Religion and Faith

John Danforth, who served three terms as a Republican in the U.S. Senate and six months as U.N. ambassador in 2004, is concerned about the growing influence of christian conservatives on the Republican Party. Danforth, who is also an Episcopalian priest, spoke about his religion and his politics with Speaking of Faith Host Krista Tippett.
Lutherans expect to debate whether the church should bless same-sex unions. Midmorning looks at how the issue of gay representation has affected many Christian denominations.
How have fundamentalists changed the world's view of Islam? A Muslim scholar discusses the challenges facing his religion and its followers.
Lawyer and Baptist minister Oliver Thomas says that the Supreme Court has blurred the line between church and state in America, and Thomas wants that line redrawn. Thomas, who wrote the American Civil Liberties Union's handbook "The Right to Religious Liberty," spoke Friday at Chautauqua Institution in upstate New York.
As details filter out about the young suicide terrorists who staged the London transit bombings, WBUR's 2004 documentary "British Jihad: Inside Out" gains new poignancy. It explores the growth of radical Islam in Great Britain's poor South Asian Muslim communities.
Midmorning launches a series about ethics. The program explores how philosophy can help make sense of everyday life.
To many, Girl Scouts are as American as the flag and apple pie. But the scouts are adapting, changing their ways to attract and keep girls who haven't traditionally joined a troop, including the children of immigrants. Scouting seems to particularly appeal to Muslims girls.
Florida Gov. Jeb Bush has called off an investigation into what caused Terri Schiavo to collapse 15 years ago. Bush's decision may put to rest Schiavo's high-profile case, but American society is still deeply conflicted over how to deal with the end of life. Speaking of Faith explores the quality and meaning of death in "A Midwife to the Dying."
A sharply divided Supreme Court on Monday upheld the constitutionality of displaying the Ten Commandments on government land, but drew the line on displays inside courthouses, saying they violated the doctrine of separation of church and state.
Jim Wallis, executive director and editor of Sojourners magazine, says that politicians from both sides of the aisle could use a little Bible study. Wallis, author of the best-selling book "God's Politics: Why the Right Gets It Wrong and the Left Doesn't Get It," spoke in April at the Westminster Town Hall Forum.