religion

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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A priest blesses a boy during Holy Communion. Earlier this year, the Irish Catholic Bishops' Conference approved guidelines for priests who father children. In the guidelines, which were recently published online, the Irish bishops advised any priest who

Irish Bishops Advise Priests With Children How To 'Face Up' To Responsibilities

2:09pm August 22, 2017

by Colin Dwyer

"If, contrary to this obligation [to celibacy], a priest fathers a child, the wellbeing of his child should be his first consideration," the Irish Catholic Bishops' Conference said in its guidelines.

Community Of Charlottesville Mourns, After Violent Outbreak Surrounding Saturday's Alt Right Rally

Can Faith Leaders Help America Heal After Charlottesville?

5:06pm August 21, 2017

Are we hearing enough from the nation's faith leaders right now? What are they saying...and who's listening?

President Trump poses with Liberty University President Jerry Falwell Jr., during commencement at Liberty University May 13 in Lynchburg, Va.

Some Liberty University Grads Are Returning Their Diplomas To Protest Trump

9:19am August 20, 2017

by Sarah McCammon

A group of alumni from one of the nation's most influential evangelical Christian universities is condemning their school's president for his continued alignment with President Trump.