The bill would make it a crime, punishable by prison and a steep fine, to offend religious feelings.

The person behind the elaborate online hoax in which a fake website proclaimed Pastor Joel Osteen's intent to renounce Christianity and shut down his influential ministry says that his goal wasn't to attack Osteen personally. And he adds that he has now received thousands of "heartfelt" messages.

April Fool's Day was one week ago — but an elaborate hoax targeting Pastor Joel Osteen gained wide attention Monday, after those behind the hoax used Twitter, YouTube, and other social media to spread spurious claims that the pastor had renounced his faith and would close his huge Texas church.

Gov. Sam Brownback is expected to sign the measure making abortion access much harder in Kansas. In addition to declaring that life begins "at fertilization," it blocks tax breaks for abortion providers and requires doctors to address a weak link between abortion and breast cancer.

Reverend Cecil Williams has been called crazy and radical. But during his 50 years of service as pastor of the Glide Memorial Church in San Francisco, the Methodist congregation has gone from a mere 35 members to 10,000 people. Williams, and his wife, Janice Mirikitani, discuss their new book, Beyond the Possible.

A new exhibit in Berlin's Jewish Museum is intentionally provocative. The point, one curator says, is to "get people talking about how they perceive Jews, particularly in Germany today." At the center of the controversy is a display in which a Jewish person sits inside a glass showcase and answers questions from visitors.

Artists explore how faith, spirituality and heritage play a role in artistic expression.

The congregation of the Adams United Methodist Church in Whitesville, Va. is picking up the pieces after the church's sanctuary was destroyed in a January fire.