Religion
2020 Quiz of the Year

2020 Quiz of the Year
Have you been paying attention to the year’s biggest events?
26 Dec 2020
What are the 12 days of Christmas and what do they mean?

What are the 12 days of Christmas and what do they mean?
The song has become a Christmas classic - but here is what the days actually represent
15 Dec 2020
France launches raids in crackdown on ‘political Islam’

France launches raids in crackdown on ‘political Islam’
Interior minister says inspections are part of ‘massive action against separatism’
4 Dec 2020
Explained: Macron’s dispute with Pakistan over school IDs

Explained: Macron’s dispute with Pakistan over school IDs
France demands apology for ‘blatant lies’ following Pakistani minister’s ‘Nazi’ allegations
23 Nov 2020
The Week Unwrapped: Viral faith and mythical prejudice

The Week Unwrapped: Viral faith and mythical prejudice
Is religion helping to spread the pandemic? Why are Armenia and Azerbaijan fighting? And are legends and fairytales inevitably non-PC?
13 Nov 2020
Why everybody’s talking about Macron and the Muslim world

Why everybody’s talking about Macron and the Muslim world
Protests break out across the Middle East over French president’s ‘crackdown’ on Islam
28 Oct 2020
French rally in support of free speech after teacher murder

French rally in support of free speech after teacher murder
Thousands attend marches to honour Samuel Paty following killing on Friday
19 Oct 2020

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Peerage for first black Archbishop ‘imminent’ following snub

Peerage for first black Archbishop ‘imminent’ following snub
John Sentamu’s absence from honours list triggered accusations of ‘institutional prejudice’
19 Oct 2020
Instant Opinion: ‘nothing sticks’ to Trump’ - until now

Instant Opinion: ‘nothing sticks’ to Trump’ - until now
Your guide to the best columns and commentary on Friday 11 September
11 Sep 2020
Stressed zoo elephants to be given cannabis in new trial

Stressed zoo elephants to be given cannabis in new trial
And other stories from the stranger side of life
27 Aug 2020
Why everybody’s talking about the 48-hour Twitter boycott

Why everybody’s talking about the 48-hour Twitter boycott
Social media users stage 48-hour ‘walkout’ in protest against platform’s response to anti-Jewish tirade
29 Jul 2020
What is breast ironing and how common is it in the UK?

What is breast ironing and how common is it in the UK?
School says sorry for asking children as young as 11 to research the harmful practice
15 Jun 2020
52 ideas that changed the world - 51. Islam

52 ideas that changed the world - 51. Islam
Followers of the religion make up a quarter of the global population
12 Jun 2020
Instant Opinion: Cummings ‘makes the public feel like fools’

Instant Opinion: Cummings ‘makes the public feel like fools’
Your guide to the best columns and commentary on Tuesday 26 May
26 May 2020
Ukrainian police demand names and addresses of city’s Jews

Ukrainian police demand names and addresses of city’s Jews
Jewish leader says last such demand was ‘during the German occupation’
12 May 2020
What is St George’s Day?

What is St George’s Day?
Celebrations for England’s legendary dragon slayer are normally a subdued affair
23 Apr 2020
When does Ramadan start in 2020?

When does Ramadan start in 2020?
The holiest month in the Islamic calendar sees Muslims undertake a 30-day fast
20 Apr 2020
Oxford professor arrested for theft of ancient Bible shards

Oxford professor arrested for theft of ancient Bible shards
Academic has described the allegations as a ‘malicious attempt’ to harm his career
17 Apr 2020
Easter 2020: why do we celebrate with eggs and bunnies?

Easter 2020: why do we celebrate with eggs and bunnies?
A look at some of the weird and wonderful Easter traditions past and present
9 Apr 2020
Cardinal George Pell walks free after convictions overturned

Cardinal George Pell walks free after convictions overturned
Former Vatican treasurer was serving a six-year sentence for child sex abuse
7 Apr 2020
When is Passover 2020 and how will it be celebrated?

When is Passover 2020 and how will it be celebrated?
This year’s Jewish holiday looks set to be unique, with millions of people under lockdown measures
7 Apr 2020
What is the Hajj and will it be cancelled?

What is the Hajj and will it be cancelled?
Two million people expected to take part in annual Islamic pilgrimage
1 Apr 2020
Israel’s ultra-Orthodox ‘ignoring coronavirus measures’

Israel’s ultra-Orthodox ‘ignoring coronavirus measures’
Government considers quarantining devout neighbourhoods as infection rate soars
1 Apr 2020
Instant Opinion: ‘The worst thing about having coronavirus’

Instant Opinion: ‘The worst thing about having coronavirus’
Your guide to the best columns and commentary on Thursday 19 March
19 Mar 2020
Purim 2020: what is the Jewish holiday?

Purim 2020: what is the Jewish holiday?
Joyous, boozy festival has been dubbed the ‘Jewish Mardi Gras’
9 Mar 2020
The meaning of Lent - and ten popular things to give up

The meaning of Lent - and ten popular things to give up
From coffee to complaining, Lent offers a unique opportunity to give up our vices
24 Feb 2020
Pope Francis steps back from allowing married priests

Pope Francis steps back from allowing married priests
Progressives hoped the pontiff would make an exception to the 1,000-year-old tradition in the Amazon region
13 Feb 2020
Archbishop labels Church ‘institutionally racist’

Archbishop labels Church ‘institutionally racist’
Justin Welby says he is “ashamed of our history and our failure”
12 Feb 2020
Former Jehovah’s Witnesses sue over historic sex abuse

Former Jehovah’s Witnesses sue over historic sex abuse
Group’s controversial ‘two witnesses’ policy has come under fire
5 Feb 2020
Instant Opinion: Isis is ‘very happy’ amid chaos in Iraq

Instant Opinion: Isis is ‘very happy’ amid chaos in Iraq
Your guide to the best columns and commentary on Tuesday 14 January
14 Jan 2020
Retired Pope Benedict warns against relaxing celibacy rules

Retired Pope Benedict warns against relaxing celibacy rules
Benedict says he ‘cannot keep silent’ on the issue in new book
14 Jan 2020
Why Italians have less sex when the Pope’s in town

Why Italians have less sex when the Pope’s in town
New study reveals drop in unintended pregnancies following papal visits
7 Jan 2020
Instant Opinion: this year’s Golden Globes ‘missed the mark’

Instant Opinion: this year’s Golden Globes ‘missed the mark’
Your guide to the best columns and commentary on Tuesday 7 January
7 Jan 2020
What is Hanukkah? The story behind the Jewish holiday

What is Hanukkah? The story behind the Jewish holiday
One of the most important festivals in the Jewish calendar began on Sunday
23 Dec 2019