Faith Matters : NPR

The Promise Keepers Open Its Doors To Women

July 31, 2009 • 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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Should Gays Serve In The Episcopal Church?

July 10, 2009 • The 76th Episcopal General Convention is underway in California, where clergy will deliberate whether to bless same-sex marriages, and if an informal ban on gay bishops can be dropped. Ed Little, the Episcopalian Bishop of Northern Indiana, and the Rev. Susan Russell of All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena, Calif., debate gays in service to the Episcopal church.

Should Gays Serve In The Episcopal Church?

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Will The Southern Baptists Honor Election Of Obama?

June 19, 2009 • The Southern Baptist Convention holds its annual meeting next week, where worshippers will consider a resolution recognizing President Barack Obama's election as an important step on the path to racial reconciliation. The religious denomination, which represents more than 16 million members, has long been at odds with much of the Democratic Party's ideology. The Rev. Dwight McKissic, a black Baptist pastor, and the Rev. Hershael York, a white Baptist pastor and theology professor, discuss the issue.

Will The Southern Baptists Honor Election Of Obama?

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Groups Of Black Clergy Rally To Support Gay Marriage

June 5, 2009 • More than 100 clergy — mostly African-American — from throughout the Washington, D.C., region, rallied this week in support of same-sex marriage. The Rev. Dennis Wiley, who hosted the pro-gay marriage gathering, explains his decision to lend support and tells of his efforts, met with challenges, to convince fellow black clergy to do the same.

Groups Of Black Clergy Rally To Support Gay Marriage

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Gay Marriage Divides Black Religious Leaders

May 15, 2009 • The Rev. Harry Jackson, who pastors a church in the Washington suburbs, believes same-sex marriage is a threat to the African-American family. But the Rev. Michael Eric Dyson, a leading scholar of the African-American experience, disagrees. The two Christian leaders explain their opposing views. Both say their faith informs their perspective.

Gay Marriage Divides Black Religious Leaders

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John Danforth On Faith, Evangelicals And Politics

May 8, 2009 • Many know John Danforth as a former three-term U.S. Senator from Missouri, and former Ambassador to the United Nations. But the Midwestern Republican's interests stretch far beyond politics. Danforth is also an ordained Episcopal priest. The public servant talks openly about his faith and why he believes right-wing evangelicals have done more harm than good for the GOP.

John Danforth On Faith, Evangelicals And Politics

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Presidential Address Sparks Anger - Part II

May 1, 2009 • The Cardinal Newman Society wants Notre Dame to halt President Obama's visit. But Notre Dame theology professor Richard McBrien supports the university's decision to honor the president.

Presidential Address Sparks Anger - Part II

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Presidential Address Sparks Anger

May 1, 2009 • The University of Notre Dame has secured a highly-sought world leader to give its commencement speech later this month: the President of the United States. But some Roman Catholics say President Obama's pro-choice abortion stance should preclude him from being invited to address a Catholic University. Patrick Reilly, of the Cardinal Newman Society, is working to halt the president's visit.

Presidential Address Sparks Anger

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'The Nations' Gather For Annual Pow Wow

April 24, 2009 • The Gathering of Nations, the country's largest Native American Pow Wow, is under way in Albuquerque, N.M. Kevin Gover, director of the National Museum of the American Indian, and the Pow Wow's principal announcers Beulah Sunrise-Rau and Vince Beyl explain their role in the celebration and why the event is so important in Indian Country.

'The Nations' Gather For Annual Pow Wow

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Obamas' Church Hunt Layered With Sensitivities

April 17, 2009 • President Obama and his family are reportedly searching for a new church home in Washington, D.C. Many of the area's faithful are watching closely, while others hold out hope that perhaps the Obamas will choose to worship with their congregation. Two Washington-area religious leaders explain the sensitivities of church hunting, and why the First Family's search is uniquely complex.

Obamas' Church Hunt Layered With Sensitivities

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Black Rabbi Shares Story Of Conversion, Unity

April 10, 2009 • Rabbi Capers C. Funnye grew up Methodist, but he converted to Judaism and is now a Rabbi. Funnye now leads an Ethiopian Hebrew Congregation in Chicago, one of the largest Black synagogues in America (and he's also First Lady Michelle Obama's cousin).

Black Rabbi Shares Story Of Conversion, Unity

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Some Liberals Upset Over NFL Coach's Presidential Invite

April 3, 2009 • When news came that President Obama had invited former NFL coach Tony Dungy to join his advisory council for the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, some liberals expressed outrage about the decision. Dungy, famous for taking the Indianapolis Colts to a Super bowl victory, is an evangelical Christian and an outspoken opponent of gay marriage.

Some Liberals Upset Over NFL Coach's Presidential Invite

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Pro-Lifers Granted White House Meeting

March 27, 2009 • A group of pro-life leaders met this week with the White House Office of Faith and Community partnerships. Wendy Wright, of Concerned Women for America, attended the meeting. Wright is joined by Kevin Eckstrom, of Religion News Service, to discuss the recent gathering, which included talk about how to reduce abortions.

Pro-Lifers Granted White House Meeting

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Study: Religion Losing Ground In U.S.

March 13, 2009 • Almost all religious denominations have lost numbers and a growing number of Americans say they have no religion at all, according to a recent survey commissioned by Trinity College. Trinity College professor Mark Silk, leader of the study, explains the findings.

Study: Religion Losing Ground In U.S.

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Pastors Swap Congregations To Fight Racism

March 6, 2009 • Religious leaders in one Maryland community have joined forces to ease racial tensions following a series of violent attacks. During the Lent season, two pastors — one white, one black — are swapping sermon duties at their racially homogeneous congregations to learn more about cultural differences.

Pastors Swap Congregations To Fight Racism

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