religion

Russia's Supreme Court Thursday banned the Jehovah's Witnesses' organization, classifying it an extremist group. The sect's Russia headquarters as well as some 400 local chapters are to be seized by the state.

Top Russian Court Bans Jehovah's Witnesses, Claiming 'Extremist Activities'

5:11pm April 20, 2017

by Jason Slotkin

The country's Supreme Court has ruled that the sect must cease operations and the state will take over its assets. The sect has been subject to arrests, property seizure and bans on its literature.

This Islamic School Helps Students Build Their American And Muslim Identity

11:15am April 20, 2017

by Tom Gjelten

The Al Fatih Academy in Virginia is one of about 270 Islamic schools in the U.S. The staff aim to give their students a well-rounded education and promote civic awareness.

Queue Listen Now

Supreme Court Considers Separation Of Church And State In Playground Case

5:12pm April 19, 2017

by Nina Totenberg

A request for Missouri state funds to resurface its playground landed before the Supreme Court Wednesday because that preschool is part of a church ministry.

Queue Listen Now

For about 20 years starting in 1990, Brio magazine was the evangelical answer to Seventeen. Focus on the Family is bringing it back, saying they see a renewed need among teens for alternative voices.

Christian Teen Magazine 'Brio' Returns With A 'Biblical Worldview'

10:46am April 19, 2017

by Sarah McCammon

For about 20 years starting in 1990, Brio magazine was the evangelical answer to Seventeen. Focus on the Family is bringing it back, saying it sees a renewed need among teens for alternative voices.

Queue Listen Now

Religion

A Look Centuries-Old Misconceptions About Mary Magdalene

5:38pm April 16, 2017

by Ray Suarez

Mary Magdalene has been characterized as a prostitute for hundreds of years — which has no basis in the Biblical text. Washington Post columnist Petula Dvorak explains why the myth has persisted.

Short Hiatus In War Gives Ukrainians In Donetsk A Chance To Celebrate Easter

5:38pm April 16, 2017

by Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson

Easter is one of the few times the 3-year-old war in Eastern Ukraine takes a hiatus. The overnight curfew lifted on Saturday so residents could pray and play all night into Easter Sunday.

Easter Bells Ring Out At The Vatican

8:12am April 16, 2017

Easter bells rang out at the Vatican Sunday morning, where Pope Francis celebrated Easter Sunday. In his message at St. Peter's Basilica, he condemned the deadly bombing of a bus convoy in Syria.

On the weekend of April 8, the Czech Embassy in Washington, D.C., made mazanec as part of an Easter celebration.

Mazanec: A Czech Easter Tradition Fighting To Survive In The U.S.

10:00am April 15, 2017

by Cecilia Mazanec

In the Czech Republic, mazanec, a Czech Easter bread, is like the turkey to America's Thanksgiving. But in the U.S., those who make this bread are struggling to keep the raisin-filled tradition alive.

Conservative French presidential candidate Francois Fillon delivers a speech April 9 during a campaign meeting in Paris. The two-round presidential election is set for April 23 and May 7. Fillon has played up his religion during the campaign, and that has

Conservative French Presidential Nominee's Unusual Tactic: Tout His Faith

8:09am April 15, 2017

by Joanna Kakissis

In the heavily secular country, Catholic Francois Fillon has been the only one of 11 candidates to speak openly about his religion. It may be keeping his scandal-tinged campaign afloat.

Queue Listen Now

Religion

When Easter And Passover Overlap

8:04am April 15, 2017

NPR's Linda Wertheimer talks to Professor Andrew McGowan, Dean of Berkeley Divinity School at Yale, about theological and liturgical intersections between the Easter and Passover holidays.