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Tom Gjelten Tom Gjelten covers issues of religion, faith, and belief for NPR News.
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Tom Gjelten

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Monday

Can America's 'Civil Religion' Still Unite The Country?
Andrew Harnik/Pool photo/Getty Images

Religion

Can America's 'Civil Religion' Still Unite The Country?

America's diversity means it is not defined by a single ancestry or faith tradition. Americans may nevertheless unite behind a "civil religion" that incorporates the nation's founding principles.

Can America's 'Civil Religion' Still Unite The Country?

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Sunday

Religion

Retiring NPR Correspondent Looks At How Religion Beat Has Changed

After six years on the religion and belief beat — and four decades reporting for NPR — Tom Gjelten is retiring. He discusses how covering religion in America has changed in recent years.

Retiring NPR Correspondent Looks At How Religion Beat Has Changed

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Thursday

U.S. Refugee Program 'On Life Support,' Facing Big Challenges

The Mulema family fled the Central African Republic, spent years in a refugee camp, and were eventually resettled in Newark, Del., by Jewish Family Services. Tom Gjelten/NPR hide caption

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Tom Gjelten/NPR

Religion

U.S. Refugee Program 'On Life Support,' Facing Big Challenges

Resettling a single refugee family requires a huge effort, and after four years of neglect under the Trump administration, rebuilding the system will be difficult.

U.S. Refugee Program 'On Life Support,' Facing Big Challenges

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Monday

Religion

The Vatican Has Announced The Church 'Cannot' Bless Same-Sex Unions

Pope Francis has disappointed pro-LGBTQ Catholics via a Vatican statement that the church cannot bless same-sex unions. He had previously seemed open to an endorsement.

The Vatican Has Announced The Church 'Cannot' Bless Same-Sex Unions

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Wednesday

Some Faith Leaders Call Equality Act Devastating; For Others, It's God's Will

Faith groups are deeply split over the Equality Act. Evangelicals, Catholics, Latter-day Saints and Orthodox Jews say it limits religious freedom. Mainline Protestants and other progressive faith groups support it. Jessica Rinaldi/Boston Globe via Getty Images hide caption

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Jessica Rinaldi/Boston Globe via Getty Images

Religion

Some Faith Leaders Call Equality Act Devastating; For Others, It's God's Will

Some religious groups fear the Equality Act could undermine the freedom to exercise traditional faith beliefs. Other denominations say anti-LGBTQ discrimination cannot be tolerated.

Some Faith Leaders Call Equality Act Devastating; For Others, It's God's Will

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Wednesday

Some U.S. Faith Leaders Express Moral Concerns About Johnson & Johnson Vaccine

A health care worker holds a vial of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine at South Shore University Hospital in Bay Shore, N.Y., on Wednesday. Bloomberg/Bloomberg via Getty Images hide caption

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Bloomberg/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Religion

Some U.S. Faith Leaders Express Moral Concerns About Johnson & Johnson Vaccine

Catholic bishops say the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines did not use abortion-derived fetal cell lines, but that the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is acceptable, if it's the only available option.

Some U.S. Faith Leaders Express Moral Concerns About Johnson & Johnson Vaccine

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Religion

Christian Groups Resist Johnson & Johnson Vaccine For Using Abortion-Derived Cells

Because abortion-derived cell lines were used in its development, some Christian groups are advising against using the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine if other vaccines are available.

Christian Groups Resist Johnson & Johnson Vaccine For Using Abortion-Derived Cells

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Monday

Clergy On The Pandemic Front Lines: 'How Do We Really Grieve?'

Empty pews are marked for spacing in a Manhattan church on Nov. 27, 2020 in New York City. Spencer Platt/Getty Images hide caption

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Spencer Platt/Getty Images

The Coronavirus Crisis

Clergy On The Pandemic Front Lines: 'How Do We Really Grieve?'

The work of ministering to the sick and consoling the grieving has been a heavy burden for many faith leaders in the time of COVID-19.

Clergy On The Pandemic Front Lines: 'How Do We Really Grieve?'

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Thursday

A 'Scary' Survey Finding: 4 In 10 Republicans Say Political Violence May Be Necessary

A mob of former President Donald Trump supporters breached the U.S Capitol security on Jan. 6. Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images

Religion

A 'Scary' Survey Finding: 4 In 10 Republicans Say Political Violence May Be Necessary

In addition, most white evangelicals and Republicans say Biden's election was illegitimate and Trump was not behind the attack on the Capitol.

A 'Scary' Survey Finding: 4 In 10 Republicans Say Political Violence May Be Necessary

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Friday

Religion

Biden's Support Of Abortion Rights At Odds With Catholic Bishops

President Biden is only the second observant Catholic president in U.S. history. He also supports the right to an abortion, which has set him off on a rocky start with U.S. bishops.

Biden's Support Of Abortion Rights At Odds With Catholic Bishops

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Thursday

At The National Prayer Service, A Plea To Avoid 'Simplistic Calls For Unity'

President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden attended the virtual presidential inaugural prayer service from the State Dining Room of the White House. Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images hide caption

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Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Religion

At The National Prayer Service, A Plea To Avoid 'Simplistic Calls For Unity'

Speakers at the service see a "new America" and embrace a range of progressive causes. "The only way to establish domestic tranquility is to establish justice," the Rev. William Barber II says.

At The National Prayer Service, A Plea To Avoid 'Simplistic Calls For Unity'

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Religion

Faith Leaders Called For Divine Blessing Of New Administration On Inauguration Day

Wednesday's post-inauguration prayer service, a tradition dating to George Washington's inauguration, featured faith leaders from various religious traditions. Many were from progressive backgrounds.

Faith Leaders Called For Divine Blessing Of New Administration On Inauguration Day

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Tuesday

Militant Christian Nationalists Remain A Potent Force, Even After The Capitol Riot

"JESUS SAVES" banners were among those carried during a rally on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington before rioters stormed the Capitol. Spencer Platt/Getty Images hide caption

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Spencer Platt/Getty Images

National

Militant Christian Nationalists Remain A Potent Force, Even After The Capitol Riot

The conviction of some Christians that God has a particular plan for America gave extra potency to efforts in support of Trump's attempts to overturn his election defeat.

Militant Christian Nationalists Remain A Potent Force, Even After The Capitol Riot

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Monday

Religion

Some Christians Feel It's A God-Given Mission To Fight On Trump's Behalf

Some of the extremists who assaulted the U.S. Capitol are Christian nationalists. They believe they are on a divine mission to challenge government institutions in the name of God.

Some Christians Feel It's A God-Given Mission To Fight On Trump's Behalf

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Thursday

Friday

Religion

Critics Say New Trump Rule Gives Contractors More Freedom On Religious Discrimination

The Trump administration has issued a new rule this week that allows federal contractors that claim a religious mission to exclude any job applicant who does not share their beliefs.

Critics Say New Trump Rule Gives Contractors More Freedom On Religious Discrimination

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Thursday

Federal Executions Pit The Trump Administration Against The Catholic Church

The Justice Department plans to execute five people in the coming weeks. The planned executions pose a challenge to Attorney General Bill Barr's adherence to Catholic teachings, which oppose the death penalty. Star Tribune via Getty Images/Star Tribune via Getty Images hide caption

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Star Tribune via Getty Images/Star Tribune via Getty Images

Religion

Federal Executions Pit The Trump Administration Against The Catholic Church

Opposition to the death penalty is "a teaching that deserves our respect," says Oklahoma City Archbishop Paul Coakley. "I don't think it can be simply disregarded."

Federal Executions Pit The Trump Administration Against The Catholic Church

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Thursday

NIH Director Tells Churches To Do The 'Altruistic, Loving Thing' And Stay Closed

National Institutes of Health Director Dr. Francis Collins speaks during a Senate hearing earlier this year. On Thursday, Collins called on religious leaders to keep their worship spaces closed, despite rising protests from some church leaders. Andrew Harnik/AP hide caption

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Andrew Harnik/AP

Religion

NIH Director Tells Churches To Do The 'Altruistic, Loving Thing' And Stay Closed

His comments came even as the U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday ordered a federal district court to reexamine its previous support for restrictions on indoor religious services in California.

NIH Director Tells Churches To Do The 'Altruistic, Loving Thing' And Stay Closed

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Religion

NIH Head Suggests Churches Shouldn't Return To In-Person Worship Yet

Francis Collins, head of the National Institutes of Health, told the Southern Baptist Convention's Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission that churches shouldn't return to in-person worship yet.

NIH Head Suggests Churches Shouldn't Return To In-Person Worship Yet

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Monday

In A New Book, Pope Francis Speaks Out On The Coronavirus And Anti-Mask Protests

Pope Francis arrives at the window of his studio for the Angelus noon prayer in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Sunday. Alessandra Tarantino/AP hide caption

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Alessandra Tarantino/AP

Review

Book News & Features

In A New Book, Pope Francis Speaks Out On The Coronavirus And Anti-Mask Protests

People who claim that mask mandates deprive them of their personal freedom, Francis says, are "victims only in their own imagination." The book also addresses demonstrations against racial injustice.

Friday

Biden Gives New Hope To Refugees Fleeing Religious Persecution

Yazidi refugees from Iraq are among those fleeing religious persecution. The Biden administration promises to allow refugees into the U.S. at much higher numbers than the Trump administration did. Muhammed Muheisen/AP hide caption

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Muhammed Muheisen/AP

Religion

Biden Gives New Hope To Refugees Fleeing Religious Persecution

Joe Biden intends to admit 125,000 refugees in his first year. Many will be fleeing religious persecution. While highlighting persecution, President Trump cut refugee admissions to 15,000.

Biden Gives New Hope To Refugees Fleeing Religious Persecution

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Monday

Religious Freedom Arguments Give Rise To Executive Order Battle

LGBTQ supporters gather in front of the U.S. Supreme Court on Oct. 8, 2019. Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP hide caption

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Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP

Religion

Religious Freedom Arguments Give Rise To Executive Order Battle

Legislative remedies prove ineffective in reconciling religious freedom claims with concerns about discrimination, so the battle is waged via executive orders.

Religious Freedom Arguments Give Rise To Executive Order Battle

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Monday

Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, Towering Intellect Of Judaism, Dies At 72

Religious leader and philosopher Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks was the former chief rabbi of the U.K. He has died at the age of 72. BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images

Religion

Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, Towering Intellect Of Judaism, Dies At 72

A leading proponent of interfaith understanding, Sacks once wrote that, "God is the god of all humanity, but no single faith is or should be the faith of all humanity."

Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, Towering Intellect Of Judaism, Dies At 72

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Obituaries

Britain's Former Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks Dies At 72

Jonathan Sacks, former chief rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations in the U.K. and a leading moral theologian, has died at age 72. His last book emphasized the importance of a "we" mentality.

Britain's Former Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks Dies At 72

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