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Church Foreclosures: Hard Times For God's Work

The Lord giveth and the bank taketh away — at least, that is what a lot of churches have found recently. Lenders foreclosed on about 100 churches last year, an enormous increase from just a few years ago. It suggests even doing God's work does not always keep the creditors away.

Church Foreclosures: Hard Times For God's Work

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Faith Matters

Ala. Governor Comments Stir Debate On Church, State

Alabama Republican Governor Robert Bentley set off a controversy when he said during his inauguration day remarks that only Christians are his brothers and sisters. While there were knee-jerk responses from detractors and defenders alike, few considered the difficulty in drawing a bright line when it comes to the separation of church and state. In this week's installment of Faith Matters host Michel Martin speaks with Pastor Hershael York about the theological underpinnings of the governor's statement and what's appropriate from politicians who are also people of faith.

Ala. Governor Comments Stir Debate On Church, State

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Greeks Divided On Mosque Construction

There are more than half a million Muslims in Greece, yet the country still lacks an official purpose-built mosque. For years, the Greek Orthodox Church stood in the way of plans to build a mosque in Athens. But even now, as the church supports the idea, hostile public opinion whipped up by far-right political groups could still block construction.

Greeks Divided On Mosque Construction

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Women Increasingly Drawn To Islam In U.K.

More than 5,000 people in Britain converted to Islam last year. That's an average of 14 a day, and most of them are women, including Lauren Booth, Tony Blair's sister-in-law. Academic studies in the U.K. have concluded that the idea that these conversions are driven mostly by marriage is a myth, and that most converts are simply attracted by the values of Islam. But there's a paradox here. In a controversial speech this week, Britain's first female Muslim Cabinet minister complained of growing intolerance toward Muslims in the U.K.

Women Increasingly Drawn To Islam In U.K.

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Did The Vatican Tell Irish Bishops To Protect Priests?

In 1996, Catholic bishops in Ireland drafted a policy recommending they work with police to identify pedophile priests. A year later, a Vatican panel wrote back with its assessment: The proposed policy might violate the church's canon law. Lawyers who want to sue the Vatican for sheltering abusive priests say the letter is a smoking gun.

Did The Vatican Tell Irish Bishops To Protect Priests?

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National

Martin Luther King's Message Inspires A New Generation

As the nation celebrates the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a group of high school students in the nation's capital is following in his footsteps. Operation Understanding DC brings together African American and Jewish teens for a year-long leadership development program in which the two groups learn about each other's history and culture.

Martin Luther King's Message Inspires A New Generation

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Son Of Jim And Tammy Faye Finds His Own 'Grace'

The Week's Best Stories From NPR Books

Son Of Jim And Tammy Faye Finds His Own 'Grace'

It isn't easy being the son of the disgraced evangelists, Jim Bakker writes in his new book, especially since he decided to follow in the family business.

Son Of Jim And Tammy Faye Finds His Own 'Grace'

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Faith Matters

Rabbi Calls For Soul Searching After Tucson Attacks

The mass shooting in Arizona has prompted national soul searching, with many Americans trying to make sense of the tragedy and what might have contributed to it. In this week's installment of Tell Me More's "Faith Matters" segment, host Michel Martin speaks with Rabbi Brad Hirschfield about the need for self-reflection in coming to terms with the tragedy. Rabbi Hirschield is author of the book, "You Don't Have to Be Wrong for Me to Be Right: Finding Faith without Fanaticism" and a Washington Post columnist.

Rabbi Calls For Soul Searching After Tucson Attacks

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Connecticut Jewish Group Stuck In Zoning Deadlock

Connecticut Public Radio

A decade after President Clinton signed a law giving religious groups more power to challenge local zoning, many are doing just that to get around rules that prohibit houses of worship in certain zones. A Connecticut Jewish organization is stuck in a zoning deadlock with the city of Hartford and a bunch of angry neighbors.

Connecticut Jewish Group Stuck In Zoning Deadlock

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Army's 'Spiritual Fitness' Test Angers Some Soldiers

Brig. Gen. Rhonda Cornum, pictured here in 2008, says the Army's spiritual fitness test was developed in part because people who are inclined toward spirituality seem to be more resilient. But she says that nothing about the assessment indicates whether someone is fit to be a soldier. J. Scott Applewhite/AP hide caption

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Army's 'Spiritual Fitness' Test Angers Some Soldiers

In October 2009, the Army began assessing the "spiritual fitness" of troops, saying that people who are inclined toward spirituality seem to be more resilient. Now some soldiers say the test violates their First Amendment rights -- and they are threatening to sue.

Army's 'Spiritual Fitness' Test Angers Some Soldiers

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The Week's Best Stories From NPR Books

Twelve Concrete Ways To Live A 'Compassionate Life'

From Confucius to Oprah, people have preached compassion for centuries. But how often is it put into practice? In Twelve Steps To A Compassionate Life, religion expert Karen Armstrong describes ways to add kindness to daily routines.

Twelve Concrete Ways To Live A 'Compassionate Life'

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King James Bible Borrowed From Earlier Translation

English-speaking Christians were handed the King James Bible 400 years ago. But much of it was copied from a translation made 50 years earlier by William Tyndale. Rev. Paul Cross, who teaches at the Master's Institute in St. Paul, Minn., discusses Tyndale's mission to democratize the Bible.

King James Bible Borrowed From Earlier Translation

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The Lasting Impact Of The King James Bible, 400 Years Later

The most widely published text in the English language, the King James Bible, was first released 400 years ago, this year. This version of the bible has had a lasting impact, not only on the Christian faith, but on the way English is spoken and written today. In Tell Me More's weekly "Faith Matters" segment, host Michel Martin speaks with renown religious scholar, Phillip Jenkins, about its legacy.

The Lasting Impact Of The King James Bible, 400 Years Later

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