As a college student in the 1950s, Dan Wakefield was too smart and sophisticated to believe in God. Growing up in Indianapolis, he'd gone to a Presbyterian church and pretty...
It's been a tough millennium for Christian togetherness. The Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox schism occurred in 1054, and five centuries later came the Reformation. Today, the number of denominations...
Consider evangelicals. In a word-association test, many may respond with "politics." Or "Christian Coalition." As news junkies know, Pat Robertson began the Christian Coalition, Ralph Reed heads it, and its...
The phone woke them in their Chicago home at 4 a.m. Pat Crowley answered, while Patty, lying next to him, listened to his end of the conversation. It was July...
Some journalists don't take criticism well. Not your humble religion writer. I welcome calls and letters from readers who take the time to point out my mistakes and shortcomings. To...
An intermittent drizzle almost certainly diminished turnout at outdoor events in the Chicago area, but hundreds nevertheless gathered at more than 40 suburban town squares, churches, parks and the Federal...
We've learned in recent weeks that the destruction of the Branch Davidian compound in Waco, Texas, has become a symbol of tyranny for some Americans who see the federal government...
The Oklahoma City tragedy raises the Big Question for the monotheistic religions: If God is totally powerful and perfectly good, why do the innocent and the righteous suffer? Why do...
If you know your religion, you know about the Great Schism, maybe even the year. If not, take a guess: 325? 1054? 1415? It's the middle one. (325 was the...
Extra eggs from our Easter basket and matzos from our Passover seder-beginning with a scene recorded by this reporter during a recent trip to Israel: The summit of the Mount...