FILE - A crucifix is silhouetted against a stained glass window inside a Catholic Church in New Orleans, Dec. 1, 2012. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File)
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Trump coveted Canada as 51st state. Most Canadians differ with him on religion's role in public life
Throughout his new term, President Donald Trump has said he was “saved by God” to make America great again. In Canada, Prime Minister Mark Carney rarely evokes religion in public; his victory speech in April never used the word God. As Canada and the U.S. skirmish over Trump’s tariff threats and occasional bullying, the leaders’ rhetoric reflects a striking difference between their nations. Religion plays a far more subdued role in the public sphere in Canada than in the U.S. Trump posed outside a vandalized Episcopal parish house gripping a Bible. He invites pastors to the Oval Office to pray with him. Such religion-themed displays would be unpopular in Canada, where political leaders generally keep quiet about their faith.
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — International Criminal Court judges convicted two leaders of a predominantly Christian rebel group in the Centra…
FILE - Waste from Mardi Gras awaiting collection in the French Quarter of New Orleans, on Ash Wednesday, March 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Jack Brook, File)
FILE- In this Dec. 24, 2018 file photo, Christians celebrate the arrival of Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the top Roman Catholic cleric in the Holy Land, center, after he crossed an Israeli military checkpoint from Jerusalem ahead of midnight Mass at the Church of the Nativity, traditionally recognized by Christians to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ, in the West Bank city of Bethlehem. (AP Photo/Nasser Nasser, File)
FILE -Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos III, center, arrives for Christmas celebrations, according to the Eastern Orthodox calendar, outside the Church of the Nativity, traditionally recognized by Christians to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ, in the West Bank city of Bethlehem, Jan. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Nasser Nasser), File)
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — The massive crowd that would gather once a year at a revered waterfall in central Haiti where the faithful would …
In Uganda, politics often intertwines with spiritual beliefs, as many politicians secretly consult traditional healers or witch doctors for perceived advantages. Some fear rivals may use witchcraft against them, leading to superstitious behaviors, like avoiding handshakes. This reliance on the occult is widespread despite Christianity being the dominant religion. Traditional healers claim to offer protection or success through rituals, drawing clients from across the country. Critics, including church leaders, disapprove of these practices, but they remain deeply rooted in cultural traditions. Politicians rarely admit publicly to such consultations, fearing ridicule, yet the influence of spiritual practices persists in Uganda's political landscape.
The 1925 Scopes “Monkey Trial” in Tennessee, where a teacher was prosecuted for teaching evolution, continues to influence debates on religion in public schools. The trial highlighted tensions between science and religion, sparking a broader cultural conflict. Today, similar debates persist as conservative efforts push for more religious presence in schools, such as displaying the Ten Commandments. Legal challenges are ongoing, with advocates for church-state separation opposing these measures. Experts see parallels between the Scopes trial and current disputes, emphasizing the enduring struggle over balancing religious freedom and secular governance in education.
Los Angeles is home to the largest Iranian community outside Iran. This diverse group includes Muslims, Jews, Christians, Zoroastrians and Bahai who have lived here harmoniously since the 1980s. However, the recent Israel-Iran conflict has tested these long-held bonds. Experts note that in the diaspora, shared cultural and social ties often outweigh religious divides. Iranian Jews, while united with Muslims in opposing Iran's regime, feel heightened anxiety over security in local houses of worship. Experts say Iranian Muslims, who would otherwise cheer on a regime change, might feel differently about an Israel-led war because of their antipathy toward Zionism.