Belief & Religion

Molly Ivins: Good Riddance to DeLay’s Crucifix-Shaped Hammer

Molly Ivins / Truthdig Apr 6, 2006 "DeLay's professions of Christianity make me sick He chose to walk with the powerful and do real harm to the very people Jesus mandated we especially care for". Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Bill Maher Takes on Christian Paranoia

Staff / Truthdig Apr 3, 2006 Maher tells Christians, "If you're going to be that paranoid all the time, just get high." (video) Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Shocker: Study Shrugs Off Prayer’s Power to Heal

Staff / Truthdig Mar 31, 2006 A nationwide study finds that having strangers pray for heart patients does not help their health. In fact, the prayed-for are actually more likely to suffer complications. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Radio Host: I Have No Tolerance For Islam

Staff / Truthdig Mar 24, 2006 In light of the possible death sentence faced by the Afghan who converted to Christianity, a popular secular radio talk show host sounds off about the insanity of faith. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Kevin Phillips Warns of Religious Fanatics

Staff / Truthdig Mar 22, 2006 Kevin Phillips, in-demand author of "American Theocracy," says--dead seriously--that many Americans don't worry about the economy because they're waiting for the second coming of Christ. Watch it. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Anglican Leader: Don’t Teach Creationism in Schools

Staff / Truthdig Mar 21, 2006 Rowan Williams, the leader of the Church of England, emphatically criticizes the teaching of creationism in schools. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Afghan Could Get Death for Becoming a Christian

Staff / Truthdig Mar 21, 2006 He converted to Christianity 16 years ago as an aid worker in Pakistan, an offense punishable by death under Sharia law. (Above: A judge holds the accused's Bible.) If you're shaking your head over this resurgence of religious fundamentalism, check out this earlier story on the Taliban's return to Afghanistan. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Now They Have John Paul Performing Miracles From the Grave

Staff / Truthdig Mar 14, 2006 A French nun inflicted with Parkinson's disease is suddenly cured--after fellow nuns pray to the dead pope. The Associated Press ran this story without a hint of irony or skepticism. Check out Truthdig's Sam Harris for a little perspective. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Hold the Religious Accountable for Their Beliefs

Staff / Truthdig Mar 13, 2006 A prominent Slovenian-born atheist, surveying the violence done in the name of Islam, argues in the N.Y. Times that we should submit Islam, along with all other religions, to a "respectful, but for that reason no less ruthless, critical analysis. This, and only this, is the way to show a true respect for Muslims: to treat them as serious adults responsible for their beliefs." Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Poll: Half of U.S. Rejects Evolution, Backs Bible

Staff / Truthdig Mar 9, 2006 The Gallup report summarizes the findings: "[A] substantial portion of Americans[are] not so quick to agree with the preponderance of scientific evidence" Support for the such beliefs declines steadily with education: Among those with high school diplomas, 58% are Bible backers; among those with postgraduate degrees, only 25%. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Pizza Magnate Plans Catholic-Governed Town

Staff / Truthdig Mar 3, 2006 The founder of Domino's Pizza is planning on spending $250 million to create a Florida town with no abortions, no porn and no birth control. Civil libertarians are threatening to sue, and liberal Catholics are likening the idea to Islamic fundamentalism. Couldn't the guy put his money where it's really needed, like toward schools in Darfur? Or a pizza crust that doesn't resemble a sponge full of grease? (Hat tip: Huff Post) Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Boston Church Lagging on Pedophile Reforms

Staff / Truthdig Mar 1, 2006 The state attorney general is blasting the Boston Archdiocese for its failure to implement safeguards to prevent the sexual abuse of children. Missing: a system to track abusive priests, and prevention programs in schools. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )