Some TEXAS MONTHLY Stories on Religion

Houston.
by William Martin [November 2008]

Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship, Dallas.
by William Martin [September 2008]

Gruene
by William Martin [May 2008]

San Antonio
by William Martin [March 2008]

Houston | December 9, 2007
by William Martin [February 2008]

Silverlake Ward, Pearland
by William Martin [November 2007]

William Martin reviews our places of worship.
by William Martin [August 2007]

Fort Worth | April 29, 2007
by William Martin [July 2007]

Although many people haven’t heard of him, Bishop T.D. Jakes is one of the most famous—and richest— preachers in the country. Whence cometh this man?
by William Martin [August 2006]

Frozen embryos are destroyed every day in the name of in vitro fertilization. Tell me again what’s so wrong with stem cell research?
by Michael Ennis [October 2005]

The fastest-growing church in the world. The biggest congregation this side of the Vatican. The highest ratings of any religious broadcaster. One of the best-selling religious books in years. Can Joel Osteen get an “Amen”?
by William Martin [August 2005]

Senior editor Gary Cartwright on Norma McCorvey (a.k.a. Jane Roe) and how abortion has divided the country.
Interview by Kimberly Jeffries [December 2004]

Have you heard the one about the Mormon polygamists who descended on a tiny West Texas town? It would be funny if it wasn't so serious. (Okay, it's pretty funny too.)
by Skip Hollandsworth [November 2004]

The battle for the soul of the Episcopal Church, being waged aggressively in this state, is not only about the ordination of homosexuals. It's also about the future of the denomination.
by S. C. Gwynne [July 2004]

What sets Dallas apart from other sophisticated American cities? Its unique end-of-the-world industry.
by Michael Ennis [July 2004]

Executive editor S.C. Gwynne on the controversy among Episcopal leaders and the future of the Anglican Church.
Interview by Lori Fradkin [July 2004]

Should a monument featuring the Ten Commandments be allowed to remain on the grounds of the Texas Capitol? A homeless former defense lawyer says no.
by Jan Jarboe Russell [February 2004]

Haven't we settled the prayer-in-politics debate and turned our attention to more important things, like the budget shortfall? Apparently not.
by Jan Jarboe Russell [May 2003]

Ten years after eighty Davidians died in a government-led siege, a few surviving members of the sect have returned to the plains east of Waco, looking for something. And, in some cases, waiting for David Koresh to return.
by Michael Hall [April 2003]

Senior editor Michael Hall revisits Waco's Branch Davidians and describes the challenges and nuances of writing about the remaining followers and the controversies of their tragic history.
Interview by Jordan Breal [April 2003]

When I could no longer tolerate the religious fundamentalism of my childhood, I turned to the teachings of a Swiss psychiatrist—and rejuvenated my spiritual life.
by Jan Jarboe Russell [January 2003]

Three decades after his last megamission in Dallas, age and poor health haven't slowed Billy Graham down (well, not much). He's still the most powerful evangelist since Jesus, and there will never be another like him.
by William Martin [December 2002]

Was the sacred image of the Virgin Mary in Mexico City painted by miracle or man? Even science can't say for sure.
by Jan Jarboe Russell [October 2002]

Right with his party, wrong with his religion: where God and government intersect for Rick Perry and Tony Sanchez.
by Jan Jarboe Russell [August 2002]

What happens to your belief in God when your son commits suicide after being molested by a priest? That's a question Nancy and Pat Lemberger have been struggling with for years.
by Jan Jarboe Russell [June 2002]

Evangelist Lester Roloff drew a line in the dirt to keep the State of Texas from regulating his Rebekah Home for Girls. Years later, then-govenor George W. Bush handed Roloff's disciples a long-sought victory. But this Alamo had no heroes—only victims.
by Pamela Colloff [December 2001]

In today's stressful times, Buddhism's philosophy of peaceful detachment is resonating with more Texans than ever.
Keith Kachtick [March 2001]

A year of alarming art, befuddled bus drivers, crustacean confiscators, demanding donors, entomological eats, feckless felons, garbled George W., hideous headgear, inspirational ice cream, juiced journalists, KKK kiss-offs, Lubbock lampooners, mucho manure, nada nudity, oafish officials, P.O.'d policemen, quirky queens, raunchy Republicans, shapely sideburns, thanatological toys, used uniforms, vampire vanquishers, witless waiters, x-pert x-terminators, yeoman Yankees, and zany zealots.
[January 2001]

In the Gulf Coast town of Santa Fe, high school football games had always kicked off with a prayer, but in June the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the practice violated the separation of church and state. Now the issue—which has turned neighbor against neighbor and provoked some decidedly un-Christian behavior— has grown from a local controversy into a national one.
by Pamela Colloff [November 2000]

The Wiccans of Fort Hood have conjured up their share of enemies, including a Republican congressman and a Baptist preacher. Are their claims of religious freedom appropriate, or are they off base?
by John Ratliff [October 1999]

There’s something unorthodox—to say the least—about the Christ of the Hills Monastery in Blanco.
by Katy Vine [October 1999]

What are tens of thousands of Muslims doing in Arlington? Adjusting to life in America, debating the merits of assimilation, and trying to convince the world that they’re not terrorists.
by Helen Thorpe [May 1999]

Houston’s hot preacher writes a (good) book.
by Claire Poole [February 1999]

A blast from the pastor.
by Jadell Forman [September 1998]

What is ex–football star Bill Glass’s plan for reforming hardened prison inmates? God is in the details.
by Pamela Colloff [October 1997]

In the wake of Heaven’s Gate, the media marched en masse to Abilene, the home base of the House of Yahweh, whose charismatic leader, Yisrayl Hawkins, was supposed to be the next David Koresh. Not even close.
by Robert Draper [July 1997]

Practicing what he preaches.
by Mimi Swartz [September 1996]

Since the late eighties, dozens of big churches in Texas have put rapid growth ahead of financial health. Austin’s Great Hills Baptist is only the latest to pay the price.
Carol Flake [September 1996]

Wyatt Roberts says he’s simply crusading against sin, but critics contend that the Christian activist is trying to usher in a new era in Texas: the anti-gay nineties.
by Helen Thorpe [April 1996]

With love, discipline, and old-time religion, Kirbyjon Caldwell has built one of Texas’ most vital churches.
by William Martin [October 1994]

Get your masks on; put on your dancing shoes. It’s time for Mexico’s Day of the Dead, one of the liveliest celebrations around.
by Anne Dingus [November 1992]

Three Spanish missions are El Paso’s own heaven on earth.
by Dana Rubin [April 1992]

Troubled boys at this Baptist youth home had to eat soap if they said the wrong thing. And that was one of the milder punishments.
by Robert Draper [January 1992]