Religion
Anglican Church Archbishop accused of sexual misconduct
Archbishop Steve Wood, who heads the Anglican Church of North America, faces of sexual harassment allegations. This marks the latest in a string of crises to rock the small, conservative denomination.
With steep tariffs on Indian imports, Diwali is expensive to celebrate this year in Alabama
"I guess if I had to take it in a positive way, I would say it's making the artists come out of all of the parents," said one Bollywood dance instructor who is forgoing new costumes this year for her students.
Pastors and staff from underground church are arrested in China
China has in recent years arrested and detained Christian leaders of underground churches, who are not registered with the government and under its control.
India is forcibly deporting Muslims, including its own citizens, after Kashmir violence
In the aftermath of a deadly militant attack in Kashmir in April, authorities have expelled more than 1,500 Muslims from India, often at gunpoint.
Pope Leo says faith and love for migrants are connected
In his first major document as leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Leo urges nations and believers to care for the poorest in society.
Largest US Lutheran denomination installs first Black presiding bishop
Rev. Yehiel Curry succeeds Rev. Elizabeth Eaton, who served for 12 years and was the first woman to lead the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
Sarah Mullally named first woman Archbishop of Canterbury
Sarah Mullally has been named as the new Archbishop of Canterbury, becoming the first woman to be chosen to lead the world's 85 million Anglicans.
Pope Leo’s religious community is drawing renewed interest. Here’s what makes it unique
"Before, we might get two or three discerners. But after Pope Leo, I now have 15. It's unbelievable."
Pope Leo XIV says ‘inhuman treatment of immigrants’ in the U.S. isn’t ‘pro-life’
Pope Leo XIV weighed in on U.S. politics, saying that Catholic politicians must be judged on the full range of their policy positions and suggesting that the country's immigration policy is "inhuman."
Birmingham’s Bengali community breaks barriers with annual Durga Puja
Durga Puja is a Bengali celebration during the 9-day long Hindu festival of Navratri, which celebrates divine feminine energy in all forms. Across India, celebrations vary in scale, focus and tradition.
Latest update of 1844 American songbook reflects new generation of ‘Sacred Harp’ singers
An 1844 religiously inspired songbook that uses shape notes to help people read music got a major update recently and it attracting younger singers.
Over rocky terrain, Birmingham’s Muslim women find sisterhood
On a recent Sunday morning, a group of about ten women gathered in front of the entrance to Red Mountain Park in Birmingham. The women, dressed in hijabs and flowing athletic gear, laughed, chatted and prepared to take on the occasionally challenging terrain. It’s a monthly event connecting women from Birmingham’s greater Muslim community.
Want a seat at this synagogue for the High Holidays? You have to register to vote first
A Brooklyn synagogue has taken an unusual step by requiring congregants to show proof of voter registration in order to secure seats for High Holidays. Their biggest concern? The city's mayoral seat.
The evangelical Christian faith on display at Kirk’s memorial shaped his politics
Charlie Kirk's evangelical faith was on display at his memorial, where supporters remembered him as a "martyr." Christianity shaped Kirk's politics and the two became more intertwined as he got older.
Most American Jews say Trump is using antisemitism as an ‘excuse’ to silence free speech at universities
Most Jewish Americans disapprove of the Trump administration withholding funds from colleges to address anti-Jewish sentiment, according to a new survey.
Birmingham remembers the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing, 62 years later
The bombing was a significant moment in the Civil Rights Movement and Birmingham’s history.
In first interview, Pope Leo XIV takes on billionaires, polarization and war
Pope Leo XIV reflected on the legacy of Pope Francis and whether he sees himself as more U.S. American or Peruvian.
Megachurch leader and his mother indicted on sex trafficking and racketeering charges
Prosecutors claim the family that has long led La Luz del Mundo — or Light of the World — church committed sexual abuse across generations. An accuser compares the church leadership to the mafia.
Fantasy or faith? One company’s AI-generated Bible content stirs controversy
"The AI Bible is a way to really bring these stories to life in a way that people have never seen before. Think of if we were like, the Marvel Universe of faith," said one of the site's creators.
A teen nicknamed ‘God’s influencer’ is becoming the first millennial saint
Carlo Acutis, who died of leukemia at 15 in 2006, is known in the Catholic Church as "God's influencer" for harnessing technology to spread the word about miracles.
Focus on the Family Founder James Dobson dies at 89
Conservative Christian leader James Dobson, who founded Focus on the Family and was once called "the nation's most influential evangelical leader," died Thursday.
D.C. clergy slam federal takeover: ‘Fear is not a strategy for safety’
A group of religious leaders in Washington, D.C. is criticizing President Donald Trump's federal takeover of the District's police force, saying his rhetoric is dehumanizing and counterproductive.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reposts video of pastors saying women shouldn’t vote
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth reposted the video profiling Christian Nationalist Pastor Doug Wilson, who opposes same-sex marriage.
U.S. Islamic leaders urge Muslim-majority nations to take action to end Gaza conflict
More than 90 Muslim scholars, community leaders and institutions are calling on Muslim nations to leverage their influence to end what they described as escalating genocide in Gaza by Israeli forces.
Pope Leo tells 1 million Catholic youths they are sign ‘different world is possible’
In his closing blessing for the Jubilee of Youth, Leo remembered the young people of Gaza and Ukraine and other countries "bloodied by war" who could not join their celebration.
Father James Martin has taken heat for his LGBTQ acceptance
Father James Martin has become one of the most well-known Catholic priests in the U.S. But his journey to the priesthood took him by surprise after a chance encounter with a documentary.
Has the Billboard Hot 100 caught the Holy Ghost?
Brittany dives into the economy behind Christian contemporary music
Los Angeles houses of worship plan for possible ICE Raids
Churches in Los Angeles put contingency plans in place after the Trump administration rescinds long-standing guidance advising immigration agents to avoid houses of worship.
Diocese of San Bernardino issues dispensation saying Catholics who fear ICE don’t have to attend Mass
The diocese is the first in the U.S. to issue a special dispensation because of fears over immigration detentions.
IRS says churches can now endorse political candidates
Since 1954, an IRS rule had barred houses of worship from explicitly endorsing political candidates.
Pope Leo’s scandal-plagued hometown sees a bright future in buying his childhood home
Pope Leo grew up in a small brick house in the Chicago suburb of Dolton which is now up for auction. The village's board of trustees voted to buy it, in the hopes of creating a historic attraction.
The Dalai Lama announces plans for a successor, signaling China won’t have a say
The Dalai Lama said he will be reincarnated after he dies, and no one can interfere with the matter of succession. The Chinese government, however, claims authority over the his succession.
