religion

Germany Is Latest Country To Propose Burqa Ban

8:50am August 27, 2016

France, Bulgaria, Belgium and the Netherlands all have different kinds of bans on wearing burqas in public. NPR's Scott Simon talks to German journalist Janek Schmidt about the proposal.

Burkini bans in France have sparked international outrage. In London, people recently held a "Wear what you want beach party" outside France's embassy.

Top French Court Suspends Riviera Town's Burkini Ban

6:02pm August 26, 2016

by Jason Slotkin

France's Council of State said the town of Villeneuve-Loubet breached several "fundamental freedoms" by forbidding the swimwear on its beaches. Some 30 towns have instituted such bans this summer.

'I Just Want To Go Swimming': Burkini Creator On French Ban

4:29pm August 26, 2016

Aheda Zanetti is the designer of the burkini. She's disappointed to learn about the burkini ban from beaches in France because she wants burkinis to be seen as a symbols of joy and fitness. She created it to liberate Muslim women too modest to wear Western style swim suits.

Catholic Church Groups Fight Bills To Revive Old Sex Abuse Cases

5:51pm August 24, 2016

by Brian Mann

Catholic leaders are trying to block bills that would extend the statute of limitations for child sex crimes and allow old cases to be brought back into court. So far, the lobbying has been effective.

Queue Listen Now

Canada's national police force confirmed Wednesday that the hijab would be permitted for Muslim female officers.

Canada's Mounties Say Female Officers Can Wear Hijabs

4:32pm August 24, 2016

by Jason Slotkin

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police confirmed Wednesday that it had recently changed its policy to allow the Muslim headscarf.

Latest Religious Liberty Battle: Church-Affiliated Colleges And LGBT Students

7:34am August 23, 2016

by Ben Adler

A California lawmaker's push to reduce discrimination against LGBT people at religious colleges and universities sparks new debate over the separation of church and state.

Queue Listen Now

Motive Unclear In Killing Of Imam And Aide In New York

5:27pm August 18, 2016

by Hansi Lo Wang

A man suspected of killing a Muslim cleric and his assistant in New York City appeared in court Thursday. He is charged with first-degree murder, but members of the local Muslim community say the suspect should also be charged with a hate crime. Police say the motive is still unclear.

Queue Listen Now

Jewish Activists Highlight Growing Movement In Visit To Disputed Holy Site

6:37pm August 16, 2016

by Nick Schifrin

A record number of Jewish activists visiting a site revered by Muslims and Jews highlights the growth of a controversial fringe movement.

Queue Listen Now

Boys ranging from six to 12 prepare their flags for the Shimadachi Hadaka Matsuri, an annual festival rooted in Shinto tradition in which the children parade through town to ward off evil spirits and pay respects to the god of health.

Japanese 'Naked' Festivals Keep Centuries-Old Tradition Alive

11:36am August 11, 2016

by Elise Hu

In a mountain town, schoolboys in traditional loincloths keep up a 300-year tradition. The hadaka matsuri festivals, rooted in Shinto tradition, take place to bring purification, luck and prosperity.

Voters turn out to cast their ballots for the midterm election at First Christian Church of Decatur, Ga., in 2014.

Politics Still Prevalent In The Pulpit, Survey Shows

11:13am August 09, 2016

by Tom Gjelten

Churchgoing Americans say their preachers often speak out on hot social and political issues and occasionally back or oppose particular candidates in defiance of U.S. law prohibiting endorsements.