In 1945, Egyptian villagers hunting for fertilizer near Nag Hammadi unearthed a clay jar containing leather-bound Coptic codices hidden in the desert for centuries. The find revealed 13 codices, including texts linked to works later discussed such as the Gospel of Thomas. Before this discovery, historians studying Gnostic Christianity relied mostly on hostile accounts, making true reconstruction difficult. Nag Hammadi reshaped research in religion, linguistics, translation, and how early communities transmitted texts and ideas.
Scott-Vincent Borba, co-founder of e.l.f. Cosmetics, walked away from a fortune from the $3 billion beauty brand after saying wealth and success still left him feeling empty. He’s giving up major assets, including a beach house and an Aston Martin, to pursue a calling as a Catholic priest. His decision spotlights burnout and why many chase meaning beyond money.
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Karnataka has reinstated students’ right to wear hijabs in schools and pre-university colleges after an earlier restriction under the BJP government. The new directive allows religious symbols like hijabs and turbans alongside official uniforms, following public demonstrations. The move shifts how religious attire will be handled in campuses, reshaping classroom rules for students across the state.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis unveiled the logo for the Nashik Kumbh Mela, calling it a “grand and divine” event. He said the state is working closely with akharas and religious leaders to ensure smooth arrangements for the spiritual congregation, which returns every 12 years.
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said India’s upcoming census is expected to show the Muslim population at a level comparable to Indonesia’s. He stressed the value of knowing community numbers while underlining that every person, irrespective of community size, remains Indian. The remarks point to a potential demographic shift and a message on national unity.
Tech companies are increasingly seeking guidance from faith leaders to shape AI ethics, signaling a notable shift from earlier Silicon Valley skepticism. At the inaugural “Faith-AI Covenant” roundtable, religious representatives and AI firms discussed shared moral principles, aiming to influence how systems are trained, governed, and deployed in everyday life.
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The Supreme Court is hearing petitions involving alleged religious discrimination, with judges warning that widespread challenges to religious practices could destabilize society. Noting that India’s civilisation is deeply intertwined with religion, the court is weighing how to balance freedom of religion with fundamental rights. The case is expected to set a precedent for future disputes over religious matters.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, facing criticism for alleged communal politics, says he holds “no grudge” against Indian Muslims. In an interview, he argues voters and critics must make a “distinction” to protect Assam’s identity, warning the state cannot be turned into a Muslim-majority region through “infiltration.”
A newly formed US virtual operator, Radiant Mobile, is set to launch nationwide on May 5 with mandatory network-level porn filtering across all plans. The service positions itself as different from standard parental controls because the filter can’t be disabled. It also plans optional gender-based content filtering, raising fresh questions about telecom control and user choice.
A video from Haridwar’s Sarvanand Ghat shows a woman bathing her pet dog in the Ganga, triggering objections from local priests and residents who cited the river’s sanctity. The woman argued on the spot, and the clip quickly went viral, splitting online opinion between those calling it hypocrisy and those condemning the act as disrespectful.
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Sacred Piprahwa relics of Lord Buddha arrived in Leh on Wednesday, greeted by light showers outside Kushok Bakula Rinpoche Airport. The rain soon cleared, heightening the ceremonial atmosphere as officials and thousands of devotees gathered for a grand reception and procession. The historic event drew crowds across Ladakh, blending religious reverence with a dramatic, rain-to-clear sky moment.
A chilling account from Mira Road’s Naya Nagar describes how an attacker allegedly asked the victim if he was Hindu, then returned to stab him and injured a supervisor. Maharashtra ATS is investigating the April 27 attack on 31-year-old Jaib Zubair Ansari, with two security guards still recovering after surviving the violence.
A row erupted in Bengaluru after allegations that Brahmin students were forced to remove their Janeu during the Karnataka CET exam. Despite earlier government assurances, police registered FIRs and suspended three professors over the incident. The dispute has reignited questions about whether religious practices are being unfairly targeted during standardized testing.
President Donald Trump read 2 Chronicles during a livestreamed Bible marathon from the Oval Office, reviving a verse many associate with America as a Christian nation. Supporters see spiritual unity, while critics argue it turns scripture into a political signal—intensifying religious and cultural divides across the country.
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A proposed California bill targeting caste discrimination has met fierce backlash, with opponents arguing it is unnecessary and risks infringing free speech and religious freedom. They claim caste is tightly linked to religious practices and that existing anti-discrimination laws already cover most cases. Yet past lawsuits in California show employers have faced allegations of caste discrimination.
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