Religion

A Noah's Ark In Kentucky Encounters Controversy

5:14pm July 04, 2016

by Cheri Lawson

A theme park featuring a life-size Noah's Ark opens this week in Kentucky. Its creator calls it a "world-class attraction." Critics say it reinforces the state's anti-science image.

Elie Wiesel, Holocaust survivor and Nobel Peace Prize-winning author, smiles during a press conference in Budapest, Hungary, in 2009.

Elie Wiesel, Holocaust Survivor And Nobel Laureate, Dies At 87

10:59am July 03, 2016

by Carrie Kahn

After surviving the Nazi death camps, Wiesel advocated on behalf of victims of hate and persecution around the world. He died Saturday at the age of 87.

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Protesters march on May 1, seeking repeal of a Mississippi law allowing religious groups and some private businesses to deny services to same-sex couples, transgender people and others. A federal judge ruled the law unconstitutional late Thursday.

Judge Blocks Mississippi Law Protecting Religious Objections To Gay Marriage

2:53pm July 01, 2016

by Camila Domonoske

Late Thursday night, shortly before the controversial law was set to take effect, a federal judge ruled it unconstitutional. He called it an "attempt to put LGBT citizens back in their place."

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Church Should Apologize To Gays, Pope Francis Says

7:54am June 27, 2016

The pope, who's ushered in a more welcoming attitude toward homosexuals, says the Catholic Church should seek forgiveness for its mistreatment of gays. His comments came during a flight from Armenia.

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Pope Francis talks to journalists on his flight back to Rome on Sunday, following a visit to Armenia.

Religion

Pope Francis: Church Should Apologize To Gays And Other Marginalized Groups

7:55pm June 26, 2016

by Colin Dwyer

Aboard a flight from Armenia, the pontiff said the Church owes an apology not only to gay people, but also to other marginalized groups. "We Christians must say we are sorry," he said.

During Ramadan In Cairo, It's Eat, Pray, Drum

5:23pm June 26, 2016

by Leila Fadel

Drummers travel Cairo's streets every morning during the Ramadan holiday month and wake people for their pre-dawn meal. NPR's Leila Fadel went along with one of them.

Donald Trump delivers the convocation at Liberty University on Jan. 18. The flamboyant, thrice-married mogul has never been an easy fit with the religious right.

As Trump Defies Expectations Of Faith, Might We Be Entering A New Era?

12:56pm June 26, 2016

by Tom Gjelten

Voters have long demanded that their presidential candidates demonstrate outward signs of religious faith. So far in 2016, that may be changing — though some evangelicals are uneasy at the prospect.

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Pope Francis Speaks Of 'Genocide' In Armenia Visit

4:34pm June 24, 2016

by Sylvia Poggioli

Pope Francis is in Armenia, a country with ancient roots to Christianity and the Pope seeks to encourage as it's buffeted by its huge neighbors, Turkey and Russia.

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Many Muslim Refugees Spend Ramadan Inside Migrant Camps

4:34pm June 24, 2016

NPR's Ari Shapiro speaks with journalist Jeanne Carstensen from Athens about how Muslim refugees are spending this year's Ramadan inside of migrant camps.

A worker puts final touches on the podium at Yerevan's Republic Square on June 23, where Pope Francis is to lead a service. The pontiff arrived in Armenia for a three-day visit on Friday.

Religion

In Armenia Visit, Pope Aims For Reconciliation In A Tense Region

12:00pm June 24, 2016

by Sylvia Poggioli

Last year, Pope Francis called the Ottoman Empire's slaughter of Armenians "the first genocide of the 20th century," sparking a diplomatic spat with Turkey. He begins a 3-day visit to Armenia Friday.