Religious and spiritual news covering faith communities, religious leaders, interfaith dialogue, and spiritual practices worldwide.
Ghanaian gospel musician Ohemaa Mercy argues that Christians must balance prayer with practical effort, asserting that spiritual reliance alone cannot solve material or educational challenges. She urges young Ghanaians to actively seek employment and utilize technology rather than passively waiting for divine intervention.
Addressing the Rimini Meeting, Pope Leo XIV called for dialogue to resolve ongoing conflicts. He emphasized that young Catholics serve as a vital sign of hope for the future of the Church and society.
Conn Carroll argues that Steven Pinker mischaracterizes the religiously unaffiliated as non-polarized atheists. Citing Pew data, Carroll contends most "nones" believe in God and are less partisan than both evangelicals and actual atheists, who remain highly polarized.
Social scientist Joseph Grenny argues that maintaining relationships with loved ones leaving the Latter-day Saint faith requires pausing to regulate emotional responses. He contends that validating feelings and avoiding conflict preserves bonds, drawing on his personal experience navigating his son's departure from the church.
Biologist Alice Roberts argues that Richard Dawkins's works, particularly The Blind Watchmaker, catalyzed her departure from Anglican faith toward humanism. She contends that evolutionary biology provided sufficient explanation for diversity without divine intervention, while emphasizing the importance of communicating complex scientific ideas accessibly.
Worcester Cathedral invites the public to bless various animals, including llamas and spiders, emphasizing historical tradition and emotional support for pet owners. The service also recognizes working animals, highlighting their role in public services and offering a space for reflection on animal welfare.
Pope Leo stated that war drives a vicious cycle of environmental destruction and inequality rooted in a crisis of the human heart. He called for simultaneous spiritual and ecological transformation to address these interconnected global crises.
The article argues that 19th-century Indian society featured overlapping religious identities, challenging rigid communal divisions. It analyzes memoirs of a Hindu soldier and a Muslim poet to demonstrate historical coexistence and fluidity between faith communities in colonial India.
An anthropologist argues that prayer camps along Nigeria's Lagos-Ibadan Expressway have evolved into self-sufficient "religiocities," challenging narratives of urban chaos. The article contends these sites foster interfaith exchange and provide essential services, reshaping the region's spiritual and physical landscape.
The article argues that Mahalakshmi serves as the essential intermediary for devotees seeking Lord Ranganatha's grace, citing Vaishnava saints who emphasize her role in bestowing blessings. It highlights theological texts describing her presence within Vishnu and her necessity for spiritual access.