Ken Chitwood

Ken Chitwood is an author at Religion News Service.

All Stories by Ken Chitwood

In Germany, blessings for same-sex couples exacerbate tensions with Vatican

By Ken Chitwood — June 1, 2021

(RNS) — A campaign to bless same-sex couples comes in defiance of a Vatican statement that such blessings were ‘not legitimate.’

Germany celebrates a historic milestone of Jewish culture — while looking forward

By Ken Chitwood — May 6, 2021

BERLIN (RNS) — As their community turns 1,700 this year, Germany’s Jews want to cast off the bleak history of the Holocaust in favor of a ‘living Judaism.’

Dream of 3 faiths worshipping in one building meets reality in Berlin

By Ken Chitwood — February 15, 2021

(RNS) — Its designers and leaders hope it will be used by Jewish, Christian and Muslim members as a place to pray, worship, gather and, perhaps above all, host a dialogue among their respective religions and with society at large.

Dying ‘the Buddhist way’ gains in hospice centers in the West

By Ken Chitwood — November 12, 2020

(RNS) — The emergence of Buddhist-oriented hospices in the U.S. and elsewhere is said to show a dissatisfaction with conventional Western views of life and death.

Campaign posters in ‘Luther country’ raise specter of anti-Semitism

By Ken Chitwood — October 9, 2019

ERFURT, Germany (RNS) — Today, the question remains which part of Luther's legacy will have the greater impact on the upcoming election.

Amid Ramadan celebrations, Jordanians fear an uncertain future

By Ken Chitwood — June 5, 2019

AMMAN, Jordan (RNS) — In Jordan, young Muslims count their blessings during Ramadan but worry about the future.

What is Eid and how do Muslims celebrate it? 6 questions answered

By Ken Chitwood — June 4, 2019

(The Conversation) — Muslims all over the world are celebrating Eid al-Fitr, one of the religion’s principal festivals.

‘Brewery church’ is the latest in craft of luring folks to church

By Ken Chitwood — February 12, 2019

ORLANDO, Fla. (RNS) — What its founders call their town's 'newest premier destination brewery' is also a spiritual community known as Castle Church.

How an ancient Islamic holiday became uniquely Caribbean

By Ken Chitwood — September 20, 2018

(The Conversation) — In Trinidad, where Muslims make up 5 percent of the population, a parade of colorful floats marks the Shiite holy day of Ashura, but the festival also commemorates those killed in the anti-British Hosay riots in 1884.

What is the Hajj?

By Ken Chitwood — August 17, 2018

(The Conversation) — Nearly 2 million Muslim pilgrims are gathering in the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia for the Hajj, a once-in-a-lifetime obligation for all Muslims who are able to undertake the five-day pilgrimage.

On Eid 2017, a peek into the lives of Puerto Rican Muslims

By Ken Chitwood — June 26, 2017

(The Conversation) Who are the Puerto Rican Muslims and what are their struggles?

At Ramadan, an online petition for female Quran reciters

By Ken Chitwood — June 29, 2015

(RNS) Searching for a recitation from a female "qariah" or reciter, Jerusha Lamptey, assistant professor of Islam and ministry at Union Theological Seminary, found none.

‘Radical Muslims’ clothing line attempts to shatter stereotypes

By Ken Chitwood — April 13, 2015

(RNS) The Sidikii clothing line allows Muslim youth to choose clothing that reflects their dual identities: Muslim and cool.

The Ice Bucket competitor: Can the Quran Challenge go viral?

By Ken Chitwood — September 22, 2014

(RNS) The new campaign seeks to raise awareness and funds for Muslim da’wah -- a call to propagate the faith -- by reciting verses from the Quran on various online platforms.

Targeted Islamic outreach to Hispanics achieving results

By Ken Chitwood — February 28, 2014

PEARLAND, Texas (RNS) “My conversion was a shock for my family, they thought I rejected Jesus, Mary, my culture,” said Imam Isa Parada, one of the leaders of Islam In Spanish. “My dad thought I was going to be a terrorist.”

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