After initially telegraphing optimism about President Obama’s decision Friday to amend the religious exemption for mandatory birth-control and sterilization coverage, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has declared total opposition to any compromise on the issue. Read full article > >

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U.S. bishops blast Obama’s contraception compromise

We are coming up on bad times. Nationalism is surging throughout Europe. In the Arab world, spring is suddenly winter and the sects, the tribes, the clans, the religious, the very religious and the military are taking a step back, eyeing one another for the coming rumble. Now comes a strong and wholly gripping film by Angelina Jolie about the 1990s’ ugly war in Bosnia. I do not know if it’s about what has passed or what is coming. I fear the latter. Read full article > >

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Angelina Jolie’s movie, reminding us this is no time to turn inward

Winning a dominant majority in Egypt’s first Parliament since the ouster of Hosni Mubarak would be the religious movement’s most significant step since the start of the Arab Spring.

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Early Results in Egypt Show a Mandate for Islamists

Next month the Dutch parliament is expected to approve a ban on Halal and Kosher methods of slaughtering animals, a change many say wil be a violation of their religious freedom.

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VIDEO: Halal and Kosher hit by Dutch ban

MANCHESTER, N.H. As Republican presidential aspirants assembled Tuesday night in Nevada for their umpteenth debate, it was clearer than ever that Republicans have gotten exactly what they had coming. Their nominating process, controlled by the religious warriors and anti-government agitators who dominate straw polls, has reached its logical conclusion: The hottest candidate in the field is Herman Cain, a fast-food tycoon who never heard of neoconservatism, has never held office, has no foreign policy and a three-digit number for a domestic policy, and likes to joke about electrocuting illegal immigrants . By contrast, Jon Huntsman, governor, ambassador, the man who in a normal political environment would be the most qualified and formidable candidate in the race, wasn’t even on the stage. Read full article > >

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Jon Huntsman, the reasonable Republican

MANCHESTER, N.H. As Republican presidential aspirants assembled Tuesday night in Nevada for their umpteenth debate, it was clearer than ever that Republicans have gotten exactly what they had coming. Their nominating process, controlled by the religious warriors and anti-government agitators who dominate straw polls, has reached its logical conclusion: The hottest candidate in the field is Herman Cain, a fast-food tycoon who never heard of neoconservatism, has never held office, has no foreign policy and a three-digit number for a domestic policy, and likes to joke about electrocuting illegal immigrants . By contrast, Jon Huntsman, governor, ambassador, the man who in a normal political environment would be the most qualified and formidable candidate in the race, wasn’t even on the stage. Read full article > >

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Jon Huntsman, the reasonable Republican

The Pentagon will permit military chaplains to perform same-sex marriage in states that legally recognize gay marriage, it said Friday. Defense Department guidance issued to military chaplains said they may participate in ceremonies on or off military bases in states that recognize gay unions. Chaplains are not required to officiate at same-sex weddings if doing so is counter to their religious or personal beliefs, the guidance said. Read full article > >

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Gay weddings can be performed by military chaplains, Pentagon says

Since Syrian forces retook the rebel town of Jisr al-Shoughour last weekend, relations have been strained between the dominant Sunni Muslims and minority Alawites (the religious sect to which President Bashar al-Assad and his family belong). Residents…

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Sectarian Divide Deepens in Syria

Christians across the Washington area celebrate the religious holiday of Palm Sunday.

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Palm Sunday begins Holy Week

ABUJA, Nigeria — Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan won the oil-rich country’s presidential election Monday, as severe rioting sweeping across the Muslim north demonstrated the religious and ethnic tensions still dividing Africa’s most populous nation.

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President Goodluck Jonathan declared winner in oil-rich Nigeria’s election amid riots in north

Shahbaz Bhatti’s murder in Pakistan hasn’t gotten the attention it deserves.

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A blow to religious freedom in Pakistan

Pagans campaign for druids and witches to declare their religious affiliation in next month’s Census to gain greater recognition for the group.

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Pagans campaign for Census voice

Women in Pakistan are entering service sector jobs to support their families, pitting their religious and cultural traditions against economic need.

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Necessity Pushes Pakistani Women Into Jobs and Peril

Jewellery thieves target Asian women in the street and burgle homes during the religious festival season, police warn.

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Thieves targeting Asian festivals

Americans surveyed on their religious knowledge got half the questions wrong, including ones about their own faith.

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On Basic Religion Test, Many Doth Not Pass