Religion News on the Web
Selected religion-related news from around the Web
February 25, 2013
- Reuters
Reuters: U.N. told atheists face discrimination around globe
Atheists, humanists and freethinkers face widespread discrimination around the world with expression of their views criminalized and subject in some countries to capital punishment, the United Nations was told on Monday.
February 24, 2013
- The Korea Herald
Korea Herald: Could the next pope be from Asia?
Vatican watchers are abuzz about who will succeed Pope Benedict XVI when he officially steps down at 8:00 p.m. on Feb. 28, including the very real possibility that a cardinal from outside Europe could lead the Roman Catholic Church for the first time ever.
February 24, 2013
- The Washington Post
Wash. Post: For China’s Catholics, new pope brings hope
Of the long list of problems the next pope will inherit once the white smoke rises in Rome, few on the diplomatic front can rival the bitter, intractable relationship between the Vatican and the Chinese government.
February 23, 2013
- Boston Globe
Boston Globe: What American nuns built
When Benedict XVI became the first pope in almost 600 years to resign earlier this month, most of the initial speculation had to do with obscure succession rules, and whether the next pope would be European, African, or even American.
February 23, 2013
- The New York Times
NYT: Church helps fill a void in Africa
The young woman slept soundly on the cool marble floor before the altar, a break from the chaos at home. In the courtyard, neighborhood teenagers filled giant jerrycans with purified water from a stone fountain.
February 22, 2013
- The Australian
Australian: Religion to lose protected status
RELIGIOUS organisations running schools, health and aged-care services face losing key exemptions to Labor's new anti-discrimination laws under recommendations that could see them sued by people who disagree with church ethos.
February 21, 2013
- NPR
NPR: Who gets religious exemptions and why
Under revised rules of the Affordable Care Act, religious groups can be exempt from paying their employees' insurance coverage for birth control.
February 20, 2013
- The Associated Press
AP: California school district sued over yoga program
An attorney representing a family bent out of shape over a public school yoga program in the beach city of Encinitas filed a lawsuit Wednesday to stop the district-wide classes.
February 18, 2013
- The New York Times
NYT: House approves storm aid for religious institutions
The House of Representatives has overwhelmingly approved legislation that would allow the use of federal money to rebuild churches and synagogues damaged by Hurricane Sandy, despite concern that such aid could violate the doctrine of separation of church and state.