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National

A Tale of Two U.S. Muslim Women: To Cover or Not?

The wearing of headscarves by Muslim women has caused turmoil in Europe. In the U.S., too, it remains a difficult and intensely personal decision. In Dearborn, Mich., two women, both devout Muslims, have come to different conclusions about the wearing of hijab.

A Tale of Two U.S. Muslim Women: To Cover or Not?

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Religion

Christian Coalition's New Leader Steps Down

Rev. Joel Hunter, president-elect of the Christian Coalition of America, is declining the job, saying the organization wouldn't let him expand its agenda beyond opposing abortion and gay marriage. A statement issued by the group said Hunter left because of "differences in philosophy and vision."

Christian Coalition's New Leader Steps Down

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Religion

Companies Offer Pilgrimage Rehearsals

For Muslims, the pilgrimage to Mecca, known as the Hajj, is the journey of a lifetime. And for the growing number of American Muslims who make this trip, it requires a lot of preparation. Few travel agencies specialize in the details of arranging a pilgrimage, but the number of companies in the United States offering such services to Muslims is growing.

Companies Offer Pilgrimage Rehearsals

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Religion

Catholic Bishops Adopt Guidelines on Gays

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has adopted new guidelines for the Catholic church in America. The guidelines adopted Tuesday in Baltimore address who can receive the Holy Eucharist, how the church should minister to gay parishioners and upheld the church's strict ban on the use of contraception.

Catholic Bishops Adopt Guidelines on Gays

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Religion

U.S. Bishops Adjust Approach to Gay Parishioners

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops approves new guidelines for dealing with gay parishioners. The document, titled "Ministry to Persons with a Homosexual Inclination," continues the church's ban on same-sex marriage, and discourages gay parishioners from making public expressions of their sexuality.

U.S. Bishops Adjust Approach to Gay Parishioners

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Religion

Catholic Bishops Discuss Treatment of Church Gays

This week, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops will vote on guidelines for ministering to homosexual Catholics. Some church officials say just talking about these issues is a step forward, while many gay and lesbian Catholics say that if the proposal passes, it will push them away from the church.

Catholic Bishops Discuss Treatment of Church Gays

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Religion

Can America's Catholics Adapt to Tridentine Mass?

Pope Benedict XVI is considering a proposal that would allow more Roman Catholic churches to return to the traditional Latin mass, called the Tridentine Mass. Rachel Martin visits one of the few U.S. churches that still offers the Tridentine Mass.

Can America's Catholics Adapt to Tridentine Mass?

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Religion

Pioneering Episcopal Leader Faces Challenges

As the first woman to head the Episcopal Church, Bishop Kathryn Jefferts Schori inherits a crisis. Dozens of congregations are trying to sever ties to the main church over issues of liberalism, including gay rights.

Pioneering Episcopal Leader Faces Challenges

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Katrina & Beyond

A Bumper Shrimp Crop in Broken Cameron Parish

A year after Hurricane Rita, Louisiana's rural Cameron Parish has barely begun to recover. The bright spot in the local economy is the shrimping industry's bumper crop. Yet there aren't enough boats or shrimpers to take advantage.

A Bumper Shrimp Crop in Broken Cameron Parish

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Democratic Party Embraces 'Values' Debate

Religious and moral issues mobilized record numbers of voters in 2004, to a Republican advantage. This year, Democratic candidates have taken up the debate, speaking openly about their faith -- and asserting that issues such as AIDS and poverty are about morality, too.

Democratic Party Embraces 'Values' Debate

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Republicans Zig; Will Christian Conservatives Zag?

Conservative Christian voters are widely credited with helping bring the Republicans to victory in 2004. But as midterm elections near, religious conservatives appear to be splintered in different and surprising directions.

Republicans Zig; Will Christian Conservatives Zag?

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Katrina & Beyond

Yes, the Superdome Is Ready for Some Football

The New Orleans Saints play their first home game since Hurricane Katrina, when levee breaks flooded the city last year and desperate people used the Superdome as a shelter. Now the city is returning to Monday Night Football.

Yes, the Superdome Is Ready for Some Football

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Religion

Latinas Choosing Islam over Catholicism

The Catholic Church has been grappling with an exodus of Latin Americans over the past few decades. A small yet growing segment of the Hispanic population is leaving Christianity altogether and converting to Islam -- and most of them are women.

Latinas Choosing Islam over Catholicism

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Religion

Mosques Update Approach to Ramadan Planning

After centuries of relying on actual sightings of the moon to determine the start of Ramadan, many mosques in the United States are switching to a more scientific method, relying on astronomical calculations to determine the advent of the new moon. Many Muslims say the move will remove some of the uncertainty in planning for their holy month celebrations.

Mosques Update Approach to Ramadan Planning

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