Jun 10 The Hajj pilgrimage and why it's significant for Muslims By Mariam Fam, Associated Press Once a year, Muslim pilgrims flowing into Saudi Arabia unite in a series of religious rituals and acts of worship as they perform the Hajj, one of the pillars of Islam. Continue reading
Jun 06 As Southern Baptists prepare to oust churches with women pastors, critics urge them to reconsider By Peter Smith, Associated Press The Southern Baptist Convention is preparing for a vote to ban churches with women pastors. Continue reading
May 17 Watch 8:15 Methodist pastor discusses major shift in church over LGBTQ+ inclusion By Geoff Bennett, Sam Lane There has been a seismic shift within the United Methodist Church after it voted to lift bans on LGBTQ+ clergy and same-sex marriages. The move led some 7,600 conservative Methodist congregations, located mostly in the South, to leave the church. Continue watching
May 01 Longstanding ban on LGBTQ clergy repealed at United Methodists meeting By Peter Smith, Associated Press Delegates voted 692-51 at their General Conference, removing a rule forbidding “self-avowed practicing homosexuals” from being ordained or appointed as ministers. Continue reading
Apr 29 United Methodists prepare for votes on ending bans on same-sex marriage, LGBTQ clergy By Peter Smith, Associated Press One-quarter of the country's United Methodist churches left between 2019 and 2023, mainly conservative churches dismayed by progressive trends, and some are calling for international churches to do the same. Continue reading
Apr 23 What to know about United Methodists' first major meeting since its breakup over LGBTQ inclusion By Peter Smith, Associated Press This will be the first General Conference since more than 7,600 mostly conservative congregations left the United Methodist Church between 2019 and 2023 because the denomination essentially stopped enforcing its bans on same-sex marriage and having “self-avowed practicing homosexuals” serving… Continue reading
Apr 05 Watch 4:00 Israel's war in Gaza weighs on the holy month of Ramadan By Saher Khan Muslims around the world are marking the month of Ramadan. But this year, Israel’s war in Gaza, with mass civilian casualties and widespread suffering among Gazans, has added a new layer to this holy month. We spoke with Muslims at… Continue watching
Apr 02 Mosques in NYC struggle to house and feed an influx of Muslim migrants this Ramadan By Philip Marcelo, Associated Press Leaders of a mosque in Harlem say their congregation is spending hundreds of dollars a night to host iftar, the traditional end of fast meal during Ramadan. Continue reading
Mar 19 Watch 7:22 New book 'The Exvangelicals' explores why many Americans are leaving the church By Geoff Bennett, Stephanie Kotuby, Alexa Gold Evangelicals are an important, and influential, voting bloc for the Republican party, particularly in presidential elections. But NPR’s Sarah McCammon found many Americans are leaving the church and explores why in her new book, “The Exvangelicals.” McCammon joined Geoff Bennett… Continue watching
Mar 15 Watch 7:30 'To Be A Jew Today' examines modern, multifaceted faith and struggle By Amna Nawaz, Stephanie Sy, Alexa Gold In Noah Feldman’s latest book, “To Be A Jew Today,” the Harvard Law professor turns his focus to his own faith in order to understand identity, politics and culture. Feldman sits down with Amna Nawaz to discuss Jews’ relationship to… Continue watching