Religion News

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - An unusual coalition of Jews and Muslims filed suit on Wednesday to block a November voter referendum seeking to ban male circumcision in San Francisco. Full Story »

MILWAUKEE - Methodist pastors who have defied a church ban on marrying gays were dealt a setback Wednesday when clergy members hearing a church trial found a colleague guilty of marrying a lesbian couple in 2009. Full Story »

PARIS (AFP) - Fashion designer John Galliano claimed Wednesday as he stood trial for anti-Semitic insults that it was an alcoholic, drug-addicted "shell" of himself who lashed out at patrons in a hip Paris bar. Full Story »

ALBANY, N.Y. - Will the Knights of Columbus be required to open their halls for gay weddings if New York lawmakers legalize same-sex marriage? Will Catholic adoption agencies be forced to choose between placing children with gay married couples or leaving the business? Full Story »

Kansas prison ministry conference aims to reduce recidivism Full Story »

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Christian evangelicals' influence is seen waning in developed countries, while the faith's future is bright in the developing world, a survey of evangelical church leaders concluded on Wednesday. Full Story »

ROME - The next popemobile could be green. Full Story »

After the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003, many Western commentators were surprised at the ease with which Iraq's religious movements adapted to multiparty democracy Full Story »

CAIRO (Reuters) - Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood has expelled a senior member for saying he would run for president in defiance of the group's decision not to seek the post vacant since the overthrow of President Hosni Mubarak in February. Full Story »

Dublin, Ireland - Homes and a Roman Catholic church in Belfast, Northern Ireland, came under attack last night in the city's worst night of sustained violence in recent years. And as riots erupted in a divided Catholic and Protestant area, many are asking why the Ulster Volunteer Force (UFV), the pro-British paramilitary organization being held responsible for the violence, has refused to go away despite having supposedly destroyed its weapons. Full Story »

SEOUL (AFP) - Hollywood star Richard Gere -- a Buddhist and a longtime campaigner for the rights of Tibetans -- on Tuesday visited a Buddhist temple during a visit to South Korea. Full Story »

WASHINGTON - Seeking to reassure Jewish donors amid questions over his support for Israel, President Barack Obama pledged Monday that his administration would "devote all of its creative powers" to trying to bring about Mideast peace. Full Story »

At their convention in Phoenix this past week, Southern Baptists issued a resolution asserting that hell is real Full Story »

Pastor Fred Luter, Jr. rebuilt his home church Franklin Avenue Baptist after Hurricane Katrina. On June 14 he became the first ever African-American to be elected first Vice President of the Southern Baptist Convention Full Story »

LONDON (AFP) - The Anglican Church was on Monday set to approve controversial guidelines allowing openly homosexual clergy to become bishops. Full Story »

MILWAUKEE - A growing number of pastors in the United Methodist Church say they're no longer willing to obey a church rule that prohibits them from officiating at same-sex marriages, despite the potential threat of being disciplined or dismissed from the church. Full Story »

CAIRO (Reuters) - Egypt appointed a new foreign minister Sunday to replace Nabil Elaraby, who was picked as the new Arab League chief last month, a cabinet official said. Full Story »

SAN MARINO (AFP) - Pope Benedict XVI voiced concern Sunday at the effects of the economic crisis, especially on the youth, during his first visit to tiny San Marino, nestled on the eastern slopes of Italy's Apennine Mountains. Full Story »