Topic: Religion

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Top 5 ways to save on your summer vacation

If you're pining for a summer vacation but worried about costs, consider how Wayne and Pat Dunlap of Del Mar, Calif., managed to tour 51 countries over two years, marvel at the Egyptian pyramids, scale a New Zealand glacier, and visit Laotian Buddhist monks all for less than $100 a day. "We often stayed at guesthouses and hostels, ate at local family restaurants, took public transportation, and in some cases, traveled on cruise ships offering reduced rates," says Mr. Dunlap, author of the travel book "Plan Your Escape." This year amid price worries and higher summer airfares, especially to Europe such ingenuity could prove essential. Here are five cost-cutting strategies that can help:
Battle for women's votes: 6 flash points

The uproar over the Obama campaign’s 'Life of Julia' Web infographic – which made #Julia big on Twitter – highlights just how fiercely both parties are fighting for the women’s vote. The economy is by far the most important issue in November for both sexes. But there are other areas with special significance to women. Here are the main flash points.
6 famous dissidents in China

The surprising escape of a blind legal activist from house arrest is buoying China's embattled dissident community, even as the government cracks down on those who helped him.
10 best self-help books of all time

From Benjamin Franklin to Norman Vincent Pearle to Stephen Covey, here are 10 of the best self-help books ever written.
Mitt Romney's five biggest liabilities as GOP nominee

Typically, an election with an incumbent president on the ballot is a referendum on him. But President Obama is trying to turn the tables. So what exactly does Mitt Romney bring to the table, in both positive and negative ways? Here are the liabilities:

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Progress Watch
Saudi girls find freedom in cleats

A high-energy evening soccer game between two girls' teams is part of a growing female sports movement in conservative Saudi Arabia.
With 'God on their side,' Romney and Republicans may very well prevail

Mitt Romney's Texas primary win secured him the Republican nomination. Now the GOP wants the support of every major US religion. Mormons, Jews, and Catholics identify with the party in increasing numbers. That helps Republicans erode the Democratic base.
Everything OK in the end?

A Christian Science perspective.
Etan Patz case: Will self-admitted killer's prayer group confession hold up?

If charges are brought against Pedro Hernandez for the killing of Etan Patz, the case could turn on whether confession made to a prayer group is confidential like that made to a priest.
Egypt elections: a test of hard-won civic values

The final round of Egypt's presidential elections has two candidates who must appeal more broadly to Egyptian demands for equality and freedom. Both candidates need to compromise with pro-democracy groups.
Egyptian voters will choose from polar opposites in presidential runoff

Egyptian officials announced today that Mohamed Morsi, the Muslim Brotherhood candidate, and Ahmed Shafiq, Mubarak's last prime minister, will face each other in a June runoff.
Likely Egypt election runoff: Muslim Brother vs. Mubarak man (+video)

According to initial returns from Egypt's presidential election, Mohamed Morsi of the Muslim Brotherhood and Ahmed Shafiq, Mubarak's prime minister, are likely to face off in next month's runoff.
Egypt's Elections: Muslim Brotherhood claims exit-poll lead

While only a small number of ballots have been counted, Brotherhood leaders have said that there candidate is sure to advance to a run-off round.
Israel, land of Jewish refugees, riled by influx of Africans

Violent riots broke out in Tel Aviv last night as a growing tide of African migrants strains Israel's ideal as a land for refugees.
Modern Parenthood
Mom, I'm an atheist: A son's decision troubles religious parents

Mom, I'm an atheist: A son's decision troubles his religious parents. Our guest blogger gives advice to such parents who might be upset that their child is starting to question the God he was raised with.
A response to tyranny and isolation in North Korea

A Christian Science perspective.
Egypt votes with hope and fear

Egyptians took the the polls today in the first competitive presidential election in a lifetime, brought on by last year's populist uprising.
Obama and the contraception mandate

The Obama administration plans to exempt only certain types of religious institutions from the health-care law's mandate for coverage of birth control. But in doing so, it redefines religion, which not only steps on a basic liberty but a basic understanding of religion's role in society.
Modern Parenthood
Raised with rabbis: One family's journey to share their faith

At Modern Parenthood we've been interested in how parents share their faith, or lack thereof, with their children. Our guest blogger shares how her family's relationship with religion has evolved.
In historic election, Egyptians cast votes for stability, Islam (+video)

Nearly a year and a half after the revolution that ousted former president Hosni Mubarak, Egyptians are getting to choose their president for the first time.
Love fills this space

A Christian Science perspective: Fresh insights on safety and freedom from fear while traveling on the London underground a week after the terrorist attacks there in 2005.
Egypt elections: Sharia can support democracy

In Egypt elections for president today, the role of Islam in government is a big question. But a freedom-based interpretation of sharia can support democracy in the Arab world. Such a form of sharia in the early stages of the Iran Revolution set a precedent – before it was snuffed out.
On the Eve

The focus in this book about the approach of the Holocaust is not Adolf Hitler and the Nazis but the European Jews themselves.
Health-care mandate: Catholic leaders sue over birth control

Health-care plan provision for employer-paid birth control riles Catholic schools, dioceses, and health-care providers. Negotiations with White House 'not encouraging.'
Toward peaceful sleep

A Christian Science perspective.
Catholic groups take fight against Obama birth-control rules to court

Some 43 Catholic groups including Notre Dame are attempting to block rules in the new health-care law that require health insurance to provide access to birth-control services.
Chapter & Verse
Elaine Pagels discusses the Apocalypse

Elaine Pagels, author of 'Revelations: Visions, Prophecy, and Politics in the Book of Revelation,' talks about the enduring vision of the Book of Revelation.
Terrorism & Security
Netanyahu: Iran won't take nuclear talks seriously

Speaking in Prague, Israel's prime minister compared Iran's nuclear drive to that of North Korea, and said he has seen no evidence of Iran taking upcoming talks seriously.
Candidate Aboul Fotouh highlights diversity of Egypt's Islamists

Abdel Moneim Aboul Fotouh has emerged as a top candidate in next week's Egyptian presidential elections.
German universities move to train next generation of imams

Concerned about the influence of foreign imams on Germany's Muslim community, the government is funding Islamic theology departments in its public universities to train imams at home.