Religion HubThe Religion Hub is a feature of the Global Religion Journalism Initiative – a collaborative effort of Religion News Service, the Associated Press and The Conversation US. Made possible by Lilly Endowment, Inc.
3 big numbers that tell the story of secularization in America
By Phil Zuckerman — March 8, 2023
(The Conversation) — Secularization has fascinated sociologists for 200 years – but that doesn’t mean they always agree on what it is, or how much it’s happening.
Discrimination based on caste is pervasive in South Asian communities around the world – now Seattle has banned it
By Aseem Hasnain and Abhilasha Srivastava — March 8, 2023
(The Conversation) — Two social scientists explain how caste-identities are pervasive in not just Hinduism but other South Asian faith groups as well.
Polish TV report: John Paul II knew of abuse as archbishop
By Monika Scislowska — March 7, 2023
WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Pope St. John Paul II knew about sexual abuse of children by priests under his authority and sought to conceal it when he was an archbishop in his native Poland, according to a television news report.
Pope renews cabinet of cardinal advisers, adds new members
By Associated Press — March 7, 2023
(AP) — Among the new cardinal named to the council are Cardinal Gérald C. Lacroix, archbishop of Quebec and Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, archbishop of Luxembourg and general rapporteur of the Synod of Bishops.
Asteroid named after pope behind Gregorian calendar reform
By Associated Press — March 2, 2023
ROME (AP) — Pope Gregory XIII, the 16th century pontiff responsible for the Gregorian calendar, now has another celestial claim to fame.
How far must employers go to accommodate workers’ time off for worship? The Supreme Court will weigh in
By Charles J. Russo — March 2, 2023
(The Conversation) — Employers navigating employees’ requests for religious accommodations face some confusing guidance. A new Supreme Court case could clarify – and shift the norm.
Sage, sacred to Native Americans, is being used in purification rituals, raising issues of cultural appropriation
By Helen A. Berger — March 2, 2023
(The Conversation) — Native Americans are struggling to find sage for their spiritual practices as the plant is being overharvested for sale to the wider public.
‘A time bomb’: India’s sinking holy town faces grim future
By Shonal Ganguly and Krutika Pathi — March 1, 2023
JOSHIMATH, India (AP) — For months, the roughly 20,000 residents in Joshimath, revered by Hindu and Sikh pilgrims, have watched the earth slowly swallow their community.
Saddleback Church doubles down on support for female pastors
By Deepa Bharath and Peter Smith — March 1, 2023
(AP) — “I’m serving Jesus under the authority and in alignment with my spiritual leaders,” said Stacie Wood, teaching pastor at Saddleback Church.
How Jimmy Carter integrated his evangelical Christian faith into his political work, despite mockery and misunderstanding
By Lori Amber Roessner — March 1, 2023
(The Conversation) — A media scholar who studied Carter and interviewed him explains how he attempted to translate Jesus’ teachings into action through his life of public service.
Memphis teen 1 of 2 charged in church leader’s 2022 killing
By Adrian Sainz — March 1, 2023
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — In July 2022, a prominent United Methodist Church leader in Memphis, Tennessee, was found in the driveway of her home with gunshot wounds.
Push to require clergy to report abuse stalls in Mormon Utah
By Sam Metz — March 1, 2023
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Behind-the-scenes conversations between legislative leaders and what Senate President Stuart Adams said was “a broad base of religious groups” helped thwart proposals.
West Virginia ‘religious freedom’ bill headed to governor
By John Raby and Leah Willingham — March 1, 2023
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — The bill is described by supporters as a tool to protect religious freedom and labeled a “license to discriminate” by LGBTQ rights advocates.
A brief history of the Black church’s diversity, and its vital role in American political history
By Jason Oliver Evans — February 27, 2023
(The Conversation) — Millions of enslaved Africans were forcefully converted to the Christian faith. The Black church came about when African Americans began to establish their own congregations.
Debates over sacred images in the Byzantine Empire show why it’s hard to appease any side
By Paroma Chatterjee — February 23, 2023
(The Conversation) — Fierce debates about visual depictions of the sacred have existed for centuries. An art historian explains the controversies in the Byzantine Empire over images of Christ.
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