Religion
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.
Televangelist Jimmy Swaggart dies at age 90
Jimmy Swaggart, one of the most well-known televangelists of the 1980s, has died, according to a social media post from his ministry.
Court blocks Louisiana law requiring schools to post Ten Commandments in classrooms
The ruling marked a win for civil liberties groups who say the mandate violates the separation of church and state, and that displays would isolate students — especially those who are not Christian.
10 years after the deadly church shooting, a new history of ‘Mother Emanuel’
Reporter Kevin Sack's new book is a history of Charleston's Emanuel AME Church, the oldest Black congregation in the South, where a white supremacist killed nine worshippers a decade ago.
Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world, Pew study says
The Pew report reveals how religious disaffiliation and population growth have influenced the global religious landscape.
Pope Leo criticizes political nationalism and prays for reconciliation and dialogue
The pope celebrated Sunday Mass in St. Peter's Square in front of tens of thousands faithful, and asked the Holy Spirit to "break down barriers and tear down the walls of indifference and hatred."
Run For Their Lives, the group targeted in the Colorado attack, is figuring out how to continue its mission
Sunday's attack in Boulder targeted a group called Run for Their Lives, which raises awareness about the hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. Now, they're figuring out how to move on.
‘I am Roman,’ Pope Leo says, as he becomes the bishop of Rome
The bishop of Rome is one of many titles held by the pope. Duties related to the title are usually delegated to an auxiliary or assistant bishop, known as a vicar.
New Orleans Archdiocese agrees to pay nearly $180M to victims of clergy sexual abuse
Lawyers for survivors said they won't support the agreement, which they say was negotiated behind closed doors.
Pope Leo meets with Vance, who delivers an invitation to visit the White House
The meeting appeared part of an effort to reset relations with the Vatican after Pope Francis repeatedly criticized President Trump's migration policy. Vance also gave Pope Leo a Chicago Bears jersey.
Losing faith: Rural religious colleges are among the most endangered
Some religious colleges and universities are cutting programs. Others are seeking mergers to reduce costs and expand offerings.
Pope meets Sinner: No. 1 player gives Pope Leo XIV a racket on Italian Open off day
Pope Leo XIV has made peace with Jannik Sinner. The top-ranked tennis player visited the new pope, gave him a tennis racket and offered to play, during an off day for Sinner at the Italian Open.
Zelenskyy asks for Pope Leo XIV’s help in bringing Ukrainian children home from Russia
Pope Leo XIV and Ukraine's President Zelenskyy spoke by phone recently, according to the Vatican.
