Religion

'New York Times': Islamic State Uses Quran To Justify Rape Of Yazidi Women

11:12pm August 13, 2015

NPR's Melissa Block speaks with New York Times foreign correspondent Rukmini Callimachi about an entrenched system in which ISIS glorifies sexual slavery. She interviewed 21 escaped victims.

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Police and others carry the body of activist and blogger Niloy Chakrabati, aka Niloy Neel, downstairs after he was slain in his upstairs apartment.

Another Bangladeshi Blogger Hacked To Death For Secular Views

5:05pm August 08, 2015

by Scott Neuman

Niloy Chakrabati Neel, who wrote under the pseudonym Niloy Neel, had advocated against Muslim extremism and in favor of women's rights. He is the fourth such social media activist killed this year.

Religion

The City Of Brotherly Love Makes Way For The Pope

7:33pm August 05, 2015

by Katie Colaneri

Philadelphia is preparing to welcome Pope Francis and about 2 million of his followers this fall, during the popular pontiff's first visit to the U.S., an event is generating both excitement and anxiety.

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Boy Scouts work on canoes at camp Maple Dell outside Payson, Utah. The Mormon church is considering pulling out of its 102-year-old relationship with the Boy Scouts after the Boy Scouts changed its policy on allowing gay leaders in the organization.

Mormons Face A Painful Loss If The Church Severs Boy Scout Ties

11:17am August 04, 2015

by NPR Staff

Scouting has been the official program for Mormon boys for more than 100 years, but that may change after a vote allowing openly gay leaders. A Brigham Young professor says a split would be wrenching.

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In Utah, 'Book Of Mormon' Strikes A Chord

8:28am August 02, 2015

by Andrea Smardon

The Tony Award-winning musical, The Book of Mormon, opened in Salt Lake City last week. The sendup of missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is getting a rousing reception.

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Huckabee Remarks Further Complicate Evangelicals Relationship With Jews

12:21pm July 31, 2015

by Alexandra Starr

GOP presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee was criticized for evoking the Holocaust in comments on Iran's nuclear deal. It's the latest chapter in relations between Jewish and evangelical communities.

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Father Jose Francisco Syquia heads the Office of Exorcism in the Philippines.

Help Wanted: The Philippines Needs More Exorcists

7:21pm July 30, 2015

by Simone Orendain

The Office of Exorcism reports a sharp increase in cases over the past decade — more than its five-man team can handle. Warning: It's a high-stress job. The priests believe the demons strike back.

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Religion

Rowan County Commissioners Appeal Prayer Case

1:30am July 29, 2015

by Michael Burke

Rowan County commissioners are appealing a recent federal court ruling. It said their practice of opening meetings with Christian prayers violated the First Amendment.

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Detainees at the Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma, Wash., gather for a Sikh prayer service.

With Religious Services, Immigrant Detainees Find 'Calmness'

7:24pm July 27, 2015

by Liz Jones

In-house chaplains have helped detainees cope with daily frustration, even reducing violence in detention centers. But meeting the spiritual needs of people from all over the world is a challenge.

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Proposed Muslim Cemetery Rattles North Texas Town

2:04pm July 27, 2015

by Lauren Silverman

A plan for a cemetery in Farmersville, north of Dallas, sparked a debate among residents. The mayor of the mostly white community says it will likely be approved, but some are pushing for a no vote.

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