Sciences

"In humans' mysterious journey to become intelligent, socializing creatures like no other in the animal world, one innovation played an essential role: religion. That's the theory that a preeminent evolutionary scientist is setting out to prove" — A scientist's new theory: Religion was key to humans' social evolution (Julie Zauzmer, Washington Post)

France

"Alors que 'La Croix' lance mardi 28 février un onglet 'Faits religieux' sur son site, Jean-Paul Willaime, directeur d'études émérite à l'École pratique des hautes études (EPHE), section sciences religieuses (1), revient sur la signification de cette expression" — Jean-Paul Willaime : « Une forte demande sociale de connaissance du fait religieux » (Malo Tresca, La Croix)

Buddhism

"Some people, if you ask them a question, answer quickly. Others take a moment to think first. Haemin Sunim looks up, slightly to the right, and allows 14 seconds to pass before he answers one of my questions. I counted, when I listened to the recording. And here’s something: waiting for his reply, I didn’t feel even remotely uncomfortable. Because taking time is Sunim’s thing. He’s a Buddhist monk who has become internationally famous for it" — Zen and the art of family maintenance – lessons from the bestselling Buddhist monk (John-Paul Flintoff, The Guardian)

Greece

The Greek Ministry of Education has decided to change the lesson of Religion in the new school year, according to a Proto Thema website report. The decision comes after the recent clash between previous education minister Nikos Filis and the Church of Greece — Greek Education Ministry to Change Religion Lessons as of September (Philip Chrysopoulos, Greek Reporter)

Canada

"Au Québec, les employeurs doivent négocier les demandes de congés pour une fête religieuse de leurs salariés dans le cadre des 'accommodements raisonnables'" — Jours fériés religieux: au Québec, c'est à la carte (ou presque) (Léo Caravagna, Le Figaro)

"l'art de vivre dans une société multiconfessionnelle" — Générations divisées au sujet de la laïcité (Radio Canada)