Latest Religion News

AP PHOTOS: Artisans in India’s Assam state make colorful mud idols of Hindu gods for Durga Puja

Oct. 10, 2024 02:55 AM EDT

GUWAHATI, India (AP) — Kanchan Paul is deep in concentration as he paints the right eye on a clay idol of the Hindu goddess Durga. He stands on a plastic stool and leans in toward the 8-foot-tall figure. It is delicate work, requiring him to remain eye-to-eye with the goddess for long periods of...

Nazi-looted Monet artwork returned to family generations later

Oct. 09, 2024 15:49 PM EDT

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — On the eve of World War II, Nazis in Austria seized a pastel by renowned impressionist artist Claude Monet, selling it off and sparking a family’s decadeslong search that culminated Wednesday in New Orleans. At an FBI field office, agents lifted a blue veil...

11 Romanian pilgrims are in a Greek hospital after eating poisonous wild mushrooms on Mount Athos

Oct. 09, 2024 14:18 PM EDT

THESSALONIKI, Greece (AP) — A group of 11 Romanian pilgrims visiting Greece's Orthodox all-male monastic community of Mount Athos are in hospital with food poisoning after eating wild mushrooms during a hike, Greek officials said Wednesday. Authorities in the semi-autonomous...

Feeling stressed about the election? Here's what some are doing and what they say you can do too

Oct. 09, 2024 11:36 AM EDT

If the high stakes presidential election is causing troublesome thoughts, existential dread or rifts with loved ones, there’s no need to white knuckle through it. Take a deep breath. Literally. Meditation and mindfulness teacher Rosie Acosta says focusing on each...

Self-described Nazi will be sent to prison for salute at sentencing next month

Oct. 09, 2024 01:29 AM EDT

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — A self-described Nazi will become the first person in Australia sentenced to prison for performing an outlawed Nazi salute when a magistrate sets his term next month. Magistrate Brett Sonnet told Jacob Hersant on Wednesday he will be sentenced to a...

Restorers complete work on the canopy covering St. Peter's main altar ahead of the 2025 Jubilee

Oct. 08, 2024 21:16 PM EDT

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Restorers put the finishing touches Tuesday on the ornate canopy covering the main altar in St. Peter’s Basilica, which has been covered in scaffolding for months during the first renovation of Baroque architect and sculptor Gian Lorenzo Bernini’s masterpiece in more than...

Colorado's Supreme Court dismisses suit against baker who wouldn't make a cake for transgender woman

Oct. 08, 2024 19:36 PM EDT

Colorado's Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed on procedural grounds a lawsuit against a Christian baker who refused to bake a cake for a transgender woman. Justices declined to weigh in on the free speech issues that brought the case national attention. Baker Jack Phillips was sued...

Man charged with terroristic threats after saying he would 'shoot up' a synagogue

Oct. 08, 2024 19:22 PM EDT

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A Minnesota man was charged with making terroristic threats for allegedly saying he would “shoot up” a Minneapolis synagogue. The 21 year old was charged Monday with misdemeanor assault and three felony counts of threatening violence. His public defender...

Bring your pets to church, Haitian immigrant priest tells worshippers. 'I am not going to eat them.'

Oct. 08, 2024 17:04 PM EDT

CONCORD, N.H. (RNS) — As pet lovers gathered in a church garden here Saturday (Oct. 5) with dogs and photographs for the annual Blessing of the Animals, they were greeted with an assurance unlike any in years past. “I say: Bring your pet. Bring your dog and cat. I am a Haitian,...

Oklahoma amends request for Bibles that initially appeared to match only version backed by Trump

Oct. 08, 2024 11:36 AM EDT

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Oklahoma has amended its request for 55,000 Bibles to be placed in public schools that initially matched a version of the holy book endorsed by former President Donald Trump. The request was amended Monday and no longer requires the Bibles to include U.S....