Imam Mohammad Tawhidi participates in an interview. Many of Tawhidi’s detractors question his credentials and call him the “fake sheikh.” Video screenshot
Need to know: Thursday, April 18, 2019
How a controversial Muslim figure helped ignite a media firestorm over Rep. Ilhan Omar’s 9/11 comments
How did a video of Omar’s comments on the 9/11 terrorist attacks explode into such a massive controversy? Australia’s Imam Mohammad Tawhidi, who claims to be a Muslim reformer, lit the match.
Gallup: Number of Americans who belong to a church or house of worship plummets
A new Gallup study found that only half of Americans belong to a church or other house of worship, down from 69 percent two decades ago.
‘Hip-Hop Haggadah’ celebrates Jewish roots with a beat
For Jewish educator Matt Bar, there’s no better way to involve kids in the Passover seder than through the rhythmic, rhyming recitation of rap.
Despite scandal, St. Thomas Christians in Kerala aren’t going anywhere
In the last year, young Syro-Malabar Catholics have had their faith tested as their archbishop was accused of illegally selling church property and a bishop was arrested on charges of raping a nun.
Buttigieg plays the religion card
Breaking new ground as a presidential candidate, writes Mark Silk.
Black churches destroyed by arson see spike in donations after Notre-Dame fire
The fire at Notre-Dame cathedral on Monday prompted immediate pledges of millions of euros to help rebuild it. On Tuesday, it spurred donations to do the same for much smaller places of worship thousands of miles away that were recently destroyed by arson.
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Rastafarianism, promising freedom, spreads among African youth
A faith that originated in the Caribbean islands has drawn many adherents through its social justice and anti-colonialist messages.
Chrissy Metz on ‘Breakthrough’: Everything happens as it should
The 'This Is Us' actress said she 'wholeheartedly' believes in miracles, including the one a doctor says occurred in the life of a boy whose true story is depicted in the movie, releasing for Easter.
Notre Dame fire extinguished, Paris turns to assessing damage and repairs
Crowds gathered outside of Notre Dame Cathedral to give thanks that the beloved Paris landmark still stood, while officials began assessing damaging and making plans to rebuild. More than 500 million euros has already been pledged toward repairs.
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Notre Dame’s history is 9 centuries of change, renovation and renewal
(The Conversation) — The Notre-Dame de Paris had been damaged and changed many times since the mid-12th century. But the fire on April 15 might have been its most catastrophic event.
Pence controversy at Taylor University a sign of changes coming to Christian colleges
(RNS) — Vice President Mike Pence was recently invited to give the commencement address at Indiana's Taylor University. Not everyone at the evangelical school is thrilled with the idea. The controversy reflects a broader debate among evangelical schools.
History lends plenty of hope for the resurrection of Notre Dame
Great cathedrals like Canterbury and St. Paul’s have risen from their ashes, giving us some of Christendom's most majestic and popular pilgrimage sites today, writes Beth Allison Barr.
