In Myanmar, which many still call Burma, military rulers allow no democracy or free speech and persecute religious minority groups. Human rights groups say there is a campaign of oppression that has resulted in almost a million and a half displaced people. Critics say the generals who control the ...

As we look for signs of resurrection in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, many residents along the Gulf Coast still feel neglected by local, state, and national politicians. Often, it's the faith-based institutions that are providing the majority of physical and social support. Two New Orleans pastors, Lance Eden and Jerry Kramer, say they are seeing new meanings in traditional Holy Week themes.

Every year as Passover approaches, Jewish children learn the significance of unleavened bread -- matzah -- eaten at each Passover seder. R&E joined a group of some younger Jews learning to make matzah at the Temple Sha'arey Shalom School in Springfield, New Jersey. The chief baker is Rabbi Zalman Grossbaum.

Have you ever had the feeling that your doctor doesn't have enough time for you, or, if you're a doctor, that you are under so much pressure it's hard to be compassionate with your patients? There is a physician in Northern California who thinks medicine is losing its soul, and she's trying to rescue it.

Expanding medical technologies continue to create a host of new ethical dilemmas. Researchers can now detect early in a pregnancy if a fetus has Down Syndrome. The condition usually results in some degree of physical and mental disability, and armed with that information, some expectant parents face ...

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — the Mormons — barred African-Americans from full membership until 1978. Since then, the church has increased its outreach to African-American communities, but has yet to repudiate its old teachings that blacks were cursed by God as descendents of ...

When is a preventive war, such as the invasion of Iraq, justified? Consciously or not, most of us probably weigh the morality of war using centuries-old “just war” theory.

Altruism is the phenomenon of generosity to others with no expectation of reward. For many, giving is a religious requirement; others just do good whether they are religious or not.

Evangelist Billy Graham and his son Franklin said they are bringing spiritual encouragement to the people of New Orleans after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.

"For me personally, it's so encouraging to be surrounded by people who believe in marriage, who are working at it, who love each other," says Kathy Berkemeyer, who together with her husband Jack celebrated Valentine's Day by renewing their vows at the annual Mass for Lovers ceremony held in Old St. ...

The bestselling author talks about faith, failure, forgiveness, finding Jesus, and being a Christian.

In the aftermath of the Hamas victory in the Palestinian elections, big questions piled up about the prospects for peace and democracy in the Middle East.

“Tet, the Vietnamese New Year, is by far the biggest festival during the year.” says Nguyen Ngoc Bich.

Observances mark the 100th anniversary of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s birth. The German theologian was involved in a plot to kill Hitler, and was subsequently put to death by the Nazis for his resistance.

In some observant Jewish families, a little boy’s first haircut is more than just a haircut. It marks the beginning of not only his formal education but also his obligation to keep the commandments and perform mitzvoth — good deeds.

The role of pastor may be one of the most overlooked sides of Martin Luther King Jr. But it was one of the most important aspects of who he was.

According to a survey by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, solid majorities of all major American religious groups back stronger measures to protect the environment. Even though some conservative evangelicals are less likely to make environmental protection a priority, evangelical leaders are speaking out about what they see as a biblical obligation to protect all of creation.

One of the numerous ways that people in this country try to get fit these days is through the practice of yoga. There are many different forms of this discipline, but the most commonly taught is called Iyengar. It’s named for the Indian guru B.K.S. Iyengar, who teaches that yoga has a deeply ...

When Christmas and the first night of Hanukkah fall on the same day, the growing number of interfaith families who observe both holidays face an unusual challenge. We visited the Miller family in Takoma Park, Maryland, to find out how they're handling this "December dilemma."

A new report says this year Americans gave record amounts of private charitable donations. Another report says Americans donated nearly $3 billion to post-hurricane relief efforts. Yet nearly four months after Hurricane Katrina, the magnitude of the destruction is still difficult to comprehend. In ...