Religion Coverage

'Passover is significant': Hundreds gather for seder dinner in Carrboro as FBI warns of uptick in violence against Jewish people

As Jewish people started celebrating Passover on Monday, Jewish people around the country are on edge after the FBI reported an increase in threats against Muslim and Jewish Americans.

Aaron Thomas, WRAL reporter

Triangle Jewish community celebrates Passover as FBI takes precautions

Passover, which commemorates the Jewish people's escape from slavery in ancient Egypt, begins Monday.

WRAL staff

Nutritionist-approved tips for a healthy Ramadan fasting

(CNN) -- Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, during which observant Muslims observe a strict fast from dawn until sunset. Maintaining a balanced diet during this holy month is necessary in order to keep the body energized for prayer and other practices throughout the day.

By Jocelyn Solis-Moreira, CNN

Go Ask Dad: Apocalypse cicada

The essential religious truths are universal. Share what you have. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Raise your hand to go to the bathroom.

Andrew Taylor-Troutman, WRAL contributor

A Pop Star Filmed a Music Video in a Church. The Priest Was Punished.

NEW YORK -- On Halloween, pop star Sabrina Carpenter uploaded a music video to YouTube for her new song "Feather." That was a Tuesday. By the end of the week, a Catholic priest had been stripped of his administrative duties because of it.

Stefano Montali, New York Times

Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the year in Judaism. Here's what that means

Yom Kippur, or the Day of Atonement, is considered the holiest day of the year for people who practice Judaism.

Sofia Barrett, CNN

Religious Freedom Arguments Underpin Wave of Challenges to Abortion Bans

For years, conservative Christians have used the principle of religious freedom to prevail in legal battles on issues like contraceptive insurance mandates and pandemic restrictions. Now abortion rights supporters are employing that argument to challenge one of the right’s most prized accomplishments: state bans on abortion.

Pam Belluck, New York Times

Look inside Cary's Sri Venkateswara temple

A growing number of Hindu faithful now call the town of Cary home as well as their center of worship.

Renee Chou, WRAL anchor/reporter

Votes are 'act of service to the Lord,' says lawmaker who wants 'In God We Trust' in NC legislature

Republican state Rep. Ben Moss says his bill, which seeks to display the words "In God We Trust" in the legislative chambers, would remind lawmakers that votes are "an act of service to the Lord our God and to help advance His Kingdom in our elected capacity."

Paul Specht, WRAL state politics reporter

Muslim community presses Shaw U. to reopen mosque on campus so they can worship

A local Muslim congregation says they've been locked out of their mosque by Shaw University, and they want to know why.

Laura Leslie, WRAL capital bureau chief

More than 100 students baptized without permission at Christian school

A baptism is normally a family affair - but parents of more than 100 students at a Fayetteville Christian school say the event happened at school without them or their permission.

Gilbert Baez, WRAL Fayetteville reporter

SC daycare worker denies abusing children at church, despite video evidence from investigators

A South Carolina woman denies that she abused any children at her church's daycare center, despite video evidence from police that suggests otherwise.

Southern Baptist Convention says it faces FBI investigation for sexual abuse

The leadership of the Southern Baptist Convention, the country's largest Protestant denomination, said Friday that the church was under investigation by the Justice Department for sexual abuse and that it would "fully and completely cooperate."

Thomas Fuller, New York Times

NC church youth volunteer charged with multiple sex crimes after 2 victims come forward 10 years later

A former volunteer church youth worker was arrested Tuesday at the Wilmington International Airport and charged with a sex crime involving a minor.

WECT News

Fact check: Boebert says 'the church is supposed to direct the government'

In an impassioned address to worshippers at a Colorado church, Republican U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert said: "The church is supposed to direct the government. The government is not supposed to direct the church." PolitiFact checks her claim about the founders.

Jeff Cercone, PolitiFact reporter

For Conservative Christians, the End of Roe Was a Spiritual Victory

For nearly 50 years, conservative Christians marched, strategized and prayed. And then, on an ordinary Friday morning in June, the day they had dreamed of finally came.

Elizabeth Dias, New York Times

Methodist leaders to meet with Durham neighbors after opposition to new church

A Durham church that refuses to perform same-sex marriages will be the topic of a conversation between leaders of the United Methodist Church Tuesday night.

SBC promises support to survivors of sexual abuse

Katie Trout, a survivor church sex abuse and advocate for other survivors, said survivors demand and deserve action to come from the investigation.

Top Southern Baptists plan to release secret list of abusers

Top administrative leaders for the Southern Baptist Convention, the largest Protestant denomination in America, said Tuesday that they will release a secret list of hundreds of pastors and other church-affiliated personnel accused of sexual abuse.

By DEEPA BHARATH, Associated Press & MATT TALHELM, WRAL reporter

NC Baptists meet following sexual abuse report

North Carolina Baptists are taking action in response to a new report that reveals national church leaders ignored and even intimidated survivors of sexual abuse.

'It's a shame': NC Baptists take action in response to sexual abuse report

North Carolina Baptists are taking action in response to a new report that reveals national church leaders ignored and even intimidated survivors of sexual abuse. The independent investigation uncovered a secret list of more than 700 alleged abusers.

Matt Talhelm, WRAL reporter

A journalist's journey: David Crabtree reflects on lessons, lives of great leaders

Over a long career at WRAL, David Crabtree has interviewed and covered great leaders, from Nelson Mandela to Pope John Paul II to Mother Teresa.

Faith shapes us all in different ways

I covered everything from a truck stop Bible study in Clayton, to a preacher who shined shoes at Raleigh-Durham International Airport, to a Sunday school class for mentally challenged adults, to a communion service on death row.

David Crabtree, WRAL anchor/reporter

Crowd for Eid-al-Fitr celebration reflects diversity of Triangle's Muslim community

Thousands of Triangle-area Muslims gather for prayer and celebration for Eid-al-Fitr at the Exposition Center at the North Carolina Fairgrounds.

Churches gather in-person for Easter celebrations

There was a full room at World Overcomers Christian church on Easter Sunday. Something Pastor Andy Thompson said he hasn't seen in two years.