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Religion

Election 2008

Obama's Lead Narrows Among Jewish Voters

A new poll from the American Jewish Committee shows that Sen. Barack Obama's lead over Sen. John McCain has narrowed. We examine how Jewish voters are feeling about the candidates and whether strategists should take Sarah Silverman's "Great Schlep" seriously.

Obama's Lead Narrows Among Jewish Voters

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Steven Waldman Tackles Religion, Politics And Palin

Ex-journalist and Belief.net co-founder Steven Waldman talks about Bill Maher's new film Religulous, and about how faith is figuring in this political season — notably in the candidacy of vice-presidential hopeful Sarah Palin.

Steven Waldman Tackles Religion, Politics And Palin

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Movies

Bill Maher And Larry Charles, Getting 'Religulous'

The new documentary Religulous offers a satirical — and critical — look at the world's religions. Directed by Larry Charles, the film features Bill Maher posing undercover as a man seeking spiritual guidance from various religious groups.

Bill Maher And Larry Charles, Getting 'Religulous'

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Preaching Politics From Tax-Exempt Pulpits

A conservative Christian group called Alliance Defense Fund is pushing for church pastors to be able to endorse political candidates — while keeping their tax-exempt status. Though this violates IRS rules, more than 30 churches have already endorsed candidates for president.

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Rabbi Describes Finding Religious Identity in Judaism

Tell Me More gets the scoop on highlights from the latest Washington Post Magazine. This week, a story about three people devoted to different faiths: Christianity, Islam and Judaism. Journalist Laura Blumenfeld, who wrote the article, is joined by Rabbi Josh Burrows, who was featured in the Blumenfeld's piece, to talk about the personal journey of faith, identity and religious experience.

Rabbi Describes Finding Religious Identity in Judaism

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Music Interviews

Buddhism And The Zen Of Punk Rock

Buddhism is finding a large following among fans of punk rock. What could the two possibly have in common? Rebellion and a sense of individual responsibility, according to ordained Zen master and bona fide punk rocker Brad Warner.

Buddhism And The Zen Of Punk Rock

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World

Sunni Group Says It's Being Harassed

The Sunni group, Sons of Iraq, has been vital in cutting down violence in Iraq. The organization was originally supported and paid for by the U.S. military. It has been negotiating its future with the Iraqi government. But the group's leaders say a campaign of harassment has begun against them.

Sunni Group Says It's Being Harassed

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Native American Church Faces Closure

In Milwaukee, one of the nation's only Native American Catholic churches may have to either close or merge with a Hispanic congregation. But congregants are resisting the move.

Native American Church Faces Closure

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Books

Hollywood Bad Boy Eszterhas Writes About Faith

Joe Eszterhas was one of the dirtiest, drinkingest writers in Hollywood. He wrote films like Show Girls, Jagged Edge, Basic Instinct and Music Box. After he was diagnosed with throat cancer, he turned himself over to God. He writes about his journey in a new memoir.

Hollywood Bad Boy Eszterhas Writes About Faith

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Movies

Squirm Factor Propels Two New Films

Two popular movies are making audiences squirm. Towelhead addresses cultural tensions in the story of an Arab-American girl blossoming into womanhood, and Lakeview Terrace is about a cop who is wary of the interracial couple who just moved onto his block.

Squirm Factor Propels Two New Films

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Critics: Abortion Rule Would Impede Birth Control

A rule allowing health care providers to refuse to perform abortions for moral reasons drew much controversy this week. Critics worry pregnancy prevention drugs such the morning-after pill and birth control may fall under the rule.

Critics: Abortion Rule Would Impede Birth Control

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The Secret Money Project: Latest News

Charity Floods Swing States With Anti-Islam DVD

An obscure charity has distributed an inflammatory anti-Islam DVD to millions of people in swing states. The financing for this project is secret. But critics say it's a backdoor endorsement of Republican presidential hopeful John McCain and an attack on his Democratic opponent, Barack Obama.

Charity Floods Swing States With Anti-Islam DVD

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Pastors To Preach Politics From The Pulpit

On Sunday, 33 pastors across the country are expected to preach a sermon that endorses or opposes a political candidate by name. This would be a flagrant violation of a law that bans tax-exempt organizations from being involved in political campaigns.

Pastors To Preach Politics From The Pulpit

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World

Catholics In Vietnam Fight State In Land Dispute

While church and state relations in Vietnam have improved over the past several years, disputes over land near the Thai Ha Church in Hanoi are threatening those gains. In the past few weeks, several parishioners trying to reclaim land have been arrested or detained.

Catholics In Vietnam Fight State In Land Dispute

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