Religion
Pope Francis Condemns Adjectives: 'I Am Allergic to Those Words'
"We have fallen into the culture of adjectives and adverbs, and we have forgotten the strength of nouns," the Pope told his communications team on Monday.
NC Lawmaker Tells Marriage Equality Supporters 'Tell it to Satan
A bill introduced in the state assembly would render Obergefell v. Hodges null and void. "God is perfect," said Rep. Larry Pittman, "and therefore has no need to 'change with the times.'"
Twitter Reacts to Trump Championing 'Religious Freedom' at United Nations
Critics of President Trump reacted on Twitter after the president claimed to be strongly in favor of "religious freedom" at a U.N. general assembly meeting on Monday.
Amish Teens Embracing TikTok, Finding Fame on the Social Media App
Rebecca Fisher, a 14-year-old from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, has become arguably the most famous Amish user on the platform. Using the handle @AmishBek, she's raked in over one million views on TikTok.
Mohel Accused of Infecting Infant With Herpes During Bris
Health officials say the infection was a result of a "metzitzah b'peh," a ritual among some ultra-Orthodox Jews when direct oral suction is applied to the wound left by the removal of the foreskin.
Court Rules Transgender Man Can Sue Hospital For Canceling Surgery
Two days before Evan Minton was scheduled to have a hysterectomy, Mercy San Juan Medical Center canceled the procedure, because it was "part of a course of treatment for gender dysphoria."
Indonesian Lawmakers Consider Banning Sex Outside Marriage
The proposed statutes are "disastrous not only for women and religious and gender minorities, but for all Indonesians," said Human Rights Watch.
Trio of Jehovah's Witnesses Mark 25 Years in Prison Without Trial
"We feel deeply for Isaac, Negede, and Paulos, who have suffered harsh conditions for more than half their lives," a church spokesperson told Newsweek.
Six Jehovah's Witnesses Jailed in Russia for 'Extremism'
The men were convicted of being part of "an extremist organization," but church leaders insist they were jailed "for their peaceful Christian worship."
Marianne Williamson Warns Dems: Don't Take Religious Americans For Granted
"That's real smart strategy... Mock and make fun of everybody who believes that God is powerful," she said at MSNBC's Climate Forum 2020 on Thursday evening.
Oklahoma Man Says He Was Beaten By Church Attempting to 'Pray His Gay Away'
Sean Cormie and his boyfriend, Gary Gardner, attended service to make Cormie's family proud. Now they want the church shuttered for good.
Atheists Willing to Pay to Avoid "Thoughts and Prayers" from Christians
"Thoughts and prayers for others should be employed selectively," says an economist behind a new study on the value of the phrase.
Catholic Diocese Files for Bankruptcy Amid Child Sex Abuse Lawsuits
"We cannot minister to every victim who comes forward and help them out if we don't go this route," said Bishop Salvatore Matano.
Rwandan Gospel Singer Comes Out as Gay: 'I Have to Live My Real Life'
Rwandan gospel singer Albert Nabonibo, 35, says he's faced "horrible" rejection from family, friends and strangers alike.
Liberty University Students Protest Amid Falwell Scandal
"I couldn't stay silent anymore," said one student. "I would like to see President Falwell address this himself and for there to be an investigation into the allegations."
Man Accidentally Kills Himself During Islamic Celebration
During the Day of Ashura, Shiite Muslims engage in acts of self-flagellation, cutting, chest-beating and face-slapping.
Baptisms on Tennessee High School Football Field Spark Controversy
"It is illegal for coaches to organize or participate in religious activities with students, including baptisms," the Freedom From Religion Foundation wrote to the school superintendent.
'Ex-Gay' Pastor Sues Vimeo For Taking Down Conversion Therapy Videos
Church United founder James Domen claims his ministry "helps pastors counsel others that are on their own journey toward a heterosexual identity."
Court Rules Texas School District Must Allow Brothers to Keep Long Braids
Cesar Gonzales' family promised to keep a lock of his hair uncut if he recovered from meningitis. The Mathis Independent School District, however, claims his long, thin braid is a violation of school dress code.
Monsignor In Charge of Handling Pedophile Priests Accused of Molestation
Lawyers for the alleged victims call Monsignor Otto Garcia a "fixer" for pedophile priests and "the Michael Cohen of the Brooklyn Diocese."
Church Ministry Charged With Forced Labor of Homeless People
A dozen leaders of a California church are charged with subjecting dozens of homeless people to forced labor. "Human trafficking robs victims of their most basic human rights," said FBI agent Scott Brunner.
Megachurch Pastor Known for Mental Health Advocacy Dies by Suicide
"Loving Jesus doesn't always cure suicidal thoughts," Wilson tweeted on Monday. "Loving Jesus doesn't always cure depression."
Indiana Priest Offering Confession on a Golf Cart
"Let's get out where the people are, where the students are [and] take this golf cart out and do confessions on the go," said Father Patrick Baikauskas, who runs a campus ministry at Purdue University.
Pharmacist Convicted of Having Boy Circumcised Against Parents' Wishes
The pharmacist testified that male circumcision has "great religious and cultural significance" to Christianity.
Female Candidate Encourages Polygamy to Solve 'Spinsterhood' in Emirates
"I have always believed we should look at polygamy more subjectively," says Khawla Al Ali, a woman running for the legislature in the United Arab Emirates.
Robot Priest Reads Sermon at Buddhist Temple in Japan
Mindar, a gender-neutral android that presides at the 400-year old Kodaji Temple in Kyoto, cost about $1 million to produce.
Worshipers in Awe of 'Crying' Virgin Mary Painting in Chicago Church
Staff and clergy at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church report a painting of the Blessed Virgin was weeping tears.
Fox Nation Host Claims 'Civil War' Could Break Out Over Lack of Patriotism
"For socialism to rise and really take root, they've got to get rid of religious liberty," Todd Starnes claimed. "They've got to take away the foundation of this country."
LGBT Advocates Criticize Australia's Religious Freedom Bill
The announcement of a religious-freedom bill comes three months after rugby player Israel Folau was fired for claiming "Hell awaits" gay people.
Is Israel About to Face Another Measles Epidemic?
According to the Israeli Health Ministry, more than 4,300 people were infected with measles between July 2018 and July 2019. Is another surge coming this month?