Church

First of its kind: Vatican, Palestine sign treaty on religious freedom
The Holy See and the State of Palestine have inked on Friday an agreement recognising the freedom of religion in the latter, the deal being the first of its kind signed with a Muslim-dominated country.

Seven overlooked Biblical heroes - mostly bloodthirsty ones
The Bible is full of ripping yarns and great adventures.

Pope did not intend to present himself as climate change expert, says bishop who helped him draft key encyclical
The Pope did not intend to present himself as an expert on the science of climate change in his encyclical on the environment, according to a bishop who helped draft the document.

Pastor Rick Scarborough says he didn't mean he would set himself on fire after US Supreme Court ruling on same-sex marriage
Texas Pastor Rick Scarborough, who previously said that he would be willing to be burned to death in his campaign against gay marriage. clarified his statement after yesterday's Supreme Court ruling.

American churches receive record $114.9-B donations in 2014 â report
Churches may have been losing public trust in America, but that does not necessarily mean religious institutions have significantly lost support from individuals, corporations, and foundations in the United States.

'Gospel of Jesus' Wife' is a modern fake, say scholars
A Coptic manuscript appearing to show Jesus was married was forged after 2009 on ancient papyrus.

Over 300,000 hold Rome rally to oppose expanded rights for gay couples, gender theory in schools
Hundreds of thousands have gathered for a pro-family demonstration in Rome against a measure that would broaden the rights of those in same-sex unions and the introduction of gender ideology in Italian schools.

Tullian Tchividjian, Billy Graham's grandson, tweets 'I'm so so sorry' after affair
Billy Graham's grandson, Tullian Tchividjian, who has resigned this week as the pastor of a Florida megachurch after admitting an inappropriate relationship tweeted Wednesday that he was "so sorry."

Franklin Graham: Obama is 'leading America on sinful course'
Gay marriage is "Accepting wrong as right - accepting sin as something to be proud of."

Ex-Muslim Rifqa Bary who fled her family after Christian conversion: 'I don't live in fear because every day belongs to God'
Rifqa Bary came to international attention in 2009 when, as a teenager, she ran away from her family home in Ohio fearing that her father wanted to kill her because she had converted from Islam to Christianity.

Five Bible stories that are REALLY HARD to preach on
They all mean something, but what, exactly?

Ancient Gospel of Barnabas is a fake, says Coptic Pope
An ancient gospel seized from smugglers by Turkish authorities is worthless, according to Pope Tawadros II.

Justin Welby says capitalism is inherently selfish, calls for generosity
The Archbishop of Canterbury today calls on business and market leaders to be less self-serving.

Group seeks to protect UK churches from terror attacks, but critics say it's 'nonsensical' and 'ridiculous'
A group that sends aid to Christians living in Muslim territories is holding a training session that seeks to prepare UK churches in case of a terrorist attack amid the rising terror threat by the Islamic State.

Imam defends pastor who called Islam 'satanic', says he will go to jail with him
James McConnell should be able to describe Islam as Satanic if he wants, says Dr Muhammed Al-Husseini.

Buddhists and Catholics travel to the Vatican to talk about the 'mystery of life'
Representatives from the Buddhist and Catholic communities in the US are holding an interreligious dialogue this week near Rome.