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 U.S. Rep Keith Ellison in a Minnesota mosque last August.
February 16th, 2012
04:20 PM ET
My Take: NYPD’s use of anti-Islam film makes us less safeEditor's Note: Congressman Keith M. Ellison represents Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District and co-chairs the Congressional Progressive Caucus. By Rep. Keith M. Ellison, Special to CNN Recent news that the New York Police Department presented the film “The Third Jihad” to nearly 1,500 officers is only the latest example of anti-Muslim training materials being used in ways that harm our national security. The film baselessly contends that “the true agenda of much of Islam in America” is to “infiltrate and dominate America,” smearing a religion that has been part of this country since its founding. Incidents like these sound the alarm on the need for greater transparency and oversight of counterterrorism training at all levels of government.
February 16th, 2012
01:36 PM ET
Explainer: How and why do Mormons baptize the dead?By Dan Gilgoff, CNN.com Religion Editor The recent disclosure that Mormons baptized the dead parents of Jewish Nazi hunter Simon Wiesenthal by proxy has sparked outrage in the Jewish world. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has apologized for the baptism, which it says resulted from the actions of a church member acting in violation of church policy. The LDS church vowed to stop baptizing Jewish Holocaust victims in 1995. But proxy baptism for the dead is a proud Mormon tradition. Here are the basics about how it works and why Mormons do it. Why do Mormons practice proxy baptism for the dead? For Mormons, baptizing the dead solves a big theological problem: How do billions of people who never had the opportunity to accept Jesus Christ – including those who lived before Jesus walked the earth – receive salvation? By baptizing the dead, a practice known as posthumous proxy baptism, Mormons believe they are giving every person who ever lived the chance at everlasting life. That includes Muslims, Hindus, atheists, pagans, whoever. 
February 16th, 2012
12:13 PM ET
My Take: Contraception denigrates me as a woman
By Valerie Pokorny, Special to CNN (CNN) – In the face of the Health and Human Services mandate to provide contraception coverage, I stand with my fellow Catholics hoping our religious freedom will be respected. But more importantly, I stand as a woman hoping who I am will be respected. Four times a year, I walk into a room of Catholic moms and their middle school or high school daughters to help them see why being a woman matters, as part of the Archdiocese of San Antonio’s Mother-Daughter Programs on the Gift of Femininity. Read the full story here from CNN's In America Blog.
February 16th, 2012
10:13 AM ET
Rumors of Vatican power struggle(CNN)–A series of leaks suggests that trouble's brewing in the cradle of Roman Catholicism. CNN's Vatican analyst John Allen has more.
February 16th, 2012
04:30 AM ET
Belief Blog's Morning Speed Read for Thursday, February 16
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:  A growing chorus of progressive Catholic activists say the American bishops, above, do not speak for all Catholics on public policy matters. CNN: Liberal Catholics challenge bishops on Obama’s contraception rule CNN: The sweet appeal of the Nation of Islam’s bean pie |
  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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Editor’s Note: Valerie Pokorny is actively involved in marriage preparation programs, natural family planning instruction and chastity education in the Archdiocese of San Antonio, Texas.
