Holy Relics

The Rev. Otis Moss is set to take over as pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, the church Illinois Sen. Barack Obama attends. Moss talks to Michele Noris about the most famous member of his congregation and the now-controversial former pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright.

The Rev. Otis Moss is set to take over as pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, the church Illinois Sen. Barack Obama attends. Moss talks to Michele Noris about the most famous member of his congregation and the now-controversial former pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright.

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Roman Catholic priest and cosmologist Michael Heller won this year’s Templeton Prize. “Science without religion is not only meaningless, it’s lame,” he says.

Roman Catholic priest and cosmologist Michael Heller won this year’s Templeton Prize. “Science without religion is not only meaningless, it’s lame,” he says.

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The Jeremiah Group has developed a loan plan to turn the city’s low-income renters into homeowners. Instead of rejecting the idea as an impractical suggestion by idealistic do-gooders, the state embraced it.

The Jeremiah Group has developed a loan plan to turn the city’s low-income renters into homeowners. Instead of rejecting the idea as an impractical suggestion by idealistic do-gooders, the state embraced it.

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An East Boston church that was supposed to shut down four years ago celebrated Easter Mass on Sunday. Our Lady of Mount Carmel was one of dozens of parishes ordered to close in the wake of a priest sex abuse scandal. Members of the parish have been holding a vigil in the building since 2004.

An East Boston church that was supposed to shut down four years ago celebrated Easter Mass on Sunday. Our Lady of Mount Carmel was one of dozens of parishes ordered to close in the wake of a priest sex abuse scandal. Members of the parish have been holding a vigil in the building since 2004.

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Two days after the 2004 presidential election, William Portier ran into an acquaintance at the grocery store. read more…

Tags: religious artifacts, Buddist, Hindu, holy relics

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The official Chinese news agency says about 10 Tibetan demonstrators have been killed, supporting protests begun by Buddhist monks in the capital city of Lhasa. Tibetan exile groups say at least 30 people have died. The protests of monks and others may not deliver freedom to Tibet anytime soon, but freedom is an effervescent ideal that can’t be bottled up forever.

The official Chinese news agency says about 10 Tibetan demonstrators have been killed, supporting protests begun by Buddhist monks in the capital city of Lhasa. Tibetan exile groups say at least 30 people have died. The protests of monks and others may not deliver freedom to Tibet anytime soon, but freedom is an effervescent ideal that can’t be bottled up forever.

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The body of a kidnapped Chaldean Catholic archbishop was discovered buried near the northern city of Mosul on Thursday. Paulos Faraj Rahho was taken in late February as he was leaving Mass in Mosul. Christians constitute a tiny portion of Iraq’s mainly Muslim population. Still, they have been the victims of repeated violence. Many have fled the country and others have joined the ranks of Iraq’s 2.5 million internally displaced people.

The body of a kidnapped Chaldean Catholic archbishop was discovered buried near the northern city of Mosul on Thursday. Paulos Faraj Rahho was taken in late February as he was leaving Mass in Mosul. Christians constitute a tiny portion of Iraq’s mainly Muslim population. Still, they have been the victims of repeated violence. Many have fled the country and others have joined the ranks of Iraq’s 2.5 million internally displaced people.

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A group of Southern Baptist leaders says the denomination has been “too timid” in addressing environmental issues. The letter may show the growing influence of a younger generation of evangelical Christians.

A group of Southern Baptist leaders says the denomination has been “too timid” in addressing environmental issues. The letter may show the growing influence of a younger generation of evangelical Christians.

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Understanding Pennsylvania’s rich Catholic tradition and responding to it is an article of faith for Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama as the April 22 primary looms in the still unsettled and intense Democratic presidential race. read more…

The country’s highest court is weighing whether to allow a motion to shut down the party, saying its Islamic initiatives cross a constitutional line. read more…

Sen. Hillary Clinton would have left her church if her pastor made the kind of racially charged comments made by Sen. Barack Obama’s former pastor, she said Tuesday during a wide-ranging interview with the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review editorial board. read more…

China’s security chief called for stepping up “patriotic education” in Tibet’s monasteries, the state-run Tibet Daily said Tuesday, as prosecutors for the first time charged demonstrators in the largely peaceful, monk-led protests that later exploded into riots in the region. read more…

A group of monks shouting there was no religious freedom disrupted a carefully orchestrated visit for foreign reporters to Tibet’s capital Thursday, an embarrassment for China as it tried to show Lhasa was calm following deadly anti-government riots. read more…

Tags: metaphysics, christianity, religious products, Islam

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As far as visits by American politicians go, it would be hard to stage a warmer reception. read more…

Two issues of Muslim practice ? whether the call to prayer should ring out across Harvard Yard and whether the university should grant women separate gym hours ? have unleashed small waves of controversy over how Harvard practices tolerance. read more…

An East Boston church that was supposed to shut down four years ago celebrated Easter Mass on Sunday. Our Lady of Mount Carmel was one of dozens of parishes ordered to close in the wake of a priest sex abuse scandal. Members of the parish have been holding a vigil in the building since 2004.

An East Boston church that was supposed to shut down four years ago celebrated Easter Mass on Sunday. Our Lady of Mount Carmel was one of dozens of parishes ordered to close in the wake of a priest sex abuse scandal. Members of the parish have been holding a vigil in the building since 2004.

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Republican David Leavitt makes three main campaign “promises” as he attempts to unseat Rep. Chris Cannon, R-Utah, in the 3rd Congressional District. read more…

In an effort to keep up with the modern world, the Vatican has announced a list of seven new mortal sins. Some of the new don’ts: thou shalt not pollute and thou shalt not have too much money. Father James Martin, acting publisher of the Jesuit magazine America, discusses the importance of updating the 1,500-year-old list.

In an effort to keep up with the modern world, the Vatican has announced a list of seven new mortal sins. Some of the new don’ts: thou shalt not pollute and thou shalt not have too much money. Father James Martin, acting publisher of the Jesuit magazine America, discusses the importance of updating the 1,500-year-old list.

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The Jeremiah Group has developed a loan plan to turn the city’s low-income renters into homeowners. Instead of rejecting the idea as an impractical suggestion by idealistic do-gooders, the state embraced it.

The Jeremiah Group has developed a loan plan to turn the city’s low-income renters into homeowners. Instead of rejecting the idea as an impractical suggestion by idealistic do-gooders, the state embraced it.

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Science and religion have often been at loggerheads. Now the former has decided to resolve the problem by trying to explain the existence of the latter. read more…

Tags: Islam, holy relics, wiccan, metaphysics

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Assessing Race in America, Obama Calls Pastor Divisive
Senator Barack Obama renewed his objection to the controversial statements delivered by the longtime pastor of his Chicago church, but declared in a speech here Tuesday that it was time for America to ?move beyond some of our old racial wounds.?
Source: pewforum.org

Christians, Muslims Move Ahead on Global Talks
Religious leaders plan to meet this year in the US, Britain, and at the Vatican to defuse tensions.
Source: pewforum.org

Climate Change Prompts Debate Among Baptists
A group of Southern Baptist leaders says the denomination has been “too timid” in addressing environmental issues. The letter may show the growing influence of a younger generation of evangelical Christians.

A group of Southern Baptist leaders says the denomination has been “too timid” in addressing environmental issues. The letter may show the growing influence of a younger generation of evangelical Christians.

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Source: www.npr.org

Survey on American Belief Overturns Some Scholars’ Theories
Findings in the study shed new light on issues around which there has been no scholarly consensus.
Source: pewforum.org

Evangelicals Find the Center
Rejecting political partisanship, more Evangelicals are embracing a broader agenda.
Source: pewforum.org

Flocking to the Right
Evangelical Protestants don’t have a monopoly on the religious right.
Source: pewforum.org

McCain Mixes Up Iraqi Groups
Sen. John McCain, in the midst of a trip to the Middle East that he hoped would help burnish his foreign policy expertise, incorrectly asserted Tuesday that Iran is training and supplying al-Qaeda in Iraq, confusing the Sunni insurgent group with the Shiite extremists who U.S. officials believe are supported by their religious brethren in the neighboring country.
Source: pewforum.org

Religious Leaders Help Renters Buy in New Orleans
The Jeremiah Group has developed a loan plan to turn the city’s low-income renters into homeowners. Instead of rejecting the idea as an impractical suggestion by idealistic do-gooders, the state embraced it.

The Jeremiah Group has developed a loan plan to turn the city’s low-income renters into homeowners. Instead of rejecting the idea as an impractical suggestion by idealistic do-gooders, the state embraced it.

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Source: www.npr.org

Tags: christianity, Islam, hebrew, holy relics

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Obama Condemns Pastor’s Remarks
Sen. Barack Obama, a Christian who has battled rumors that he is Muslim, is now facing criticism for the fiery sermons of his former pastor at Chicago’s Trinity United Church of Christ, which he has attended for nearly 20 years.
Source: pewforum.org

Chinese Security Forces Surround Monasteries in Tibet
Police, soldiers crack down on monks in wake of Tibetan protests against Beijing’s rule.
Source: pewforum.org

Religious Leaders Help Renters Buy in New Orleans
The Jeremiah Group has developed a loan plan to turn the city’s low-income renters into homeowners. Instead of rejecting the idea as an impractical suggestion by idealistic do-gooders, the state embraced it.

The Jeremiah Group has developed a loan plan to turn the city’s low-income renters into homeowners. Instead of rejecting the idea as an impractical suggestion by idealistic do-gooders, the state embraced it.

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Source: www.npr.org

Catholic College Leaders Expect Pope to Deliver Stern Message
After years of Vatican frustration over what it views as the failure of many U.S. Catholic colleges to adhere to church teachings, school leaders are intently watching for a rebuke from Pope Benedict XVI during his Washington visit next month.
Source: pewforum.org

Archbishop’s Slaying Rocks Iraq’s Christian Minority
The body of a kidnapped Chaldean Catholic archbishop was discovered buried near the northern city of Mosul on Thursday. Paulos Faraj Rahho was taken in late February as he was leaving Mass in Mosul. Christians constitute a tiny portion of Iraq’s mainly Muslim population. Still, they have been the victims of repeated violence. Many have fled the country and others have joined the ranks of Iraq’s 2.5 million internally displaced people.

The body of a kidnapped Chaldean Catholic archbishop was discovered buried near the northern city of Mosul on Thursday. Paulos Faraj Rahho was taken in late February as he was leaving Mass in Mosul. Christians constitute a tiny portion of Iraq’s mainly Muslim population. Still, they have been the victims of repeated violence. Many have fled the country and others have joined the ranks of Iraq’s 2.5 million internally displaced people.

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Source: www.npr.org

Reconciling Science and Religion
Roman Catholic priest and cosmologist Michael Heller won this year’s Templeton Prize. “Science without religion is not only meaningless, it’s lame,” he says.

Roman Catholic priest and cosmologist Michael Heller won this year’s Templeton Prize. “Science without religion is not only meaningless, it’s lame,” he says.

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Source: www.npr.org

Egypt Islamists in Hiding Ahead of Vote
A government crackdown has forced dozens of Muslim Brotherhood members into hiding ahead of local elections in Egypt, where the banned group has become the U.S.-allied country’s most powerful opposition force by agitating for Islamic law and democratic reform.
Source: pewforum.org

Qatar Hosts Its First Christian Church
The first Christian church in Qatar has no cross, no bell and no steeple.
Source: pewforum.org

Tags: wiccan, Islam, religious artifacts, Hindu

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Vatican, Muslims Plan for Talks with Pope
Muslim representatives and Vatican officials meet Tuesday for talks that will hopefully lead to an unprecedented Catholic-Islamic meeting later this year focusing on terrorism. The meetings are an attempt to improve relations after a 2006 speech by Pope Benedict XVI in which he quoted an ancient emperor’s criticism of Islam.

Muslim representatives and Vatican officials meet Tuesday for talks that will hopefully lead to an unprecedented Catholic-Islamic meeting later this year focusing on terrorism. The meetings are an attempt to improve relations after a 2006 speech by Pope Benedict XVI in which he quoted an ancient emperor’s criticism of Islam.

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Source: www.npr.org

Catholics a Key Voting Bloc in Ohio
Catholic voters have supported New York Sen. Hillary Clinton by a margin of 2 to 1 this primary season. But exit polls from Wisconsin on Feb. 19 show that margin may be evaporating. Clinton will need the Catholic vote to carry the crucial state of Ohio on March 4.

Catholic voters have supported New York Sen. Hillary Clinton by a margin of 2 to 1 this primary season. But exit polls from Wisconsin on Feb. 19 show that margin may be evaporating. Clinton will need the Catholic vote to carry the crucial state of Ohio on March 4.

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Source: www.npr.org

Pope, at U.N., to Address Issues that Cross Boundaries
Next month, Pope Benedict XVI will become the third leader of the Catholic Church to address the United Nations General Assembly in New York, following Pope Paul VI in 1965, and Pope John Paul II in 1979 and 1995.
Source: pewforum.org

Author Gives Bible a Twist of Manga
The world’s most-read book has been reproduced in a style known as Japanese manga, associated with anime. Author and illustrator Ajinbayo “Siku” Akinsuku discusses his attempt to keep the religious message of the Bible relevant for the younger generations.

The world’s most-read book has been reproduced in a style known as Japanese manga, associated with anime. Author and illustrator Ajinbayo “Siku” Akinsuku discusses his attempt to keep the religious message of the Bible relevant for the younger generations.

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Source: www.npr.org

Polish Priest Wins 2008 Templeton Prize
Michael (Michal) Heller, a Polish cosmologist and Roman Catholic priest whose commitment to combining the insights of science and religion stretches back to his youth in war-torn Europe, has won the 2008 Templeton Prize.
Source: pewforum.org

Dobson: Christian Right Needs Leadership
With a generation of Christian right leaders dead or aging, the founder of the conservative evangelical group Focus on the Family says he’s concerned about the movement’s future leadership.
Source: pewforum.org

Tags: religious artifacts, Hindu, Buddist, metaphysics

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Pope John Paul II beatified more saints than all other popes combined. Now the Vatican will make the road to sainthood more difficult. Father James Martin, acting publisher of the Jesuit magazine America, talks with Madeleine Brand about the increased restrictions on beatification.

Pope John Paul II beatified more saints than all other popes combined. Now the Vatican will make the road to sainthood more difficult. Father James Martin, acting publisher of the Jesuit magazine America, talks with Madeleine Brand about the increased restrictions on beatification.

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With eight days before Iran?s parliamentary elections, there is little doubt that religious conservatives will tighten their grip on power, pushing aside some of the veteran politicians who helped found the Islamic Republic 29 years ago. read more…

Lawmakers violated the state constitution by budgeting $12 million to create a pharmacy school and a scholarship at a private Southern Baptist university, a judge ruled Thursday. read more…

A prayer movement has broken out in a handful of churches along Interstate 35, which stretches from Texas to Minnesota. Participants say that if people pray hard enough, God will touch communities along the highway. The movement is based on a reference to a “highway of holiness” in Isaiah 35:8.

A prayer movement has broken out in a handful of churches along Interstate 35, which stretches from Texas to Minnesota. Participants say that if people pray hard enough, God will touch communities along the highway. The movement is based on a reference to a “highway of holiness” in Isaiah 35:8.

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The cash-strapped Catholic Archdiocese of Washington, D.C., wants to turn seven of its inner-city schools into public charter schools. The only problem is the schools would have to relinquish their religious identity.

The cash-strapped Catholic Archdiocese of Washington, D.C., wants to turn seven of its inner-city schools into public charter schools. The only problem is the schools would have to relinquish their religious identity.

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They carried the body of Avraham David Moses, 16 years old, on a stretcher down the slope of the vibrant green cemetery here, shaded by tall pines, overlooking a valley, in utter silence. read more…

It sounds like the start of a bad joke: A Jew, a Baptist and a Baha’i get together every Sunday morning … It’s a new kind of Sunday school, where families from a range of religions gather to learn about helpfulness, obedience, service and friendliness.

It sounds like the start of a bad joke: A Jew, a Baptist and a Baha’i get together every Sunday morning … It’s a new kind of Sunday school, where families from a range of religions gather to learn about helpfulness, obedience, service and friendliness.

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Pope John Paul II beatified more saints than all other popes combined. Now the Vatican will make the road to sainthood more difficult. Father James Martin, acting publisher of the Jesuit magazine America, talks with Madeleine Brand about the increased restrictions on beatification.

Pope John Paul II beatified more saints than all other popes combined. Now the Vatican will make the road to sainthood more difficult. Father James Martin, acting publisher of the Jesuit magazine America, talks with Madeleine Brand about the increased restrictions on beatification.

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In the six and a half years since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, federal law-enforcement agencies have secretly established profiling techniques to screen immigrants based on their nationalities, protocols that critics charge encourage the unjustified targeting of Muslims. read more…

Muslim representatives and Vatican officials meet Tuesday for talks that will hopefully lead to an unprecedented Catholic-Islamic meeting later this year focusing on terrorism. The meetings are an attempt to improve relations after a 2006 speech by Pope Benedict XVI in which he quoted an ancient emperor’s criticism of Islam.

Muslim representatives and Vatican officials meet Tuesday for talks that will hopefully lead to an unprecedented Catholic-Islamic meeting later this year focusing on terrorism. The meetings are an attempt to improve relations after a 2006 speech by Pope Benedict XVI in which he quoted an ancient emperor’s criticism of Islam.

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The Vatican and a delegation of Muslim scholars have agreed to start a permanent dialogue to discuss theological, social and political issues. The Catholic Muslim forum will meet every two years, alternating between Rome and a Muslim country. Pope Benedict will attend the first forum in November.

The Vatican and a delegation of Muslim scholars have agreed to start a permanent dialogue to discuss theological, social and political issues. The Catholic Muslim forum will meet every two years, alternating between Rome and a Muslim country. Pope Benedict will attend the first forum in November.

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After almost five years of war, many young people in Iraq, exhausted by constant firsthand exposure to the violence of religious extremism, say they have grown disillusioned with religious leaders and skeptical of the faith that they preach. read more…

St. Patrick’s Day falls during Holy Week this year. The conflict was too much for bishops in Ireland, so they decided to move the feast date in honor of St Patrick, the national saint. Secular St. Patrick’s celebrations, however, will continue right on schedule.

St. Patrick’s Day falls during Holy Week this year. The conflict was too much for bishops in Ireland, so they decided to move the feast date in honor of St Patrick, the national saint. Secular St. Patrick’s celebrations, however, will continue right on schedule.

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A revolt over capital punishment is brewing among Brooklyn’s federal judges, who are appealing to Attorney General Mukasey to stem the rising number of death penalty trials over which they must preside. read more…

American shock jocks, dirty tricks masterminds and political bloggers: Beware the wrath of an 86-year-old Kenyan villager. read more…

Tags: religious artifacts, Islam, christianity, religious products

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The cash-strapped Catholic Archdiocese of Washington, D.C., wants to turn seven of its inner-city schools into public charter schools. The only problem is the schools would have to relinquish their religious identity.

The cash-strapped Catholic Archdiocese of Washington, D.C., wants to turn seven of its inner-city schools into public charter schools. The only problem is the schools would have to relinquish their religious identity.

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Pope John Paul II beatified more saints than all other popes combined. Now the Vatican will make the road to sainthood more difficult. Father James Martin, acting publisher of the Jesuit magazine America, talks with Madeleine Brand about the increased restrictions on beatification.

Pope John Paul II beatified more saints than all other popes combined. Now the Vatican will make the road to sainthood more difficult. Father James Martin, acting publisher of the Jesuit magazine America, talks with Madeleine Brand about the increased restrictions on beatification.

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If American religion is a spiritual shopping center, denominations that once dominated the market are in danger of being boarded up. read more…

Ben Wattenberg and Richard Scammon introduced us to the Dayton housewife in their famous 1970 book, “The Real Majority.” read more…

A prayer movement has broken out in a handful of churches along Interstate 35, which stretches from Texas to Minnesota. Participants say that if people pray hard enough, God will touch communities along the highway. The movement is based on a reference to a “highway of holiness” in Isaiah 35:8.

A prayer movement has broken out in a handful of churches along Interstate 35, which stretches from Texas to Minnesota. Participants say that if people pray hard enough, God will touch communities along the highway. The movement is based on a reference to a “highway of holiness” in Isaiah 35:8.

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Faith charities encouraging or promoting violence or hatred risk losing their charitable status as part of a radical overhaul proposed by the Charity Commission. read more…

Tags: christianity, wiccan, Buddist, religious products

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