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Articles by Meredith Somers

An Iraqi nun speaks with a Christian man who fled with his family from the Christian villages near Mosul at a school that was turned into a shelter for displaced Christian families, in Ainkawa, a suburb of Irbil, Iraq. The Islamic State group gave Mosul's Christians until midday Saturday to convert to Islam, pay a tax or face death. (Associated Press)

Islamic State’s threats on Christians used to win support of Muslims

The Islamic State group's demand that Christians in the city of Mosul convert to Islam or face death could be part of an attempt to win support among local Muslims via a harsh interpretation of the Koran to justify the violent threats against the religious minority, religion and human rights experts said.

July 21, 2014
Responding to an invitation from Cardinal Norberto Rivera Carrera to seek reconciliation with Christ during the season of Advent, nearly 5,000 Catholics stood in line for hours to receive the Sacrament of Confession. (Associated Press)

Louisiana ruling sparks debate over confessions to priests

A teenage girl's confession to a priest can be used as testimony in a child abuse case, the Louisiana Supreme Court recently decided in a ruling that has renewed debate over the sanctity of clergy-penitent privilege in the justice system.

July 10, 2014
** FILE ** In this Oct. 1, 2013, file photo actor George Clooney attends the premiere of "Gravity" at the AMC Lincoln Square Theaters, in New York. George Clooney has chastised a British newspaper over an article claiming his fiancee's mother disapproves of the impending marriage for religious reasons. Clooney said that the claims about his future mother-in-law Baria Alamuddin were untrue and irresponsible. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File)

Higher Ground: George Clooney nails Mail

Spread whatever rumors about wedding reception and honeymoon details that you want, but don't fool around with faith when it comes to George Clooney.

July 10, 2014
** FILE ** Demonstrator react to hearing the Supreme Court's decision on the Hobby Lobby case outside the Supreme Court in Washington. The Supreme Court ruled that corporations can hold religious objections that allow them to opt out of the new health law requirement that employee insurance plans cover contraceptives for women. (Associated Press)

Religious freedom cases to fill Supreme Court docket

The ink has barely dried on the U.S. Supreme Court's final rulings this term, but already advocates on both sides of the church-state divide are looking at the religious freedom cases lining up to be heard later this year.

July 7, 2014
Belgium's Mousa Dembele clears the ball in front of South Korea's Lee Keun-ho during the group H World Cup soccer match between South Korea and Belgium at the Itaquerao Stadium in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Thursday, June 26, 2014. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)

World Cup: Ramadan fasting affects tournament

The impact of heat and fatigue on Muslim soccer players fasting for Ramadan could play a key role in the final score of Tuesday's World Cup match between undefeated Belgium and Team USA.

June 30, 2014
Scene from the film "The Passion of the Christ."

The Rapture: For Hollywood, the ‘end’ is the start of profits

Millions of people disappear without a trace, leaving behind chaos and anarchy while a lone hero emerges to stand between mankind and the end of the world. For some, this is known as the Rapture, the preamble to the apocalypse. For Hollywood, it means a biblical blockbuster.

June 26, 2014
Flags fly over Greece Town Hall in Greece, N.Y., Monday, May 5, 2014. The Supreme Court upheld prayers being allowed before Greece Town Board meetings. (AP Photo/The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, Shawn Dowd)

Interpretation of ruling on meeting prayer puts effects in question

The U.S. Supreme Court's upholding of a town's longstanding practice of prayer before government meetings was seen by many as a victory for religious liberty, but even advocates can't pinpoint exactly how the case will affect the future of religious freedom.

June 26, 2014
FILE - In this March 18, 2014 file photo, Pastor Mike Metzger, right, of First Bible Baptist Church, leads a moment of prayer at the start of the Greece Town Board meeting in Greece, N.Y. The Supreme Court said Monday that prayers that open town council meetings do not violate the Constitution even if they routinely stress Christianity. (AP Photo/Carolyn Thompson)

HIGHER GROUND: Atheist to give invocation before N.Y. town’s meeting

Last month, the town of Greece, N.Y., won its fight to offer a prayer before its government board meetings, but with that victory came the stipulation that anyone was free to say one. Next month, the town is making good on its word, and welcoming Dan Courtney, a member of the Atheist Community of Rochester, as he gives the invocation.

June 26, 2014