Religion and Faith

Hundreds of families on the Red Lake Indian Reservation once made their living from commercial walleye fishing. But decades of over-harvest nearly wiped out the walleye. In 1999, tribal, state and federal officials agreed to a recovery plan. Walleye fishing was banned. Now, biologists say the species has rebounded. They say walleye fishing can begin again in 2006. That presents a dilemma for the Red Lake people. Some tribal members want to open the lake to sports fishing and tourism. Others want the lake to remain off-limits to outsiders.
You have probably seen the billboards and lawn signs around the region, touting this weekend's Twin Cities Festival, featuring Dr. Luis Palau. The Christian based gathering, with rock bands, a skate boarding park, and demonstrations of extreme sports, is expected to draw about 250,000 people to the Minnesota State Capitol grounds. It is sponsored by about 850 churches, a number of high profile corporate leaders and companies, including the Star Tribune. The focus is on bringing people, especially young people, to Jesus Christ. Dr. Palau is internationally known around the world for his evangelism, and is a protege of Billy Graham. Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer spoke with Dr. Luis Palau.
Sen. John Kerry is just the third Catholic ever nominated to be president of the United States. In 1928, Al Smith, and again in 1960, Sen. John F. Kennedy -- both Democrats -- had to answer questions from voters about the role of their religion in governing. Now, some politicians are answering the same question, but this time it's coming from their church.
Many great art collections are tucked away in various houses of worship throughout the Twin Cities. Churches and temples use the art to inspire and educate their congregations. But the collections add new wrinkles to the already complex business of collecting art.
Spiritual speech is becoming a staple on the campaign trail. From conversion to communion, private religious practice is generating passionate political discussion.
A new Speaking of Faith program about the debate over gay marriage, which has been framed in Christian terms in this country. Hear interviews with two Evangelical Christians, Richard Mouw, the President of Fuller Theological Seminary, and Virginia Ramey Mollenkott, a feminist theologian and Professor Emeritus of English at William Paterson University of New Jersey. They are struggling with the question of gay marriage in different ways.
Twenty years ago Faith Adiele spent two months studying Buddhism in a forest temple in northern Thailand. She was not just the first black American, but also the first foreigner, to study at the temple.
There's a club in downtown Minneapolis where musicians spread the gospel in between drum fills and wailing guitar solos. Club 3 Degrees is one of the few Christian nightclubs in Minnesota. It's a smoke and alcohol free establishment which features strictly Christian music of every variety. It's proprietors are ordained ministers who not only want to show their patrons a good time, but also save them.
A Commonwealth Club speech by John Esposito, founding director of the Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding at Georgetown University, on Americans' perceptions of Muslims after the terrorist attacks of 9/11.
This weekend between 500 to 1,000 Muslims from around the Midwest are expected in Minneapolis for a convention called, "Islam, a Way of Life."