SPIEGEL ONLINE
- April 20, 2012
While lust might be considered a deadly sin by many Christians, one former Dutch pastor is on a crusade against lust "phobia." He has opened an online sex shop for Christians in the hope of improving their private lives and helping them to embrace sexuality. By Alexander Krex more...
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- April 19, 2012
Dancing can get you in trouble in Germany. Laws on the books prohibit the practice on certain religious holidays -- and the bans are taken seriously. But this week Bavaria moved to weaken its law and a Cologne dance-in was allowed to go ahead on Good Friday. Religious leaders are concerned. more...
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- April 19, 2012
Belief in God varies greatly between different countries, but the percentage of believers in the former East Germany is lower than anywhere else, "anchoring the secular pole" internationally, according to a new report by an American research organization. But even in this unpious region, the rate of believers increases with age. more...
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- April 19, 2012
Many conservatives are skeptical of Mitt Romney's religion, and their lack of enthusiasm for his candidacy could threaten his chances this fall. But why is the issue so controversial? And why won't he address it? By Gerhard Spörl more... [ Forum ]
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- April 16, 2012
For decades, the ultra-conservative Society of St. Pius X has been on the outside of the Catholic Church and looking in. Now, with Pope Benedict XVI intent on healing the schism, the group -- known as SSPX -- has written a letter that could pave the way for an agreement. By Peter Wensierski in Rome more...
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- April 13, 2012
The Jews had significant competition in antiquity when it came to worshipping Yahweh. Archeologists have discovered a second great temple not far from Jerusalem that predates its better known cousin. It belonged to the Samaritans, and may have been edited out of the Bible once the rivalry had been decided. By Matthias Schulz more... [ Forum ]
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- February 20, 2012
A call by reform-minded Catholics in the German-speaking world for the church to soften its stances on homosexuality, divorce and celibacy among priests and to end its ban on women in the clergy is drawing loud criticism from conservatives. They argue the group is threatening to create a schism within the Catholic Church. more... [ Forum ]
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- January 13, 2012
Veiled women, radical rabbis and gender segregation: Israel is facing a rise in the influence of ultra-Orthodox Jews. Their efforts to impose a strictly conservative worldview have led to growing tensions with the country's secular society. A resolution to the conflict is vital for Israel's future. By Juliane von Mittelstaedt more... [ Forum ]
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- December 30, 2011
Ultra-Orthodox Jewish groups in Israel would like to see gender separation in public, and some have stooped to harassing women -- and even children -- to get their way. With thousands of Israelis protesting against the growing influence of the super-religious, the rift in Israeli society is getting deeper. By Lena Greiner and Gil Yaron in Hamburg and Jerusalem more...
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- December 29, 2011
The Bavarian mountain village of Mitterfirmiansreut has opened a house of worship made of snow and ice to commemorate a similar church that took shape in the country 100 years ago. Construction had been delayed by a dearth of snow and warm weather. more...
