Religion

Christian thriller 'Sound of Freedom' faces criticism for stoking conspiracy theories

4:25pm July 20, 2023

by Shannon Bond

Sound of Freedom is a surprise box office hit. But the Christian thriller is also fueling controversy over conspiracy theories and its depiction of human trafficking.

Protesters scale a wall at the Swedish Embassy in Baghdad Thursday. Protesters angered by the planned burning of a copy of the Quran stormed the Embassy early Thursday, breaking into the compound and lighting a small fire.

Iraq expels Sweden's ambassador over Quran burning, after protests at Swedish Embassy

2:31pm July 20, 2023

by Ruth Sherlock

Iraq expelled Sweden's ambassador and recalled its diplomat from Sweden, hours after protesters attacked the Swedish Embassy in Baghdad, setting fire to part of the building.

Mira Sorvino and Tim Ballard attend the premiere of Sound of Freedom on June 28 in Vineyard, Utah. Ballard is a former federal agent who went on to found the controversial anti-human trafficking organization depicted in the film.

QAnon supporters are promoting 'Sound of Freedom.' Here's why

9:37am July 19, 2023

by Shannon Bond

The movie is being criticized as a vehicle for conspiracy theories and misleading depictions of human trafficking — landing it in the middle of the country's politically polarized culture wars.

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Religion

Salem Media Group co-founder with Piedmont ties who transformed Christian radio is dead at 86

5:13pm July 18, 2023

by David Ford

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Loh Siew Hong, in a pink shirt, arrives with her three children at Kuala Lumpur High Court for a hearing on May 11.

In Malaysia, a mom is contesting her kids' conversion to Islam. It's a landmark case

9:58am July 18, 2023

by Emily Feng

The children were converted by their father after the parents divorced. The case has thrown into sharp relief the ethnic and religious identity markers that form the bedrock of Malaysian policy.

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Religion

The former news anchor at the center of the mindfulness movement

9:33am July 17, 2023

by Rachel Martin

As an anchor for ABC News, Dan Harris' career seemed pretty sorted out. Then his book about mindfulness took off.

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Marlena Bhame sings during a "Worship Night" event at Liquid Church in Parsippany, N.J., in November.

Religion

Megachurches are getting even bigger as churches close across the country

6:26pm July 14, 2023

by Scott Neuman

At a time when empty pews are forcing churches across the country to close, megachurches are largely bucking that trend — attracting younger, more vibrant and more diverse congregations.

In a special legislative session that lasted around 15 hours, Republican lawmakers passed a "fetal heartbeat" bill that would effectively ban abortion after six weeks on Tuesday, July 11. Hundreds of Iowans rallied at the Capitol in protest and support of the legislation, clashing often in the building's rotunda.

Evangelical Christian voters in Iowa love Trump. Can another Republican win them over?

10:50am July 14, 2023

by Clay Masters

At the Family Leader summit in Des Moines, GOP presidential hopefuls will try to convince Iowa's influential evangelical voting bloc they have the conservative credentials to win the caucuses.

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Republican presidential candidates vie for the influential evangelical Christian vote

4:28pm July 13, 2023

by Clay Masters

Evangelical Christians make up an oversized share of the Republican vote in Iowa. One prominent leader wants the state to move on in 2024, but can anyone pry evangelical votes away from Trump?

A breakup led this former White House speechwriter to rediscover her Jewish faith

4:28pm July 13, 2023

NPR's Rachel Martin talks with former White House speech writer Sarah Hurwitz about the wisdom she found in an unexpected place: her childhood faith.