Religion

The Impossible Future of Christians in the Middle East

An ancient faith is disappearing from the lands in which it first took root. At stake is not just a religious community, but the fate of pluralism in the region.

• Emma Green
• May 23, 2019

Pope Francis Stops Hiding From the Church’s Sexual-Abuse Epidemic

The leader of the Catholic Church has issued rules creating worldwide accountability for reporting allegations of abuse. But he still faces deep cynicism from the body faithful.  

• Emma Green
• May 12, 2019

AIPAC Is Losing Control of the Narrative on Israel

American Jews are very uncomfortable with Trump, but the pro-Israel lobby has embraced him wholeheartedly.

• Emma Green
• Mar 26, 2019

‘This Could Have Been Their 9/11 Moment’

A generation of young American Muslims is coming of age in a time when a mass shooting at a mosque is horrifying, but not surprising.

• Emma Green
• Mar 16, 2019

Why Does the Catholic Church Keep Failing on Sexual Abuse?

Cardinal Seán O'Malley has spent decades cleaning up after pedophile priests. Now he's once again found himself in the middle of a crisis.

• Emma Green
• Feb 14, 2019

These Preachers Perform Mass Exorcisms—And Live-Stream Them

In Ethiopia, some monks are using Facebook and YouTube to gain thousands of disciples, who see them as modern Messiahs.

• Tom Gardner
• Feb 4, 2019

Want to Cultivate a Liberal European Islam? Look to Bosnia.

Throughout the 20th century, Bosnian Muslim thinkers offered creative theological interpretations that squared with European life.

• Riada Asimovic Akyol
• Jan 13, 2019

China Reneges on Its Deals. The Vatican Is Learning That the Hard Way.

The disappearance of a bishop is an object lesson in interacting with Beijing.

• Bethany Allen-Ebrahimian
• Dec 4, 2018

China’s Mass Detention of Muslims Is a Test for Trump

The Trump administration has been slamming Beijing for its Uighur internment camps. But some worry that criticism will go quiet after the G20.

• Sigal Samuel
• Nov 27, 2018

Trump's Evangelical Advisers Hear from the Saudi Crown Prince on Khashoggi

“I may have caused some of our people to love our kingdom too much.”

• Sigal Samuel
• Nov 9, 2018

The Witches of Baltimore

Young black women are leaving Christianity and embracing African witchcraft in digital covens.

• Sigal Samuel
• Nov 5, 2018

A Theological Murder Mystery Is Rattling Christians in Egypt

What motivated the killing of a bishop inside his own monastery?

• Farid Y. Farid
• Nov 2, 2018

How a Comedian Pushed Ireland Into a Referendum on Blasphemy

Stephen Fry called God “stupid” in an interview three years ago. Now voters are headed to the polls.

• Yasmeen Serhan
• Oct 26, 2018

A Dead Sea Scrolls Forgery Casts Doubt on the Museum of the Bible

Controversy over the dubious sourcing of artifacts has dogged the museum since its inception. Why hasn’t it learned its lesson?

• Andrew Henry
• Oct 24, 2018

Pope Francis Is Still Equivocating on the Sex-Abuse Crisis

He stands by those to whom he’s loyal but, when faced with new evidence, is also willing to change his mind.

• Rachel Donadio
• Oct 13, 2018

The Catholic Sex-Abuse Scandal Takes Down a Cardinal

The pope has accepted the resignation of the leader of the Archdiocese of Washington. What happens next?

• Emma Green
• Oct 12, 2018

Ukraine’s Spiritual Split From Russia Could Trigger a Global Schism

For Moscow, the crisis is geopolitical as well as religious.

• Gabby Deutch
• Oct 11, 2018

Why a Small Jewish Group Is Supporting a German Party With Anti-Semitic Ties

The formation of “Jews in the AfD” is baffling to many, but it’s also part of a larger pattern across Europe.

• Sigal Samuel
• Oct 7, 2018