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Religion
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November 27, 2013
The New Pope’s New Direction
What does Pope Francis’s exhortation tell us about his priorities and plans? What obstacles will he face?
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November 18, 2013
Natural Disasters or ‘Acts of God’?
When the law and people of faith refer to an event as an "act of God," is that constructive or a distraction?
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October 27, 2013
If Jews Skip Synagogue and Christians Skip Church
How can congregations recapture the many “lost sheep” who identify with a religious tradition but no longer engage with it?
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August 15, 2013
Should Creationism Be Controversial?
Why are some people drawn to origin narratives like in Genesis, and others to the scientific story?
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June 27, 2013
Should Atheists Pray?
What’s the point of prayer? Is it just for believers, or would praying be a fruitful habit for everyone?
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March 28, 2013
What Is the Purpose of Lent?
This week, many Christians are ending their 40 days of sacrifice. For believers or others, is there a point to giving something …
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March 14, 2013
A Catholic Comeback for Latin America?
Now under the first pope from Latin America, what can the Catholic Church do to compete with the appeal of evangelicalism there?
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February 17, 2013
Which Holidays Should Government Recognize?
Should we take off Election Day? Or stop recognizing Christmas, to keep the separation of church and state?
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January 22, 2013
Is Atheism a Religion?
London now has an atheist church. The U.S. military could recognize atheist chaplains. Can lack-of-faith communities replace faith communities?
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January 8, 2013
With Children, When Does Religion Go Too Far?
When does a religious upbringing cross the line from nurturing to oppressive?
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December 13, 2012
Holidays Without God
Can you really celebrate Christmas and Hanukkah without paying tribute to God?
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October 4, 2012
Is Islam an Obstacle to Democracy?
If Arab nations were to "draw on Islamic traditions," would they favor democratic government?
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July 10, 2012
An Age of Consent for Circumcision?
Should the law delay this procedure until boys can decide for themselves? Or would that infringe on religious liberty for Muslims and …
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June 12, 2012
Will the Vatican’s Crackdown on Nuns Work?
Trying to rein in nuns has been a P.R. challenge for the church. Should it engage with the sisters in a more …
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May 9, 2012
Should Churches Get Tax Breaks?
Should religious organizations be subject to the same rules and taxes as secular ones?
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April 10, 2012
Why Do Americans Balk at Euthanasia Laws?
What would need to change before the U.S. would legalize physician-assisted suicide?
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April 4, 2012
Bringing Dollars and Cents Into This Century
How should the U.S. update its currency? By going digital? Or replacing "In God We Trust"? Or redesigning bills so the blind …
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February 2, 2012
Black Churches and a New Generation of Protest
What are the most pressing issues for black church activism to address? Income inequality? Racism? Gay rights?
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January 30, 2012
What Is It About Mormons?
If Mormons are such responsible people, why are voters turned off?
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January 12, 2012
Me, Myself and Yoga
How can we reconcile a spiritual practice with a fitness trend in a culture that already emphasizes the individual over the community?
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December 22, 2011
Is Americans’ Religious Freedom Under Threat?
In airports, classrooms and doctors' offices, Christians and religious minorities say, Americans are falling short of the founders' First Amendment ideals.
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December 13, 2011
Have Evangelicals Lost Their Sway?
The G.O.P. field is led by a Mormon and a twice-divorced Catholic. Does that show evangelicals' influence has waned?
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October 30, 2011
Religion at the Ballot Box
Politicians say their religion guides them, so it’s fair to ask: What exactly would a Christian platform look like?
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September 8, 2011
The First Church of Facebook
Can online communities like Jesus Daily take the place of offline religious life, like what happens at synagogues and churches?
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July 4, 2011
Are Republicans Ready Now for a Mormon President?
In 2008, Mitt Romney's religion was a problem. Will the party's voters get over that in 2012?
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March 10, 2011
What Is the Terrorism Threat Now?
What have we learned in the past 10 years about identifying and tracking domestic terrorist groups?
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September 9, 2010
When a Fringe Figure Becomes News
How should the news media have responded to Terry Jones and his plan to burn the Koran?
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August 5, 2010
What a Mosque Says About New York
What role does the city play in the American political imagination in the post-9/11 era?
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March 17, 2010
Changing the Vatican’s Response to Abuse
What should the pope have learned from the Catholic Church's handling of sex abuse cases in the U.S.?
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November 15, 2009
Hobbes in Hebrew: The Religion Question
What a first full translation of "Leviathan" says about the current concerns of political thought.
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