Latest from On Faith
Pope Francis saw Jesus
Those of us who saw compassion on display in St. Peter’s Square were not mistaken. But I do believe that the pope saw more than we might initially realize or understand.
Pub theology: Beer and burgers and a side of the Bible
Satisfying a generation’s thirst for spirituality without the church.
Peace, love, bliss? It’s not sustainable
Obsessed-with-success Washington could learn a lesson from mystic and spiritual master Sadhguru.
Atheists flex their muscle
From the pope’s interview to the Virginia gubernatorial race, atheists are at the center of our debates.
‘It’s fun to be Catholic again.’
A priest and editor once fired for questioning Vatican doctrine sees new hope for his faith.
The Pope Francis miracle
The Catholic Church is buzzing with every word from the new pope. Some see a sign of God at work.
In the News
Latest from On Faith
At the Opera, the Holocaust remembered
A new performance is is loosely inspired by the real-life friendship of a Polish Jew named Yehuda Nir, who survived concentration camps, and Gottfried Wagner, a German descendent of composer Richard Wagner who became very critical of his family’s involvement with the Nazis.
Pub theology: Beer and burgers and a side of the Bible
Satisfying a generation’s thirst for spirituality without the church.
Washington area religion events
Blood drive, death penalty program, church suppers and bazaars, Marine Corps worship, webcast on racism.
5 churchy phrases that are scaring off millennials
![5 churchy phrases that are scaring off millennials](https://web.archive.org/web/20131110010828/http://img.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_145x100/WashingtonPost/Content/Blogs/Images/201311/o-religion13.jpg)
In the end, it’s not really about what churches say or don’t say. What millennials want is to be seen. Understood. Loved.
Kristallnacht still casts a long shadow on Europe
![Kristallnacht still casts a long shadow on Europe](https://web.archive.org/web/20131110010828/http://img.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_145x100/WashingtonPost/Content/Blogs/Images/201311/Germany_Kristallnacht_Remembrance-08224.jpg)
The Nazi Holocaust was the quintessential example of humanity’s capacity for evil.
Pope Francis saw Jesus
![Pope Francis saw Jesus](https://web.archive.org/web/20131110010828/http://img.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_145x100/WashingtonPost/Content/Blogs/Images/201311/03937958.jpg)
Those of us who saw compassion on display in St. Peter’s Square were not mistaken. But I do believe that the pope saw more than we might initially realize or understand.
PHOTOS: Pope Francis embraces disfigured man in St. Peter’s Square
![PHOTOS: Pope Francis embraces disfigured man in St. Peter’s Square](https://web.archive.org/web/20131110010828/http://img.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_145x100/WashingtonPost/Content/Blogs/Images/201311/03937968.jpg)
Pope Francis’s embrace of a man with severe facial disfigurement was the image worth a thousand words Wednesday, with the scene from St. Peter’s square soaring through social media.
Pastor Saeed Abedini faces grave new danger
Now is the time to pray and to have our voices heard. We must not allow this U.S. citizen to be forgotten.
A rabbi and a sharia court judge walk into an auditorium
![A rabbi and a sharia court judge walk into an auditorium](https://web.archive.org/web/20131110010828/http://img.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_145x100/WashingtonPost/Content/Blogs/Images/201311/APTOPIX_Mideast_Israel_Eid_al_Adha-010f3.jpg)
What are an Jewish rabbi and a Muslim Sharia court judge doing together on a speaking tour?
Salafis try their hand at religious politics
![Salafis try their hand at religious politics](https://web.archive.org/web/20131110010828/http://img.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_145x100/WashingtonPost/Content/Blogs/Images/201311/Mideast_Egypt-080bf.jpg)
For many Islamists, politics is no longer a blessing but a curse.
God in Papua New Guinea
![God in Papua New Guinea](https://web.archive.org/web/20131110010828/http://img.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_145x100/WashingtonPost/Content/Blogs/Images/201311/155426740.jpg)
Those who educate and assist the needy got a good thing going, when theological doctrines don’t get in the way.
Question our monuments to ourselves
Tombs represent an almost universal human self-indulgence, a longing to perpetuate individual existence, if possible, for ever.
Praying for true religious freedom at the Supreme Court
![Praying for true religious freedom at the Supreme Court](https://web.archive.org/web/20131110010828/http://img.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_145x100/WashingtonPost/Content/Blogs/Images/201311/21045421_H12671041383252011.jpg)
In matters of religion, the government should err on the side of silence.
Founders’ view of prayer should prevail at Supreme Court
![Founders’ view of prayer should prevail at Supreme Court](https://web.archive.org/web/20131110010828/http://img.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_145x100/WashingtonPost/Content/Blogs/Images/201311/21045421_H12671141383252012.jpg)
America’s Founding Fathers took religious“coercion” seriously and did not dumb it down to include being “offended.”
The new evangelical ethic around immigration reform
![The new evangelical ethic around immigration reform](https://web.archive.org/web/20131110010828/http://img.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_145x100/WashingtonPost/Content/Blogs/Images/201311/wonk0201.jpg)
Inaction on a broken system is not a viable option for evangelicals.
Who would God discriminate against?
![Who would God discriminate against?](https://web.archive.org/web/20131110010828/http://img.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_145x100/WashingtonPost/Content/Blogs/Images/201311/518479774-6456.jpg)
The bill can be a blessing to our nation if the Senate leads the way in saying no to employment discrimination.
Most Republicans, evangelicals support ENDA
![Most Republicans, evangelicals support ENDA](https://web.archive.org/web/20131110010828/http://img.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_145x100/WashingtonPost/Content/Blogs/Images/201311/Budget_Battle_Future_Challenges-0e8cc-1873.jpg)
Six-in-ten white evangelical Protestants favor workplace protections for gay and lesbian people.
Washington area religion events
Holiday and ethnic bazaars, winter coat drive, Blood drive, church supper, “The Dark Side of Chocolate.”
![Kay Warren on God: ‘There are times that I feel it’s all a big cosmic joke’ Kay Warren on God: ‘There are times that I feel it’s all a big cosmic joke’](https://web.archive.org/web/20131110010828/http://img.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_296w/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2012/08/04/SocialIssues-Religion-Immigration/Videos/Images/quinn0803.jpg)
Kay Warren on God: ‘There are times that I feel it’s all a big cosmic joke’
The Post’s Sally Quinn talks with Saddleback Church co-founder Kay Warren on doubting God’s existence, the HIV/Aids epidemic and why God allows suffering. (Archives)![Author Colm Toibin talks about his book ‘The Testament of Mary’ Author Colm Toibin talks about his book ‘The Testament of Mary’](https://web.archive.org/web/20131110010828/http://img.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_90x60/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2012/12/23/SocialIssues-Religion-Immigration/Videos/Images/COLM_STILL1223.jpg)
Author Colm Toibin talks about his book ‘The Testament of Mary’
Author Colm Toibin sat down with The Washington Post’s Sally Quinn to discuss his approach to writing “The Testament of Mary” and his relationship with the Catholic church.![Conn. Rabbi talks about comforting Sandy Hook victim’s mom Conn. Rabbi talks about comforting Sandy Hook victim’s mom](https://web.archive.org/web/20131110010828/http://img.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_90x60/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2012/12/15/Local/Videos/Images/rabbi_noah-poster.jpg)
Conn. Rabbi talks about comforting Sandy Hook victim’s mom
Rabbi Shaul Praver of the Adath Israel congregation in Newtown, Conn., discusses comforting the mom of Sandy Hook shooting victim Noah Posner on Saturday.![Pope Benedict sends first tweet Pope Benedict sends first tweet](https://web.archive.org/web/20131110010828/http://img.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_90x60/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2012/12/12/Production/WashingtonPost/Images/2012-12-12T153137Z_01_MXR02_RTRIDSP_3_POPE-TWEET.jpg)
Pope Benedict sends first tweet
VIDEO | Pope Benedict sent his first tweet using his handle @pontifex. The Pope writes: "Dear friends, I am pleased to get in touch with you through Twitter. Thank you for your generous response. I bless all of you from my heart."![Rev. Franklin Graham on his holiday outreach program Rev. Franklin Graham on his holiday outreach program](https://web.archive.org/web/20131110010828/http://img.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_90x60/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2012/11/13/SocialIssues-Religion-Immigration/Images/sallyfranklinocc.jpg)
Rev. Franklin Graham on his holiday outreach program
Rev. Franklin Graham sits down with the The Post’s Sally Quinn to talk about his holiday outreach program, Operation Christmas Child.![Eckhart Tolle on losing trust in God, being in the now Eckhart Tolle on losing trust in God, being in the now](https://web.archive.org/web/20131110010828/http://img.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_90x60/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2012/10/24/SocialIssues-Religion-Immigration/Videos/Images/Eckhart.jpg)
Eckhart Tolle on losing trust in God, being in the now
Spiritual teacher Eckhart Tolle spoke with The Washington Post’s Sally Quinn about his Roman Catholic upbringing, losing trust in God and the core of his teachings: being in the now.![Bishop Stallings on controversial ministry Bishop Stallings on controversial ministry](https://web.archive.org/web/20131110010828/http://img.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_90x60/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2012/10/12/SocialIssues-Religion-Immigration/Videos/Images/stallings-STILL.jpg)
Bishop Stallings on controversial ministry
Bishop George Stallings, founder of the Imani Temple African Catholic Congregation talks about his controversial ministry and allegations that he abused altar boys while a priest in the Roman Catholic Church.![Polls: Romney up, God down Polls: Romney up, God down](https://web.archive.org/web/20131110010828/http://img.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_90x60/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2012/10/09/TheFold/Images/Mitt Up God Down.jpg)
![Bishop Vashti McKenzie speaks at DNC Bishop Vashti McKenzie speaks at DNC](https://web.archive.org/web/20131110010828/http://img.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_90x60/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2012/09/05/National-Politics/Advance/Videos/BISHOPMACKENZIE.jpg)
Bishop Vashti McKenzie speaks at DNC
Bishop Vashti McKenzie, co-chair of the DNC Credentials Committee and the first woman elected as bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, called the Democratic Party the “most forward-looking” party.![Mitt Romney’s RNC speech highlights Mitt Romney’s RNC speech highlights](https://web.archive.org/web/20131110010828/http://img.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_90x60/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2012/08/31/National-Politics/Images/1086314.jpg)
Mitt Romney’s RNC speech highlights
Mitt Romney accepts the official GOP nominee and speaks to the Republican National Convention on its final night.![Joel Osteen on his connection with fans Joel Osteen on his connection with fans](https://web.archive.org/web/20131110010828/http://img.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_90x60/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2012/04/20/National-Enterprise/Videos/Images/Joel_Osteen_STILL.jpg)
Joel Osteen on his connection with fans
Evangelist Joel Osteen discusses his connection with fans and how he got his start. Osteen will speak at Nationals Park on Saturday, April 28.Elsewhere in National
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I’m focused on one topic of conversation and it’s starting to bore my friends.