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Cassy Benefield

@cassybenefield.bsky.social

65 followers 160 following 28 posts

Jesus, family, religion reporter, religion nerd, non-fiction books and chocolate lover.

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Cassy Benefield @cassybenefield.bsky.social · 3d

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.

Cassy Benefield @cassybenefield.bsky.social · Aug 29

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

Cassy Benefield @cassybenefield.bsky.social · Aug 28

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.

Cassy Benefield @cassybenefield.bsky.social · Aug 25

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.

Cassy Benefield @cassybenefield.bsky.social · Aug 7

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

Cassy Benefield @cassybenefield.bsky.social · Jul 27

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

Cassy Benefield @cassybenefield.bsky.social · Jul 25

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.

Cassy Benefield @cassybenefield.bsky.social · Jul 21

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

Cassy Benefield @cassybenefield.bsky.social · Jun 18

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...

Cassy Benefield @cassybenefield.bsky.social · Jun 17

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...

Cassy Benefield @cassybenefield.bsky.social · Jun 17

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.

Reposted by Cassy Benefield

FāVS News @favsnews.bsky.social · Jun 9

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.

Cassy Benefield @cassybenefield.bsky.social · May 16

❗😶❗

www.nytimes.com/2025/05/14/o...

Opinion | We Study Fascism, and We’re Leaving the U.S.

www.nytimes.com

Cassy Benefield @cassybenefield.bsky.social · May 16

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.

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.

Cassy Benefield @cassybenefield.bsky.social · May 2

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.

Reposted by Cassy Benefield

FāVS News @favsnews.bsky.social · Apr 25

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.

Cassy Benefield @cassybenefield.bsky.social · Apr 26

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.

Cassy Benefield @cassybenefield.bsky.social · Apr 24

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!

FāVS News @favsnews.bsky.social · Apr 16

A panel of youth advocates will discuss “The Next Generation’s Vision for Unity” on April 27 as part of our Uniting the Inland Northwest event. Learn more about the event below.

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#SpokaneWa #unity #event

Youth leaders to share vision for unity - FāVS News

A panel of youth advocates will discuss "The Next Generation's Vision for Unity" on April 27 as part of the FāVS News' Uniting the Inland Northwest event.

Cassy Benefield @cassybenefield.bsky.social · Apr 12

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.

Cassy Benefield @cassybenefield.bsky.social · Apr 4

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.

Cassy Benefield @cassybenefield.bsky.social · Apr 1

This was a great story idea! And well executed!

Cassy Benefield @cassybenefield.bsky.social · Mar 31

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

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

Cassy Benefield @cassybenefield.bsky.social · Mar 31

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.

Cassy Benefield @cassybenefield.bsky.social · Mar 28

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.

Cassy Benefield @cassybenefield.bsky.social · Mar 25

Hucksters ... the whole lot of 'em!