All articles tagged with #religion and society
As the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks approaches, religious leaders across denominations are urging Americans to return to faith. Rev. Franklin Graham highlights a post-attack surge in religious participation, while Catholic officials emphasize peace and healing. New media features and official statements frame the anniversary as a moment for spiritual reflection and national unity.
The International Theological Commission released a 29,000-word document on September 2, 2026, titled 'Caring for Our Common Home.' Approved by Pope Leo XIV, the text redefines 'ecological sin' as a 'sin against creation and the Creator,' arguing that environmental harm violates God's plan. The document calls for an 'ecological conversion' through spiritual and practical changes, emphasizing stewardship over exploitation. It was published during the Church's Season of Creation, building on Pope Francis's 2015 encyclical 'Laudato Si'.'
A new survey from the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) reveals that around one-quarter of Americans now identify as religiously unaffiliated, with many leaving their faith traditions due to negative teachings about LGBTQ individuals, clergy sexual abuse, and over-involvement in politics. The study also found that the Catholic Church is losing more members than it's gaining, and that younger Americans and Hispanic Americans are particularly likely to leave their religions over LGBTQ issues. Additionally, about one-third of religiously unaffiliated Americans say they no longer identify with their childhood religion because it was bad for their mental health, with LGBTQ respondents expressing this sentiment most strongly.
NPR correspondent Sarah McCammon reflects on her evangelical upbringing and decision to leave it behind, citing the 2016 embrace of Donald Trump by white evangelicals as a turning point. Her book, The Exvangelicals, explores the growing movement of younger Americans leaving evangelical churches, drawing from her own experiences and those of others. McCammon hopes the book will resonate with exvangelicals, provide insight for those unfamiliar with evangelicalism, and encourage empathy and understanding from those still entrenched in the movement.
Ramadan in the United States is marked by grief and solemnity for Muslim communities as they grapple with the devastating situation in Gaza, with many foregoing traditional celebrations and instead focusing on fundraising and activism to support those affected. The ongoing conflict has led to a mix of emotions, including grief, anger towards U.S. leaders for supporting Israel, and solidarity in pro-Palestinian demonstrations. Despite the challenges, American Muslims are channeling their grief into charity and prayer, seeking to support those affected by the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and maintain a sense of community and connection during this sacred month.
Major Christian denominations, including Catholics, Anglicans, and United Methodists, are experiencing deep divisions over the issue of same-sex unions. The Vatican's recent policy allowing priests to bless same-sex couples has been met with both praise and criticism within the Catholic Church. The Anglican Communion and the United Methodist Church are also grappling with internal conflicts, with the former allowing blessings of same-sex partnerships despite a ban on church weddings for gay couples, and the latter witnessing a conservative exodus over LGBTQ-related policies. These tensions reflect broader challenges faced by global denominations in balancing traditional doctrines with changing societal attitudes towards LGBTQ rights.
Pope Francis has called for Rome to improve its services and become more accessible, especially for the elderly and those with mobility issues, ahead of the 2025 Holy Year. During the year-end Te Deum prayer, he emphasized the need for the city to be a sign of hope and to offer "simple decorum and normal functionality." The mayor of Rome, Roberto Gualtieri, was present as the Pope highlighted the challenges of inefficient public transport, waste management, and traffic congestion. The Holy Year is expected to attract millions of pilgrims, and current construction projects are aimed at preparing the city for the influx of visitors.
A Muslim man in Stockholm, Sweden, who had planned to burn copies of the Torah and Bible in front of the Israeli Embassy, instead discarded his lighter and spoke out against the burning of holy books. The burning of the Quran in Sweden by far-right individuals has sparked outrage and led to geopolitical tensions, with Turkey using it as a pretext to block Sweden's efforts to join NATO. Calls for legal changes to ban such events while preserving democratic values have emerged, and organizations like Amanah are working to combat discrimination and promote interfaith dialogue. The incidents have prompted discussions about the limits of freedom of expression and the need for responsible behavior in the public arena.