Religion | PRI's The World

If one thing became clear in the first decade of the 21st Century, it was that reports of the death of God had been greatly exaggerated. Religion has become a big news story again. The interface between religion and politics, conflicts between world views – and occasionally their resolutions – play a dominant role today.

Religion

Mindful Eating Comes to America

By The World ⋅ February 10, 2012 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ Transcript

Mindful Eating (Photo: Harvard Public Health/YouTube)

There’s a food movement called mindful eating that’s picking up speed in the US. led by Vietnamese Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hạnh. He has a food meditation center in southern France. For the Geo Quiz, we’re looking for the name of the French department or region where you can find Plum Village.

Banda Aceh Authorities Arrest Punk Rock Concertgoers for ‘Moral Rehabilitation’

By Emily Johnson ⋅ February 1, 2012 ⋅ 2 comments ⋅ Transcript

Police shaved off the hair of about 60 fans who were arrested at a punk concert. (Photo: Youtube screenshot)

Last month, the Islamic government of Banda Aceh staged a mass arrest at a punk concert over perceived threat to Islamic values.

Increasing Number of Religious Soldiers Joining Israel Army

By Matthew Bell ⋅ January 9, 2012 ⋅ One comment ⋅ Transcript

The main study hall at the Har Etzion hesder yeshiva in the Gush Etzion settlement in the West Bank. (Photo: Matthew Bell)

Would large numbers of Israeli soldiers refuse orders to evict Jewish settlers from the West Bank?

Gershom Gorenberg Discusses Growing Religious Polarization in Israel

By The World ⋅ December 28, 2011 ⋅ 2 comments ⋅ Transcript

Gershom Gorenberg (Photo: Debbi Cooper/southjerusalem.com)

This week, several thousand Israelis protested against a move by ultra-Orthodox Jews to segregate the sexes. That religious polarization in Israel recently has also worked its way into politics and government – between left and right. New and proposed laws have been passed through the Knesset that author Gershom Gorenberg describe as ‘undemocratic’. Host Lisa Mullins talks to him from Jerusalem.

Tensions Between Ultra-Orthodox and the Rest of Beit Shemesh Run High

By Matthew Bell ⋅ December 27, 2011 ⋅ One comment ⋅ Transcript

Margolis family in Bet Shemesh, Israel. (Photo: Daniella Cheslow)

Thousands of Israelis have rallied in the town of Beit Shemesh against ultra-Orthodox Jewish extremism.

How Spiritual Gurus Exert Political Influence in India

By Alex Gallafent ⋅ December 27, 2011 ⋅ 5 comments ⋅ Transcript

Yoga guru Baba Ramdev (Photo: Ganesh Khetriwal)

High-profile spiritual leaders exert broad political influence in India, most recently in driving a widespread anti-corruption protest. The World’s Alex Gallafent reports.

Rastafarians in Ethiopia

By Megan Verlee ⋅ November 1, 2011 ⋅ 11 comments ⋅ Transcript

Caribbean artist Bandi Payne settled in Ethiopia decades ago (Photo: Megan Verlee)

Ethiopia has a small slice of the Caribbean in it. 60 years ago, Emperor Haile Selassie set aside 500 acres for western Blacks who wanted to return to Africa. Hundreds of Rastafarians have taken up the offer but they haven’t always been welcome.

Muslims Celebrate Eid al-Fitr

By The World ⋅ August 31, 2011 ⋅ One comment ⋅ Transcript

Cameroonian women celebrating the end of Ramadan (BBC photo)

Muslims around the world have been marking the end of Ramadan.

Making the Case for Muslim Liberty

By The World ⋅ August 29, 2011 ⋅ 4 comments ⋅ Transcript

Mustafa Akyol (Photo: thewhitepath.com)

In the new book Islam Without Extremes: a Muslim Case for Liberty, Turkish author Mustafa Akyol argues that a quiet Islamic reformation is creating the demand for liberal democracy across the Muslim world.

Is Your Priest a Black Sheep? Website Allows Users to Rate Priests

By Rahul Joglekar ⋅ August 8, 2011 ⋅ 3 comments ⋅ Transcript

Screen shot of the Pope's scorecard at Hirtenbarometer.de

Priests in Germany need to up their game or they will be marked out as “black sheep.”

The Rebbe’s Anniversary and Legacy

By The World ⋅ August 5, 2011 ⋅ One comment ⋅ Transcript

A photograph of The Rebbe at 770 (Photo: Daniel Estrin)

July marked the 17th anniversary of the death of The Rebbe.

Egyptian Salafist Muslims in the Spotlight

By Matthew Bell ⋅ May 12, 2011 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ Transcript

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After deadly sectarian violence in Cairo this week, everyone in Egypt seems to be talking about the Salafists. They’re a broad section of ultra-conservative Islamists. And some of them are engaging in political life like never before. The World’s Matthew Bell reports from Cairo. Download MP3

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Turkey: Where politics and religion mix

By The World ⋅ March 1, 2011 ⋅ One comment ⋅ Transcript

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Matthew Brunwasser reports on the funeral Tuesday of a former Turkish Prime Minister, now considered the father of political Islam in Turkey, one of the few countries in the Middle East region to successfully mix religion and politics. Download MP3

Denmark’s ‘Christian cultural heritage’

By The World ⋅ February 18, 2011 ⋅ One comment ⋅ Transcript

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Anchor Lisa Mullins has details on a new Danish government directive that requires the state broadcaster to emphasize its role as a promoter of Danish culture including the nation’s “Christian cultural heritage.” Download MP3

Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood

By The World ⋅ February 17, 2011 ⋅ One comment ⋅ Transcript

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Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood was outlawed for nearly a half century. Now it could be part of the next Egyptian government. It officially advocates sharia law but members have their differences. The World’s Ben Gilbert has the story. Download MP3
Egypt coverage on The World