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Faith Matters

The Promise Keepers Open Its Doors To Women

The Promise Keepers, a men's evangelical group, celebrates 20 years of ministry with their "A Time to Honor" conference. This year, for the first time, program coordinators have created special sessions aimed at both men and women. Promise Keepers President Raleigh Washington talks about his organization's mission and how the men see themselves as protectors of the women in their lives.

The Promise Keepers Open Its Doors To Women

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The Everlasting Message Of Reverend Ike

Reverend Ike, shown here giving a sermon in 1977, preached the gospel of material prosperity to millions nationwide. AP hide caption

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Obituaries

The Everlasting Message Of Reverend Ike

He gained fame and wealth preaching a gospel of material prosperity, was one of the first evangelists to use radio (and later TV) to reach an audience of millions. He encouraged followers to pursue wealth as a way to salvation.

The Everlasting Message Of Reverend Ike

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Mayan Calendar Spurs End-Of-The-World Debate

The Mayan calendar ends on Dec. 21, 2012, spelling doomsday predictions. While astronomers say this is nonsense, others believe there will be a shift in world consciousness from the Age of Pisces to the Age of Aquarius. Religious scholars say this has the beginnings of a new religious movement.

Mayan Calendar Spurs End-Of-The-World Debate

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Baptist Leaders Face Challenge On Women's Roles

The Southern Baptist Convention is losing members. One ex-member, President Jimmy Carter, says a primary reason he left was the denomination's treatment of women. The SBC says women cannot hold positions of leadership over men. And now some Baptists say that stand is contributing to the convention's problems.

Baptist Leaders Face Challenge On Women's Roles

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What Will Follow Episcopalian Vote For Gay Clergy?

Now that the conservative wing of the Episcopal Church has walked out and is creating its own rival church, liberals are left in the vast majority. With that shift, Episcopalians at the church's general convention in California on Tuesday voted overwhelmingly to allow gay men and women to become priests and bishops .

What Will Follow Episcopalian Vote For Gay Clergy?

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World

Critics Say Saudi Textbooks Still Encourage Violence

Since the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, textbooks used in Saudi Arabian schools have been criticized for teaching religious intolerance that can lead to violence. Now, the country is revising textbooks and reforming education. Critics wonder if those efforts go far enough.

Critics Say Saudi Textbooks Still Encourage Violence

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World

Switzerland Marks 500 Years Since Calvin's Birth

Calvin-o-mania is sweeping Switzerland this weekend as people mark the 500th anniversary of the birth of theologian John Calvin. Professor Karin Maag of Calvin College — where the birthday was celebrated with cake, punch and singing psalms — talks to NPR's Guy Raz about whether the famously dour Protestant thinker would have appreciated these revels.

Switzerland Marks 500 Years Since Calvin's Birth

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World

Obama, Pope Hold Private Talks

After winding up his visit in Italy for the G-8 summit on today, President Obama met Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican, with the world economy at the top of their agenda. The pope recently issued a papal encyclical that criticized the drive for profits above everything else and called for a new financial order based on the common good.

Obama, Pope Hold Private Talks

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World

Obama, Pope Benedict To Find Common Ground?

President Obama has his first meeting with Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican on Friday. The personalities of the president and the pope could not be more different, but both are in favor of expanding health care and have recently reached out to the Muslim world.

Obama, Pope Benedict To Find Common Ground?

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Technology

Global Effort Puts Oldest Known Bible Online

Pieces of the world's oldest known Bible have been put back together for the first time in 150 years — on the Internet. Scholars from Britain, Egypt, Germany and Russia have virtually reassembled the Codex Sinaiticus and made it available for free online.

Global Effort Puts Oldest Known Bible Online

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Black Ministers In D.C. Divided Over Gay Marriage

While surveys show African-Americans are the most liberal group on issues of social justice, they are the most conservative on gay rights. But in Washington, D.C., two ministers of African-American churches differ wildly on whether D.C. should recognize gay marriages from other states.

Black Ministers In D.C. Divided Over Gay Marriage

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Conservatives Push For Rival U.S. Anglican Church

Conservative Anglican leaders arrive in Bedford, Texas, this weekend to discuss creating a new Anglican province in the United States. Conservatives split off from the U.S. Episcopal Church, aligning themselves with bishops in other countries, after the ordination of an openly gay bishop.

Conservatives Push For Rival U.S. Anglican Church

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Iran's Pivotal Presidential Election

Iran's Religious Minority Speaks Out On Elections

Members of the Baha'i faith, Iran's largest religious minority, have long been discriminated against and persecuted by the Islamic Republic of Iran government. Farhad Sabetan, an official within the Baha'i faith community, offers a reaction to the recent elections.

Iran's Religious Minority Speaks Out On Elections

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Muslims Face Risk In Giving To Charities

After the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, the government suspected that some Muslim charities were funneling donations to terrorist groups like al-Qaida. Anyone who donated to those charities could be accused of giving material support to terrorists. As a result, many Muslims abandoned their religious commitments to charity, one of the five pillars of Islam.

Muslims Face Risk In Giving To Charities

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