Health & Lifestyle

Folk healers create modern techniques from their ancestors’ lost lore

By Isaiah Murtaugh — May 13, 2021

(RNS) — A collective of healers and practitioners is revisiting ancestral practices to become ‘ancestors for the future.’

In India, Hindus fast in Ramadan for growth and solidarity with Muslim friends

By Bhavya Dore — May 11, 2021

MUMBAI (RNS) — 'It disciplines your body, makes you introspect and helps you build a habit,' said one Hindu who participates in Ramadan's fasting and reflection.

For some pastors, the past year was a sign from God it was time to quit

By Bob Smietana — May 7, 2021

(RNS) — Already stretched thin, these clergy found the demands of the pandemic — from producing video church to combating conspiracy theories — took all the joy out of the job.

Domestic abuse surged under COVID-19. Clergy need better tools to help survivors.

By Donna Kirshbaum — May 6, 2021

(RNS) — Ready or not, clergy are likely to be sought out more frequently by those leaving homes after a year of quarantine and quarreling.

Pope Francis invites faithful to monthlong rosary marathon for end of pandemic

By Claire Giangravé — May 5, 2021

VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Thirty sanctuaries located all over the world and dedicated to the Virgin Mary will take part in reciting the rosary in unison throughout the Marian month of May, each one in turn leading the prayer.

Indians are forced to change rituals for the dead as COVID-19 rages

By Natasha Mikles — May 4, 2021

(RNS) — Families want their loved ones cared for quickly, but there is a shortage of people who can do the funerals.

For California Muslims: A Ramadan approaching normal

By Joseph Hammond — April 28, 2021

LOS ANGELES (RNS) — Earlier this month, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that California could not enforce restrictions on at-home indoor religious gatherings. The 5-4 ruling, coming on the eve of Ramadan, has been a boon to California Muslims.

God’s plan for animals is a hot topic in theology that we can all understand

By Charles C. Camosy — April 28, 2021

(RNS) — While much of theology is abstract by nature, this subject is as relatable as Happy the Elephant.

For evangelical leader Jamie Aten, advocating for vaccines led to a death threat

By Bob Smietana — April 27, 2021

(RNS) — Aten, who teaches at an evangelical college, has received swarms of angry anti-vaxxer emails — including one saying his work was ‘punishable by death.’

CDC director: Masked, fully vaccinated people can safely attend worship indoors

By Jack Jenkins — April 27, 2021

(RNS) — ‘As we gather more and more data on the real-world efficacy of vaccines, we know that masked, fully vaccinated people can safely attend worship services inside,’ said CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky.

What Homer’s ‘Odyssey’ can teach us about reentering the world after a year of isolation

By Joel Christensen — April 26, 2021

(The Conversation) — As the pandemic has dragged on, I've returned to reunited Odysseus and Penelope's conversation.

Imam Sohaib Sultan, beloved Muslim chaplain, is dead at 40

By Silma Suba — April 22, 2021

(Interfaith America) — A lecturer and writer on Islam was known for his interfaith leadership as a chaplain at Princeton University and as a bridge-builder to other faith communities.