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c. 2012 Religion News Service (RNS) The Vatican's No. 3 official on Tuesday (May 29) condemned the theft and publication of secret papal documents as an "immoral act of unheard-of gravity." ...

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Though comprehensive sex ed is effective, fear of controversy keeps many schools from implementing it. But support may be gaining ground.

(ENInews)--American pop star Lady Gaga cancelled a scheduled June 3 show in Indonesia after religious authorities threatened violence over her risque outfits and provocative dance moves. ...

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(ENInews)--The Geneva-based World Council of Churches (WCC) said it will hold its first meeting in the People's Republic of China, focusing on "the unique situation of Chinese churches and ecumenic...

c. 2012 Religion News Service (RNS) Mitt Romney clinched the GOP presidential nomination on Tuesday (May 28), becoming the first Mormon selected by a major political party....

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c. 2012 Religion News Service BIG SUR, Calif. (RNS) Perched atop the rugged splendor of the California coast south of Monterey, the Esalen Institute is the mother church for people who call themselves "spiritual but not religious." Over the last five decades, hundreds of thousands of seekers have come to this incubator of East-meets-West spirituality looking for news ways to bring together body, mind, psyche and soul.

When Nicole Chaisson teaches kids about sexuality, she doesn't have to worry about the state legislature. But that doesn't make her task simple.

Atheists and others who don’t adhere to a religion often say they can be good without God. Now three new studies appear to back them up....

When blind Chinese dissident Chen Guangcheng made a daring escape from house arrest this spring and found refuge in the U.S....

I have a theory about young adults and the church. Here it goes. Let me know what you think. While many churches say “we want young people” they don’t really. If young adults actually showed up and joined their church for good, the change they’d naturally bring with them would be stark, even off-putting. In fact, making a congregation welcoming for young adults necessarily means it will become less comfortable for the current members. It’s just a theory, but here’s why I’m suggesting it.

Anyone who likes maps, religion and useful or odd bits of data will have fun poking around the website created by the Association of Religion Data Archives, which now includes information from the 2010 census. The site allows for all kinds of searches by denomination and region. For example, the curious can find out what U.S. counties have the highest or lowest percentage of Episcopalians.

New today from the Century: Sex ed at school and at church, mapping religion data, more.

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, by British director John Madden (Shakespeare in Love), is a “hands across the water” movie flavored with large doses of “there’ll al­ways be an England” pluck. It culminates in a warm and thoughtful look at our innate ability to rediscover unexplored strengths within ourselves even on the last few miles of life’s journey.

We might be tempted to adopt a vague notion of “faith” as the only criterion for inclusion in this family, but Jesus’ teaching will not allow us to separate faith from faithfulness or discipleship from submission.

The Cubs last won the World Series in 1908. I have learned to comfort myself with Christian verities such as steadfastness and hope.

Ed’s Story is the title of a new series of short films documenting the life of Ed Dobson. The films capture the story of a man with a terminal illness who is coming to grips with his faith, his identity and his lack of control. In his prime, Dobson was the senior minister of a thriving congregation in Grand Rapids, where he preached to more than a thousand people each week.