religion

FLDS Church Leaders Indicted In Food Stamps Fraud

5:43pm February 24, 2016

by Terry Gildea

Eleven leaders of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have been indicted on conspiracy charges related to government nutrition assistance programs and money laundering.

The True Number Of Evangelical Voters Depends On Who You Ask

7:14pm February 21, 2016

by Danielle Kurtzleben

Evangelical voters are often talked about as a key part of the electorate. But the actual number of evangelical voters and their religious beliefs are not nearly as clear-cut as pundits think.

Queue Listen Now

Average Mohamed is using cartoons to counter the extremist message of groups like ISIS.

Taking On The Appeal Of ISIS, With Cartoons

10:19am February 21, 2016

"We need an average guy espousing the values of majority Muslims," says the creator of Average Mohamed, a cartoon that's spreading an anti-ISIS message.

Queue Listen Now

Pope Calls On Christians To Abolish Death Penalty

9:05am February 21, 2016

by Bill Chappell

"The commandment, 'Thou shalt not kill,' has absolute value, and concerns both the innocent and the guilty," Pope Francis says.

Jesse Valles, far right, and Isaac Apodaca, center, get in line for the free Sunday dinners offered at the Rebel and Divine church, a congregation in Phoenix that aims to help at-risk youth, many of whom are homeless and transgender.

Pastor Redefines 'Church' For Transgender Youth

6:00am February 21, 2016

by Stina Sieg

For transgender people, church can feel extremely unwelcoming. A congregation in Phoenix is trying to change that by offering free meals and support to them — many of whom are homeless trans youth.

Pope Francis Condones Contraception With Zika Virus Threat

12:47pm February 20, 2016

Pope Francis turned heads this week with statements on birth control and same-sex marriage that seemed at odds with Church doctrine. Then he waded into a spat with Donald Trump.

Queue Listen Now

Trump Is Defiant After Pope Criticizes His Plan To Build Border Wall

6:18am February 19, 2016

by Sarah McCammon

Campaigning in South Carolina, Donald Trump denounced Pope Francis' comments suggesting that he is not a Christian because of the GOP presidential front-runner's hardline position on immigration.

Queue Listen Now

Pope Francis Justifies Contraception In Regions Affected By Zika Virus

7:20pm February 18, 2016

NPR's Robert Siegel talks with the Nicole Winfield of the Associated Press about the pope's justification for use of contraception in regions affected by the Zika virus.

Queue Listen Now

Pope Francis walks onstage before celebrating Mass at the Ciudad Juarez fairgrounds, near the U.S. border on Wednesday.

Pope Says Trump 'Is Not Christian'

4:27pm February 18, 2016

by Scott Detrow

Pope Francis was criticizing Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump's plan to build a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border. Trump called the comment "disgraceful."

Pope Francis speaks to journalists Thursday aboard a flight from Mexico to Italy.

Religion

Pope Suggests Contraception Use May Be 'Lesser Evil' For Those Fearing Zika

1:42pm February 18, 2016

by Camila Domonoske

The pope firmly ruled out abortion for pregnant women who fear effects of the Zika virus — but said that "in certain cases," contraception might be a lesser evil, without directly approving its use.