Religion

America’s religious leaders sharply divided over abortion, a year after Roe v. Wade’s reversal

By David Crary, Associated Press

Some celebrate the state-level bans that have ensued. Others are angry that a conservative Christian cause has changed the law of the land in ways they consider oppressive.

Iowa law limits gender identity instruction, bans books depicting sex acts from school libraries

By Scott McFetridge, Hannah Fingerhut, Associated Press

The new law signed by Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds mandates the removal of all books depicting sex acts from Iowa school libraries. Religious texts will be exempt from the ban.

How various religions revere motherhood around the world

By Alyssa Beall, The Conversation

Motherhood and nurturing aren't only celebrated on particular days. Many religions include goddess-centered traditions that embrace many forms of the divine feminine as central to their belief systems.

Wave of anti-transgender bills in Republican-led states divides U.S. faith leaders

By David Crary, Associated Press

Some view the legislation as reflecting God's will; others voice outrage that Christianity is being invoked to justify laws they view as cruel and hateful.

How Muslims mark Ramadan, and what makes it a holy month

By Mohammad Hassan Khalil, The Conversation

Ramadan is a period of fasting and spiritual growth and is one of the five “pillars of Islam."…

Robots are performing Hindu rituals. Some worshippers fear they’ll be replaced

By Holly Walters, The Conversation

It isn’t just artists and teachers who are losing sleep over advances in automation and artificial intelligence. Robots are being brought into Hinduism’s holiest rituals – and not all worshippers are happy about it.

Pope Francis says homosexuality is a sin but not a crime

By Nicole Winfield, Associated Press

Pope Francis has criticized laws that criminalize homosexuality as "unjust," saying God loves all his children just as they are.

Church of England still forbids same-sex marriages in its churches

By Sylvia Hui, Associated Press

The Church of England says it will allow blessings for same-sex, civil marriages for the first time.

‘Pray for Damar’: Wave of public prayer follows Hamlin’s collapse

By John Zenor, Associated Press

The intersection of prayer and sports has been especially prominent in the aftermath of Damar Hamlin’s frightening collapse during an NFL game.

U.S. Marine Corps compelled to allow Sikh Americans to begin basic training with turbans, beards

By Frances Kai-Hwa Wang

A federal court of appeals has granted a preliminary injunction to immediately allow two Sikh Americans to begin basic training in the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) with their turbans, beards, and unshorn hair required by their faith.