Religion Coverage

Look inside Cary's Sri Venkateswara temple

A growing number of Hindu faithful now call the town of Cary home as well as their center of worship.

Renee Chou, WRAL anchor/reporter

Votes are 'act of service to the Lord,' says lawmaker who wants 'In God We Trust' in NC legislature

Republican state Rep. Ben Moss says his bill, which seeks to display the words "In God We Trust" in the legislative chambers, would remind lawmakers that votes are "an act of service to the Lord our God and to help advance His Kingdom in our elected capacity."

Paul Specht, WRAL state politics reporter

Muslim community presses Shaw U. to reopen mosque on campus so they can worship

A local Muslim congregation says they've been locked out of their mosque by Shaw University, and they want to know why.

Laura Leslie, WRAL capital bureau chief

More than 100 students baptized without permission at Christian school

A baptism is normally a family affair - but parents of more than 100 students at a Fayetteville Christian school say the event happened at school without them or their permission.

Gilbert Baez, WRAL Fayetteville reporter

SC daycare worker denies abusing children at church, despite video evidence from investigators

A South Carolina woman denies that she abused any children at her church's daycare center, despite video evidence from police that suggests otherwise.

Southern Baptist Convention says it faces FBI investigation for sexual abuse

The leadership of the Southern Baptist Convention, the country's largest Protestant denomination, said Friday that the church was under investigation by the Justice Department for sexual abuse and that it would "fully and completely cooperate."

Thomas Fuller, New York Times

NC church youth volunteer charged with multiple sex crimes after 2 victims come forward 10 years later

A former volunteer church youth worker was arrested Tuesday at the Wilmington International Airport and charged with a sex crime involving a minor.

WECT News

Fact check: Boebert says 'the church is supposed to direct the government'

In an impassioned address to worshippers at a Colorado church, Republican U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert said: "The church is supposed to direct the government. The government is not supposed to direct the church." PolitiFact checks her claim about the founders.

Jeff Cercone, PolitiFact reporter

For Conservative Christians, the End of Roe Was a Spiritual Victory

For nearly 50 years, conservative Christians marched, strategized and prayed. And then, on an ordinary Friday morning in June, the day they had dreamed of finally came.

Elizabeth Dias, New York Times

Methodist leaders to meet with Durham neighbors after opposition to new church

A Durham church that refuses to perform same-sex marriages will be the topic of a conversation between leaders of the United Methodist Church Tuesday night.

SBC promises support to survivors of sexual abuse

Katie Trout, a survivor church sex abuse and advocate for other survivors, said survivors demand and deserve action to come from the investigation.

Top Southern Baptists plan to release secret list of abusers

Top administrative leaders for the Southern Baptist Convention, the largest Protestant denomination in America, said Tuesday that they will release a secret list of hundreds of pastors and other church-affiliated personnel accused of sexual abuse.

By DEEPA BHARATH, Associated Press & MATT TALHELM, WRAL reporter

NC Baptists meet following sexual abuse report

North Carolina Baptists are taking action in response to a new report that reveals national church leaders ignored and even intimidated survivors of sexual abuse.

'It's a shame': NC Baptists take action in response to sexual abuse report

North Carolina Baptists are taking action in response to a new report that reveals national church leaders ignored and even intimidated survivors of sexual abuse. The independent investigation uncovered a secret list of more than 700 alleged abusers.

Matt Talhelm, WRAL reporter

A journalist's journey: David Crabtree reflects on lessons, lives of great leaders

Over a long career at WRAL, David Crabtree has interviewed and covered great leaders, from Nelson Mandela to Pope John Paul II to Mother Teresa.

Faith shapes us all in different ways

I covered everything from a truck stop Bible study in Clayton, to a preacher who shined shoes at Raleigh-Durham International Airport, to a Sunday school class for mentally challenged adults, to a communion service on death row.

David Crabtree, WRAL anchor/reporter

Crowd for Eid-al-Fitr celebration reflects diversity of Triangle's Muslim community

Thousands of Triangle-area Muslims gather for prayer and celebration for Eid-al-Fitr at the Exposition Center at the North Carolina Fairgrounds.

Churches gather in-person for Easter celebrations

There was a full room at World Overcomers Christian church on Easter Sunday. Something Pastor Andy Thompson said he hasn't seen in two years.

Durham church holds first in-person Easter service since pandemic

There was a full room at World Overcomers Christian church Easter Sunday. Something Pastor Andy Thompson said he hasn't seen in two years.

Michelle Mackonochie, WRAL anchor/reporter

WRAL's David Crabtree speaks with Raleigh hospice nurse helping refugees in Poland

Many refugees from Ukraine and trying to find safety and solace in Poland. This morning, he introduces us to one local hospice nurse who's found a new calling.

North Carolina Jewish Clergy Association officially launches

The new organization is led by seven clergy members.

Mark Bergin, WRAL senior multiplatform producer

Hillsong, Once a Leader of Christian Cool, Loses Footing in America

Terry Crist, a fifth-generation pastor in Phoenix, joined the global megachurch Hillsong in part because of what he describes as its distinctly joyful approach to church life: Hillsong was an institution where leaders seemed “light and free,” offering a church experience that attracted tens of thousands of people around the world.

Ruth Graham, New York Times

How local food pantries provide an avenue for all to lend a hand

Through Catholic Charities programs like the Fayetteville Food Bank, volunteers from all backgrounds are able to provide crucial aid to their communities.

Abbey Slattery, WRAL Digital Solutions

Churches host virtual services in the metaverse

The metaverse is an online platform where people can use virtual reality headsets to transport themselves to any realm they wish -- including church. A growing number of people are turning to the metaverse for their religious services as folks pop on virtual reality headsets and partake in digital church.

How Catholic Charities provides support through the immigration process and beyond

With the help of accredited Department of Justice representatives, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Raleigh advocates for immigrants and provide important aid.

Abbey Slattery, WRAL Digital Solutions