Beliefnet News

By Chris Herlinger Religion News Service American houses of worship should commemorate Labor Day weekend not as the last hurrah of the summer but as a time to celebrate the “sacred link between faith, work and justice,” according to a national social justice advocate. “If a congregation was ever going to lift up labor issues,…

Associated Press Beijing – A major Buddhist monastery in Tibet reopened this week five months after being shut by authorities during anti-government riots that rocked the region’s capital, a staff member said Friday. The Drepung Monastery, on the outskirts of Lhasa, reopened to dozens of visitors earlier this week and has been “fairly busy” since,…

By Kristen Campbell Religion News Service Mobile, Ala. – When parishioners at All Saints Episcopal Church began distributing groceries to families in need a few years ago, they gave away about 100 boxes of food. Within the last year, the Rev. Jim Flowers said, they began stocking and giving out 175 boxes, and they still…

By Daniel Burke Religion News Service Archbishop Charles Chaput of Denver refuses to be quiet — especially when it comes to Catholic politicians and abortion. The outspoken Franciscan has repeatedly told elected officials who support abortion rights they shouldn’t take Communion. And he’s quick to correct Catholics who compromise on the issue. Chaput’s new book,…

Associated Press Phoenix – Billboards touting freedom from religion and separation of church and state are going up around the downtown Phoenix area. The Freedom From Religion Foundation, based in Madison, Wis., paid advertising company CBS Outdoor to put up five signs around Phoenix that read Imagine No Religion. Annie Laurie Gaylor, co-president of Freedom…

Associated Press Mumbai, India – The Dalai Lama was admitted to a hospital in this western Indian city on Thursday to undergo tests for abdominal discomfort, his spokesman said. “Since tests haven’t begun yet, we don’t know what the ailment is,” Tenzin Takla told The Associated Press. “Medical tests will begin on Friday.” The Dalai…

Associated Press – August 26, 2008 DENVER – Under fire from U.S. Catholic bishops, Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is not backing off contentious comments about abortion she made during a weekend television talk show appearance. Pelosi said Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press” that “doctors of the church” have not been able to define…

International Herald Tribune – August 27, 2008 With the longtime occupant safely moved out of the main building and ensconced in temporary housing, long-needed renovations could begin here at Izumo Taisha, one of Japan’s oldest and most famous Shinto shrines. But not before a once-in-a-lifetime open house of sorts was held. For the first time…

Associated Press – August 27, 2008 DHARMSALA, India – The Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, was suffering from exhaustion and has canceled two planned international trips to undergo medical tests, his office said Wednesday. The 73-year-old Nobel Peace Prize winner had been “experiencing some discomfort in the past couple of days,” a statement from…

By Charles Honey Religion News Service Grand Rapids, Mich. – From their cramped office behind a barber shop, four young men try to get the word out: This is who we are, this is what we believe. As Muslims in this overwhelmingly Christian community, they feel a responsibility to tell what Islam truly teaches —…

More from Beliefnet and our partners