Doctrine & Practice
In this centuries-old English pancake race, ‘you just have to go flat out’
By Brian Melley and Kwiyeon Ha — February 15, 2024
OLNEY, England (AP) — The race is held the day before the start of Lent, the Christian period of repentance and sacrifice before Easter.
Greek lawmakers are debating a landmark bill to legalize same-sex marriage. Here’s what it means
By Derek Gatopoulos — February 14, 2024
ATHENS, Greece (AP) — The journey toward legalizing same-sex civil marriage in Greece has been long and contentious, with governments in the past shying away from a confrontation with the Orthodox Church.
Malaysia’s top court invalidates state’s Islam-based laws on incest, sodomy and other offenses
By Eileen Ng — February 9, 2024
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — The court said that the state could not make Islamic laws on those topics because they are covered by Malaysian federal law.
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
It’s the Year of the Dragon in the Chinese zodiac − associated with good fortune, wisdom and success
By Mario Poceski — February 8, 2024
(The Conversation) — According to the Chinese zodiac signs, each year in the lunar cycle is associated with a particular animal. The cycle repeats every 12 years.
The divine matchmaker in Chinese mythology − Old Man Under the Moon − who helps couples find love
By Megan Bryson — February 8, 2024
(The Conversation) — Young people in China are no longer settling into marriages arranged by their parents. But they are still looking for blessings from Chinese gods to find everlasting love.
Divine intervention? Ivorians say God is on their team’s side after ‘miracles’ at Africa Cup
By CiarÁn Fahey — February 8, 2024
ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast (AP) — At the Chapelle de l’externat Saint Paul for a service hours before the match, many worshippers wore the national team's distinctive orange jersey.
Every week is World Interfaith Harmony Week for devotees of Swami Vivekananda
By Richa Karmarkar — February 7, 2024
(RNS) — As religious conflict and disharmony rage on elsewhere in the world, the interfaith teachings of Swami Vivekananda are evergreen to these devotees.
Jesuits in US bolster outreach initiative aimed at encouraging LGBTQ+ Catholics
By David Crary — February 6, 2024
NEW YORK (AP) — Pope Francis, a Jesuit who has met with Martin and sent letters of support to Outreach, has made clear he favors a more welcoming approach to LGBTQ+ people.
At National Prayer Breakfast, Biden speaks of praying, working for peace
By Adelle M. Banks — February 1, 2024
(RNS) — ‘We're all blessed to live in a nation where we can practice our many faiths and practice them freely,’ Biden said at the U.S. Capitol’s Statuary Hall.
With bonfires and hope, Iran’s minority Zoroastrians celebrate Sadeh and the end of cold winter days
By Associated Press — January 31, 2024
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Around the fire, people listened to bands playing music, theological lectures as they milled about eating and celebrating.
The opening of India’s new Rama temple made waves – but here’s what the central ritual actually meant
By Vasudha Narayanan — January 31, 2024
(The Conversation) — A scholar of Hinduism explains the importance of the consecration ritual, which is believed to bring the presence of the divine into the temple.
Nazi genocides of Jews and Roma were entangled from the start – and so are their efforts at Holocaust remembrance today
By Ari Joskowicz — January 29, 2024
(The Conversation) — Many young people today know little about the murder of European Jews during the Holocaust, and even less about the murder of Romani communities.
Who was St. Brigid and why is she inspiring many 1,500 years after her death?
By Peter Smith — January 29, 2024
The commemorations come a year after Ireland began honoring her with an annual public holiday — the first Irish woman to be recognized with one.
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.
