Holy Relics

Riot police surrounded a Sudanese court as proceedings began Thursday against a British teacher charged with inciting religious hatred over letting her pupils name a teddy bear Muhammad. read more…

I have a friend who dedicated her first book to her husband, “without whom this would never have been possible.” Years later, when the husband was gone, she used to fantasize about tweaking her dedication: “To my husband, without whom this book would have been done five years earlier.” read more…

A wise man once said it was easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to get into heaven – and it used to be nearly as tough for a Democratic candidate to take a presidential campaign to a conservative evangelical church. read more…

Republican presidential up-and-comer Mike Huckabee won an important endorsement Wednesday that could help boost his standing among conservatives ? the backing of Christian evangelist Jerry Falwell?s son, Jerry Jr. read more…

Moderate British Muslim leaders on Thursday proposed guidelines that aim to root out extremism, promote a culture of ?civic responsibility? and foster women?s rights in the country?s mosques, Islamic centers and Muslim schools. read more…

A decade ago, Thomson was the first to isolate human embryonic stem cells. Last week, he (and Japan’s Shinya Yamanaka) announced one of the great scientific breakthroughs since the discovery of DNA: an embryo-free way to produce genetically matched stem cells. read more…

Does our public sphere need freedom of religion, or from it? read more…

After GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney apparently made contradictory statements about whether he’d appoint a Muslim to a Cabinet position, a local Muslim leader says “time will tell.” read more…

Tags: holy relics, Hindu, christianity, metaphysics

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Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue hosts an outdoor prayer service at the Capitol to address the dire need for rain. The vigil follows his declaration of a state of emergency. Earlier efforts were conservation and negotiation.

Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue hosts an outdoor prayer service at the Capitol to address the dire need for rain. The vigil follows his declaration of a state of emergency. Earlier efforts were conservation and negotiation.

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U.S. bishops of the Catholic Church say, “Political choices may affect individual salvation.” The group has issued guidelines for every presidential election in the past three decades. Instead of endorsing specific candidates, the bishops seek to make fighting abortion a priority in political decisions.

U.S. bishops of the Catholic Church say, “Political choices may affect individual salvation.” The group has issued guidelines for every presidential election in the past three decades. Instead of endorsing specific candidates, the bishops seek to make fighting abortion a priority in political decisions.

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It’s about time for the Southern Baptist Convention to put out a new hymnal, and the move to update the songs has caused a little tension. For the first time, nearly half of the pages in the forthcoming hymnal will be filled with songs never before published by Baptists.

It’s about time for the Southern Baptist Convention to put out a new hymnal, and the move to update the songs has caused a little tension. For the first time, nearly half of the pages in the forthcoming hymnal will be filled with songs never before published by Baptists.

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Some lawmakers in Oklahoma have turned down free copies of the Koran from a state panel on diversity after a Tulsa legislator claimed the Muslim holy book condones killing innocent people. Islamic groups say they need to do a better job of educating Americans about the Koran.

Some lawmakers in Oklahoma have turned down free copies of the Koran from a state panel on diversity after a Tulsa legislator claimed the Muslim holy book condones killing innocent people. Islamic groups say they need to do a better job of educating Americans about the Koran.

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Moral issues leave black evangelicals torn between parties. read more…

Tags: religious artifacts, Buddist, religious products, christianity

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Justices propose to deal with the massive backlog by allowing case review to be transferred to lower courts. read more…

A third Anglican diocese in Canada has voted to approve conducting same-sex marriages. read more…

U.S. bishops of the Catholic Church say, “Political choices may affect individual salvation.” The group has issued guidelines for every presidential election in the past three decades. Instead of endorsing specific candidates, the bishops seek to make fighting abortion a priority in political decisions.

U.S. bishops of the Catholic Church say, “Political choices may affect individual salvation.” The group has issued guidelines for every presidential election in the past three decades. Instead of endorsing specific candidates, the bishops seek to make fighting abortion a priority in political decisions.

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It’s about time for the Southern Baptist Convention to put out a new hymnal, and the move to update the songs has caused a little tension. For the first time, nearly half of the pages in the forthcoming hymnal will be filled with songs never before published by Baptists.

It’s about time for the Southern Baptist Convention to put out a new hymnal, and the move to update the songs has caused a little tension. For the first time, nearly half of the pages in the forthcoming hymnal will be filled with songs never before published by Baptists.

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If candidates can court the faithful, they should be willing to answer questions of faith as well. read more…

To the many people, both domestic and foreign, who are asking Mitt Romney to do as John F. Kennedy once did and make a speech explaining why his religion is not a threat to our cherished American way of life, I suggest that Romney respond by pointing to his Republican opponents and uttering two words: “You first.” read more…

Tags: Islam, christianity, hebrew, Hindu

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Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue hosts an outdoor prayer service at the Capitol to address the dire need for rain. The vigil follows his declaration of a state of emergency. Earlier efforts were conservation and negotiation.

Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue hosts an outdoor prayer service at the Capitol to address the dire need for rain. The vigil follows his declaration of a state of emergency. Earlier efforts were conservation and negotiation.

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Many conservative voters are hesitant to back Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, whose faith is Mormon. The former Massachusetts governor faces a particular challenge in South Carolina, where voters are largely evangelical.

Many conservative voters are hesitant to back Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, whose faith is Mormon. The former Massachusetts governor faces a particular challenge in South Carolina, where voters are largely evangelical.

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Over the past three years, Sen. John Kerry has had a lot of time to think about his God, and at a meeting with journalists in Washington earlier this month he shared those thoughts. read more…

It’s about time for the Southern Baptist Convention to put out a new hymnal, and the move to update the songs has caused a little tension. For the first time, nearly half of the pages in the forthcoming hymnal will be filled with songs never before published by Baptists.

It’s about time for the Southern Baptist Convention to put out a new hymnal, and the move to update the songs has caused a little tension. For the first time, nearly half of the pages in the forthcoming hymnal will be filled with songs never before published by Baptists.

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Tech-savvy missionary church thrives as far afield as Africa. read more…

This week, several prominent Christian evangelical leaders endorsed a variety of Republican presidential hopefuls. The endorsements seem to reflect a growing divide within that community, which traditionally has provided the GOP with a more unified base of support.

This week, several prominent Christian evangelical leaders endorsed a variety of Republican presidential hopefuls. The endorsements seem to reflect a growing divide within that community, which traditionally has provided the GOP with a more unified base of support.

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If candidates can court the faithful, they should be willing to answer questions of faith as well. read more…

Tags: holy relics, hebrew, religious products, wiccan

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Televangelist Pat Robertson, founder of the Christian Coalition, is endorsing Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani. This comes as a surprise to some since Giuliani backs abortion and gay rights, a position that puts him in conflict with most conservative organizations.

Televangelist Pat Robertson, founder of the Christian Coalition, is endorsing Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani. This comes as a surprise to some since Giuliani backs abortion and gay rights, a position that puts him in conflict with most conservative organizations.

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The state’s new law mandating a moment of silence at the start of the school day may be derailed after a federal judge on Wednesday blocked its imposition in one suburban district. read more…

Proclaiming a sense of new energy and empowerment, the nation’s Roman Catholic bishops on Wednesday issued instructions to Catholic voters that their eternal salvation could be at stake when they cast ballots. read more…

Many conservative voters are hesitant to back Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, whose faith is Mormon. The former Massachusetts governor faces a particular challenge in South Carolina, where voters are largely evangelical.

Many conservative voters are hesitant to back Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, whose faith is Mormon. The former Massachusetts governor faces a particular challenge in South Carolina, where voters are largely evangelical.

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Some lawmakers in Oklahoma have turned down free copies of the Koran from a state panel on diversity after a Tulsa legislator claimed the Muslim holy book condones killing innocent people. Islamic groups say they need to do a better job of educating Americans about the Koran.

Some lawmakers in Oklahoma have turned down free copies of the Koran from a state panel on diversity after a Tulsa legislator claimed the Muslim holy book condones killing innocent people. Islamic groups say they need to do a better job of educating Americans about the Koran.

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A jury says a Kansas church has to pay more than $10 million in damages for protesting at the funeral of a U.S. Marine killed in Iraq. Church members waved signs saying, “Thank God for Dead Soldiers.” They believe the war is God’s retribution for U.S. tolerance of homosexuals.

A jury says a Kansas church has to pay more than $10 million in damages for protesting at the funeral of a U.S. Marine killed in Iraq. Church members waved signs saying, “Thank God for Dead Soldiers.” They believe the war is God’s retribution for U.S. tolerance of homosexuals.

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U.S. Catholic bishops on Wednesday (Nov. 14) overwhelmingly approved new moral guidelines for Catholic voters that prioritize ending abortion and warn that political choices could impact a person’s salvation. read more…

In December 1968, Mitt Romney returned home from a Mormon mission in France to find a changed country. read more…

Tags: christianity, metaphysics, religious products, hebrew

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Twenty years ago, amid an uproar over the sex-and-money scandal that brought down televangelist Jim Bakker, the country’s leading TV preachers were called before a powerful House panel to testify about their financial dealings. read more…

Father Donald McGuire was convicted last year of sexually abusing two teenaged boys in the 1960s. Jesuit leaders insist they had no knowledge of any other abuses by McGuire, but documents reveal they were alerted by concerned parents many times over the past 38 years.

Father Donald McGuire was convicted last year of sexually abusing two teenaged boys in the 1960s. Jesuit leaders insist they had no knowledge of any other abuses by McGuire, but documents reveal they were alerted by concerned parents many times over the past 38 years.

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This week, several prominent Christian evangelical leaders endorsed a variety of Republican presidential hopefuls. The endorsements seem to reflect a growing divide within that community, which traditionally has provided the GOP with a more unified base of support.

This week, several prominent Christian evangelical leaders endorsed a variety of Republican presidential hopefuls. The endorsements seem to reflect a growing divide within that community, which traditionally has provided the GOP with a more unified base of support.

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Commentator Heather King, a Catholic convert, recently attended a religious retreat and describes how she overcame her extreme dislike for another participant.

Commentator Heather King, a Catholic convert, recently attended a religious retreat and describes how she overcame her extreme dislike for another participant.

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A federal judge has suspended controversial state rules requiring pharmacies to dispense so-called “Plan B” emergency contraceptives, saying the rules appear to unconstitutionally violate pharmacists’ freedom of religion. read more…

Tags: holy relics, wiccan, hebrew, christianity

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Pat Robertson’s endorsement of Rudy Giuliani for president Wednesday delighted the former New York mayor’s supporters and gave him new hope he could win Christian conservatives, but it also underscored deep divisions within the once-united group. read more…

Congressional Democrats and religious leaders are touting a new initiative to allocate more than $600 million to reduce abortion in the U.S., but critics say they’re just putting a new name on old programs. read more…

A prominent Atlanta preacher is challenging requests from a powerful senator for detailed financial information on his ministry. read more…

Televangelist Pat Robertson, founder of the Christian Coalition, is endorsing Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani. This comes as a surprise to some since Giuliani backs abortion and gay rights, a position that puts him in conflict with most conservative organizations.

Televangelist Pat Robertson, founder of the Christian Coalition, is endorsing Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani. This comes as a surprise to some since Giuliani backs abortion and gay rights, a position that puts him in conflict with most conservative organizations.

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Chile’s Catholic Church was seen as a light during the dark days of Augusto Pinochet’s regime, as it battled repression. Now, the first indictment of a priest in connection with human rights abuses has reopened old wounds.

Chile’s Catholic Church was seen as a light during the dark days of Augusto Pinochet’s regime, as it battled repression. Now, the first indictment of a priest in connection with human rights abuses has reopened old wounds.

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The Bible is filled with stories of major environmental changes, like floods, droughts and desertification, often shown as God’s righteous punishment for human misdeeds. In these stories, some scientists see a chance to understand a little more about the world.

The Bible is filled with stories of major environmental changes, like floods, droughts and desertification, often shown as God’s righteous punishment for human misdeeds. In these stories, some scientists see a chance to understand a little more about the world.

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Tags: Islam, wiccan, metaphysics, hebrew

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Just as Western missionaries spread the Christian message to Africa, African and other Anglican leaders are staking claims in the U.S. In the past two years, there’s been a flurry of reverse colonization as archbishops from Nigeria, Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Bolivia and Singapore have taken conservative Episcopal churches under their wings.

Just as Western missionaries spread the Christian message to Africa, African and other Anglican leaders are staking claims in the U.S. In the past two years, there’s been a flurry of reverse colonization as archbishops from Nigeria, Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Bolivia and Singapore have taken conservative Episcopal churches under their wings.

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A wealthy evangelical Christian, John Arthur Eaves Jr., is running a campaign for governor that is rife with what Jesus might do. read more…

Over an old-fashioned Sunday potluck of baked ham and homemade fruit pies, members of Grace Presbyterian Church, a conservative evangelical congregation of about 100 families here, engaged in an old-fashioned debate about their options in the 2008 race for the White House. read more…

Despite her genuine Methodist upbringing and honest-to-God faith credentials, the skepticism toward her among believers is deep and enduring. Her best hope among values voters: That they stay home on Election Day. read more…

Conservative Christians from around the country will be meeting in Washington tomorrow for the Family Research Council’s second annual Values Voter Summit. All the major Republican presidential candidates will be attending.

Conservative Christians from around the country will be meeting in Washington tomorrow for the Family Research Council’s second annual Values Voter Summit. All the major Republican presidential candidates will be attending.

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Chile’s Catholic Church was seen as a light during the dark days of Augusto Pinochet’s regime, as it battled repression. Now, the first indictment of a priest in connection with human rights abuses has reopened old wounds.

Chile’s Catholic Church was seen as a light during the dark days of Augusto Pinochet’s regime, as it battled repression. Now, the first indictment of a priest in connection with human rights abuses has reopened old wounds.

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Tags: metaphysics, Buddist, christianity, Hindu

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Conservative Christians from around the country will be meeting in Washington tomorrow for the Family Research Council’s second annual Values Voter Summit. All the major Republican presidential candidates will be attending.

Conservative Christians from around the country will be meeting in Washington tomorrow for the Family Research Council’s second annual Values Voter Summit. All the major Republican presidential candidates will be attending.

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The first attempt by British Muslims to set out the core standards and constitutions for Britain’s 1,350-plus mosques and Islamic centres has been drawn up by a new body representing four leading groups. read more…

Fifty years ago, 80 white pastors in the Atlanta area took on segregationists in the Deep South. They took their beliefs to the front page of Atlanta’s main newspaper in 1957, issuing what has been called The Ministers’ Manifesto.

Fifty years ago, 80 white pastors in the Atlanta area took on segregationists in the Deep South. They took their beliefs to the front page of Atlanta’s main newspaper in 1957, issuing what has been called The Ministers’ Manifesto.

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West Virginia is one of a handful of states that allows slot machines and other forms of video gambling in neighborhood bars, as well as at racetracks. But while other states are considering expanding their gambling options, many West Virginians are now having second thoughts.

West Virginia is one of a handful of states that allows slot machines and other forms of video gambling in neighborhood bars, as well as at racetracks. But while other states are considering expanding their gambling options, many West Virginians are now having second thoughts.

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Chile’s Catholic Church was seen as a light during the dark days of Augusto Pinochet’s regime, as it battled repression. Now, the first indictment of a priest in connection with human rights abuses has reopened old wounds.

Chile’s Catholic Church was seen as a light during the dark days of Augusto Pinochet’s regime, as it battled repression. Now, the first indictment of a priest in connection with human rights abuses has reopened old wounds.

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White evangelical Protestants, a key support base for the Republican Party, still have not united behind a single candidate for the 2008 White House race, according to a new poll released on Wednesday. read more…

Just as Western missionaries spread the Christian message to Africa, African and other Anglican leaders are staking claims in the U.S. In the past two years, there’s been a flurry of reverse colonization as archbishops from Nigeria, Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Bolivia and Singapore have taken conservative Episcopal churches under their wings.

Just as Western missionaries spread the Christian message to Africa, African and other Anglican leaders are staking claims in the U.S. In the past two years, there’s been a flurry of reverse colonization as archbishops from Nigeria, Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Bolivia and Singapore have taken conservative Episcopal churches under their wings.

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Tags: metaphysics, Islam, religious products, Hindu

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