Tom Gjelten

The closure of churches due to the coronavirus could have long-lasting effects congregations. Some people say they became more connected with their faith, and others may be drifting away.

Houses of worship in America have now been closed for about two months. We are wondering how worship habits will be changed long-term by the COVID-19 pandemic. We'd like you to share your thoughts.

A manifesto by some prominent Catholic leaders alleges that some powers are using the coronavirus as a "pretext" to foment worldwide panic, restrict freedom and gain control over citizens.

Houses of worship have taken a big financial hit during the coronavirus shutdown. Many have applied for government aid under an SBA emergency loan program.

President Trump aims to rally U.S. Catholics to support his reelection. The effort is dividing Catholics along partisan lines and within congregations.

"We all believe in science, and we also believe in faith," says the principal investigator.

Most U.S Christians say their faith has been unaffected by the coronavirus. Those who attend historically black churches are the exception.

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom is challenging the Trump administration to take a tougher line toward India, given its discriminatory treatment of Muslims.

With the vast majority of U.S. churches closed and the country in a deep recession, church finances are in peril. Some are seeking government money through a new SBA program.

Government orders to restrict religious gatherings have emerged as a new religious freedom issue. Churches have filed lawsuits claiming that such restrictions violate the First Amendment.

Churches and allied groups have filed lawsuits against state or local authorities in at least eight states, saying restrictions on religious gatherings are an infringement on religious freedom.

Religious groups have gotten creative since the pandemic has forced millions to stay at home. NPR's religion correspondent answers listener questions about how religious practices are being reshaped.

New York City Councilman Francisco Moya says the coronavirus is disproportionately impacting his constituents in Queens, home to a large working class population.

The Small Business Administration says current regulations "impermissibly" bar loans to religious institutions.

Under one provision of the CARES Act, churches and other religious organizations will be able to apply for emergency loans. Critics see the provision as further weakening church-state separation.

Many houses of worship have canceled services in response to coronavirus shutdown orders. But some are continuing to gather, saying they should be able to do so as a matter of religious freedom.

Some see Government bans on large public gatherings as attacks on religious freedom when they are applied to houses of worship.

The county sheriff said Rodney Howard-Browne's "reckless disregard for human life put hundreds of people in his congregation at risk." He has questioned the seriousness of the coronavirus threat.

White evangelicals are as likely as those without a religious affiliation to say they are avoiding group activities.

The Erie Diocese, identified by the Pennsylvania attorney general as a place where clergy sex abuse was widespread, is said to have spent nearly $12 million on its victim compensation program.