Religion

Religion

How The Pandemic Has Affected The Ways People Worship

3:58pm December 24, 2020

by Lee Hale

The pandemic has changed the way people worship this year. Holidays spent apart. Services moved to Zoom. Some are motivated to look upward for help, while others are looking inward to find some peace.

A Hasidic man and medical workers cross paths near the Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., in November. When public health messaging comes from community leaders, it's much more likely to be adopted, research on diverse groups finds.

'Trusted Messengers, Trusted Messages': How To Overcome Vaccine Hesitancy

5:00am December 24, 2020

by Fran Kritz

As the first COVID-19 vaccines begin to be rolled out across the U.S., community leaders in diverse groups already are working hard to dispel misinformation and reach skeptics with truth.

Church Journalist On Why He Thinks Mormonism Is The Most American Religion

4:07pm December 23, 2020

NPR's Ari Shapiro speaks with McKay Coppins of The Atlantic about his article "The Most American Religion" as the Mormon Church celebrates its 200th anniversary.

The Vatican said Monday that it is "morally acceptable" to use COVID-19 vaccines, even if they used "cell lines from aborted fetuses in their research and production process." Pope Francis, who approved the statement, is seen here in January.

Vatican OKs Receiving COVID-19 Vaccines, Even If Research Involved Fetal Tissue

7:34pm December 21, 2020

by Laurel Wamsley

The Vatican said it's permitted to get COVID-19 vaccines due to the "grave danger" of the pandemic, even if scientists used "cell lines from aborted fetuses in their research and production process."

Religion

Theologian Discusses How Christmas Brings Light To A Dark Year

8:00am December 19, 2020

NPR's Scott Simon speaks with theologian Eboni Marshall-Turman of Yale Divinity School about the message of Christmas this year.

JayaShri Maathaa speaks at TEDWomen 2020. November 12, 2020. Photo courtesy of TED.

JayaShri Maathaa: How Can Saying "Thank You" Transform Your Life?

9:52am December 18, 2020

by NPR/TED STAFF

During the coronavirus pandemic, monk JayaShri Maathaa continually turned to one powerful mantra: "thank you," a statement of genuine gratitude to provide solace and strength in troubled times.

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Religion

Vatican Unveils Unique Nativity Scene In St. Peter's Square

7:33am December 16, 2020

Critics say one of the wise men resembles an astronaut. Another character brings Darth Vader to mind. The Catholic Herald called it an "Embarrassing Sci-Fi Creche."

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Pastor On His Church Being Target During Pro-Trump Rally In D.C.

6:17pm December 14, 2020

NPR's Mary Louise Kelly talks with the Rev. William Lamar IV of Metropolitan AME Church in Washington, D.C., about the church's legacy of affirming Black lives following a weekend of vandalism.

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Father Julio Martinez raises the Blessed Sacrament from the back of a pickup truck in Ramseur, N.C.

Holiday On Wheels: Latino Church Gets Creative Honoring Patron Saint Despite Pandemic

4:59pm December 13, 2020

by Emma Peaslee

The Rev. Julio Martinez put a portrait of Our Lady of Guadalupe on the back of a pickup truck and celebrated the festival in the front yards of church members.

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The Cantors of Wisconsin perform over a video call. On Sunday, for the first time ever, about a dozen Wisconsin cantors will virtually broadcast a mix of Hanukkah tunes, both traditional and reimagined.

Jewish Cantors Celebrate Hanukkah With Virtual Concerts

8:01am December 13, 2020

by Maayan Silver

Jewish cantors in Wisconsin are celebrating Hanukkah in a new way during the pandemic: They will gather virtually and broadcast a concert of holiday music for audiences across the country.

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