Tag: religion
Coptic Christians fearful for what an Islamist Egypt will mean for them
As the democratic process in Egypt winds up, Coptic Christians find themselves facing a number of restrictions and proclamations that would leave them with fewer rights than they already have. They're worried that the newly empowered Islamists will force them to pay special taxes or wear veils not called for by their religion....
Despite Obama's apology, Afghans return to street to protest Koran burning
The United States announced recently that it had inadvertently burned a number of Korans that had been confiscated from Afghan prisoners, thinking they were subversive material. In response, thousands of Afghans have taken to the streets in protest....
Division developing between main Islamist parties in Egypt
As Egypt struggles to move to democratic government, the Islamist parties of the Muslim Brotherhood and the Salafis, who together won the majority of the Parliamentary seats, are trying to emphasize the differences between the more moderate brotherhood and the more hard line Salafis....
Catholic Church prepares to canonize first Native American saint despite mixed reactions
Kateri Tekakwitha, a Mohawk Indian born in New York in 1656, has been approved for sainthood by the Catholic church. With her canonization, she'll become the first Native American saint. But given the Church's history of violence and oppression against Native Americans, this isn't necessarily news to celebrate....
Controversial Protestant church putting down roots in Ukraine
The Embassy of God church in Ukraine has attracted a number of adherents, as well as a number of detractors. While founder Sunday Adelaja insists he's out to save souls, an attorney said he's out to swindle and scam....
Obama announces compromise on contraceptive coverage by religious organizations
President Barack Obama on Friday said his administration will grant a broader exemption for religious organization that have an objection to providing contraceptive services to women as part of their health plans. The announcement comes amid a brewing controversy over his administration's proposal to grant a much narrower exemption....
Top Islamic cleric in Jerusalem makes speech that shocks Israelis
Israeli officials are outraged over a comment by the top Islamic cleric in Jerusalem. Sheikh Mohammad Hussein, the grand mufti of Jerusalem, quoted Islamic scripture that's widely viewed as an attack on Jews and Judaism....
Romney, Obama tangle on issue of access to contraception
Gov. Mitt Romney is taking heat for his previous actions around access to birth control, while President Barack Obama takes criticism for a new mandate requiring religious-affiliated health plans to offer access to contraception....
Rhode Island teen faces scorn, hate after protesting public school's prayer
Rhode Island is one of the most religious states in the country, heavily Catholic. So when a teenager protested the prayer that stands in her public school's gym, she knew it wouldn't be popular. But since a court ruled it must be taken down, she's received death threats and been called evil by elected officials....
In post-Soviet Russia, a quest to define national identity
Despite it being 20 years since the Soviet Union came apart, Russia is still struggling to determine what it means to be Russian — what the nations values really are....
