Religion HubThe Religion Hub is a feature of the Global Religion Journalism Initiative – a collaborative effort of Religion News Service, the Associated Press and The Conversation US. Made possible by Lilly Endowment, Inc.
Afro-Cuban drums, Muslim prayers, Buddhist mantras: Religious diversity blooms in once-atheist Cuba
By Luis Andres Henao — May 17, 2024
HAVANA (AP) — Today, diverse beliefs can be found mixed together on altars in homes, with the Virgin Mary sharing space with a ceramic Buddha and a warrior spirit from the Afro-Cuban faith.
He feared coming out. Now this pastor wants to help Black churches become as welcoming as his own
By Darren Sands — May 17, 2024
Anitta defends her Afro-Brazilian faith after new music video costs her some followers
By ElÉonore Hughes — May 16, 2024
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United Methodists scrap their anti-gay bans. A woman who defied them seeks reinstatement as pastor
By David Crary, Peter Smith, and Holly Meyer — May 16, 2024
(AP) — Earlier this month, delegates at a United Methodist Church conference struck down the UMC’s longstanding anti-LGBTQ policies and created a path for clergy ousted because of them to seek reinstatement.
Why the speech by Kansas City Chiefs kicker was embraced at Benedictine College’s commencement
By Peter Smith and Heather Hollingsworth — May 16, 2024
(AP) — The fast-growing college is part of a constellation of conservative Catholic colleges that tout their adherence to church teachings and practice — part of a larger conservative movement in parts of the U.S. Catholic Church.
This, too, could pass: Christian group’s rule keeping beaches closed on Sunday mornings may end
By Wayne Parry — May 16, 2024
OCEAN GROVE, N.J. (AP) — The association, a nonprofit Christian entity that owns the beach and the land under all of Ocean Grove's houses, has long kept people off the beach before noon on Sundays.
A Palestinian converted to Judaism. An Israeli soldier saw him as a threat and opened fire
By Jack Jeffery — May 16, 2024
JERUSALEM (AP) — In his final moments, David Ben-Avraham was once again viewed as a Palestinian who was in the wrong place, at a time of widespread anger and suspicion.
The Rev. William Lawson, Texas civil rights leader who worked with Martin Luther King Jr, dies at 95
By Associated Press — May 15, 2024
HOUSTON (AP) — Lawson’s longtime church, Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church in that Texas city, announced on its website that he had died on Tuesday.
Chiefs kicker Butker congratulates women graduates and says most are more excited about motherhood
By Associated Press — May 15, 2024
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The three-time Super Bowl champion delivered the roughly 20-minute address Saturday at the Catholic private liberal arts school in Atchison, Kansas.
India’s parliament has fewer Muslims as strength of Modi’s party grows
By Sheikh Saaliq and Krutika Pathi — May 15, 2024
MALAPPURAM, India (AP) — Ever since the BJP began its rise as a political force in the mid-1980s, the proportion of Muslim lawmakers in parliament and state legislatures has shrunk.
Vatican conference on ‘climate resilience’ is the latest in a long line of environment initiatives by Pope Francis and the Catholic Church – 5 essential reads
By Molly Jackson — May 14, 2024
(The Conversation) — Pope Francis and other Catholic leaders committed to raising awareness of environmental issues draw on centuries of tradition.
Asian Jewish Americans have a double reason to celebrate their heritage in May
By Samira Mehta — May 14, 2024
(The Conversation) — This month marks Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, as well as Jewish American Heritage Month.
Why do religious teens engage in less risky behavior? A psychologist explains
By James A. Shepperd — May 14, 2024
(The Conversation) — Research suggests that a clear understanding of what is right and wrong contributes to engaging in less risky behavior.
Abuse victim advocates pushing Missouri AG to investigate Christian boarding schools
By Jim Salter — May 14, 2024
ST. LOUIS (AP) — Three Christian boarding schools in southern Missouri have shut down since 2020 amid wide-ranging abuse allegations levied by current and former students.
Buddha’s birthday: When is it and how is it celebrated in different countries?
By Deepa Bharath — May 13, 2024
(AP) – This is a holy occasion for all Buddhists, but is celebrated on different dates depending on the school of Buddhism or country to which one belongs.
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