Some devout Muslims believe the Koran forbids them from paying any interest. So when preparing to make a large purchase such as a house, they seek out not a lender, but a partner. Although not common, some financial institutions exist that allow customers to finance purchases in a way compliant with ...

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia is generating controversy on another issue. Scalia criticized the Roman Catholic Church's stand against the death penalty. At a forum on religion and the death penalty, Scalia said he does not agree with the Church's position on capital punishment.

Howard Thurman had a profound spiritual impact on civil rights leaders like Martin Luther King, Jr. Yet for much of the last half century, Thurman's contributions have often been overlooked. Now, more than 20 years after his death in 1981, Howard Thurman is finding a new audience.

"There are a lot of medicines out there that have never been tested on children so it leaves the doctors high and dry in a legal quagmire, using them without FDA approval because they have evidence above 12, above 18, but not for younger children," says pediatrician and researcher Dr. Richard ...

In France, the government has stepped into a furor over whether there is or should be a right not to be born. The highest court implied there should be, but the National Assembly said no. The issue came to a head when the court awarded money on behalf of a handicapped child, saying that he could ...

Should a pastor offer people any counseling on sex other than to maintain abstinence outside of marriage? Does saying anything about safe sex seem to condone behavior the Bible forbids? It's a real issue in the deep South, especially in black churches, and especially regarding women.

All over the world and in almost every culture, the tradition of displaying scenes from the birth of Jesus has become a cherished part of the holiday season. There is even a group dedicated to keeping this Christmas tradition alive.

Hanukkah is a holiday of freedom, recalling the successful Jewish revolt against the Syrians who had conquered and occupied Jerusalem. We heard the story at the home of Rabbi Bentzion Geisinsky, in Potomac, Maryland.

This week, Hindus are celebrating the festival of Diwali, which means "row of light." Menaka Kannan, who participated in a colorful celebration of Diwali in Landover, Maryland, describes the origins and customs of the Diwali holiday.

When a person has a religious experience, what happens within the brain? What kind of changes take place? In one experiment, brain scans examine the parts of the brain that are activated during prayer. In another, mystical and religious experiences are simulated by using bursts of electrical ...

There have been many estimates around the world about the desperation of people in Afghanistan. The country has suffered years of war and years of drought, and many advocate that this is the poorest country in the world. Before the current situation, Afghans were in tragic circumstances. Now, some of the people are starving and many are relocating to other areas in search of a better life.

More than five weeks later, America remains deeply shaken by the events of September 11th, no more so than in New York. Correspondent Betty Rollin spoke with four religious New Yorkers of different faiths to see how they were affected.

As Congress worked on the antiterrorism bill, proponents argued that the FBI and police need new tools to keep up with modern technology, while others expressed concern about violating privacy and other rights. Lucky Severson reports on the new search for the right balance between national security ...

As of early October 2005, 30,000 U.S. troops had been deployed to the Middle East and Central Asia, and among them were some of the country’s 2,800 military chaplains. How do chaplains help prepare U.S. forces for whatever lies ahead? In particular, how are they counseling American military ...

Two American aid workers in Afghanistan, 29-year-old Dayna Curry and 24-year-old Heather Mercer, were arrested by security officials and accused of preaching Christianity, which is strictly forbidden by the Taliban.

As the U.S. builds coalitions and deploys troops in response to last month’s attacks, an old moral question has resurfaced: In order to fight a great evil, how much evil do you have to condone? R & E discusses the implications with Nina Shea of the Center for Religious Freedom at Freedom ...

During the weeklong Jewish holiday of Sukkot, many Jews build lean-tos, open to the elements, called “sukkahs,” to recall the way their ancestors lived for 40 years in the desert after their escape from slavery in Egypt.

In the week following the tragic events of September 11th, the nation searched for an explanation, a solution, and comfort. Managing editor Kim Lawton surveys the many religious responses to the terrorist attacks.

"Rather than to try to change God, prayer should change us, should make us better human beings. That is the ultimate purpose of prayer," says Cantor Abraham Lubin of Congregation Beth El in Bethesda, Maryland. We spoke with him as he prepared for the high holidays.

In the wake of the horrific terrorist attacks on September 11, we discuss questions about justice, forgiveness, and retribution with four religious leaders and scholars.