Under God: Archive by Category at washingtonpost.com

Va. Congressman Frank Wolf to testify at King hearings on radical Islam

Wolf is well-known for his work advocating for persecuted religious minorities overseas, particularly Christians, as well as Muslims, Baha'is and others. He also wrote the legislation in 1998 that created the National Commission on Terrorism. He currently is chair of the subcommittee that oversees the budget of the Justice Department and the FBI.

By Michelle Boorstein | March 7, 2011; 05:58 PM ET | Comments (2)

Update: White House Sharia showdown cancelled

The angry shout-fest that was expected to happen at 1 p.m. in front of the White House over Islamic law was cancelled.

By Michelle Boorstein | March 3, 2011; 01:16 PM ET | Comments (0)

Fringes heading to the White House for sharia showdown

Terry Jones and Anjem Choudary are both reportedly coming to Washington to make a show of the role of Sharia in America.

By Michelle Boorstein | March 1, 2011; 05:28 PM ET | Comments (6)

Details still sketchy about planned Capitol Hill hearing on U.S. Muslim radicals

The hearing is reportedly going to explore King's assertion that the Muslim American community does not cooperate with law enforcement, but so far it's not clear if he will call anyone from the law enforcement community. Major Muslim-American organizations initially appeared to be outside the process but now it seems there are some behind-the-scenes talks going on.

By Michelle Boorstein | February 17, 2011; 04:18 PM ET | Comments (28)

White House re-nominates religious freedom ambassador

Do you think issues of religious freedom abroad should be a higher priority for the U.S. government?

By Michelle Boorstein | February 9, 2011; 11:49 AM ET | Comments (5)

White House names new advisors to faith-based office

The office has adopted the conservative view on several contentious issues that come up in the non-profit world.

By Michelle Boorstein | February 4, 2011; 06:55 PM ET | Comments (6)

What will America learn today about Obama's faith?

Why do u think the president is talking about his faith in more detail now?

By Michelle Boorstein | February 3, 2011; 05:46 AM ET | Comments (37)

Gainesville, Part II? Burn-the-Koran pastor now planning a "trial" for the book

Six months after the minister of a tiny Gainesville church drew the world's attention with his threats to burn the Koran, Jones is resurfacing with a slightly more subtle proposal.

By Michelle Boorstein | January 11, 2011; 02:13 PM ET | Comments (3)

Rabbi showdown: Nearly 1,000 condemn ruling about leasing land to non-Jews

The whole debate reflects disputes both over how to read the Torah but also how to best nurture a "Jewish" spirit in Israel as the Israeli-Palestinian rages on.

By Michelle Boorstein | December 15, 2010; 03:32 PM ET | Comments (22)

Obama signs new rules for faith-based groups

The changes are meant to please church-state people on both sides of the ideological spectrum but still sidestep the most explosive, unresolved issue: whether such groups can discriminate in who they hire.

By Michelle Boorstein | November 16, 2010; 07:29 PM ET | Comments (5)

Catholic bishops pull a shocker today by their pick for president

America's Catholic bishops pulled a shocker today in picking their new president, disregarding tradition and precedent by rejecting its vice-president and instead choosing a man seen as more outspoken and conservative.

By Michelle Boorstein | November 16, 2010; 11:21 AM ET | Comments (28)

With election results in, debate over religious factor begins

While pollsters, sociologists and others have been predicting that Democrats are making inroads with white evangelicals (specifically young ones), the data, at least from Tuesday, doesn't seem to show that borne out in the voting.

By William Wan | November 3, 2010; 01:36 PM ET | Comments (103)

A third party for religious conservatives?

This week Watergate-figure-turned-evangelical-leader Chuck Colson floated the idea of a third party, saying religious conservatives "have no political home."

By Michelle Boorstein | November 2, 2010; 04:41 PM ET | Comments (9)

Did the Democrats bail on faith outreach, and if so -- will they pay today?

Just a couple years after what many were calling a renaissance for religious progressives, some believe the Democrats have bailed on faith outreach - and will pay today at the polls.

By Michelle Boorstein | November 2, 2010; 12:19 PM ET | Comments (0)

List of influential Jews includes athletes, activists, Top Chef judge

The Forward's list of America's 'most influential' Jews includes names from big politics (Rahm Emanuel), big entertainment (Jon Stewart), the Big Apple (Michael Bloomberg).

By Michelle Boorstein | October 28, 2010; 06:29 PM ET | Comments (1)

Islamic terrorism? Racism? Some Muslims turn to humor

Some Muslims, hoping to bring a bit of levity to an American season rife with anxiety about their faith, are planning to come to the Jon Stewart/Stephen Colbert rally this weekend with signs including one reading: "Boo! I am a Muslim - and not just for Halloween!"

By Michelle Boorstein | October 28, 2010; 05:00 PM ET | Comments (1)

GWU's women's-only pool hours opens debate about accomodations for Islam

Any new efforts around the country to accommodate Muslims are getting more attention in recent months amid what appears to be a new wave of anxiety about Islam in America.

By Michelle Boorstein | October 26, 2010; 03:38 PM ET | Comments (37)

Rumors swirl that Wuerl to be made cardinal this week

Wuerl, a somber, careful leader, has seen his star rise since coming from his hometown of Pittsburgh to Washington in 2006, and then hosting a papal visit in 2008 that the Vatican considered a big publicity boon for a pope who hadn't gotten much love from the U.S. press

By Michelle Boorstein | October 18, 2010; 05:57 PM ET | Comments (2)

Report: Accused priests served in more than half of Chicago's parishes

The study, released today by a coalition including Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP), Voice of the Faithful and BishopAccountability.org also says accused priests were not randomly spread across the city's parishes but were assigned only in about half of Chicago's zip codes.

By Michelle Boorstein | October 12, 2010; 11:43 AM ET | Comments (4)

Major Muslim group launches "Islamophobia" department

While CAIR, with representatives around the country, has long kept and publicized anecdotal reports about anti-Muslim incidents, it's not been scientific, so this effort will be lauded by people looking for more data.

By Michelle Boorstein | October 11, 2010; 05:23 PM ET | Comments (21)

Virginia imam picked to lead major Muslim-American group

Imam Mohamed Magid, 45, executive director of the All Dulles Area Muslim Society in Sterling, already was vice president of ISNA and a well-known regional interfaith leader.

By Michelle Boorstein | September 29, 2010; 01:25 PM ET | Comments (0)

Review finds opposition to dozens of U.S. mosques

Pew looked for controversy surrounding mosques in America and found 35 of them, a much broader scale than has been reported in the many stories done on this subject this summer.

By Michelle Boorstein | September 29, 2010; 01:16 PM ET | Comments (3)

Wife of imam from Ground Zero center resists a new location

Muslim-Americans who have concerns about the center and even oppose it are speaking out a bit more. Khan was asked about what she was hearing from leaders in her faith community and she said only a small minority are encouraging her to consider moving the location.

By Michelle Boorstein | August 25, 2010; 04:13 PM ET | Comments (7)

Religious freedom officials enter Ground Zero debate

Washington Post religion reporter Michelle Boorstein examines the complex and varying opinions on religious freedom on the mosque near Ground Zero.

By Michelle Boorstein | August 25, 2010; 12:53 PM ET | Comments (4)

Muslim Miss USA: Islamic center shouldn't be near Ground Zero

"We should be more concerned with the tragedy than religion."

By Michelle Boorstein | August 20, 2010; 01:56 PM ET | Comments (3)

Controversial Islam scholar says he's now in the middle

A very interesting chat with Daniel Pipes, who is considered one of the most senior scholars who focus on radical Islam.

By Michelle Boorstein | August 18, 2010; 08:29 AM ET | Comments (5)

Challenge to summer Ramadan fundraising: tired, hot donors

Ramadan falling during the summer has an interesting side consequence: It's harder for Muslim charities to raise money.

By Michelle Boorstein | August 12, 2010; 04:30 PM ET | Comments (1)

Forgiveness at Benedictine nuns' silent retreat

The community of 33 women had their annual retreat scheduled when the crash happened Sunday morning, killing one sister and seriously injuring two others.

By Elizabeth Tenety | August 4, 2010; 10:33 AM ET | Comments (4)

Sexy staffer brings long-awaited positive press to government commission

By Michelle Boorstein Which would you rather read about: the "easy, breezy, beautiful" communications specialist named one of Capitol Hill's 50 most beautiful staffers, or internal squabbling and alleged religious bias at a government commission? Trick question. We hear the...

By Michelle Boorstein | July 29, 2010; 12:20 PM ET | Comments (1)

How influential is the progressive left?

Possibly the frankest lawmaker in the room was Sen. Dick Durbin, who said he struggles with the ethical ramifications of the war in Afghanistan, for which he voted-- his only vote authorizing force since he came to Congress in 1983.

By Michelle Boorstein | July 28, 2010; 12:12 PM ET | Comments (0)

What do the White House's faith offices DO, exactly?

Sure, some people know that the White House oversees a dozen faith-based offices in different federal agencies, ranging from the Department of Health and Human Services to the U.S. Agency for International Development to the Department of Agriculture. But do you know what, exactly, the offices do?

By Michelle Boorstein | July 22, 2010; 01:19 PM ET | Comments (4)

Vatican issues new sex abuse rules; still too weak, victims say

Ordination of women subject to same punishment as sex abuse of clergy

By William Wan | July 15, 2010; 11:30 AM ET | Comments (42)

For Presbyterians, a new leader and more controversy

Elder from Arlington, Va., chosen as new moderator of Presbyterian church amid questions about her pro-gay marriage stance

By William Wan | July 6, 2010; 11:29 AM ET | Comments (1)

Story takes critical look at Pope's early role in abuse crisis

New revelations about a 2000 secret meeting convened by Vatican to abuse concerns of bishops

By William Wan | July 2, 2010; 06:29 AM ET | Comments (0)

Seventh-day Adventists elect new president

Silver Spring-based denomination elects current VP Ted Wilson.

By William Wan | June 25, 2010; 02:47 PM ET | Comments (8)

Washington celebrates its globe-trotting cardinal, "Uncle Ted"

Catholics celebrate globe-trotting Cardinal McCarrick's 80th birthday.

By Michelle Boorstein | June 24, 2010; 10:03 AM ET | Comments (1)

Obama names Cook religious freedom ambassador

Baptist pastor, Suzan Johnson Cook, appointed international religious freedom ambassador

By William Wan | June 15, 2010; 06:50 PM ET | Comments (3)

How influential will anti-Muslim groups become?

Where is this anti-Muslim movement going?

By Michelle Boorstein | June 14, 2010; 08:04 AM ET | Comments (63)

Study looks at media coverage of Catholic sex abuse scandal

Report studies how much media has covered sex abuse scandal (answer: a lot)

By William Wan | June 11, 2010; 02:03 PM ET | Comments (4)

Trust in clergy lower after sex abuse crisis

New survey shows worldwide dip in trust in clergy after bruising year of scandal for Catholic Church

By William Wan | June 10, 2010; 04:23 PM ET | Comments (1)

Could battling Anglicans wind up in the same buildings?

The Episcopal Diocese of Virginia asked the Anglicans, who control the disputed properties: Can we share?

By Michelle Boorstein | June 10, 2010; 02:48 PM ET | Comments (0)

Va. Supreme Court rules for Episcopal denomination in property dispute

The Supreme Court of Virginia has reversed the ruling of a Fairfax judge who decided in favor of conservative Anglicans who are fighting The Episcopal Church for tens of millions of dollars of church land.

By David Waters | June 10, 2010; 09:48 AM ET | Comments (26)

Muslim-American groups give Obama mixed reviews

By Michelle Boorstein | June 3, 2010; 04:24 PM ET | Comments (0)

Muslim store gets heat for selling al-Aulaqi sermons

Halalco store pulls sermons after Christian broadcasters air story

By William Wan | June 2, 2010; 02:49 PM ET | Comments (0)

Virginia Supreme Court to rule on Anglican-Episcopal church property fight

By Michelle Boorstein There's some news in the ongoing infighting among American Anglicans. Next week will mark a turning point in a three-year-old court battle over church property in Virginia when the state Supreme Court weighs in. The case is...

By Michelle Boorstein | June 2, 2010; 12:44 PM ET | Comments (7)

Catholic priest caught in beach romp is a priest again

By Michelle Boorstein | June 1, 2010; 03:35 PM ET | Comments (0)

Muslim soldier says he is being transferred from Fort Hood

A Muslim soldier who filed discrimination complaints after the Fort Hood massacre and complained again when he said commanders failed to take action, is now being transferred.

By William Wan | May 21, 2010; 08:12 AM ET | Comments (1)

Doubts raised about ex-Muslim who leads Liberty U's divinity school

Skeptics questioning biography of former Muslim who runs Liberty University's divinity school.

By Michelle Boorstein | May 19, 2010; 11:06 AM ET | Comments (1)

Church in Sterling reportedly under investigation in Kenya

By Michelle Boorstein | May 13, 2010; 09:37 AM ET | Comments (3)

Supreme Court could have its first no-Protestant lineup

By Michelle Boorstein | May 10, 2010; 07:31 AM ET | Comments (2)

D.C. yoga devotees fight "yoga tax"

By Michelle Boorstein | May 6, 2010; 03:25 PM ET | Comments (2)

Majority support National Day of Prayer

New poll sheds light on much debated topic of prayer.

By William Wan | May 5, 2010; 05:30 PM ET | Comments (4)

Does God have a position on the oil spill?

By Michelle Boorstein What's God's position on energy regulation? First Texas Gov. Rick Perry suggested that the oil spill off the Gulf Coast may have been "just an act of God." Now others are seeing how far to take that...

By Michelle Boorstein | May 5, 2010; 05:04 PM ET | Comments (3)

D.C. area getting its first full-time Catholic radio

By Michelle Boorstein | April 29, 2010; 04:49 PM ET | Comments (0)

New report on international religious freedom: White House flagging

By Michelle Boorstein | April 29, 2010; 08:57 AM ET | Comments (0)

Latin Mass controversy draws huge crowd

The packed house Saturday has already sparked debate about whether more Catholics might be drawn to the traditional Mass.

By Michelle Boorstein | April 26, 2010; 09:05 AM ET | Comments (34)

Post hosts town hall on religion & media Tuesday night

By William Wan | April 19, 2010; 05:41 PM ET | Comments (5)

Episcopal property dispute in Va. Supreme Court Tuesday

By David Waters | April 12, 2010; 04:48 PM ET | Comments (2)

Poll shows growing displeasure with pope's handling of abuse crisis

Poll shows growing displeasure with pope's handling of abuse crisis.

By Michelle Boorstein | April 9, 2010; 10:50 AM ET | Comments (1)

Banned Muslim scholar back in U.S., to speak on Capitol Hill

By Michelle Boorstein | April 9, 2010; 10:40 AM ET | Comments (2)

Catholic church scandal sensitive for Catholic-Jewish relations

By Michelle Boorstein Good Friday saw a flare-up in the already-sensitive relations between the Catholic Church and the Jewish community, when a high-ranking priest gave a sermon in which he compared current criticism of the church with violent historic persecution...

By Michelle Boorstein | April 6, 2010; 11:43 AM ET | Comments (2)

Only active Latino archbishop named to lead L.A. diocese

Only active Latino archbishop named to lead L.A. diocese.

By Michelle Boorstein | April 6, 2010; 11:28 AM ET | Comments (3)

Religious freedom advocates slam White House

Religious freedom advocates are concerned that the Obama Administration does not consider it a high priority.

By Michelle Boorstein | April 2, 2010; 07:35 AM ET | Comments (0)

First gay Episcopal bishop joining DC think tank

Bishop Gene Robinson wades into public policy issues at Don Podesta's think tank

By William Wan | March 24, 2010; 05:08 PM ET | Comments (1)

Survey reports decline in number of U.S. victims of clergy abuse

Survey reports decline in number of U.S. victims of clergy abuse.

By Michelle Boorstein | March 23, 2010; 11:21 AM ET | Comments (6)

Will Church's response to same-sex marriage in D.C. hurt fund-raising?

By Michelle Boorstein As anyone who works in social services can attest, the demand from the needy has increased in these tough economic times, and access to funding has decreased. Raising money has become even more competitive. It's unclear how...

By Michelle Boorstein | March 22, 2010; 12:03 PM ET | Comments (36)

Clergy sex abuse: How involved should the State be?

By Michelle Boorstein How involved will civil authorities get in the clergy sex abuse scandals unfolding in Europe? Many people argue that the church there, like the church in the United States, has no credibility in being able to thoroughly...

By Michelle Boorstein | March 22, 2010; 09:39 AM ET | Comments (20)

Catholic views on health care reform unchanging but complicated

The average Catholic's opinion on health-care reform hasn't changed in months -- though measuring those opinions aren't that simple.

By Michelle Boorstein | March 19, 2010; 12:04 PM ET | Comments (0)

Faith council officially gives Obama its recommendations

Analysis, behind-the-scene tidbits and reflections from the council's yearlong efforts

By William Wan | March 9, 2010; 02:18 PM ET | Comments (0)

Q&A with World Vision president

The member on Obama's Faith Council with the most to lose in the fight over religious hiring

By William Wan | March 8, 2010; 05:40 PM ET | Comments (0)

Second ex-Catholic Charities officer criticizing health-care cut

Cuts to spouse benefits because of same-sex marriage called bad HR and business move

By William Wan | March 5, 2010; 03:37 PM ET | Comments (6)

People want more religion news coverage (now a statistically proven fact)

New report shows people want more religion and spirituality coverage

By William Wan | March 4, 2010; 05:09 PM ET | Comments (1)

Former Catholic charities officer criticizes health-care cut

Cut to spouse benefits because of same-sex marriage concerns called "wrong" and "devastating"

By William Wan | March 4, 2010; 01:55 PM ET | Comments (4)

Catholic church ends spousal health care benefits due to same-sex marriage law

We're very interested in the impact on Catholic Charities' employees, present and future. If you are one, or know one, we'd love to hear your point of view.

By Michelle Boorstein | March 2, 2010; 11:05 AM ET | Comments (3)

New quarter-million-dollar city contract for D.C. Catholic archdiocese

Time is almost up for the Washington Catholic Archdiocese to figure out how the church will balance the new city measure legalizing same-sex marriage and the church's desire to keep its many social service partnerships with the city while not recognizing such couples as married.

By Michelle Boorstein | February 27, 2010; 06:31 PM ET | Comments (0)

Posts By Category

Archive: God in Government