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Religion

A section for news and explainers on religion news — from the latest goings-on at the Vatican to explainers on Ramadan.

Supreme Court
A Supreme Court case would take a wrecking ball to separation of church and state in schoolsA Supreme Court case would take a wrecking ball to separation of church and state in schools
Supreme Court

The Oklahoma charter school case is one of two April cases seeking to remake schools in the religious right’s image.

By Ian Millhiser
Supreme Court
The Supreme Court threatens to bring “Don’t Say Gay” to every classroom in AmericaThe Supreme Court threatens to bring “Don’t Say Gay” to every classroom in America
Supreme Court

An influential Christian right law firm asks the justices to impose an impossible burden on teachers.

By Ian Millhiser
Today, Explained podcast
The playbook Trump is following to deport protestersThe playbook Trump is following to deport protesters
Podcast
Today, Explained podcast

The authors of Project 2025 are at it again with Project Esther, a plan that’s supposedly about fighting antisemitism.

By Amanda Lewellyn
Supreme Court
The Supreme Court seems poised to give religious employers a big winThe Supreme Court seems poised to give religious employers a big win
Supreme Court

Although there are unanswered questions about how far the Court will go.

By Ian Millhiser
Supreme Court
The Supreme Court’s new religion case could devastate American workersThe Supreme Court’s new religion case could devastate American workers
Supreme Court

Catholic Charities v. Wisconsin risks giving employers a sweeping new power to ignore laws protecting their workers.

By Ian Millhiser
Culture
The controversy over Disney’s new Christian character, briefly explainedThe controversy over Disney’s new Christian character, briefly explained
Culture

Pixar’s Win or Lose and Disney’s shifting stance on diversity.

By Aja Romano
Supreme Court
A new Supreme Court case would force the government to create religious public schools A new Supreme Court case would force the government to create religious public schools 
Supreme Court

The Roberts Court’s slash-and-burn approach to the separation of church and state is unlikely to end any time soon.

By Ian Millhiser
Supreme Court
A new Supreme Court case about religion has a hidden trap for workersA new Supreme Court case about religion has a hidden trap for workers
Supreme Court

Catholic Charities v. Wisconsin has a sympathetic plaintiff, and alarmingly high stakes for workers.

By Ian Millhiser
I left my religion. Should I still raise my kid with it?
Future Perfect

My faith gave me my moral values. I want my child to have those — without all the stuff I don’t believe in.

By Sigal Samuel
Internet Culture
How Minion Jesus died — and then rose — on TikTokHow Minion Jesus died — and then rose — on TikTok
Internet Culture

The winding, weird story that even involves, yes, the battle for the White House.

By Laura Bullard
Culture
Linkin Park is back. Its new frontwoman has ties to Scientology.Linkin Park is back. Its new frontwoman has ties to Scientology.
Culture

Linkin Park fans welcomed new vocalist Emily Armstrong. Then the Scientology allegations surfaced.

By Aja Romano
Iran
Iran’s new president can only change the country so muchIran’s new president can only change the country so much
Iran

Elite clerics still hold ultimate power.

By Ellen Ioanes
Supreme Court
Louisiana wants the Ten Commandments in public schools. Will the Supreme Court let it?Louisiana wants the Ten Commandments in public schools. Will the Supreme Court let it?
The Vox guide to extreme heat
Why this year’s Hajj was so deadlyWhy this year’s Hajj was so deadly
The Vox guide to extreme heat

More than 1,300 people died during the pilgrimage to Muslim’s holiest site — but it’s not just because of heat.

By Ellen Ioanes
Housing
Yes in God’s backyard? This housing solution may be the answer to your prayers.Yes in God’s backyard? This housing solution may be the answer to your prayers.
Housing

Churches, mosques, and temples could change the game on affordable housing.

By Rachel Cohen Booth
Today, Explained newsletter
What the Methodist split tells us about AmericaWhat the Methodist split tells us about America
Today, Explained newsletter

A separation of church and church.

By Laura Bullard
The Gray Area
UFOs, God, and the edge of understandingUFOs, God, and the edge of understanding
Podcast
The Gray Area

The spiritual possibilities of alien encounters.

By Sean Illing
Religion
The Vatican’s new statement on trans rights undercuts its attempts at inclusionThe Vatican’s new statement on trans rights undercuts its attempts at inclusion
Religion

As one expert put it, “This is the Newsmax version of Catholic theology.”

By Li Zhou
Policy
Trump may sound moderate on abortion. The groups setting his agenda definitely aren’t.Trump may sound moderate on abortion. The groups setting his agenda definitely aren’t.
Policy

These radical social conservatives could define Trump’s second term.

By Anna North
The Gray Area
The chaplain who doesn’t believe in GodThe chaplain who doesn’t believe in God
Podcast
The Gray Area

A spiritual atheist’s journey to helping death row inmates.

By Sean Illing
9 questions about Ramadan you were too embarrassed to ask
Explainers

The most basic answers to the most basic questions about the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

By Jennifer Williams
Culture
From Amityville to Annabelle, the Warrens on film are a lieFrom Amityville to Annabelle, the Warrens on film are a lie
Culture

The onscreen version of exorcists Ed and Lorraine Warren is a far cry from their real-life counterparts.

By Aja Romano
Everything you need to know about Israel-Palestine
A timeline of Israel and Palestine’s complicated historyA timeline of Israel and Palestine’s complicated history
Everything you need to know about Israel-Palestine

To understand the Israel-Hamas war, you have to understand how we got here.

By Nicole Narea
Culture
The new Exorcist movie proves how much the world has changed since 1973The new Exorcist movie proves how much the world has changed since 1973
Culture

The Exorcist: Believer shows how American religion and Hollywood movies have shifted.

By Alissa Wilkinson
Culture
Two young missionaries made headlines. Two new docs look at why.Two young missionaries made headlines. Two new docs look at why.
Culture

Savior Complex, The Mission, and the culture behind toxic missionary work.

By Alissa Wilkinson
Silicon Valley’s vision for AI? It’s religion, repackaged.
The rise of artificial intelligence, explained

It’s no accident — the intertwining of religion and technology is centuries old.

By Sigal Samuel
Supreme Court
The Supreme Court is taking a wrecking ball to the wall between church and stateThe Supreme Court is taking a wrecking ball to the wall between church and state
Supreme Court

The Court’s Republican majority has ground the Constitution’s establishment clause down to a nub.

By Ian Millhiser
Culture
The Chosen, the Christian megahit about Jesus, explainedThe Chosen, the Christian megahit about Jesus, explained
Culture

The Chosen’s Christian nepo baby rootsand other ways the hit drama might surprise you.

By Aja Romano
Supreme Court
The importance of staying angry at the Supreme CourtThe importance of staying angry at the Supreme Court
Supreme Court

The way to beat a partisan Supreme Court is to hold a grudge against it for a really long time.

By Ian Millhiser
Supreme Court
Neil Gorsuch has a problem with telling the truthNeil Gorsuch has a problem with telling the truth
Supreme Court

Gorsuch hands a victory to the Christian right by making false claims about an important First Amendment case.

By Ian Millhiser
Future Perfect
Why every generation thinks people were nicer in the pastWhy every generation thinks people were nicer in the past
Future Perfect

Reports that we’re becoming crappier humans over time are greatly exaggerated.

By Sigal Samuel
Culture
Shiny Happy People is a great reminder of why cult documentaries should existShiny Happy People is a great reminder of why cult documentaries should exist
Culture

The Duggars, Bill Gothard, and me.

By Alissa Wilkinson
Religion
Nearly 2,000 children were sexually abused in the Illinois Catholic ChurchNearly 2,000 children were sexually abused in the Illinois Catholic Church
Religion

A new report identifies nearly 500 clergy members in Illinois who sexually abused children.

By Nicole Narea
Politics
The Supreme Court is unlikely to put the Christian Right in charge of your workplace — at least not yetThe Supreme Court is unlikely to put the Christian Right in charge of your workplace — at least not yet
Politics

The justices appeared uncharacteristically cautious in a high-stakes case about religion in the workplace.

By Ian Millhiser
Politics
The Supreme Court takes up a messy, chaotic case about religion in the workplaceThe Supreme Court takes up a messy, chaotic case about religion in the workplace
Politics

Groff v. DeJoy could give religious conservatives unprecedented power to make demands from their employers.

By Ian Millhiser
Religion
Another child sex abuse crisis rocks the Catholic ChurchAnother child sex abuse crisis rocks the Catholic Church
Religion

A new report identifies more than 150 clergy members in Maryland who abused at least 600 victims over six decades.

By Nicole Narea
Culture
The Waco tragedy, explainedThe Waco tragedy, explained
Culture

Nearly 30 years later, the siege of David Koresh’s Branch Davidians challenges our definition of “cult.”

By Tara Isabella Burton
Politics
A new Supreme Court case could turn every workplace into a religious battlegroundA new Supreme Court case could turn every workplace into a religious battleground
Politics

The fight over whether religious conservatives enjoy special rights is coming to a workplace near you.

By Ian Millhiser
Politics
The big stakes in the Supreme Court’s new LGBTQ rights caseThe big stakes in the Supreme Court’s new LGBTQ rights case
Politics

What is art? The Christian right wants that question to be decided by the Supreme Court in 303 Creative v. Elenis.

By Ian Millhiser
Religion
Kanye West and the end of “wink-nudge” antisemitismKanye West and the end of “wink-nudge” antisemitism
Religion

What Kanye West really told us.

By Zack Beauchamp