VATICAN CITY (RNS) Pope Benedict XVI has drawn the ire of many Catholics with its attempt to reconcile with the Society of St. Pius X, a traditionalist breakaway Catholic group. Now, the SSPX's final answer to a Vatican offer of reconciliation is expected within days. By Alessandro Speciale.

WASHINGTON (RNS) Muslim consumers are growing in America and they have money they want to spend. Now, mainstream businesses and marketing are starting to take notice. By Annalisa Musarra.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (RNS) Another voice from the past is telling the stories of the Holocaust. Violins that outlived their owners in the Nazi camps and Jewish ghettos are being brought back to life by Amnon Weinstein in his shop in Tel Aviv, and will be unveiled for Holocaust Remembrance Day ceremonies. By Ken Garfield.

(RNS) Churches take pride in plumes of sweet smoke, glorious music, and, for at least one day, full pews. But outside our doors, fear and hatred prevail without much opposition from us. I feel a deep sadness about a Christian enterprise that cannot do what we were called to do, but retreats instead into what we enjoy doing.  By Tom Ehrich.

(RNS) The Jewish doctor from Miami who was scolded by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons for producing a music video that mocked Jewish noses has canceled a contest for another music video.

(RNS) Thomas Kinkade, a commercially successful painter of pastoral settings and a special favorite of his fellow evangelicals, died Friday (April 6) at the age of 54. Questions remain, however, about his behavior in recent years, including financial scandals as well as suspicions of alcohol abuse and reports of bizarre public incidents. By David Gibson.

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. (RNS) A satirical student newspaper is under investigation by Rutgers University after publishing a column in praise of Adolf Hitler and attributing it to a Jewish student activist. By Jessica Calefati and Ryan Hutchins.

“We feel we have a role to play in renewing the culture and holding back the effects of sin,” said Gabe Lyons, founder of Q, a nonprofit organization based in New York City that will host its sixth annual conference in Washington, this week. “We’re not to do it in an antagonistic way. We hope to do it in a hopeful way." By Yonat Shimron

As Mitt Romney pivots to a general election campaign against President Obama, nothing will be more critical to his success than winning the hearts and minds of social conservatives. That task, however, won't be easy. By David Gibson.

(RNS) Is it okay to ask God to do harm to another person? The theology of such “imprecatory prayer” may be a matter of debate, but a Dallas judge has ruled it is legal, at least as long as no one is actually threatened or harmed. By David Gibson.

(RNS) The Oklahoma state senate voted Thursday (April 5) to kill a bill that would have prohibited state judges from considering foreign laws, including Islamic law, in their decisions. By Omar Sacirbey.

(RNS) Just 9 percent of U.S. adults who left their faith say they've returned to the pews, practices and prayers that shaped them. They're not converts; they're reverts. And religious denominations are stepping up efforts to reclaim, re-energize and re-educate these fallen-away faithful. By Cathy Lynn Grossman.

We never knew there could be so much debate on what's kosher for Passover. Yes: Cannabis Cookies. No: 56,000 closets full of crackers and crumbs, and a $30,000 watch in Russia. Maybe: bugs and insects.