move into Libra season on September 22, the same day as the autumn equinox.
That's a great Unity Press story opportunity because you can combine:
Autumn Equinox and Libra Season
Themes include:
Balance
Equilibrium
Relationships
Justice
Partnership
The transition from light toward darkness
Seasonal change
September 26 — Full Moon in Aries
The month finishes with a Full Moon in Aries on September 26. Astrologically, Aries is associated with independence, action, courage and self-assertion.
PUP-dates:
We’ve been busy behind the scenes, and we’re excited to finally start rolling out some of the things we’ve been working on!
Introducing CovenFinder
Finding your local Pagan community shouldn’t feel like searching for a needle in a haystack.
We’re building a CovenFinder organized by groups, covens, and churches, with listings broken down by state so you can find communities near you.
Our goal is to start with at least two listings in every state and keep growing the directory as more groups and organizations join us.
Whether you’re looking for your first coven, a Pagan church, a study group, or simply a community to connect with, we want to make finding your people a little easier.
CovenFinder Link: https://www.paganunitypress.com/covenfinder
Supporting Small & Local Businesses
We’re also creating a space to highlight small businesses and community resources in each state.
That includes things like:
Metaphysical shops
Therapists and mental health professionals
Interfaith spaces available for rent
Pagan-friendly businesses and services
Other local resources serving our communities
Our goal is to help people find the resources they need while putting a spotlight on the small businesses and organizations that keep our communities thriving.
Help Us Keep Building
All of this takes time, research, hosting, media, and other costs to maintain.
We want these directories to remain a community resource, not a pay-to-play advertising platform. That’s why we’re asking for donations to help us cover the media and operational costs of keeping these services available.
If you believe in making Pagan and minority-faith communities easier to find, connect with, and support, we’d love your help.
🌳 Support the project: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=232VF5F9UXY56
📝 Submit your group or business: https://forms.gle/zif6Eq5h9bHxe8B29
And if you know a coven, church, shop, therapist, community space, or other local resource that should be listed, send them our way!
We’re building this together.
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