Religion

As Flood Recovery Starts In Houston, Many Go Back To Church

5:24pm September 03, 2017

by Adrian Florido

Across Houston, both the pastors and the congregants are finding comfort in their faith as they begin recovering from the flooding caused by Hurricane Harvey and returning to their churches.

How Natural Disasters Can Be Faith-Challenging Experiences

5:24pm September 03, 2017

by Tom Gjelten

Natural disasters and human suffering have long challenged people of faith because they don't understand why God would allow such things to happen. It's a core problem facing believers.

After a series of big tremors last August, Norcia's small community of Benedictine monks sought shelter on the mountainside high above the town. An earthquake devastated the town, seen here from the mountainside, in October.

Beer-Brewing Monks Are Helping Rebuild Earthquake-Devastated Town In Italy

8:10am September 03, 2017

by Sylvia Poggioli

The Benedictine monks of Norcia are known for their chart-topping album of Gregorian chants — and their beer. They're donating proceeds to rebuilding efforts, and helping the Umbrian town recover.

Megachurch Leader Joel Osteen Under Fire

7:33am August 30, 2017

by Tom Gjelten

Joel Osteen, an advocate of "prosperity gospel" theology, presides over a 17,000-seat church in Houston, but agreed to open it to evacuees only after coming under intense criticism on social media.

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Outgoing White House press secretary Sean Spicer smiles as he departs the White House on July 21. Earlier that day Spicer resigned his position.

Ex-White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer Finally Meets Pope Francis

7:19am August 30, 2017

by Doreen McCallister

When President Trump visited the Vatican in May, Spicer was left off a list of White House officials who had a chance to meet the pope. Spicer resigned as press secretary on July 21.

Joel Osteen's Lakewood Church in Houston came under scrutiny for not opening its doors to evacuees from Hurricane Harvey. The former basketball arena seats 16,000 people.

After Pressure Mounts, Joel Osteen Says His Houston Megachurch Is Open To Evacuees

6:47pm August 29, 2017

by Laurel Wamsley

Lakewood Church occupies an arena that used to house the Houston Rockets. Questions had circulated online about why it wasn't being used to house those needing refuge from Hurricane Harvey.

Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh was sentenced to 20 years in prison on Monday.

After 'Guru Of Bling' Sentencing, Indian State Stays On Alert For Violence

10:45pm August 28, 2017

by Julie McCarthy

Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh was sentenced to 20 years in prison for raping two young disciples in 2002. Military troops were deployed after violence by Singh's supporters led to dozens of deaths.

Religion

Attention On Hate Speech Drives Donations To Fight Anti-Semitism

7:17am August 25, 2017

by Tom Gjelten

Jewish groups have broadened their work to oppose all forms of bigotry. Following the violence in Charlottesville, Va., more non-Jews see the reality of anti-Semitism and join the fight against it.

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Rabbis Boycott Trump After Charlottesville Remarks

6:33pm August 24, 2017

As a result of President Trump's controversial remarks on Charlottesville violence, four rabbinical coalitions will not hold the annual presidential conference call before next month's High Holidays.

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The past few weeks have revitalized debates across the country about what role Confederate monuments play in commemorating U.S. history.

What Our Monuments (Don't) Teach Us About Remembering The Past

4:01pm August 23, 2017

A history professor who studies the politics of memory tells us what the United States can learn from how Germans remember their history.

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