How 'Namaste' Flew Away From Us
"Namaste" has a meaning among Hindi speakers. But in the U.S., the word has been wrangled out of its context and tossed around to mean whatever people want it to.
Religion
Trump Defends School Prayer. Critics Say He's Got It All Wrong
The president urged public schools to remember that students have constitutional rights to prayer — but one group says too many schools are promoting prayer in ways that cross the line.
Behind The Initiatives Announced On National Religious Freedom Day
NPR's Audie Cornish talks with Benjamin P. Marcus, of the Religious Freedom Center at the Freedom Forum Institute, about what President Trump has announced for National Religious Freedom Day.
Trump To Unveil New Guidance On School Prayer
President Trump is announcing an initiative to "safeguard" the right of students and teachers to pray in school. Court decisions will limit what he can do.
Retired Pope Benedict's Book Addresses Priestly Celibacy
Pope Benedict promised to remain out of sight when he retired in 2013. Instead he has ignited a firestorm over the importance of priestly celibacy, an issue Pope Francis is currently weighing.
Space Force Bible Blessing At National Cathedral Sparks Outrage
The dedication at the Washington National Cathedral of an official Bible of the new U.S. Space Force is being criticized as a violation of laws separating church and state.
In New Book, Retired Pope Benedict Breaks Silence To Speak Out On Priestly Celibacy
The surprise move is seen as a rebuke to Pope Francis, who is weighing whether to allow older, married men to be ordained in some South American countries, where a shortage of priests is acute.
Nun Requests A Kiss From Pope Francis. He Obliges
A nun called out to the pope from a crowd in Rome and requested a kiss. He wanted to make sure she wouldn't bite. She promised, and the pope gave her a peck on the cheek.
Montana Court Reverses $35 Million Child Abuse Verdict Against Jehovah's Witnesses
The unanimous Montana Supreme Court decision found that religious institutions are not always obligated to report child sexual abuse to authorities due to an exemption in Montana state law.
After Anti-Semitic Attacks, Jewish Community Learns To Fight Back
After attacks on Jewish communities in the New York area, participation has surged in a nonprofit organization, which trains Jews to protect themselves using traditional self-defense methods.