Religion

Indonesian Muslims perform Eid Al-Adha prayer at Al-Akbar Mosque in Oct. 2014 in Surabaya, Indonesia.

World's Muslim Population Will Surpass Christians This Century, Pew Says

11:03am April 02, 2015

by Bill Chappell

Islam is growing more rapidly than any other religion in the world, according to the Pew Research Center, which predicts that Islam will nearly equal Christianity by 2050 before eclipsing it.

Madison, Wis., Council Votes To Ban Discrimination Against Atheism

8:22am April 02, 2015

by Bill Chappell

In what's believed to be a first in the United States, the city's equal opportunities ordinance is amended "to add nonreligion as a protected class."

How 'One Nation' Didn't Become 'Under God' Until The '50s Religious Revival

5:27pm March 30, 2015

Kevin Kruse's book looks at how industrialists in the '30s and '40s recruited clergy to preach free enterprise. And under the Eisenhower administration, Christianity and capitalism moved center stage.

Queue Listen Now

Pope Francis blesses a baby after celebrating a Palm Sunday Mass in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican.

At Palm Sunday Mass, Pope Remembers Germanwings Crash Victims

11:32am March 30, 2015

by Scott Neuman

Francis noted that schoolchildren were aboard the aircraft thought to have been deliberately crashed by its co-pilot. The pontiff also paid tribute to "martyrs" killed for their faith.

Ann contemplates the little known Fifth Question: What exactly is this?

Sandwich Monday: The Passover Sandwich

11:24am March 30, 2015

by Peter Sagal

For this week's Sandwich Monday, we introduce our non-Jewish colleagues to the wonders of the Passover lunch. Manischewitz rules this meal.

Thousands of opponents of Indiana Senate Bill 101, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, gathered on the lawn of the Indiana State House to rally against that legislation on Saturday.

Indiana's 'Religious Freedom' Bill Sparks Firestorm Of Controversy

11:19am March 30, 2015

by Scott Neuman

When Gov. Mike Pence signed a law that allows his state's businesses to refuse to serve same-sex couples, he could hardly have anticipated the dramatic backlash he's received.

Some of the hundreds of people who gathered outside the Indiana Statehouse on Saturday, for a rally against legislation signed Thursday by Gov. Mike Pence.

Indiana Governor: Lawmakers To 'Clarify' Anti-Gay Law

11:18am March 30, 2015

by Scott Neuman

Mike Pence, who signed the controversial Religious Freedom Restoration Act last week, says he didn't anticipate the level of hostility the law has engendered.

Russell Moore preaching during the first plenary address, "Black, And White And Red All Over: Why Racial Reconciliation Is A Gospel Issue."

Southern Baptists Don't Shy Away From Talking About Their Racist Past

10:52pm March 27, 2015

by Debbie Elliott

The denomination held a summit in Nashville, Tenn., this week to consider how the Gospel speaks to race relations. It wasn't easy, and moving from words to actions may be a challenge.

Queue Listen Now

The HBO documentary Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief airs Sunday — over the vigorous objection of Scientology officials.

Church Of Scientology Calls New HBO Documentary 'Bigoted'

8:34am March 27, 2015

by Tom Gjelten

The filmmaker of Going Clear, which is critical of the church, says the documentary treats the dangers of "blind faith." Scientology officials have hit back with their own public relations effort.

Queue Listen Now

In 13 Men journalist Sonia Faleiro chronicles the real-life case of "Baby" — a 20-year-old woman from the tribal village of Subalpur in West Bengal, India. Baby falls in love with a Muslim outsider and, she tells police, is gang-raped as punishment. Vil

'13 Men,' No Clear Answers: Digging Into An Indian Gang Rape Case

1:26pm March 23, 2015

by NPR Staff

Last year, a woman in rural India said that she'd been gang-raped on the orders of her tribal council. Journalist Sonia Faleiro traveled to her village and found competing narratives and few facts.

Queue Listen Now