Cassy Benefield
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cassybenefield.bsky.social
Cassy Benefield
@cassybenefield.bsky.social
67 followers 160 following 29 posts
Jesus, family, religion reporter, religion nerd, non-fiction books and chocolate lover.
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cassybenefield.bsky.social
Looking for a humorous, and yet sobering, nuts and bolts overview on #ChristianNationalism, "Star-Spangled Jesus" by April Ajoy may be just right. My lates for FāVS News.
@aprilajoy.bsky.social
@favsnews.bsky.social

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‘Star-Spangled Jesus’ tackles christian nationalism
April Ajoy’s memoir “Star-Spangled Jesus” blends humor and insight as she critiques Christian nationalism and rediscovers a more authentic faith.
favs.news
November 7, 2025 at 5:39 PM
cassybenefield.bsky.social
Latest story for FāVS News: Does political rhetoric, some saying people who believe different are "evil," and praising Jesus belong in the same speech or gathering? Got to cover this with my colleague Aaron Hedge. @aaronhedge.bsky.social @favsnews.bsky.social

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Charlie Kirk’s Death Fuels Christian Nationalist Push
After Charlie Kirk’s killing, groups like TPUSA invoke faith to advance political goals. Some Christians say it distorts the message of Jesus.
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October 16, 2025 at 3:22 PM
cassybenefield.bsky.social
My first FAVS News commentary to go national! It's my "Where does evangelical support of Israel come from?" @religionmag.bsky.social @favsnews.bsky.social

religionunplugged.com/news/opinion...
Where Does Evangelical Support For Israel Come From?
(OPINION) As an evangelical Christian, I was taught God told Abraham in Genesis 12:3 that he would bless those who bless him and curse those who curse him. This was further identified with Israel in N...
religionunplugged.com
August 29, 2025 at 2:06 AM
cassybenefield.bsky.social
My latest story for FāVS News. A localized story about the legacy of James Dobson on Christian parenting. #dobson #strongwilledchild
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Spokane parents divided over James Dobson's parenting legacy after his death - FāVS News
Two Spokane mothers share contrasting experiences with James Dobson's parenting methods after the influential Christian author's death at 86.
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August 28, 2025 at 4:53 PM
cassybenefield.bsky.social
My latest for FāVS News. An Ask an Evangelical Question: Where does evangelical support for Israel come from?
@favsnews.bsky.social

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Israel: Exploring the Roots of Evangelical Support
After Oct. 7, one evangelical began questioning blind support for Israel. A personal story about faith, politics, and Palestinian lives.
favs.news
August 25, 2025 at 4:28 AM
cassybenefield.bsky.social
Really proud of my latest story for FāVS News about assisting refugees - this time unaccompanied minors who qualify for foster care in the U.S. What an amazing program we can offer those in need. And right here in our own backyard. @favsnews.bsky.social
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Foster program provides safe haven for refugee youth in Spokane
Spokane families are stepping up to foster unaccompanied refugee minors through a local program
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August 7, 2025 at 5:19 PM
cassybenefield.bsky.social
Washington’s child abuse reporting law begins, but several Orthodox and all Catholic priests in the states get legal breather. My latest piece @favsnews.bsky.social

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Washington's child abuse reporting law begins, but priests get legal breather - FāVS News
Washington’s new clergy child abuse reporting law goes into effect July 27, but Catholic and Orthodox priests secure temporary exemptions
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July 27, 2025 at 7:42 PM
cassybenefield.bsky.social
Latest update on lawsuits against Faith Baptist Church on FāVS News. favs.news/faith-baptis... @favsnews.bsky.social
Faith Baptist Church civil trial over alleged 2005 sexual abuse set for June 2026 - FāVS News
A 2026 trial date has been set for the first of four civil lawsuits alleging Faith Baptist Church in Spokane failed to protect a minor from sexual abuse on its premises.
favs.news
July 25, 2025 at 1:07 AM
cassybenefield.bsky.social
One of my new privileges at FāVS News is writing the "Ask an evangelical" column. This one is about suicide. Over the years, Christianity carried harsh teaching about this subject and its victims. But were those teachings biblical? Read my answer here. @favsnews.bsky.social favs.news/do-christian...
Heartfelt Reflections: Do Christians Who Die by Suicide Go to Heaven?
Do Christians who die by suicide still go to heaven? An evangelical responds with personal faith, biblical insight, and a message of hope and grace
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July 21, 2025 at 4:19 PM
cassybenefield.bsky.social
I get no pleasure for stories like these. @favsnews.bsky.social reports on the current lawsuits against Faith Baptist Church and Faith Academy, retired Pastor Greg Boyle and several alleged abusers for alleged sexual assault and negligence. favs.news/4-lawsuits-f...
4 lawsuits filed against Faith Baptist Church, Academy alleging sexual abuse of minors - FāVS News
Four lawsuits have been filed against Faith Baptist Church (FBC) and Faith Baptist Academy (FA) in Spokane for allegedly failing to protect minors from sexual assault and battery while on the church a...
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June 18, 2025 at 4:46 PM
cassybenefield.bsky.social
This story could pose this question: what would Jesus think is more important here? A priest breaking the confessional or protecting children, as in those who can't stand up and advocate for themselves?

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Orthodox churches join Catholics in suing Washington over confession reporting requirements - FāVS News
Monday, several Orthodox churches filed a federal lawsuit to sue Washington for religious discrimination over the state’s recent passage of a law mandating clergy to report child abuse and neglect, in...
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June 17, 2025 at 5:24 PM
cassybenefield.bsky.social
A breaking news story: Spokane Faith Baptist church being sued for covering up alleged child sexual abuse. Read one survivor's story and then watch her discuss it in more detail on Cult Confessions.

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Spokane church abuse allegations: 2 women file lawsuits against Faith Baptist - FāVS News
Spokane’s Faith Baptist Church has been the subject of instances of assault , with these circumstances being discussed in detail by two survivors of abuse.
favs.news
June 17, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Reposted by Cassy Benefield
favsnews.bsky.social
God, the gospel, gold and goods were all features of the celebrity-led Saturday event called LIFE SURGE in Spokane. It taught God approved of wealth and gold is good. Read more to get a glimpse into this side of American Christianity. @aaronhedge.bsky.social

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Christians flock to 'Life Surge' event, learn God approves of wealth to advance his kingdom - FāVS News
On Saturday, celebrity-led Christian event called Life Surge aimed to teach Christians how to grow their wealth to grow God's kingdom.
favs.news
June 9, 2025 at 4:29 AM
cassybenefield.bsky.social
❗😶❗

www.nytimes.com/2025/05/14/o...
Opinion | We Study Fascism, and We’re Leaving the U.S.
www.nytimes.com
May 16, 2025 at 3:46 AM
cassybenefield.bsky.social
A well-written write-up today on @favsnews.bsky.social on a dream come true for the @salishschool.bsky.social ... an expanded campus to continue teaching youth and their families Salish - keeping their Native language alive for generations to come.
favsnews.bsky.social FāVS News @favsnews.bsky.social · May 15
A decades-long dream has come true for the founders of Salish School of Spokane who purchased land from Catholic Charities of Eastern WA for $1.

They will use the space to build a new campus to expand classroom space for P-12 and Salish immersion training.

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#spokane
Salish School receives land gift from Catholic Charities to establish new campus - FāVS News
Salish School pays $1 to Catholic Charities for riverfront campus - a donation set to aid in Native cultural revival, education and community healing.
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May 16, 2025 at 2:22 AM
cassybenefield.bsky.social
Washington made history today. Washington went from being one of the most permissive states on child abuse reporting laws to one of the strictest. This, after over 20 years trying to change it. My latest for @favsnews.bsky.social

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Gov. Ferguson signs historic bill, mandates clergy to report child abuse — no exemptions - FāVS News
Washington passes historic law mandating clergy report child abuse, ending clergy-penitent privilege, like the Catholic confessional, after decades of resistance.
favs.news
May 2, 2025 at 10:08 PM
Reposted by Cassy Benefield
favsnews.bsky.social
Washington Governor may reinstate clergy as mandatory child abuse reporters — no exemptions

SB 5375 revives a long-abandoned policy and stirs emotional debate over confessional secrecy v. justice for survivors.

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#catholicchurch #washingtonstate
Washington Governor may reinstate clergy as mandatory child abuse reporters — no exemptions - FāVS News
WA’s SB 5375 adds clergy as mandatory child abuse reporters — even for confessions. Survivors await Gov. Ferguson’s signature by May 15.
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April 25, 2025 at 6:11 PM
cassybenefield.bsky.social
Will Gov. Ferguson sign Senate Bill 5375 not only making clergy mandated reporters in WA state law again, but that will not exempt clergy-penitent privilege - those private conversations with elders, clergy, priests, etc., that can be contrued as a type of confession.

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Washington Governor may reinstate clergy as mandatory child abuse reporters — no exemptions - FāVS News
WA’s SB 5375 adds clergy as mandatory child abuse reporters — even for confessions. Survivors await Gov. Ferguson’s signature by May 15.
favs.news
April 26, 2025 at 1:08 AM
cassybenefield.bsky.social
I hope my neighbors will come to this awesome event @favsnews.bsky.social is putting on for our city #Spokane! It's on Sunday and starts at 4 p.m. with our keynote speaker DR. Itohan Idumwonyi talk about Ubuntu. Plus, I am moderating this panel on the next Gen's vision for unity!
April 24, 2025 at 9:46 PM
cassybenefield.bsky.social
My latest for @favsnews.bsky.social. Breaking news and big news for Washington State and the faith communities. Hopefully excellent news for abused children.

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Washington clergy now mandated reporters of child abuse - FāVS News
WA lawmakers passed a bill ending clergy-penitent privilege in child abuse cases, sending it to the governor after a 3-year push.
favs.news
April 12, 2025 at 7:51 PM
cassybenefield.bsky.social
Such an excellent column on @favsnews.bsky.social today.
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Gaza's tragedy is a call to action we cannot ignore - FāVS News
Gaza’s suffering demands urgent attention, writes the author. Read how she urges us to stand in solidarity and act immediately to end the injustice against Gazans and their land.
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April 4, 2025 at 7:12 PM
cassybenefield.bsky.social
I can tell so much love went into our story today on the Trans Day of Visibility Art Show yesterday. @genheywood.bsky.social took the pictures and wrote the story for us!
@favsnews.bsky.social
favsnews.bsky.social FāVS News @favsnews.bsky.social · Mar 30
About 100 visitors visited Spokane's Trans Day of Visibility Art Show in the first hour it opened Saturday. The event took place at Spokane Central Public Library and was sponsored by the library and Odyssey Youth Movement.
Full article: favs.news/photo-essay-...
#transrights #spokane #lgbtqia
March 31, 2025 at 2:27 AM
cassybenefield.bsky.social
Taking on a new aspect of FaVS News: our Ask an Evangelical column. I guess evangelical is still a word I'm OK identifying with. For now. Really I prefer Christ-follower because he is the well-spring of who I am today. favs.news/ask-evangeli...
@favsnews.bsky.social
#evangelical
#askanevangelical
Ask an Evangelical: Why did God send Jesus Christ to die for us? - FāVS News
In this Ask an Evangelical column, the reader asks why did God send his son, Jesus, to die for us. This answer centers on blood, perfect sacrifices and the need for atonement.
favs.news
March 31, 2025 at 2:25 AM
cassybenefield.bsky.social
Beautiful piece about sitting in our imperfections in order to receive the grace of others but more importantly the grace of God. @favsnews.bsky.social

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When someone cares enough to embrace your imperfections - FāVS News
Celebrating imperfection, this piece reflects on how when we care others, despite flaws, grace shines, much like God's grace does in our weakness.
favs.news
March 28, 2025 at 3:46 AM
cassybenefield.bsky.social
Great piece by @aaronhedge.bsky.social on RANGE Media today! @rangemedia.co

rangemedia.co/migrant-deta...
Man detained by ICE in Tacoma back with family
RANGE caught up with Bismark Avornu, who’s lived in the Spokane area for 15 years, where he met his wife and is raising two American children, about his 45 days in a Tacoma processing facility.
rangemedia.co
March 22, 2025 at 1:15 AM