According to a new report, 2.1 billion people around the world have no access to clean water in their home. And the task of providing water for households falls disproportionately to women and girls, especially in rural areas.
God and metal: scenes from a hardcore Christian music festival
Audiofeed, a Christian rock and metal festival, reflects a surprising cross section of believers, incredibly loud music and a serious rock attitude.
‘Evangelical’ is not a political term
A new book reveals the persistent habit of secular journalists to see evangelicals chiefly as monolithic political actors who only become visible (and relevant) every election cycle.
In China, Party members told to give up religion for Party unity or face punishment
“Party members should not have religious beliefs … Party members should be firm Marxist atheists, obey Party rules and stick to the Party’s faith … they are not allowed to seek value and belief in religion.”
Vatican fires shot at U.S. religious right, calls out ‘religious liberty’ industry
An article being described as “explosive,” written by two allies of Pope Francis in a Vatican-reviewed publication, is taking on the “spurious alliance between politics and religious fundamentalism” in the United States.
The rise of nondenominationalism: Protestants keep ditching denominations
Ask an American Christian what type of church they belong to, and you’re more likely than ever to hear the label nondenominational.
Why Russia is afraid of Jehovah’s Witnesses
Who are Jehovah’s Witnesses, and why would the Russian, or any, government consider them to be a threat?
China’s religious revival fuels environmental activism
Hundreds of millions of people in China have turned to religions like Taoism, Buddhism, Christianity and Islam, seeking a sense of purpose and an escape from China’s consumerist culture. That revival is helping fuel an environmental awakening.
Religious liberty or social mischief? Understanding the ‘wall of separation’ between church and state
In recent years a new crop of claims of religious freedom has arisen to give credence to some very old forms of discrimination. Some claims to religious liberty disguise social mischief. How do we distinguish the two?
A new front in the war over reproductive rights: ‘abortion-pill reversal’
A San Diego doctor claims his injection can save a fetus after a medication abortion has already begun — the latest attempt by abortion foes to create a narrative of regret.
Revisiting Ayn Rand’s anti-religious philosophy
Why do so many conservative Christians buy into a philosophy which, on its face and all the way down, is opposed to religious faith and manifestly contradicts all the stories, counsels, commands and promises of the Christian faith?
‘We’re losing more people to the sweets than to the streets’: Why two black pastors are suing Coca-Cola
Obesity, hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and lower-extremity amputations are all far higher among people of color than among whites. These communities also drink more soda — and are exposed to more soda advertising.