Since the 1990’s, interest in witchcraft has grown exponentially but not necessarily in Wicca or organized occult practice. Modern witches like this Brooklynite are more individualistic.

A farewell to a rare Christian apologist from Cal Berkeley

(OPINION) Law professor and author Phillip E. Johnson died on Nov. 2. The Christian and secular worlds lose an intellectual giant who challenged his own tribe as much as he did his ideological opponents.

The OSCE Produces Guidance On Freedom Of Religion Or Belief And Security

(OPINION) A new report discusses the issues in 57 countries, including registration and de-registration of religious or belief communities and security, “extremist” speech and literature, security in places of worship, restrictions on conversion and limitations on religious or belief community activities that have a foreign connection.

Opinion, Politics, ReligionEwelina U. OchabNovember 21, 2019Ewelina U. Ochab, Religious Freedom, freedom of speech, extremism, anti-extremism, Russia, UN, Jehovah's Witnesses, politics, Christianity, human rights Comment

New book counters Turkey’s claims about exiled Muslim scholar Fethullah Gülen

The first English-language biography of the exiled Turkish Islamic leader chronicles his life and philosophy and explains why it matters to the world.

News, Religion News, Books, Culture, Middle EastMicah DanneyNovember 21, 2019Fethullah Gulen, Jon Pahl, biography, Turkey, Primary Feature, Islam, Christianity, Micah Danney Comment

Venezuelans turning to prayer, not politics

Thousands of Venezuelans flocking to church each year at this time traditionally ask for help overcoming illness or conceiving a child. But many faithful say the economic crisis driving the exodus of millions has made them ask for something bigger than themselves.

Religion, Religion News, South America, NewsScott Smith, Associated PressNovember 20, 2019Associated Press, Scott Smith, Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro, secondary feature, Secondary feature, Secondary Feature, Christianity Comment

The right to eat eggs in India's most malnourished state

India’s ruling Hindu nationalist party is fighting a state’s proposal to provide eggs to government daycare centers, where many of the women and children come from tribal backgrounds not adhering to vegetarian or Hindu diets.

What Joel Osteen's congregation had to say about Kanye

The rapper explained his newfound zeal for Christianity to the televangelist and Lakewood Church’s 45,000-member congregation and their online followers.

African faith groups condemned U.N. population conference for its abortion agenda

“Africans are being blackmailed: if you want development aid, you have to embrace abortion,” one pro-life Christian said.

Africa, NewsTom OsanjoNovember 18, 2019Tom Osanjo, UNFPA, abortion, reproductive rights, sexual health, women and girls rights, child marriage, African Christianity, Kenyatta, secondary feature, Secondary feature, Secondary Feature, Christianity Comment

Teaching at a Baltic-based university offers sanctuary for the battered and best

An American professor reflects on his work with students at a Christian liberal arts university in Lithuania, many of whom come from war-torn countries.

Europe, News, ReligionMichael Ray SmithNovember 18, 2019Michael Ray Smith, Lithuania, LCC, Baltics, Christian colleges, LCC International, liberal artss, Primary Feature, Christianity, secondary feature, Secondary feature, Secondary Feature Comments

The Plight of Children Detained in Kashmir

Young boys in Muslim-majority Kashmir say Indian police are arresting them without cause. “There is lawlessness in Kashmir,” one of their lawyers says.

How a fight over religion tore apart the Women's March organization

Three march founders were removed after having come under fire over the past year for supporting Louis Farrakhan, a minister respected in the black community and reviled in Jewish circles for his anti-Semitic remarks.

As Brexit Continues To Divide Britain, A New Genocide Response Initiative Aims To Unite

On November 4, a few British Parliamentarians and experts have launched a new venture to address the issue of genocide. The Coalition for Genocide Response is a new initiative that aims to unite politicians, scholars, and civil society representatives in the common aim to provide a comprehensive response to genocide.

Middle East, Justice, Conflict, OpinionEwelina U. OchabNovember 14, 2019Middle East, Muslims, Genocide, Brexit, Burmese, Daesh, Syria, Myanmar, UN, UN Security Council, Ewelina U. Ochab, IslamComment

The history behind the changing definition of who is Evangelical

(OPINION) The definition of evangelicals as white and Republican is a fairly recent phenomenon in American history.

Opinion, North America, Books, ReligionThomas KiddNovember 13, 2019evangelical, Evangelical Christians, Donald Trump, white evangelicals, Republican, Thomas Kidd, Primary Feature, Christianity

Bolivian president Evo Morales Resigns Amid Protests Driven By Politics And Religion

The Mexican government has granted political asylum to the resigning Bolivian president Evo Morales as violent protests spread throughout the South American nation in response to accusations of electoral fraud. The overthrow had elements of both politics and religion.

'Uncle Ted' McCarrick's accusers still want accountability

(OPINION) A group calling themselves “the Nathans” are calling for a thorough accounting of the former archbishop’s abuse allegations, as the biblical Nathan called on King David to confess his sins.

Opinion, North AmericaTerry MattinglyNovember 11, 2019Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, Catholic, Kansas, Ruth Graham, Cathedral of the Plains, Slate, Terry Mattingly, McCarrick, Christianity

Ancient Christian Communities Caught in Syria’s Crossfire Need Shelter This Winter

(OPINION) After Turkey’s invasion that bombed and killed civilians, Syrian Christians, Kurds and Arabs fled their homes and are in need of shelter and winter supplies. On a recent visit to the U.S, we talked to Syriac Christian Elizabeth Kourie about the geopolitical conflict and the needs of the community.

Middle East, Opinion, PoliticsLela GilbertNovember 11, 2019Lela Gilbert, ISIS, Syria, Syrian Christians, Christians in the Middle East, Syrian Kurds, Turkey, Syriac Christians, Donald Trump, NATO, Erdogan, Primary Feature, Christianity

Muslim Americans are increasingly running for office, report shows

The trend picked up after the 2016 election. Nearly half of the 31 Muslim candidates who won an office are women.

News, Politics, North AmericaMicah DanneyNovember 9, 2019elections, politics, Ghazala Hashmi, Muslim, Primary Feature, Islam, Muslims, Micah Danney, Musli, Muslim Americans Comment

White Catholics are the demographic reporters forget about, mistakenly

(OPINION) An important shift has occurred among white Catholics in recent decades. How important will they be in the next election? That could depend on how important the President thinks they are. In any case, journalists shouldn’t discount them.

Opinion, North AmericaRichard OstlingNovember 8, 2019Jack Jenkins, Religion News Service, Donald Trump, Catholic Vote, Public Religion Research Institute, RNS, Ryan Burge, Terry Mattingly, Christianity, Richard OstlingComment

Protests in Lebanon are testing unity among faiths and sects

Nearly three weeks of protests in Lebanon has united people across sectarian religious groups and signaled hopes of a new political system that could redefine how religious affiliation is lived in society.