The Church of Scientology has been notoriously unwelcoming of investigation into its inner workings, but Pulitzer Prize-winning author Lawrence Wright has just released a new book that delves deep into the history and practices of the Church.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints—otherwise known as the Mormon Church—is expanding a national media campaign to dispel misconceptions the public might have about its members. Brooke spoke with Ron Wilson, the church's manager for internet and advertising, about the campaign and the misconceptions it hopes to correct.

 

The Heath Brothers - "Smilin' Billy"

When the Committee on Bible Translation released an updated version of the world’s most popular Bible in 2005, controversy ensued. Changing a beloved text can be dangerous. So the committee announced plans recently to scrap the 2005 version and start anew. Committee Chairman ...

With an explosion in the number of Arab satellite channels dedicated to Islam, a new breed of preacher has emerged. New York Times reporter Robert Worth says these so-called "Satellite Shieiks" tend to be young, moderate, and entertaining to watch. One of Saudi Arabia's most popular,

For booksellers, hotel guests, and the faithful, one book remains a mainstay – The Bible. But despite the book’s unending popularity, for many it remains a daunting read. Enter Slate columnist David Plotz, who decided to scour the Good Book cover-to-cover, and blog about it for the unschooled ...

As a born-again Christian, L.A. Times reporter Bill Lobdell was frustrated by media coverage of religious people. So he lobbied his editors and prayed for the religion beat. He eventually got his wish, only to lose his faith in the church and in God after eight years on the job. ...

When President Barack Obama paraphrased a passage from 1 Corinthians in his Inaugural Address, he made a point of attributing it to Scripture. Had he not, many in the audience – including many reporters – would not have recognized the Biblical reference. That journalists too often “don’t get religion” is ...

Twenty years ago this week, the Ayatollah Khomeini called for the death of author Salman Rushdie for insulting Islam in his book The Satanic Verses. Rushdie's lawyer Geoffrey Robertson gave Rushdie a place to hide out in those days and defended Rushdie against the crime of ...

Tax law gives houses of worship non-profit status and, in exchange, clergy are supposed to steer clear of politics, meaning they can't endorse a candidate by name. But the Alliance Defense Fund is encouraging clergy to do just that this weekend. ADF's Erik Stanley explains their ...

Religion author Jeff Sharlet argues that if mega-churches and televangelists receive too much attention by the media, the influence of an elite group of evangelicals receives too little. Sharlet says that a group known simply as "The Family" has powerful sway among some of Washington's top lawmakers, and ...

Former Dallas Morning News religion reporter Christine Wicker set out to write a book about the growing influence and strength of evangelical churches. But she found a community more fractured and less numerous than typically reported by the media. She explains that numbers for evangelicals in the U.S. ...

A Stateside visit by Pope Benedict XVI has occasioned fresh reporting of the sex abuse scandal, the American Church and, of course, the Popemobile. National Catholic Reporter news director Tom Roberts says that journalists perform laudably, despite the secrecy of the Church.

No longer content to silently disavow religion, the so-called New Atheists are on the offensive. Borrowing tactics from the faithful, nonbelievers have taken to proselytizing in books and in the media. And yes, they’re even in foxholes.

As a born-again Christian, L.A. Times reporter Bill Lobdell was frustrated by media coverage of religious people. So he lobbied his editors and prayed for the religion beat. He eventually got his wish, only to lose his faith in the church and in God after eight years ...

Media coverage of the religion & politics nexus tends to spotlight the Religious Right. But a new Media Matters study suggests that by neglecting religious moderates and progressives, the media are helping the conservative cause. Study author Paul Waldman and religion writer Jeff Sharlet parse ...

The rhetoric was heated this week on Capitol Hill, as the two parties neared a high-stakes showdown over the President's judicial nominees. Perhaps not as heated, though, as last Sunday, when several conservative Christian groups staged a telecast that was broadcast nationwide via a vast Christian media infrastructure that has ...

A Christian station here, a Christian station there. But together, religious broadcasters account for well over half of the low-power FM licenses granted by the FCC. And now, they've banded together to create de facto networks. Does this sort of large-scale mobilization by religious broadcasters defeat the intent of low-power ...

Especially present in the self-flagellation performed by many journalists after November’s election is the refrain that the media just don’t get religion. Thus, they missed the story of the moral voters. They failed to understand the outpouring of support for Terri Schiavo’s parents, and the popularity of Mel Gibson’s all-Aramaic ...

The World Journalism Institute, a self-described "boot camp for Christian journalists," trains evangelical Christians to balance their faith and the demands of working in the mainstream media. At one time or another they've counted a number of high profile reporters amongst their ranks. But lately, falling membership numbers have the ...

Some time ago, we reported on a strange vigil that was taking place in Rome. The Pope was suffering from Parkinson's Disease, and showing signs of fatigue. Many of his fellow Vatican residents have recognized the opportunity to profit from the morbid media spotlight on the Pope, and were providing ...