Latest Religion News
Private planes are nice, but won’t make you happy
A psychology professor says that a sense of meaning is your best bet for real happiness.
Dinesh D'Souza indicted on charges of violating election law
Conservative activist Dinesh D’Souza has been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of violating campaign finance laws in contributions to a Senate candidate.
Seattle-area Catholic school won't re-hire gay
A Catholic school in a Seattle suburb says it won’t rehire gay Vice-Principal Mark Zmuda, who was forced out in December after his same-sex marriage.
Pope Francis meets scandal-scarred French President Francois Hollande
French President Francois Hollande, embroiled in a controversy surrounding an alleged affair with an actress, met Friday (Jan. 24) with Pope Francis, who was unusually somber in his public appearance with the scandal-scarred French leader.
Vatican urges ex-Swiss Guard to detail gay threat
A senior Vatican official has urged a former Swiss Guard commander to come forward with details about accusations that the gay culture in the Vatican posed a security threat to the pope.
Russian Orthodox Church to be built on Seine River in Paris
If all goes as planned, a golden-domed Russian Orthodox Church will flank the Seine River two years from now, a glittering symbol of Moscow’s growing spiritual and political presence abroad.
Jewish bakery evolves to cater to East London's new clientele
Foodies are flocking to London’s East End in search of the “crodough,” Britain’s answer to New York’s “cronut” craze.
Pope drafting encyclical on man and environment
Pope Francis has begun drafting an encyclical on ecology.
Hollande meets with Pope Francis amid affair rumor
French President Francois Hollande met Friday with Pope Francis amid tensions in his private life over a gossip magazine’s report about an alleged affair with an actress.
Man convicted in Arizona Buddhist temple slayings
It was one of Arizona’s most notorious murder cases: the executions of nine people, including six monks, at a suburban Phoenix Buddhist temple.
Ranks of defiant United Methodist clergy rise
Almost daily, evidence mounts of defiant United Methodist clergy breaking church law on behalf of gays and lesbians as the nation’s second-largest Protestant denomination struggles with what may be its most vexing rebellion in decades.
Evangelical campaign says everyone _ even gays _ reflect God's image
A group of Christian leaders has set up a new campaign to emphasize that all people — gay, liberal, undocumented or otherwise — reflect the image of God.
Sikhs say Pentagon rules on religious attire don't go far enough
Sikh leaders who have pushed for greater religious accommodation from the Pentagon say an updated policy on uniform and grooming standards is a welcome step but nonetheless maintains “the presumptive ban on Sikh articles of faith.”
For some Christians, sharing medical bills is a godly alternative
Every time he goes to the doctor’s office, Daniel Eddinger takes a leap of faith.
SIDEBAR: Cremation is popular, but is it green?
Cremation is forbidden in traditional Islam and Judaism but accepted by most other religions. It is also the fastest-growing way Americans choose to deal with their bodies after death.
Green burials reflect a shift to care for the body and soul
Growing up in small-town Georgia, John B. Johnson had family friends who ran the funeral home down the street, so the particulars of a typical American funeral — the embalming, the heavy casket and remarks about how great the deceased’s hair looked — were all familiar to him.
Christians in the Sudan face travel restrictions, cardinal says
For Christians living in predominantly Muslim Sudan, travel restrictions are making life more difficult each day, a Roman Catholic cardinal said.
COMMENTARY: The Catholic case for contraception coverage
The ongoing debate about the state of religious freedom in the United States is riddled with distortion and half-truths. There is certainly an important debate to be had, but sadly it’s not the one we hear much about.
Guilty verdicts in third trial of man charged in 1991 Arizona Buddhist temple slayings
Guilty verdicts in third trial of man charged in 1991 Arizona Buddhist temple slayings.
Thousands brave cold for abortion protest in D.C.
Thousands of abortion opponents faced bitter cold weather Wednesday to rally and march on Capitol Hill to protest legalized abortion, with a signal of support from Pope Francis.
Elsewhere in National
There are no discussions scheduled today.
Carolyn Hax
Chat transcript
My friend lost the baby she wasn’t sure she wanted. How do I respond to her loss?