Boy Scouts to Admit Openly Gay Youths as Members – NYTimes.com

GRAPEVINE, Tex. — The Boy Scouts of America on Thursday ended its longstanding policy of forbidding openly gay youths to participate in its activities, a step its chief executive called “compassionate, caring and kind.” Read more of...

Arizona House non-prayer sparks Christian re-do

This March 30, 2011 file photo shows Arizona state Sen. Steve Smith, R-Maricopa, left, and Rep. Russ Jones, R-Yuma. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)

An atheist lawmaker's decision to give the daily prayer at the Arizona House of Representatives triggered a do-over from a Christian lawmaker who said the previous day's prayer didn't pass muster.

How religions change their mind

Once upon a time, animal sacrifice was an important part of Hindu life, Catholic priests weren't celibate and visual depictions of the Prophet Muhammad were part of Islamic art. And soon some churches in the UK may be marrying gay couples. How do religions manage to change their mind?

Pope Francis says atheists can be good

Pope Francis at his general audience in St Peter's Square at the Vatican. Photograph: Alessandra Benedetti/Alessandra Benedetti/CorbisAtheists should be seen as good people if they do good, Pope Francis has said in his latest urging that people of all ...