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 A Muslim convert, an unlikely patriot, a U.S. senator, an atheist recovering alcoholic, and a labyrinth walker all share "My Faith."
December 26th, 2011
02:36 PM ET
My Faith: 2011 year in reviewBy Eric Marrapodi, CNN Belief Blog Co-Editor (CNN)–This year, here at the Belief Blog, one of our most popular features was My Faith. It was a chance for people to explore and explain their faith - or faithlessness. There were submissions from across the religious spectrum and a host of comments from our loyal readers. Our top five stories for 2011, in no particular order, focused on a U.S. senator, a Muslim congressman, a recovering alcoholic who's an atheist, a labyrinth walker, and an unlikely patriot.
December 26th, 2011
02:00 PM ET
Ultra-Orthodox demands spark debate in IsraelBy Guy Azriel and Kevin Flower, CNN Jerusalem (CNN)–Eight-year-old Naama Margolis is afraid to walk to school. She's afraid, her mother says, because life has become a nightmare for anyone who doesn't follow the edicts of the ultra-Orthodox Jews who have flocked in recent years to their city of 80,000 just outside of Jerusalem. "They threaten everyone in town over everything they don't like," Hadassah Margolis told CNN on Monday. "We have suffered swearing, they have had eggs, tomatoes, stink bombs and rocks thrown at us. They do this to anyone who doesn't think, look or act as they do." 
December 26th, 2011
11:03 AM ET
Death toll rises from Nigeria church bombingsBy the CNN Wire Staff Jos, Nigeria (CNN) - The death toll from the worst of several church bombings Christmas Day in Nigeria has reached 32, an emergency official told CNN Monday. Another of the bombings killed at least three people, officials said. Blasts were reported at churches in five cities Sunday. A day later, details from some areas were still not fully clear. The extremist Boko Haram sect claimed responsibility, two government officials said. The group has targeted Christians in the past, as well as those Muslims who the group's members consider insufficiently Islamic. The blasts mark the second holiday season that bombs have hit Christian houses of worship in the west African nation. Olusegun Okebiorun, controller-general of Nigeria's fire service, told CNN Boko Haram claimed responsibility in a message sent to media in Nigeria. He vowed the government is doing all it can to ensure that such attacks don't occur again. FULL STORY
December 26th, 2011
10:59 AM ET
Hanukkah video goes viral(CNN)– CNN's Josh Levs shares a catchy Hanukkah song from "The Maccabeats" that has become a new viral video. This holiday tune is a take off of another Jewish artist, Matisyahu - who may or may not still be a Hasidic reggae star. You can read more about "The Maccabeats" and their last holiday hit here.
December 26th, 2011
04:24 AM ET
Belief Blog's Morning Speed Read for Monday, December 26
By Dan Merica, CNN Here's the Belief Blog’s morning rundown of the top faith-angle stories from around the United States and around the world. Click the headlines for the full stories. From the Blog: CNN: Pope prays for Syria and Myanmar in Christmas message  Bombs targeted churches across the country, hitting the cities of Madalla, Jos, Kano, and Damaturu and Gadaka, said journalist Hassan John, who witnessed the carnage in Jos. CNN: Chrismast carnage in Nigeria; 5 churches bombed 
December 26th, 2011
12:23 AM ET
Pope prays for Syria and Myanmar in Christmas messageBy the CNN Wire Staff Vatican City (CNN) – Pope Benedict XVI prayed for peace in Syria, reconciliation in Myanmar, and comfort in flood-stricken Thailand and the Philippines in his annual Christmas message "To the City and the World" on Sunday. Addressing a packed St. Peter's Square on a glorious sunny day, the pope pleaded with God to "bring an end to the violence in Syria, where so much blood has already been shed." More than 5,000 people have died in Syria since President Bashar al-Assad began a brutal crackdown in mid-March on anti-government protesters calling for his ouster, the United Nations said earlier this month. In his Christmas morning speech, Benedict also urged the international community to help those suffering hunger and insecurity in the Horn of Africa, a reference to famine and violence in Somalia and Kenya. FULL STORY
December 26th, 2011
12:19 AM ET
Christmas carnage in Nigeria; 5 churches bombedBy the CNN Wire Staff Jos, Nigeria (CNN) - A string of bombs struck churches in five Nigerian cities Sunday, leaving dozens dead and wounded on the holiday, authorities and witnesses said. The blasts mark the second holiday season that bombs have hit Christian houses of worship in the west African nation. In a statement issued late Sunday, Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan called the bombings "a dastardly act that must attract the rebuke of all peace-loving Nigerians." "These acts of violence against innocent citizens are an unwarranted affront on our collective safety and freedom," Jonathan said. "Nigerians must stand as one to condemn them." Bombs targeted churches across the country, hitting the cities of Madalla, Jos, Kano, and Damaturu and Gadaka, said journalist Hassan John, who witnessed the carnage in Jos. The death toll in Madalla alone was 18, including two people reported dead overnight at a nearby hospital, Nigeria's National Emergency Management Agency spokesman Yushau Shuaib told CNN. FULL STORY |
  About this blog
The CNN Belief Blog covers the faith angles of the day's biggest stories, from breaking news to politics to entertainment, fostering a global conversation about the role of religion and belief in readers' lives. It's edited by CNN's Daniel Burke with contributions from Eric Marrapodi and CNN's worldwide news gathering team.  |
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