Many of the best known Christmas traditions were actually adapted from pagan practices and given new Christian meanings. More →

December 19, 2003

Read an interview with writer Studs Terkel, author of HOPE DIES LAST: KEEPING THE FAITH IN TROUBLED TIMES, an oral history of social action. More →

December 19, 2003

BOB ABERNETHY, anchor: We have a special report today on the bravery and dedication of U.S. and other humanitarian aid workers in Iraq. Because of attacks on foreigners, the UN, the Red Cross, Oxfam, and now Care International have pulled … More →

December 12, 2003

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled that under their constitution, same-sex couples are legally able to marry. Opponents of gay marriage want an amendment to the constitution defining marriage as being between a man and a woman. Correspondent Kim Lawton … More →

November 21, 2003

There’s a movement under way among many Catholic women and women scholars to revise the reputation of Mary Magdalene. For centuries, she was reviled as a prostitute. But now, with the discovery of ancient text, several recent movies and novels are portraying her as an important figure in early church history.
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November 21, 2003

Read a review of Elaine Pagels’ best-selling book “Beyond Belief: The Secret Gospel of Thomas.” More →

November 21, 2003

BOB ABERNETHY, anchor: Now, illegal immigrants. There are more than eight million of them in this country. And while there is a lot of discussion about controlling U.S. borders and enforcing the laws, there are also those who say these … More →

November 14, 2003

The U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington celebrated its 10th anniversary with a tribute to survivors of the Nazi persecution of the Jews. They honored the survivors, their families, and those who rescued them at the end of World War II. More →

November 7, 2003

The consecration of Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson caused international debate over the role of gays in the church. Some Episcopalians are celebrating what they see as the church’s openness and diversity, while others are lamenting what they believe is departure … More →

October 31, 2003

This weekend, Hindus around the world celebrate Diwali, the Festival of Lights. For some Hindus, Diwali coincides with a special worship service for the powerful goddess Kali, who represents opposites such as life and death, creation and destruction. We spoke about Kali with Kamanashish Chakraborty, a founding member of the Washington Kali Temple in Burtonsville, Maryland. More →

October 24, 2003