David Crary
David Crary is an author at Religion News Service.
All Stories by David Crary
Transgender inclusion? World’s major religions take varying stances on policies toward trans people
By David Crary, Mariam Fam, and Deepa Bharath — April 10, 2024
(AP) – Around the world, major religions have diverse approaches to gender identity, and the inclusion or exclusion of transgender people. Some
Awe and dread: How religions have responded to total solar eclipses over the centuries
By David Crary, Mariam Fam, and Deepa Bharath — April 5, 2024
(AP) — Ahead of the total solar eclipse that will follow a long path over North America on Monday, here's a look at how several of the world's major religions have responded to such eclipses over the centuries and in modern times.
A California city wrestles with its history of discrimination against early Chinese immigrants
By Terry Tang and Deepa Bharath — March 21, 2024
ANTIOCH, Calif. (AP) — In the 19th century, Chinese people across California endured discrimination such as wage disparity, bans on property ownership and sundown laws that barred them from going outside after dark.
What is Lunar New Year and how is it celebrated?
By Deepa Bharath — February 8, 2024
Lunar New Year begins with the first new moon of the lunar calendar and ends 15 days later on the first full moon
New member of Mormon church leadership says it must do better to help sex abuse victims heal
By Deepa Bharath — January 24, 2024
The Utah-based faith has stuck by the system despite the criticism and increasing scrutiny from attorneys and prosecutors who argue it is inadequate to quickly stop abuse and protect victims.
Indigenous faithful and Christians work with environmentalists to conserve India’s sacred forests
By Deepa Bharath — January 17, 2024
SHILLONG, India (AP) — Mawphlang is one of more than 125 sacred forests in Meghalaya, and arguably the most famous one
Native Hawaiian salt makers combat climate change and pollution to protect a sacred tradition
By Deepa Bharath — January 3, 2024
HANAPEPE, Hawaii (AP) — Over the past decade, this tract has been under constant threat due to development, pollution from a neighboring airfield, sand erosion from vehicle traffic and littering by visitors to the adjacent beach.
A volcano on Hawaii’s Big Island is sacred to spiritual practitioners and treasured by astronomers
By Audrey Mcavoy and Deepa Bharath — December 13, 2023
MAUNA KEA, Hawaii (AP) — Mauna Kea is a dormant 14,000-foot shield volcano. In Native Hawaiian lore, it is the first-born son of the sky father and earth mother.
How a massive all-granite, hand-carved Hindu temple ended up on Hawaii’s lush Kauai Island
By Deepa Bharath — November 21, 2023
KAPAA, Hawaii (AP) — Less than 1% of Hawaii’s 1.4 million residents are Hindus and on Kauai, the number of Hindus may not even exceed 50, according to some estimates.
What is Diwali, the Festival of Lights, and how is it celebrated in India and the diaspora?
By Deepa Bharath — November 9, 2023
(AP) — It is celebrated across faiths by more than a billion people in the world’s most populous nation and the diaspora.
California governor vetoes bill that would have banned caste discrimination
By Deepa Bharath — October 7, 2023
(AP) — “Because discrimination based on caste is already prohibited under these existing categories, this bill is unnecessary,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said in his statement.
India-Canada tensions shine light on complexities of Sikh activism in the diaspora
By Deepa Bharath — September 25, 2023
(AP) — The debate over support for Khalistan and what activism looks like in the Sikh diaspora has intensified after Trudeau’s accusation that India may have had a hand in the assassination of 45-year-old Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
Arizona’s Oak Flat is sacred land to some Native Americans, but it’s endangered by a plan for a mine
By Deepa Bharath and Alejandra Molina — June 29, 2023
OAK FLAT, Ariz. (AP/RNS) — A religiously diverse coalition — Christian, Muslim, Sikh and other Native American groups — has backed the Apache Stronghold by filing amicus briefs.
What California’s Ravidassia community believes and why they want caste bias outlawed
By Deepa Bharath — June 7, 2023
(AP) — Members of an under-the-radar, minority religious community are stepping into the public eye to advocate for making the state the first in the nation to outlaw caste bias.
Russell Crowe stars as Vatican’s ‘James Bond of exorcists’
By Deepa Bharath — April 17, 2023
In three decades, the Rev. Gabriele Amorth, a Pauline priest, claimed to have conducted over 60,000 exorcisms.
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