Religion

At age 16, Maajid Nawaz joined the Islamist group Hizb ut-Tahrir. But after four years in prison, he decided to leave the group. He co-founded the think tank Quilliam, which is dedicated to countering extremist beliefs, and he's now running for Parliament

How Orwell's 'Animal Farm' Led A Radical Muslim To Moderation

7:00pm January 15, 2015

When Maajid Nawaz was 16 he joined a radical Islamist group. After four years in prison in Egypt, he decided to leave it. "I'm very, very lucky to have been able to get through it," he says.

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Pope Francis disembarks from the plane upon his arrival at the airport in Manila, Philippines, on Wednesday. In comments to reporters aboard the plane, Francis said though the attack on Charlie Hebdo magazine was an "aberration," free speech "cannot make

Pope Francis Backs Freedom Of Speech — But Within Limits

4:48pm January 15, 2015

by Krishnadev Calamur

Francis said there are limits to freedom of speech, especially when it concerns religion. He was answering a question about the deadly attack last week on the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo.

Pope Francis arrives for Wednesday's canonization Mass for Joseph Vaz at Galle Face Green in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Pope Francis Canonizes First Sri Lankan Saint

8:13pm January 14, 2015

by Julie McCarthy

Francis is in Asia on a six-day tour intended to build the Roman Catholic Church's following on a continent that holds 60 percent of the world's population but only 12 percent of Catholics.

Kansas City Catholics Divided Over Vatican Investigation Of Bishop

5:33pm January 14, 2015

by Frank Morris

Robert Finn, head of Kansas City's diocese, is the only U.S. bishop convicted of shielding a sexually abusive priest. Supporters say Finn received conflicting advice about how to handle the problem.

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Charlie Hebdo editorialist Patrick Pelloux (right) and cartoonist Renald Luzier, known as Luz (left), join a march in Paris on Sunday.

'Charlie Hebdo' Editor On New Issue: 'We're Happy To Have ... Done It'

11:19am January 13, 2015

by Eyder Peralta

Gerard Briard said when the artist showed the staff the cover — featuring a caricature of the Prophet Muhammad — everyone burst out laughing and "jumped up for joy."

Religion

Depictions Of Muhammad Aren't Explicitly Forbidden, Says Scholar

6:47pm January 10, 2015

Many Muslims see any depiction of the Prophet Muhammad as disrespectful. NPR's Arun Rath speaks with religious scholar Reza Aslan about how radical Islamists have used that to justify attacks.

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Vatican Committee Reportedly Declares Slain Archbishop A Martyr

8:42pm January 09, 2015

by Scott Neuman

Oscar Romero was gunned down in 1980 after he denounced a crackdown by El Salvador's junta on its left-wing opponents at the start of a 13-year civil war.

Sister Elizabeth feeds Yoda, a water buffalo calf at the ranch. The nuns bought the buffalo to make mozzarella.

Nuns On The Ranch Give A Heavenly Twist To Beef

3:17pm January 08, 2015

by Luke Runyon

At a Colorado ranch run by Benedictine nuns, prayer and farming go hand in hand. "We have kind of a corner on the market" for grass-fed beef, says one sister. "People just kind of believe in it."

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MMDA (Metro Manila Development Authority) traffic enforcers patrol a street on their Segway vehicles in a 2011 photo. During a visit by Pope Francis next week, they are being asked to wear adult diapers so they won't have to leave their posts.

When You Gotta Go: Manila Police Asked To Use Diapers During Pope's Visit

2:04pm January 08, 2015

by Scott Neuman

The city's "traffic enforcers" will be on duty for up to 24 hours at a stretch during the pontiff's visit, with no time to run to the toilet.

Stephane Charbonnier, the editor of Charlie Hebdo, poses with his magazine on Sept. 19, 2012. The magazine, which was attacked today, is part of a long tradition of French satire.

'Charlie Hebdo,' A Magazine Of Satire, Mocks Politics, Religion

7:48am January 08, 2015

by Krishnadev Calamur

The publication that was the target of a deadly attack is part of a long tradition of French satire dating to the days before the French Revolution.