Christians say the 2,000-year-old Easter themes of suffering, redemption, and hope have enduring meaning. Author and ordained Presbyterian minister Frederick Buechner says he finds great reassurance in those beliefs, especially during a time of war and uncertainty.

To celebrate Passover, Jews gather for a Seder, a special dinner where they retell the story of their ancestors' exodus from Egypt. The Seder ritual is guided by a special book called the Haggadah. In recent years, some Jewish groups have developed Seders with a special focus. Ma'yan, the Women's Project at the Jewish Community Center of Manhattan, celebrated the anniversary of its feminist Seder.

Carol Zaleski is a professor of religion at Smith College and her husband, Philip Zaleski, is a religion writer and editor. Together they are writing a book about prayer in all cultures, and both have much to say on the role of prayer during wartime.

A WASHINGTON POST-ABC NEWS poll asked American whites and blacks whether they support or oppose the U.S. having gone to war in Iraq. Among whites, 78 percent said they support the war. But among African-Americans, just 35 percent supported. Of all African-Americans, the most conflicted may be ...

Ever since September 11, Americans have been trying to understand Islam. Is there something about the religion itself that drove the terrorists? Or had a small, violent minority that despised the modern West hijacked Islam to justify its politics?

Health care in the United States is a big problem for the poor — not only because they often can’t afford it. Sometimes it just isn’t there. This is especially true in rural areas, which have a hard time attracting doctors. In rural Alabama, a Catholic nun has found a calling as a ...

For nearly a millennium, part of Roman Catholic prayer life has included saying the rosary, with each rosary bead representing a prayer. The rosary includes a set of meditations on the life of Christ, known as mysteries. Use of the rosary, has diminished in recent years but many Catholics say it's ...

In India, it is not common to find a Siva and Vishnu temple under one roof, but Sri Siva Vishnu Temple in Maryland manages to bring Hindus of these rival traditions together and promote greater unity and diversity.

The Taizé community has no preaching but has become famous for its simple, meditative music and prayer.

In the wake of 9/11, American Muslims say they have experienced increased discrimination and suspicion -- and violations of their civil liberties. "We are misunderstood, and therefore, the challenge has been how we can reintroduce ourselves in a language that is familiar with our fellow American ...

In the aftermath of 9/11, away from the headlines, families were dealing with their very private and personal grief. Many of those who lost loved ones turned to their faith for comfort and answers.

One year after the September 11 attacks, many are asking what should happen now at ground zero. Many consider it to be hallowed ground.

Queen Elizabeth II, the official head of the Anglican Church, appointed Welsh archbishop Rowan Williams to become the 104th Archbishop of Canterbury. Williams is a noted theologian and writer whose critical views on the war in Afghanistan and support for female bishops and homosexual priests have ...

“Christ needs your youth and your generous enthusiasm to make his proclamation of joy resound in the new millennium,” said Pope John Paul II to the more than 250,000 young Catholics assembled in Toronto for World Youth Day.

Congress is considering legislation that, if approved, would let preachers preach politics from the pulpit and endorse candidates without losing the church’s tax-exempt status. However, advocates of separation of church and state strongly oppose the legislation.

This past week, Voice of the Faithful — a lay group which came out of the Catholic Church sexual abuse crisis — held its first national convention. Organizers say Catholics came from 36 states and 7 countries for a day of prayer and support for victims of sexual abuse.

Part five of a five-part series: Concluding RELIGION & ETHICS NEWSWEEKLY’s five-part series “Exploring Religious America,” Bob Abernethy speaks with experts John Green, Robert Franklin, and Peter Steinfels about the findings of the survey. Topics include scandal in the Catholic ...

Part three of a five-part series exploring religious America: There are more than 60 million U.S. Catholics, making them 40 percent of all the Christians in the country and the largest single group of American Christians. Part three examines the experience of being Catholic in America, and looks ...

The scandals in the Catholic church have prompted wide-ranging questions about sexual orientation and practice. Experts insist that pedophilia has no connection to homosexuality, but the crisis has renewed attention to the issue of gays in the priesthood.

Mattie Stepanek is the brilliant, wheelchair-bound Maryland boy with muscular dystrophy who has become a best-selling inspirational poet. Both he and his mother, Jeni Stepanek, suffer from rare but different forms of the disease. Exactly one year ago, Mattie almost died. But -- strongly supported by ...