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Religion

Guiding Children Through Religion

Some parents feel responsible to shape their children's religious foundations while others prefer to let kids explore faith for themselves. Host Michel Martin explores the complications of spiritual parenting with Asra Nomani, professor of journalism at Georgetown University; Kara Powell, author of Sticky Faith: Everyday Ideas to Build Lasting Faith in Your Kids; and Regina Brett, author of God Never Blinks.

Guiding Children Through Religion

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Reflections Of Ramadan From Childhood

International rights attorney Arsalan Iftikhar says Ramadan gives him a sense of appreciation for life. Courtesy Of Arsalan Iftikhar hide caption

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Courtesy Of Arsalan Iftikhar

Reflections Of Ramadan From Childhood

For the past month, Muslims around the world have been fasting in observance of Ramadan. Regular contributor Arsalan Iftikhar and his friend, Rabiah Ahmed, share childhood memories of their families observing the fast.

Reflections Of Ramadan From Childhood

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Turning Toward Faith During Hurricane Aftermath

In the wake of the destruction brought on by Hurricane Katrina, many Gulf Coast residents sought support from their faith communities. Father Vien The Nguyen works in New Orleans East and advises those now suffering from Hurricane Irene's effects. He is a judicial vicar in the Catholic Church's Archdiocese of New Orleans. He speaks with host Michel Martin.

Turning Toward Faith During Hurricane Aftermath

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Race

One Man's Moment With Martin Luther King Jr.

The memorial to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., opened on the National Mall this week. NPR's Ari Shapiro introduces us to one man for whom this moment caps a long family story.

One Man's Moment With Martin Luther King Jr.

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Holy Days Sermons Get A Little Help From Hollywood
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Holy Days Sermons Get A Little Help From Hollywood

For rabbis, the Jewish High Holidays are a ratings period. Synagogues are packed with people — many of whom attend only a few times a year — expecting to be impressed and even entertained by the sermons. This year, a group of rabbis in Los Angeles took advice from writers of Mad Men, Desperate Housewives and The Simpsons.

Holy Days Sermons Get A Little Help From Hollywood

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After The Rapture, Who Are 'The Leftovers'?

Opinion

The Week's Best Stories From NPR Books

After The Rapture, Who Are 'The Leftovers'?

Fresh Air

What if the rapture actually occurred? That's the plot of Tom Perrotta's new novel The Leftovers, which examines the aftermath of an unexplained rapturelike event in which millions of people around the globe inexplicably disappear into thin air.

After The Rapture, Who Are 'The Leftovers'?

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Fitness & Nutrition

Rev. Minor Preaches For Health From The Pulpit

Mississippi ranks first in rates of deaths from heart disease, second in rates of adult diabetes and adult obesity and ranks last on the list for life expectancy. Reverend Michael O. Minor, head of the Oak Hill Baptist church in Mississippi, is on a mission to change the Delta diet.

Rev. Minor Preaches For Health From The Pulpit

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The Oft-Misunderstood Faith Of Modern Mormons

With The Book of Mormon getting rave reviews on Broadway, and two presidential candidates who are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Mormons find their faith in the spotlight. But much of what many Americans know about the Mormon faith comes from myths or misperceptions.

The Oft-Misunderstood Faith Of Modern Mormons

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Clergy Sues To Stop Alabama's Immigration Law

In June, marchers protested Alabama's new law cracking down on illegal immigration. The state's United Methodist, Episcopal and Roman Catholic churches have sued, arguing the law that's set to take effect Sept. 1 violates their religious freedom. Jay Reeves/AP hide caption

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Jay Reeves/AP

Law

Clergy Sues To Stop Alabama's Immigration Law

A growing number of critics say that the law that criminalizes all kinds of contact with undocumented residents — including harboring illegal immigrants — violates their religious freedom to be a good Samaritan. A U.S. district judge is considering Wednesday whether to stop the law from going into effect Sept. 1.

Clergy Sues To Stop Alabama's Immigration Law

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A Ramadan Story Of Two Faiths Bound In Friendship

The welcome sign that stood in front of Heartsong Church. Michelle Worth/Heartsong Church hide caption

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Michelle Worth/Heartsong Church

A Ramadan Story Of Two Faiths Bound In Friendship

Muslims usually flock to their local mosques for Ramadan prayers, but last year, the Islamic community of Cordova, Tenn., didn't have a place to go. That's when Pastor Steve Stone put an unusual sign outside his church.

A Ramadan Story Of Two Faiths Bound In Friendship

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Faith Matters

Polygamists Share Their Faith And Family Lives

Talk of polygamy has spread nationwide, partly due to TV shows and news coverage of polygamist leader Warren Jeffs' sexual assault conviction. But some see polygamy as a lifestyle rooted in faith. Two open polygamists discuss why they've chosen such lifestyles, what burdens they bear, and how they feel about pop culture's depictions of polygamy.

Polygamists Share Their Faith And Family Lives

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The Evangelicals Engaged In Spiritual Warfare

Texas Gov. Rick Perry prays at The Response, his call to prayer for a nation in crisis, on Aug. 6 in Houston. The event was organized, in part, by members of the New Apostolic Reformation. David J. Phillip/AP hide caption

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David J. Phillip/AP

The Evangelicals Engaged In Spiritual Warfare

Fresh Air

A new Christian movement that seeks to take dominion over politics, business and culture in preparation for the end times and Jesus' return is becoming more of a presence in American politics. Rachel Tabachnick, who researches the religious right, explains its beliefs and influences.

The Evangelicals Engaged In Spiritual Warfare

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Pope Visits A Changing Spain

Young Catholics welcome Pope Benedict XVI as he arrives at Cibeles Square during World Youth Day celebrations on Aug. 18, in Madrid. Denis Doyle/Getty Images hide caption

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Denis Doyle/Getty Images

Europe

Pope Visits A Changing Spain

Pope Benedict XVI arrived in Madrid on Thursday to celebrate World Youth Day with Catholic pilgrims from around the world. But in a country that has become more secular, not all Spaniards are extending a warm welcome. Spain has become one of the least religious places in Europe in terms of seeing the church as a guide for moral values.

Pope Visits A Changing Spain

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Football Players Tackle Ramadan

During this month of Ramadan, many Muslims are finding it tough to go an entire day without food or water. But what happens when you add two grueling football practices in summer heat? That's the challenge facing Fordson High School's football team in Michigan. The team's coach speaks with guest host Tony Cox about what it's like to fast while preparing for the upcoming football season.

Football Players Tackle Ramadan

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