Skip to main content

Religion

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

Politics
The Supreme Court fight over whether gay and trans people can be “cured,” explainedThe Supreme Court fight over whether gay and trans people can be “cured,” explained
Politics

A new Supreme Court case could make therapists immune from regulation.

By Ian Millhiser
Politics
MAGA’s first martyrMAGA’s first martyr
Politics

The killing of Charlie Kirk could turn the movement into a faith that outlives Donald Trump.

By Katherine Kelaidis
Obsessing about being a good person can backfire. There’s a better way.
Future Perfect

The paradox of moral perfectionism — and how to escape it.

By Sigal Samuel
Future Perfect
This is what happens when ChatGPT tries to write scriptureThis is what happens when ChatGPT tries to write scripture
Future Perfect

AI wrote a sacred text for Buddhists — and it exceeded expectations. Can it write a good Bible?

By Sigal Samuel
Culture
How Christianity conquered the Hot 100How Christianity conquered the Hot 100
Culture

From Alex Warren to Jelly Roll, a new wave of faith-adjacent pop is finding God in laundromats and dive bars.

By Aja Romano
Future Perfect
The spiritual life calls out to me. But is it self-indulgent?The spiritual life calls out to me. But is it self-indulgent?
Future Perfect

When the world is on fire, meditation feels selfish. But it can help you do good better.

By Sigal Samuel
Supreme Court
What the Supreme Court did to America while all eyes were on TrumpWhat the Supreme Court did to America while all eyes were on Trump
Supreme Court

Trying to keep track of all the chaos is overwhelming. So here’s a one-stop guide to the turmoil this Court caused.

By Ian Millhiser
Politics
Donald Trump is building a strange, new religious movementDonald Trump is building a strange, new religious movement
Politics

The old “religious right” is gone. The new one is weirder — and harder to fight.

By Katherine Kelaidis
Explain It to Me
Why is Gen Z getting more religious? We asked them.Why is Gen Z getting more religious? We asked them.
Podcast
Explain It to Me

Gen Z is reversing a major trend in religion.

By Jonquilyn Hill
Supreme Court
The Supreme Court’s blessedly narrow decision about religion in the workplace, explainedThe Supreme Court’s blessedly narrow decision about religion in the workplace, explained
Supreme Court

Catholic Charities v. Wisconsin could have disrupted workplaces, but it’s probably too narrow to matter to many workers.

By Ian Millhiser
Future Perfect
Why Pope Leo has so much to say about AI, briefly explainedWhy Pope Leo has so much to say about AI, briefly explained
Future Perfect

Pope Leo’s unusual crusade should be a model for every religion.

By Sigal Samuel
Supreme Court
The religious right just suffered a rare setback in the Supreme CourtThe religious right just suffered a rare setback in the Supreme Court
Supreme Court

One of the GOP justices must have defected in a case about religious schools, but the Court didn’t reveal who it was.

By Ian Millhiser
Culture
Christian nationalists decided empathy is a sin. Now it’s gone mainstream. Christian nationalists decided empathy is a sin. Now it’s gone mainstream. 
Culture

What wouldn’t Jesus do?

By Aja Romano
Religion
The surprising chasm splitting young Americans along political linesThe surprising chasm splitting young Americans along political lines
Religion

Gen Z men are becoming more religious. The women, not so much.

By Christian Paz
Today, Explained podcast
What Pope Leo XIV’s history can tell us about his papacyWhat Pope Leo XIV’s history can tell us about his papacy
Podcast
Today, Explained podcast

His views on immigration may point to an early clash with the Trump administration.

By Amanda Lewellyn and Noel King
Today, Explained newsletter
What challenges are in store for Pope Leo XIV?What challenges are in store for Pope Leo XIV?
Today, Explained newsletter

Who is the new pope? What will the new pope do? And other questions, answered.

By Sean Collins
Religion
The first American pope is notable for reasons you might not expectThe first American pope is notable for reasons you might not expect
Religion

Robert Prevost — now Pope Leo XIV — is not your typical boomer Chicago Catholic.

By Katherine Kelaidis
Religion
Is the new pope liberal or conservative? Neither.Is the new pope liberal or conservative? Neither.
Religion

American politics has poisoned how we think about the pope.

By Christian Paz
Supreme Court
The religious right is headed toward a revolutionary victory in the Supreme CourtThe religious right is headed toward a revolutionary victory in the Supreme Court
Supreme Court

The Court’s Christian right makeover of the Constitution enters its endgame.

By Ian Millhiser
Culture
What happens when a Christian relationship expert’s marriage falls apart?What happens when a Christian relationship expert’s marriage falls apart?
Culture

Advice author Lysa TerKeurst has a devoted audience, a dozen bestselling books — and she’s divorced.

By Aja Romano
Religion
Gen Z is finding religion. Why?Gen Z is finding religion. Why?
Religion

3 theories for Gen Z’s return to God and faith.

By Christian Paz
Politics
The hidden religious divide erupting into politicsThe hidden religious divide erupting into politics
Politics

The “cradle” vs. “convert” fight comes to Washington.

By Katherine Kelaidis
Religion
Pope Francis is dead. The Church must now confront an uncomfortable truth.Pope Francis is dead. The Church must now confront an uncomfortable truth.
Religion

The political balancing act at the heart of the new conclave.

By Katherine Kelaidis
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