Religion

Religion

People are quitting the United Methodist Church over its views on gender and sexuality

8:19am December 23, 2023

by Scott Simon

NPR's Scott Simon speaks with Matthew Wilson, Associate Professor of political science at Southern Methodist University about the divide in United Methodist Church over sexuality and gender identity.

Christmas will be quiet in Bethlehem as destruction continues in Gaza

4:47pm December 20, 2023

by Kat Lonsdorf

Bethlehem, a town nearly synonymous with Christmas, is located in what is now the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Many Palestinians are too distressed by the war in Gaza to hold Christmas celebrations.

How Arab-Jewish communities are coping with the war in Gaza

5:58pm December 19, 2023

by Eleanor Beardsley

Mixed, Arab-Jewish communities are a rarity in Israel. And since the Hamas attacks of Oct. 7 and the ensuing war in Gaza, they've been under pressure.

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Religion

Vatican says priests can bless same-sex couples

6:53am December 19, 2023

by Michel Martin

NPR's Michel Martin hears from gay couples and a priest about the announcement from the Vatican that priests can now offer blessings to same-sex couples.

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Pope Francis approved: Catholic priests may now bless same-sex couples

5:43pm December 18, 2023

by Jason DeRose

Catholic priests may now bless same-sex couples, according to a declaration used by the Vatican and approved by Pope Francis. The document says these blessings are not to be considered marriage.

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Pope Francis has approved some Catholic blessings for same-sex couples, so long as priests avoid confusion with marriage blessings.

Religion

Pope Francis approves Catholic blessings for same-sex couples, but not for marriage

2:09pm December 18, 2023

by Becky Sullivan

In a major development, the Vatican said priests may bless same-sex couples in informal settings, such as a meeting or visit to a shrine, so long as the blessing does not appear to endorse a marriage.

Hrishikesh Hirway says the cause of his writer's block was a "whirlpool of self judgment."

He felt 'creatively dead.' Then he harnessed the power of boredom

10:48am December 18, 2023

by Rachel Martin

Hrishikesh Hirway says the cause of his writer's block was a "whirlpool of self judgment."

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Cardinal Angelo Becciu attends a consistory inside St. Peter's Basilica, at the Vatican, on Aug. 27, 2022.

A cardinal is convicted of embezzlement and sentenced to 5 1/2 years in Vatican trial

11:55am December 16, 2023

by The Associated Press

Cardinal Angelo Becciu, the first cardinal ever prosecuted by the Vatican criminal court, was convicted in a complicated financial trial that aired the Vatican's dirty laundry.

If you find yourself in Hanukkah withdrawal, take Round and Round for a spin: This time-loop romance embraces the holiday in a way that feels complete and thoughtful. Above, Paula Shaw and Vic Michaelis in Round and Round.

One last Hanukkah gift from Hallmark: 'Round and Round' is a really fun romcom

12:13pm December 15, 2023

by Linda Holmes

If you find yourself in Hanukkah withdrawal, take Round and Round for a spin: This time-loop romance embraces the holiday in a way that feels complete and thoughtful.

Amid war, a Rabbi makes the case to 'raise up light' this Hanukkah

5:15pm December 14, 2023

NPR's Ari Shapiro talks with Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie about how he's thinking about Hanukkah this year.

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