religion

Morning News Brief: GOP Health Care Plan, Trump Eases Religious Group Restrictions

5:05am May 04, 2017

After weeks of wrangling, the GOP will send a health care bill to a vote Thursday. Also, President Trump is expected to sign an executive order relaxing political restrictions on religious groups.

President Trump flashes a thumbs up at the National Prayer Breakfast in February.

Trump Set To Relax Rules On Political Activity By Religious Groups

9:34pm May 03, 2017

by Jessica Taylor

The move on the National Day of Prayer is among the promises Trump made on the campaign trail that would blur government lines that divide church and state.

Sikh Americans Hope To Reduce Hate Crimes With Ad Campaign

6:18pm May 02, 2017

NPR's Robert Siegel talks to Rajwant Singh, co-chair of the National Sikh Campaign, about the new ad series, "We are Sikhs." The campaign seeks to raise awareness to hate crimes against Sikh Americans.

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Kansas City Archdiocese Cutting Ties With Girl Scouts Over 'Troubling Trends'

6:07pm May 02, 2017

by Merrit Kennedy

A Kansas archbishop says Scouts shouldn't hold up women like Gloria Steinem as role models. He says American Heritage Girls troops are "based on Christian values" and are a better fit for parishes.

Former President George W. Bush and Laura Bush greet evangelist Billy Graham in 2010.

Why White Evangelicals Are 'Splintering' Politically

11:47am May 02, 2017

by Danielle Kurtzleben

A new book traces the history of white evangelicals in the U.S., from the group's rebellious 19th century roots to its role as political force. We asked the author about where the movement is headed.

A buffalo market in central Rajasthan, India. Drivers ferrying these animals to slaughterhouses have been intercepted and accused of transporting cows, an animal many Hindus consider sacred. A new report from Human Rights Watch says that this devotion to

Vigilantes In India: Protecting Sacred Cows, Promoting A Hindu Way Of Life

7:18am May 02, 2017

by Julie McCarthy

Incidents of violence against non-Hindus are rising after Hindu nationalists swept recent elections in India. But critics say Hindu nationalism can't succeed in a country that is 15 percent Muslim.

Pope Francis celebrates Mass at the Air Defense Stadium in Cairo.(AP Photo/Nariman El-Mofty)

Pope Francis Winds Up Trip To Egypt

11:43am April 29, 2017

by Jim Kane

Military helicopters flew overhead as the Pope celebrated Mass for some 15 thousand Catholics in a stadium.

Religion

Pope Holds Mass In Cairo

7:57am April 29, 2017

by Sylvia Poggioli

Pope Francis celebrated Roman Catholic Mass on Saturday in a stadium in Cairo, Egypt. His visit is part of an effort to strengthen relations with the Muslim world, and to support Coptic Christians.

In Egypt, Pope Francis Gives Support To Coptic Christians After Attacks

4:31pm April 28, 2017

by Sylvia Poggioli

Pope Francis is in Egypt for a two day trip during which he hopes to strengthen ties with Muslim leaders and also give support to Egypt's ancient Coptic Christian sect, which has been the target of deadly attacks in recent weeks.

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Pedestrians walk past St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City. The number of Americans who list their church affiliation as "none" has certainly increased, but more than 70 percent still identify generally as Christian.

Why Religion Is More Durable Than Commonly Thought In Modern Society

1:17pm April 28, 2017

by Tom Gjelten

It's commonly accepted that as societies become more modern, religion loses its grip. But recent research suggests it's more complicated than that.

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