Religion

Muslim devotees takes a selfie using their mobile phones after offering special prayers at the historic Badshahi Mosque in Lahore, Pakistan.

Muslims Mark End Of Ramadan, But COVID Subdues Celebrations For A Second Year

1:07pm May 13, 2021

Some 1.8 billion faithful around the world are marking Eid al-Fitr, but in many places, COVID-19 restrictions and concerns over the spread of virus were putting a damper on festivities.

A priest holds a Holy Communion wafer in Washington, D.C.

Vatican Warns U.S. Bishops About Denying Communion To Supporters Of Abortion Rights

6:14pm May 11, 2021

by Sylvia Poggioli

The possible plan could affect President Biden, among other Catholic political figures. The Vatican is calling for U.S. bishops to reach a consensus and says any such move could sow division.

Bishops Debate Whether Politicians Who Support Abortion Should Receive Communion

4:22pm May 11, 2021

Should Catholic politicians who support abortion rights be able to receive communion? American bishops have been grappling with this since Biden became the second Catholic president in U.S. history.

The Rev. Megan Rohrer became the first openly transgender bishop to be elected in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America on Saturday.

Megan Rohrer Elected As 1st Openly Transgender Bishop In U.S. Lutheran Church

10:13pm May 09, 2021

by Emma Bowman

Rohrer, a pastor in San Francisco, will serve as bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Sierra Pacific synod, which includes congregations across Northern California and Nevada.

Shaman Jeong Soon-deok holds up a fan, bells and other ceremonial objects during an initiation ceremony at a temple in Seoul.

Shamanism Endures In Both Koreas — But In The North, Shamans Risk Arrest Or Worse

7:01am May 08, 2021

by Anthony Kuhn

Combining elements of animism, ancestor worship and folk religion, shamanism remains popular on both sides of the border. But it's illegal in the North, and some who practice it have been executed.

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While Fasting During Ramadan, Muslims Question Whether To Get Vaccinated

7:19am May 06, 2021

by Lisa Ryan

Some Muslims have wondered if they should get the COVID-19 vaccine during Ramadan, when they're fasting. Islamic scholars and vaccine clinics have been offering reassurance and workarounds.

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Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg addresses the Silicon Slopes Tech Summit in Salt Lake City in January 2020.

Tech Sees Bigger Opportunity In Utah — If The State Works On Its Image

7:11pm May 04, 2021

by Sonja Hutson

Utah's tech sector is growing, but the industry says the state has a reputation problem that makes it hard to attract workers. So, it's lobbying state lawmakers to push socially inclusive legislation.

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Sumaya Muhamed and her mother, Suad Abdulla, tout the latter's second vaccine dose at the Salahadeen Center in Nashville, Tenn. After weeks of affectionate cajoling and patient explanation, Muhamed convinced her mother to get the shot.

For Kurdish Americans In Nashville, A Beloved Leader's Death Prompts Vaccine Push

1:33pm May 04, 2021

by Blake Farmer

Some immigrant groups are closing the ethnic gap on COVID-19 shots. For many Kurdish Americans, their fears about vaccination are entangled with their experiences in refugee camps after fleeing Iraq.

During The 2nd Ramadan Of The Pandemic, People Find Ways To Connect From Afar

5:06pm May 03, 2021

by Deena Prichep

During the second pandemic Ramadan, Muslims are finding creative ways to connect and reconnect with family and friends. Breaking the fast each evening means coming together virtually again this year.

Rev. Al Sharpton Reflects After Delivering Andrew Brown Jr.'s Eulogy

4:28pm May 03, 2021

NPR's Ailsa Chang speaks with Rev. Al Sharpton, who delivered the eulogy at the funeral of Andrew Brown, Jr. He talks about the family's request to deliver special remarks and reflections.