Religion
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
Instant Opinion: BLM is ‘threat to racial progress’

Instant Opinion: BLM is ‘threat to racial progress’
Your guide to the best columns and commentary on Thursday 13 August
13 Aug 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
Instant Opinion: I am working on the ‘coronavirus frontline’

Instant Opinion: I am working on the ‘coronavirus frontline’
Your guide to the best columns and commentary on Friday 27 March
27 Mar 2020
South Korea cult chief faces homicide probe over coronavirus

South Korea cult chief faces homicide probe over coronavirus
More than half of nation's infections involve members of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus.
2 Mar 2020
Hadaka Matsuri: inside Japan’s naked festival

Hadaka Matsuri: inside Japan’s naked festival
Little has changed in 500 years - except the addition of hand sanitiser because of coronavirus
17 Feb 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

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Which countries do not celebrate Christmas?

Which countries do not celebrate Christmas?
The festive season passes unmarked in fewer than 20 of the world’s nations
9 Dec 2019
Why we celebrate Guy Fawkes Night

Why we celebrate Guy Fawkes Night
What happened in the Gunpowder Plot of 1605 and why we ritualise an attempted act of terrorism
5 Nov 2019
Instant Opinion: Netanyahu suffers ‘disaster’ at the polls

Instant Opinion: Netanyahu suffers ‘disaster’ at the polls
Your guide to the best columns and commentary on Wednesday 18 September
18 Sep 2019
Is the Arab world really becoming less religious?

Is the Arab world really becoming less religious?
Biggest regional survey ever shows the number of people who claim no faith has risen by 5% in five years
24 Jun 2019
Why was The Satanic Verses so controversial?

Why was The Satanic Verses so controversial?
New documentary sheds light on contentious novel and its continuing impact today
28 Feb 2019
Asia Bibi: how blasphemy case divided Pakistan

Asia Bibi: how blasphemy case divided Pakistan
Christian farm worker acquitted after eight years on death row for allegedly insulting Islam
31 Oct 2018
What are the blasphemy laws around the world?

What are the blasphemy laws around the world?
As Ireland votes on whether to remove blasphemy from the constitution, The Week looks at where it is still an offence
25 Oct 2018
Christianity faces biggest schism in a millennium

Christianity faces biggest schism in a millennium
Ukraine granted own independent Orthodox Church despite threats from Moscow
12 Oct 2018
Is Religious Education on its way out?

Is Religious Education on its way out?
New report suggests replacing RE classes with ‘Religion and Worldviews’
10 Sep 2018
Church rejects calls to force priests to report child abuse

Church rejects calls to force priests to report child abuse
Australian Catholic Church says the seal of the confessional must never be broken
31 Aug 2018
Pope Francis set for hostile reception in Ireland 

Pope Francis set for hostile reception in Ireland
Pontiff to touch down in radically changed Catholic country amid sexual abuse ‘perfect storm’
24 Aug 2018
Is Pastafarianism a real religion?

Is Pastafarianism a real religion?
Dutch court rules followers cannot wear colander on her head for official photos
17 Aug 2018
Christian extremists ‘let their baby starve to death’

Christian extremists ‘let their baby starve to death’
Infant’s father claimed medicine was a ‘cult’ and ‘God is sovereign over disease’
8 Aug 2018
Buddhist monk regrets swearing at reviewers online

Buddhist monk regrets swearing at reviewers online
Daniel Kimura, who works at Sekishoin Shukubo monastery in Japan, called one former guest an ‘uneducated f***’
27 Jul 2018
What are atheist churches?

What are atheist churches?
Number of godless congregations growing across the Western world
21 May 2018
Indian guru Asaram Bapu sentenced to life for rape

Indian guru Asaram Bapu sentenced to life for rape
Police on high alert amid fear of violence from spiritual leader’s supporters
25 Apr 2018
What is Maundy Thursday and how is it celebrated?

What is Maundy Thursday and how is it celebrated?
Diverse traditions are observed around the world to mark Easter milestone, and even the Queen gets involved
29 Mar 2018
‘America’s pastor’ Billy Graham dies aged 99

‘America’s pastor’ Billy Graham dies aged 99
Evangelical preacher brought Christianity to millions through his ‘crusades’
21 Feb 2018
Iceland plan to outlaw circumcision sparks outcry worldwide

Iceland plan to outlaw circumcision sparks outcry worldwide
Parliament considering ban on procedure for anything other than medical reasons
20 Feb 2018
Pope Francis wants change to Lord’s Prayer

Pope Francis wants change to Lord’s Prayer
Pontiff says current version is a mistranslation as God does not lead humans to sin
8 Dec 2017
Let boys wear tutus and tiaras, says Church of England

Let boys wear tutus and tiaras, says Church of England
New guidance for CofE schools says play is ‘sacred space’ for imagination
13 Nov 2017
Majority of British people say they have no religion

Majority of British people say they have no religion
News prompts fresh calls for Government to cut amount of public money going to the church
5 Sep 2017
Safety campaign dropped after showing young girl in hijab

Safety campaign dropped after showing young girl in hijab
Transport for London was accused of 'sexualising' children with a headscarf traditionally worn only after puberty
15 Aug 2017
Chinese Christians face new crackdown

Chinese Christians face new crackdown
Communist Party's 85 million members warned to drop beliefs or face punishment
20 Jul 2017
Madeleine Albright and Mayim Bialik fight Trump's Muslim ban

Madeleine Albright and Mayim Bialik fight Trump's Muslim ban
Former secretary of state tweets message of solidarity as President considers four-month halt on refugees entering US
27 Jan 2017
Belief in God plunges after torrid year

Belief in God plunges after torrid year
Atheism surges as Brits stop saving a prayer for a higher power
23 Dec 2016