pagan
Thor and his followers come to the Northern California hills
By Kimberly Winston — October 16, 2015
BROWNSVILLE, Calif. (RNS) Around one corner of a snaking two-lane road sits an old barnlike building newly decorated to invoke a Viking longhouse, with dragon-headed door hinges and a carved red "mjolnir" -- the hammer of Thor -- above its front doors.
8 banned books to celebrate Blasphemy Rights Day
By Brian Pellot — September 30, 2015
(RNS) The Bible and "Fifty Shades of Grey" share more than a few raunchy sex scenes. For Banned Books Week and International Blasphemy Rights Day (Sept. 30), these eight titles are still too hot to handle.
Pagan Pride Day: Earth-based religions celebrate unique identity (PHOTOS)
By Lauren Pond — September 22, 2015
(RNS) It is difficult to estimate the size of the American neo-pagan community, which includes adherents to Wicca, Druidism and Asatru, among other polytheistic and Earth-based religions. Fearing reprisal for their beliefs, many people do not publicly identify as pagan. They remain, as the saying goes, “in the broom closet.”
Marijuana ministries * Chicken blood * Chocolate snakes: July’s Religious Freedom Recap
By Brian Pellot — July 31, 2015
Cannabis churches are billowing out across America. Chicken huggers are suing to keep ritual bird blood off Brooklyn’s sidewalks. And a South African prophet is being prosecuted for turning congregants into snakes and snakes into chocolate.
Satanic group unveils controversial statue in Detroit
By Reuters — July 26, 2015
DETROIT -- The group, which opposes Bible-themed displays on government land, kept the location of its 9-foot-tall monument secret until the last moment,
Will Thor join the Army? Believers still in limbo
By Kimberly Winston — July 7, 2015
(RNS) In January, a U.S. Army official told Heathen representatives that the old Norse religion of Asatru had been granted official recognition -- only to backtrack a few days later.
Gay marriage * Ramadan deaths * Abortion drone: June’s Religious Freedom Recap
By Brian Pellot — July 2, 2015
America remains buried under three feet of glitter. More than 1,000 people have died during a Ramadan heatwave in Karachi. And an “abortion drone” was spotted dropping pills over conservative Poland. Read on.
Missing Mom at the movies
By Jana Riess — April 21, 2015
Movies aren’t just entertainment; they’re memories of life and love. When I see a movie a second time I am always thinking about where I was and who I was with the first time. And Mom and I aren't making those memories anymore.
Anti-Semitism * Anti-sex * Anti-women: February’s Religious Freedom Recap
By Brian Pellot — March 2, 2015
Cold, short February was jam-packed with some mega atrocities on the religious freedom front. Count your lucky stars it's March, and hope for a better month ahead.
The ‘spiritual descendants of Vikings’ take their turn in the spotlight
By Kimberly Winston — February 5, 2015
(RNS) Followers of the Viking religion, called Asatru, are getting their first temple in 1,000 years in Iceland. But the ancient faith has spread farther than any Viking ever traveled, to Australia, New Zealand and at least 21 U.S. states.
Iceland to build first temple to Norse gods in 1,000 years
By Reuters — February 3, 2015
(RNS) Worship of the gods in Scandinavia gave way to Christianity around 1,000 years ago but a modern version of Norse paganism has been gaining popularity in Iceland.
Online ordinations aren’t just for weddings anymore
By Heather Adams — January 13, 2015
(RNS) Getting ordained online to officiate at a friend's wedding? Sure. But what about being a high priestess who can banish spirits and lift curses?
Brittany Maynard dies * ISIS crucifies teen * Sneaky bat mitzvah: October’s Religious Freedom Recap
By Brian Pellot — November 3, 2014
Brittany Maynard ends her life. ISIS fighters crucify a Syrian teen for taking photos. And Women of the Wall host a sneaky bat mitzvah in Jerusalem. This and more in this month’s recap.
The grief that keeps on giving
By Jana Riess — October 30, 2014
These episodes don’t happen very often anymore, more than a year and a half after losing Mom. But the grief is always there, gently submerged, biding its time.
A pagan holiday? NJ school district cancels, reinstates Halloween celebrations
By Jessica Mazzola — October 16, 2014
MAPLEWOOD, N.J. (RNS) Parents of students at the Seth Boyden Elementary School in Maplewood received a note home from the principal saying that the annual Halloween celebration would be canceled. The following day it was reinstated.
