religion

Muslims Celebrate Ramadan Virtually As Pandemic Restricts Large Gatherings

5:31am May 20, 2020

by Mohamad ElBardicy

Ramadan during the coronavirus pandemic has meant Muslims abandoning traditions of dinner gatherings and evening prayers at mosques. But many communities have taken celebrations online.

Queue Listen Now

Houses Of Worship Around The Country Are Struggling To Reopen

3:45pm May 19, 2020

by Tom Gjelten

The closure of churches due to the coronavirus could have long-lasting effects congregations. Some people say they became more connected with their faith, and others may be drifting away.

Queue Listen Now

Religion

Detroit Priest Uses Squirt Gun To Enforce Social Distancing

7:02am May 19, 2020

He sprays holy water at parishioners. Photos show him wearing a mask, face shield and gloves as he aims the squirt gun into cars that pull up. He came up with the idea to make social distancing fun.

Queue Listen Now

Gabe wanted to read from an actual Torah, not the sheets of paper he used for practice.

For Some, Zoom Bar And Bat Mitzvahs Highlight 'Most Meaningful And Memorable Moments'

9:34am May 16, 2020

by Shira Springer

This spring, congregations are reimagining how to celebrate bar and bat mitzvahs in light of the coronavirus pandemic. Some of these Jewish coming of age ceremonies are going online.

Queue Listen Now

Volunteer Al Wheeler, wearing bunny ears, keeps an eye on the service and cars during a drive-in Easter service at First Baptist Church in Plaistow, N.H., on April 12. Since the COVID-19 pandemic has made services inside the church a danger to health, the

Religion

Share Your Thoughts: How Church May Change After The Coronavirus

5:30pm May 13, 2020

by Tom Gjelten

Houses of worship in America have now been closed for about two months. We are wondering how worship habits will be changed long-term by the COVID-19 pandemic. We'd like you to share your thoughts.

Hassidic Jews Socially distancing on a Willamsburg street during Saturday morning shabbat prayers on May 2.

Jewish Americans Say They Are Scapegoated For The Coronavirus Spread

3:29pm May 13, 2020

by Matt Katz

Violations of health regulations by Orthodox Jews have been documented by public officials and media at a level of scrutiny that Jews say others don't face.

Supreme Court Weighs Whether Religious Schools Can Fire Lay Workers

7:26pm May 11, 2020

The pair of cases is the second time in less than a decade that the court has been asked to consider arguments involving discrimination lawsuits from teachers fired by parochial schools.

Queue Listen Now

Supreme Court Weighs Whether Parochial Schools Are Exempt From Fair Employment Laws

2:45pm May 11, 2020

by Nina Totenberg

For decades, lower courts have recognized an exception to the nation's employment laws for ministers. But how do we define who is a minister and who is not?

Queue Listen Now

A group of conservative Catholics suggests coronavirus social distancing measures lead to a "police state."

Religion

Some See Plot To Create 'World Government' In Coronavirus Restrictions

6:39pm May 08, 2020

by Tom Gjelten

A manifesto by some prominent Catholic leaders alleges that some powers are using the coronavirus as a "pretext" to foment worldwide panic, restrict freedom and gain control over citizens.

COVID-19 Pandemic Further Alienates Muslim Minority Rohingya

8:13am May 07, 2020

by Michael Sullivan

Boats full of Muslim minority Rohingya refugees are being pushed back by Malaysia, in part, the government says, over fears of the coronavirus virus.

Queue Listen Now