• Garbell, Chelsea. April 4, 2018. Ban on Female Genital Cutting in Somaliland is Progress, but Success Relies on Working with Religious Leaders. Retrieved from Religion Dispatches: http://religiondispatches.org/ban-on-female-genital-cutting-in-somaliland-is-progress-but-success-relies-on-working-with-religious-leaders/
• Kodjak, Alison. March 20, 2018. Civil Rights Chief at HHS Defends the Right to Refuse Care on Religious Grounds. Retrieved from NPR: https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/03/20/591833000/civil-rights-chief-at-hhs-defends-the-right-to-refuse-care-on-religious-grounds
• Gorny, Nicki. March 13, 2018. Faith leaders, state officials tackle infant mortality. Retrieved from the Toledo Blade: http://www.toledoblade.com/Religion/2018/03/13/Faith-leaders-tackle-infant-mortality.html
• Green, Emma. March 19, 2018. Should Pro-Life Clinics Have to Post Information about Abortion? Retrieved from The Atlantic: https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2018/03/nifla-becerra-crisis-pregnancy-centers-supreme-court/555887/
• Khazan, Olga. January 23, 2018. When the Religious Doctor Refuses to Treat You. Retrieved from The Atlantic: https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2018/01/when-the-religious-doctor-refuses-to-treat-you/551231/
• Marini, Richard. April 4, 2018. Free San Antonio Muslim clinic treats the uninsured to honor God. Retrieved from the San Antionio Express News: https://www.expressnews.com/lifestyle/health-family/article/Free-San-Antonio-Muslim-clinic-treats-the-12799700.php
• Janjua, Haroon. March 27, 2018. Afghan clerics in talks with Isis to break polio vaccine myths. Retrieved from The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2018/mar/27/afghan-clerics-in-talks-with-isis-to-break-polio-myths

• Okonji, Emma. (December 15, 2014). AllAfrica. Nigeria: Ebola Virus – Catholic Church Reverses Orders on Holy Communion, Handshakes.>>
• AFP. (December 12, 2014). France24. Sierra Leone cancels Christmas ‘to reflect on Ebola.’>>
• CBS/AP. (December 11, 2014). Bill would let Michigan doctors, EMTs refuse to treat gay patients.>>
• Miller, Jason. (December 11, 2014). Time. Freedom of Religion Shouldn’t be Unconditional.>>
• Richardson, Chad. (December 11, 2014). Hastings Star Gazette. Hastings Automotive wins court battle against government.>>
• Ross, Larry. (December 10, 2014). Time. 3 Things Christian Churches Can Do to Fight Ebola.>>
• Lesley, Alison. (December 10, 2014). World Religion News. Vatican Conference Discusses the Morality of Prescription Drugs.>>
• Wyatt, Kristen. (December 8, 2014). Yahoo! News. Religious nonprofits challenge health law.>>
• The Malay Mail Online. (December 5, 2014). Be kind to Muslims with AIDS, Jakim says in Friday sermon.>>
• Green, Emma. (December 4, 2014). The Atlantic. Foreskin: Keep or Cut?>>
• Wong, Curtis M. (December 3, 2014). Huffington Post. Arizona’s Pastor Steven Anderson Argues That AIDS Would Be Eradicated If Gays Were ‘Executed.’>>
• Hussain, Aamir. (December 3, 2014). Huffington Post. Creating a Space for Spirituality in Medical School.>>
• Meggs, Tony. (December 3, 2014). The Christian Post. Faith and Healthcare Peacefully Coexist for Thousands of Americans.>>
• Carlson, Joe. (December 3, 2014). New Jersey Herald. Health, faith come together.>>
• Kitamura, Makiko and Gbandia, Silas. (December 3, 2014). Bloomberg. No More Touching Is new Religious Edict in Ebola Hot Zone.>>
• Johnson, Jannise. (December 3, 2014). The Humble Observer. Humble church encourages community to know status in conjunction with World AIDS Day.>>

NOVEMBER 2014

• Khemlani, Anjalee. (November 29, 2014). Press of Atlantic City. Hospital staff bridge gap of health, faith.>>
• Salem, Ola. (November 29, 2014). The National. Cabinet refuses FNC request to study regulation of faith healing.>>
• Hoffman, Jan. (November 28, 2014). New York Times. More Pastors Embrace Talk of Mental Ills.>>
• Edmonds, Arlene. (November 28, 2014). The Philadelphia Tribune. Grace Epiphany Missions aids health care enrollment.>>
• Tremayne-Lloyd, Tracey. (November 28, 2014). Huffington Post. Doctors’ Religious Beliefs Shouldn’t Trump Patients’ Rights.>>
• Nzwili, Fredrick. (November 26, 2014). Religion News Services. To fight Ebola, African religious leaders draw safe practices road map.>>
• Bourke, Dale Hanson. (November 26, 2014). The Washington Post. 4 things HIV can teach us about fighting Ebola (COMMENTARY).>>
• Yoffie, Eric. (November 25, 2014). Time. Religion, Hypocrisy, and Obamacare.>>
• Pizzi, Jenna. (November 24, 2014). Times of Trenton. Trenton Health Team wins $40,000 grant to partner with faith-based groups, focus on healthy living.>>
• Kodish, Eric. (November 24, 2014). Huffington Post. Incorporating Religion and Spirituality Into Healthcare.>>
• Lucariello, Paolo.  (November 22, 2014). USA Today. Pope Francis offers solidarity to people with autism.>>
• Zirulnick, Ariel. (November 20, 2014). Yahoo! News. Kenya ‘miracle healer’ scandal hits deep faith in churches.>>
• Gebreyes, Rahel. (November 18, 2014). Huffington Post. Bridging the Gap Between Religion and Mental Illness.>>
• Holpuch, Amanda. (November 13, 2014). The Guardian. Christians and mental health: ‘This has nothing to do with whether I believe in Jesus.’>>
• Nzwili, Fredrick. (November 11, 2014). The Washington Post. Kenya’s Catholic bishops: Tetanus vaccine is birth control in disguise.>>
• Edmonds, Arlene. (November 7, 2014). The Philadelphia Tribune. Church to help enroll in health insurance.>>
• BBC. (November 6, 2014). Letter from Africa: The power of religion.>>
• De Chollet, Jacqueline. (November 3, 2014). Huffington Post. Nuns in Sierra Leone Work on a Shoestring to Deliver Quality Healthcare and Education to the Poor.>>
• Currie, Rev. Chuck. (November 3, 2014). Huffington Post. Brittany Maynard Made A Moral Choice.>>

WEEK OF OCTOBER 27, 2014

• Power, Samantha. (October 31, 2014). Huffington Post. Ebola Has No Greater Friend Than Fear.>>
• De Sam Lazaro, Fred. (October 30, 2014). PBS. Food truck church brings faith and calzones to those in need.>>
• Reuters. (October 30, 2014). Yahoo! News. Liberians fast, pray for three days to break Ebola “curse.”>>
• Ezeonyejiaku, Kenechukwu. (October 30, 2014). AllAfrica.com. Nigeria: UN Seeks Greater Collaboration with Faith-Based Organizations.>>
• Breen, Tom. (October 29, 2014). UConn Today. Blending Faith and Science to Combat Obesity.>>
• (October 29, 2014). Washington Post. Pope renews call to eradicate Ebola.>>
• Bailey, Sarah Pulliam. (October 28, 2014). Washington Post. Evangelical leader Russell Moore denounces ex-gay therapy.>>
• Hausenblas, Healther. (October 27, 2014). U.S. News & World Report. What Can We Learn About Health From the Amish and Inuit?>>
• Lavigueur, Nick. (October 27, 2014). The Huddersfield Daily Examiner. Thousands of Muslim children not being vaccinated against the flu after Kirklees imams reject NHS nasal spray.>>

WEEK OF OCTOBER 20, 2014

• Idler, Ellen. (October 26, 2014). Oxford University Press’s Blog. Religious organizations in the public health paradigm>>
• Raushenbush, Paul Brandeis. (October 24, 2014). Huffington Post. Mental Health and the Welcoming Church – All Together Podcast.>>
• Odula, Tom. (October 24, 2014). ABC News. Pat Robertson Comment on AIDS Angers Kenyans.>>
• Dixon, Robyn. (October 23, 2014). LA Times. Ebola hits home for a Liberian faith healer.>>
• AP. (October 22, 2014). Timesunion.com. Substance abuse training set for faith leaders.>>
• Kellner, Mark. (October 22, 2014). Deseret News. California orders churches, others to pay for abortion, despite federal protections.>>
• Ehrich, Tom. (October 21, 2014). Washington Post. 5 Ways Churches Can Help Stop the Ebola Hysteria>>
• AP. (October 21, 2014). Huffington Post. Televangelist Ernest Angley Reportedly Urged Vasectomies, Abortion for Congregation.>>
• Hamilton, Jon. (October 20, 2014). NPR. Ebola In Church: A Reverend’s Quarantine Spreads The Word.>>

WEEK OF OCTOBER 13, 2014

• Mohanty, Ranjani Iyer. (October 19, 2014). The Atlantic. Only God Can Stop Public Urination.>>
• Mark, Monica. (October 17, 2014). The Guardian. As Ebola epidemic tightens grip, west Africa turns to religion for succor.>>
• Carrington, Daisy. (October 16, 2014). CNN. On homosexuality: Uganda’s religious leaders.>>
• Corey, Dan. (October 16, 2014). The Daily Targum. Emory U. professor talks about religion’s impact on public health.>>
• Kutner, Jenny. (October 16, 2014). Salon.  Right-to-life group calls Obama administration “irresponsible” for fast-tracking Ebola vaccines>>
• Mazza, Ed. (October 15, 2014). Huffington Post.  Barry A. Hazle Jr., Atheist, Wins Nearly $2 Million In Settlement Over Faith-Based Rehab Program.>>
• Mason, George. (October 11, 2014). Huffington Post.  When Ebola Comes to Church.>>
• Fabian, Liz. (October 11, 2014). The Telegraph.  St. Joseph to host White Mass for health professionals.>>
• Green, Emma. (October 14, 2014). The Atlantic.  Keeping the Faith: How childhood influences churchgoing.>>
• Tish, Susan. (October 14, 2014). The Christian Science Monitor.  Permanent health.>>
• Husain, Rahat. (October 14, 2014). The Washington Times.  Saudis ban smoking, hookahs, tobacco in Islam’s holiest cities>>
• Culp-Ressler, Tara. (October 14, 2014). Think Progress.  Why Clergy Are Speaking Out Against A Proposed Anti-Abortion Law in Tennessee.>>
• Giangreco, Leigh. (October 11, 2014). DelmarvaNow.com.  Duke doctor advocates spiritual healing.>> 

WEEK OF OCTOBER 6, 2014

• Kuruvilla, Carol. (October 10, 2014). Huffington Post. What Are America’s Religious Organizations Doing To Prepare for Ebola?>>
• Igwe, Leo. (October 8, 2014). Sahara Reports. What Should Guide Africans In The Fight Against Ebola: Religion or Science?>>
• Kidd, Thomas. (October 7, 2014). Time.  There’s Nothing Wrong With Medical Missionaries Talking About Faith With Ebola Patients.>>
• BBC.  (October 6, 2014). Jim Wells: NI health minister ‘will not abandon religious beliefs’ in policies.>> 
• Palmer, Brian. (October 2, 2014). Slate.  In Medicine We Trust: Should we worry that so many of the doctors treating Ebola in Africa are missionaries?>>
• Shehata, Mokhtar and Wiacek, Benjamin. Christian Science Monitor.  (October 2, 2014). Millions converge in Mecca for hajj, public assured safe from Ebola.>>
• Markoe, Lauren. (October 2, 2014). Deseret News National.  Suicide rates among Jewish teens drop as religious devotion grows, study find.>>
• PR Newswire. (October 2, 2014). Yahoo! News.  The Christ Medicus Foundation, in Partnership with Samaritan Ministries International is Launching the Nation’s First Catholic based Health Care Sharing Ministry, CMF CURO.>>
• Ling, Lisa. (October 2, 2014).  CNN.  Inside Utah’s struggle with drug abuse.>>
• Carneiro, Julia. (October 2, 2014). BBC.  Brazil election candidates stay silent on abortion issue.>>
  

• Sidhu, Dawinder. (September 30, 2014). The Atlantic.  How serious is the Supreme Court about religious freedoms? A new case will test whether the justices’ defense of conscience in Hobby Lobby applies to minority religions like Muslims, or just to Christians.>>
• Fortenbury, Jon. (September 28, 2014). The Atlantic.  The health effects of leaving religion: how a loss in faith can manifest itself in the mind and body.>>
• Ambassador Muhamed Sacribey. (September 29, 2014). H on the Blog.  Sacrificing of myself rather than animal this Eid al-Adha?>>
• Grundy, Trevor. (September 28, 2014).  Religion News Service – Huffington Post. Tradition of kissing, touching corpses may contribute to spread of Ebola, experts say.>>
• Fayer, Lauren. (September 24, 2014). NPR.  The outspoken Spanish nun who’s made herself a political force.>>
  

• Churches United to Stop HIV (CUSH):  A Faith-Based HIV Prevention Initiative
• Partnerships with Faith-based and Community-based Organizations:  Engaging America’s grassroots organizations
  in promoting public health
• A 10-Step Approach for Health Communications with Community- and Faith-based Organizations During Public Health Emergencies
• Faith-based Organizations and Pandemic Preparedness
• Engaging Communities in the Response to the 2009 H1N1 Influenza Pandemic:  A Promising Model for Reaching Vulnerable Populations
• Understanding Ideological Motivations for Terrorism: A Case Study for Public Health Preparedness Planners and Responders
• A Case Study in Collaborating with Atlanta-Based African-American Churches:  A Promising Means for Reaching Inner-City Substance Users with Rapid HIV Testing
  

SEPTEMBER 2013

• Parenting as a Spiritual Practice:  NEW YORK TIMES
• The Barefoot Run Through Kathmandu:  THE ATLANTIC CITIES
• King of the Jungle:  CULTURE ON THE EDGE
• At the Judgment Seat:  KILLING THE BUDDHA
• Has the Christian Church Forgotten its Urban Roots?  THE ATLANTIC CITIES
• “Burka Avenger”:  Pakistan’s Middle Class Gets a Feminist Cartoon:  RELIGION DISPATCHES
• Stephen Cave:  Anti-Death Behavior:  GUERNICAMAG.COM
• The Nature of Authority:  KENYON REVIEW
• Creationists Portray New Science Standards as “Big Government”:  RELIGION DISPATCHES
• Do Intelligent People Need Religion?:  RELIGION DISPATCHES

AUGUST 2013

• A Maddening Case of the Measles in Orthodox Jewish Brooklyn:  THE DAILY BEAST
• Anti-Vaccine Megachurch Linked to Texas Measles Outbreak:  SLATE
• A Public Health Perspective on the Religion-Health Connection:  NCJH
• Private Choice vs. Public Health:  Religion, Morality, and Childhood Vaccination Law:  UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND
• Mandatory Immunization Laws and the Role of Medical, Religious, and Philosophical Exemptions:  VACCINESAFETY.EDU

On August 7, 2013, the US Department of State announced that an “Office of Religious Engagement” had been created in the department in an effort to work respectfully with the world’s religious traditions to support global diplomacy.  In the US, reactions to the announcement were strong and mixed, with various commentators congratulating the US government for responding to the limitations of a “myopically secular US diplomacy,” others expressing concern that the office would try to co-opt religious movements in support of US geopolitical interests, and still others claiming that the office represented a violation of the establishment clause of the first amendment to the US Constitution.

Because we are involved in a number of global public health initiatives in partnership with US government agencies, these issues are both interesting and relevant to us here at the Interfaith Health Program.  The following commentaries offer a variety of perspectives.

• Why is the State Department Opening an Office of “Religious Engagement”?:  RELIGION DISPATCHES
• Shaun Casey, New Head Of State’s Office Of Faith-Based Community Initiatives, Speaks Out:  HUFFINGTON POST
• Notes from Across the Pond:  Church-State Separation Isn’t for Everyone:  RELIGION DISPATCHES
• A Discussion with Maryann Cusimano Love:  BERKELEY CENTER
• State Department Finds Religion, But Whose?:  RELIGION DISPATCHES
• Under Hillary Clinton, The State Department Pursued Greater Religious Engagement:  RELIGION AND POLITICS
• Taking Religious Engagement in Foreign Policy Seriously:  BROOKINGS
• What’s Wrong With Promoting Religious Freedom?:  FOREIGN POLICY
• Why The U.S. State Department Should Take My Introduction to Religious Studies Course:  MICHAEL ALTMAN, MEDIUM.COM

Finally, this online forum provides perspectives from 17 experts from across the world:

• Engaging Religion at the Department of State:  SSRC BLOGS

JUNE 2013

• Are Immunization Exemptions Fair to All?:  Bill Moyers, VIMEO VIDEO
• Inspiring African Churches to Uphold Women’s Dignity, WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES
• Global Health and Liberation Theology, Dr. Paul Farmer and Rev. Gustavo Gutierrez, PARTNERS IN HEALTH
• Should Your Doctor Pray With You?, THE ATLANTIC
• Religion & Mental Health:  New Study Links Belief in “Punitive God” To Emotional Problems, HUFFINGTON POST
• A Religious Approach to Health Disparities, SCIENCE LIFE
• It’s Not Your Fault, I’m Happy, POPPSTRONG
• Actually Listening to Religious Nones, REVEVERETT
• What is Interfaith Cooperation For?, RELIGION DISPATCHES
• Religion And Health: Very Religious People Score Higher In Health Self-Evaluations, According To Study, HUFFINGTON POST
• The Science Delusion, SLATE
• Air Kissing the Mezuzah, RELIGION DISPATCHES
• Global Health Rounds:  Katherine Marshall, VIMEO VIDEO
• Under the Umbrella of Religion and Health, THE ASSOCIATION OF RELIGION DATA ARCHIVES
• Doctor, Not Chaplain, THE ATLANTIC