N.M. apocalyptic sect leader released on bond
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) -- Authorities say the leader of an apocalyptic sect in northeastern New Mexico has been released from jail after his son posted his bond....
Pastors encouraged to violate IRS ban on partisan politics
NEW YORK (AP) -- Conservative legal advocates are recruiting pastors nationwide to defy an IRS ban on preaching about politicians, in a challenge they hope will abolish the restriction....
Religion news in brief
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Nearly two-dozen conservative Christian leaders have signed a letter to the Senate Finance Committee questioning an investigation into six large ministries that preach a gospel of prosperity....
China lauds Chinese orchestra performance at Vatican
BEIJING (AP) -- China said Thursday that a landmark performance by the China Philharmonic Orchestra at the Vatican will help improve understanding between the two sides....
Islamic court says Muslim convert can return to Buddhism
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) -- A Malaysian Islamic court allowed a Muslim convert Thursday to return to her original faith of Buddhism, setting a precedent that could ease religious minorities' worries about their legal rights....
Chinese orchestra performs for Pope Benedict at Vatican
VATICAN CITY (AP) -- The China Philharmonic Orchestra performed for Pope Benedict XVI in a landmark concert Wednesday that could indicate warming relations between Beijing and the Vatican....
Kuwaiti envoy's son charged in Poland
WARSAW, Poland (AP) -- Polish authorities charged the Kuwaiti ambassador's son with briefly abducting three Jewish teenagers at a hotel and claiming he had a bomb, police said Tuesday....
First Israeli-funded non-Orthodox synagogue dedicated
MODIIN, ISRAEL (AP) -- Israel's Reform Jews have dedicated the first non-Orthodox synagogue to receive state funding, after a long court battle that highlighted the rift among the country's different streams of Judaism....
Chinese orchestra to play for Pope, suggesting warmer ties
BEIJING (AP) -- The China Philharmonic Orchestra plans to perform this week for Pope Benedict XVI, state media reported Monday, the latest indication that the often-strained ties between Beijing and the Vatican are improving....
