Alternative Faiths
Documentary on Black millennials depicts wide range of religion, rebellion
By Adelle M. Banks — October 24, 2023
(RNS) — ‘We show the pluralistic nature of the African American religious experience,’ said creator Teddy Reeves, ‘from those who are of some formal faith tradition to those who are not.’
Nonviolence, rebellion and the Palestinian attack
By Andre Henry — October 13, 2023
(RNS) — In the famous words of John F. Kennedy, 'Those who make nonviolent revolutions impossible, make violent revolutions inevitable.'
Psychedelic ministry sells magic mushrooms from historic Detroit church
By Kathryn Post — October 12, 2023
(RNS) — The church was raided by police in September after reportedly displaying signs saying ‘Shrooms: we deliver.’
What ancient Greek stories of humans transformed into plants can teach us about fragility and resilience
By Marie-Claire Beaulieu — October 9, 2023
(The Conversation) — Stories in Greek mythology on the cycle of nature showing youth, death and rejuvenation can have lessons for us today on how grief changes over time and transforms who we are as people.
In secular Japan, what draws so many to temples and shrines? Stamp collecting and tradition
By Mari Yamaguchi — October 9, 2023
TOKYO (AP) — Japan has a long history of pragmatism about traditional religions, which often serve more as connections to family and community than as theological guides, as in the West.
US government agrees to help restore sacred Native American site destroyed for Oregon road project
By Claire Rush — October 9, 2023
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — In a settlement filed with the high court Thursday, the U.S. Department of Transportation and other federal agencies agreed to replant trees and aid in efforts to rebuild an altar at a site along U.S. Highway 26.
Inspired by llamas, the desert and Mother Earth, these craftswomen weave sacred textiles
By MarÍa Teresa HernÁndez — September 29, 2023
COLCHANE, Chile (AP) — Among the 3 million Aymaras who live along the borders of Chile, Perú and Bolivia, the Earth is known as “Pachamama.”
Soccer player Paulinho won’t let intolerance of his Afro-Brazilian religion stop his faith
By Mauricio Savarese — September 29, 2023
LAGOA SANTA, Brazil (AP) — Academics and religious-freedom advocates say that Afro-Brazilian religions are sometimes demonized in neo-Pentecostal churches.
Over 100 members of persecuted religious minority held at Turkish border
By Kathryn Post — September 13, 2023
(RNS) — Members of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light seeking asylum in the European Union have been detained in Turkey since May.
The radical, irreverent and inclusive religion of Burning Man
By Kathryn Post — August 25, 2023
(RNS) — 'Perhaps our presence can give people the sense that religion doesn’t need to be as judgmental or scary or exclusionary as they might experience it,' said John Brett, who helps lead the Religious AF camp at Burning Man.
As oil activities encroach on sacred natural sites, a small Ugandan community feels besieged
By Rodney Muhumuza — August 23, 2023
BULIISA, Uganda (AP) — As TotalEnergies invests billions into oilfield development and acquires more and more land, Wakitinti and other Bagungu people who practice traditional beliefs worry the spiritual power of at least 32 sacred natural sites in Buliisa keeps deteriorating.
How Sean Feucht helped bring the devil’s music to Indiana’s state capitol
By Heather Greene — July 31, 2023
(RNS) — After Christian musician Sean Feucht brought his God and Country concert to the Indiana Statehouse, Hoosier members of the Satanic Temple demanded access for a concert of their own.
Sinead O’Connor was once seen as a sacrilegious rebel, but her music and life were deeply infused with spiritual seeking
By Brenna Moore — July 28, 2023
(The Conversation) — A professor of modern Catholicism looks back at the ways the iconic Irish singer steeped herself in religion, even as she criticized its institutions.
Just about anybody in America can officiate a wedding, thanks to the internet – and one determined preacher
By Dusty Hoesly — July 27, 2023
(The Conversation) — A professor who has researched the Universal Life Church unpacks why many couples now prefer to hand-pick loved ones to perform their ceremonies.
From apps to labyrinths, walking gained as a spiritual tool in COVID-19 crisis
By Kathryn Post — July 26, 2023
(RNS) — How the creator of a new walking app, a co-founder of a decades-old walking group and a new generation of labyrinth enthusiasts turned to walking for spiritual renewal.
