religion

Abebe, the owner of Abyssinia, a popular Ethiopian eatery in Nairobi, Kenya, shows some of the foods permitted during the pre-Christmas fast. Orthodox Ethiopians typically eat just one vegan meal per day for 40 days before the Christmas feast on Jan. 7.

A 40-Day Vegan Fast, Then, At Last, A January Christmas Feast

4:48pm January 06, 2015

by Gregory Warner

The Ethiopian Orthodox Church observes Christmas on Jan. 7, and the 40 days prior are observed as a vegan fast. That means no dairy and no meat until the traditional dish of doro wat on Christmas Day.

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Rev. John Harmon preaches at Trinity Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C.

How Ebola Took A Toll On One American Church

6:49pm January 05, 2015

by Anders Kelto

Congregants at Trinity Episcopal Church come from many countries, including in West Africa. No one had visited the virus-stricken nations, yet fearful worshippers began skipping services.

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The winner of Miss Malaysia World 2013, Melinder Kaur Bhullar, poses during the grand finale on Aug. 2, 2013, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Four Muslim women were dropped as contestants after a religious decree, or fatwa, barred them from participating.

Yoga, Petting Puppies, Halloween: Banned By Malaysia's Muslim Clerics

5:16pm January 05, 2015

by Patrick Winn

The clerics are delivering a growing number of fatwas against what they see as insidious dangers. Liberal Muslims are annoyed by what they say is moral micromanaging.

Chapel of the Interlude includes a tiny sanctuary (left) and a fellowship hall (right) for gatherings. Both were severely damaged by 2013 floods in Colorado.

Flood Damage Repaired, Aging Congregation Still Faces Challenges

3:47pm January 05, 2015

by Grace Hood

Chapel of the Interlude in Drake, Colo., was damaged in 2013 when a flood brought mud, sticks and other debris into the building. So the aging congregation came together and restored their oasis.

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Pope Francis Announces 20 New Cardinals

9:36am January 05, 2015

The 20 new cardinals come from 18 different countries, including several from Asia, Africa and Oceania. Steve Inskeep talks to Vatican-watcher John Allen, a correspondent for The Boston Globe.

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Pope Francis waves from the window of his rooms at the Vatican to faithful at St. Peter's Square at his Sunday Angelus prayer at the Vatican City on Sunday.

Pope Announces 20 New Cardinals, With Homelands From Myanmar To Mexico

3:34pm January 04, 2015

by Scott Neuman

Some of the prelates come from countries that have never before been represented at such a high level in the Catholic Church — including Tonga and Cape Verde.

After three decades as a pastor, Faith Whitmore fulfills her vocation outside the pulpit, as district director for U.S. Rep. Ami Bera, D-Calif.

From Pulpit To Politics: A Pastor Takes Her Work To The Wider World

11:59am January 03, 2015

by Emily Green

Faith Whitmore says being a Methodist pastor was like running a small business. After 30 years of preaching, she was tired. Now she works on a larger platform as district director for a congressman.

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Book Review: 'Waking Up: A Guide To Spirituality Without Religion'

4:36pm December 31, 2014

by Adam Frank

Astrophysicist Adam Frank reviews Sam Harris' Book, Waking Up: A Guide to Spirituality without Religion.

About This Series: The 12 Days Of Quirky Christmas Foods Around The Globe

1:21pm December 30, 2014

by Maria Godoy

We're kicking off a 12-part series exploring the rich diversity of Christmastime edibles around the world. We've zeroed in on meals that reveal as much about a country's history as its gastronomy.

In this image taken from a video provided by Adnkronos International, Ali Agca stands in front of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, on Saturday. Agca, who tried to assassinate Pope John Paul II in 1981, laid flowers at the late pontiff's tomb.

Pope John Paul II's Would-Be Assassin Lays Roses At His Tomb

3:54pm December 28, 2014

by Scott Neuman

In 1981, Mehmet Ali Ağca shot the pontiff twice at close range as the pope's open motorcade passed through St. Peter's Square. He was jailed for three decades before his release in 2010.