Islam
Muslim and anti-Muslim bus ads battle heads to Round 3
By Cathy Lynn Grossman — June 11, 2014
WASHINGTON (RNS) Brace for more bus ads as advocates seek PR mileage praising or decrying Islam and the Quran.
Was World War I a religious crusade? An interview with Philip Jenkins
By Jonathan Merritt — May 22, 2014
A distinguished historian argues that The Great War was also a holy war that reshaped every major religion of the 20th century.
Muslim and anti-Muslim groups go to war in bus, print ads
By Cathy Lynn Grossman — May 21, 2014
WASHINGTON (RNS) Anti-Muslim bus and newspaper ads aim to circumvent the national media.
Turbulence: tranquility through the storms
By Omid Safi — April 26, 2014
Turbulence in flight, and in life, often leaves us nauseous. And yet beyond that turbulence, there is a calm.
There is serenity. Can we access it?
Is Britain Christian? Does it matter? A divided country debates
By Brian Pellot — April 25, 2014
British politicians and pundits are at each others’ throats---again---debating whether or not the United Kingdom is and should be a "Christian country." As with all things British, the answer is complicated, controversial and tied up in history.
What to call acts of terrorism committed by group of Muslims? Islamic? Islamist? Or something else?
By Omid Safi — April 19, 2014
By accurately labeling the terrorism associated with 9/11 as "Al-Qaeda terrorism", we avoid the dangers of legitimizing the terrorist organizations or demonizing an entire religious or ethnic block of humanity.
The 9/11 Memorial Museum at World Trade Center legitimizing claims of Al-Qaeda?
By Omid Safi — April 7, 2014
For the 9/11 Memorial Museum to use the language of “Islamic terrorism” is to bestow upon Bin Laden and al-Qaeda the religious legitimacy that they desperately craved—and do not deserve.
Why is this Muslim author advocating for atheists?
By Chris Stedman — March 26, 2014
Qasim Rashid is a Muslim who frequently advocates for atheists—surprising some theists and atheists alike. He talks with RNS about his advocacy, his book, and more.
Religious groups play key role in Obamacare insurance sign-up
By Adelle M. Banks — March 20, 2014
WASHINGTON (RNS) As the national deadline for health insurance enrollment looms and with President Obama’s encouragement, organizations across a range of faiths are working to sign up uninsured Americans by the end of March.
What a real apology from Abu Eesa should look like
By Omid Safi — March 13, 2014
Here is what a real apology from Abu Eesa should have read like.
The business case for religious freedom: Q&A with Brian J. Grim
By Brian Pellot — February 28, 2014
We often hear about religious freedom in the context of human rights and national security. Brian J. Grim, founding president of the new Religious Freedom & Business Foundation, argues that religious freedom is just as important for mom and pop shops and global economies.
COMMENTARY: The clear anti-Muslim bias behind anti-Shariah laws
By Faiza Patel — February 21, 2014
NEW YORK (RNS) It's hard to believe that supporters of bans on foreign law are genuinely concerned about the purported ills of foreign law when they are so ready to make concessions. Instead, "foreign law" provides a convenient fig leaf for supporters to stir up misconceptions and fear about Muslims.
Nazi ban * Blasphemy in Greece * Anti-gay Africa: Religious Freedom Recap: Jan. 20-27
By Brian Pellot — January 27, 2014
Israel considers a ban on Nazi symbols. Greece evokes its blasphemy laws to jail a man for poking fun of a monk on Facebook. And anti-gay laws are passed or challenged in Nigeria, Uganda and Malawi.
Green burials reflect a shift to care for the body and soul
By Lauren Markoe — January 23, 2014
(RNS) A green burial is a way to care for the Earth and answer to the part of the soul that recoils at the pomp of the average American funeral, and takes seriously the biblical reminder: “For dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.”
Cremation is popular. But is it green?
By Lauren Markoe — January 23, 2014
(RNS) Cremation is forbidden by some religions and required by others. But does it help the environment?