Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly

>>> COMING UP, AFTER 20 YEARS ON THE AIR, OUR LAST EPISODE OF "RELIGION AND ETHICS NEWSWEEKLY."

WE LOOK BACK AT SOME OF THE MOST MEMORABLE STORIES WE'VE COVERED, PEOPLE WE'VE MET AND CHANGES WE'VE SEEN.

THIS WEEK, KIM LAWTON, LUCKY SEVERSON AND I OFFER OUR REFLECTIONS.

COMPANY.

>>> WELCOME.

I'M BOB ABERNETHY.

IT'S GOOD TO HAVE YOU WITH US -- FOR THIS FINAL EDITION OF "RELIGION AND ETHICS NEWSWEEKLY."

LAST WEEK WE LOOKED BACK AT SOME OF THE MOST MEMORABLE STORIES OUR CORRESPONDENTS HAVE COVERED OVER TWO DECADES.

TODAY, ANOTHER LOOK, BEGINNING WITH OUR MANAGING EDITOR KIM LAWTON ON THE MANY CHANGES IN RELIGIOUS LIFE SHE HAS COVERED DURING THIS PROGRAM'S 20 YEARS ON THE AIR.

THAT'S 1,017 SHOWS.

>> OVER THE LAST TWO DECADES, WE'VE COVERED SOME MAJOR SHIFTS ACROSS AMERICA'S RELIGIOUS LANDSCAPE.

WHEN WE FIRST WENT ON THE AIR, THE BIG RELIGION DEMOGRAPHICS STORY HAD BEEN THE SO-CALLED "MAINLINE DECLINE," THE SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF MEMBERS IN DENOMINATIONS THAT HAD LONG BEEN CONSIDERED THE RELIGIOUS ESTABLISHMENT.

INTERFAITH DIALOGUE USUALLY CONSISTED OF CHRISTIANS AND JEWS GETTING TOGETHER.

ONE OF THE BIGGEST CHANGES SINCE THEN HAS BEEN A RISING RECOGNITION OF AMERICA'S COMPLEX RELIGIOUS DIVERSITY.

IN 2012, THE PEW RESEARCH CENTER ANNOUNCED THAT WHILE THE U.S. REMAINS A MAJORITY CHRISTIAN NATION, FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, THE SHARE OF PROTESTANT CHRISTIANS DROPPED BELOW 50%.

ABOUT 70% OF AMERICANS OVERALL ARE CHRISTIANS, BUT THE NUMBER OF AMERICANS WHO ARE PART OF NON-CHRISTIAN FAITHS, ESPECIALLY MUSLIMS AND HINDUS, CONTINUES TO RISE.

THERE ARE NOW MANY NEW PROJECTS FOR PEOPLE OF FAITH TO GET TO KNOW EACH OTHER ACROSS RELIGIOUS LINES.

PREVIOUSLY, SUCH ORGANIZED EFFORTS OFTEN HAPPENED AMONG THEOLOGIANS AND RELIGIOUS LEADERS ONLY.

MORE AND MORE, IT'S TAKING PLACE AT THE GRASSROOTS.

AT ONE TIME, MANY PARTICIPANTS WOULD HAVE NAMED EVANGELISM AS THE SOLE MOTIVATION FOR INTERFAITH INTERACTIONS.

NOW, WE'VE INCREASINGLY HEARD THAT MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING IS A GOAL, EVEN AMONG THOSE WHO MAY STILL ULTIMATELY HOPE TO CONVERT OTHERS TO THEIR FAITH.

WE'VE SEEN MANY BROAD-BASED RELIGIOUS COALITIONS DEVELOP TO ADVOCATE ON A HOST OF ISSUES, INCLUDING POVERTY, THE ENVIRONMENT, RACIAL INJUSTICE, HUMAN RIGHTS, ANTI-RELIGIOUS BIGOTRY AND A BIG ONE RECENTLY, SUPPORTING IMMIGRATION AND THE RESETTLEMENT OF REFUGEES.

>> WE TALK ABOUT HOW WE ARE ALL BROTHERS AND SISTERS, THAT WE FORM ONE HUMAN FAMILY, AND ALL OF THIS GROWS OUT OF ALL THE RELIGIOUS TRADITIONS THAT YOU SEE AROUND US.

>> ANOTHER KEY DEMOGRAPHIC CHANGE HAS BEEN THE DRAMATIC RISE OF THE RELIGIOUSLY-UNAFFILIATED, THE SO-CALLED "NONES."

THAT'S N-O-N-E-S. TODAY, MORE THAN 20% OF ALL AMERICANS SAY THEY DO NOT IDENTIFY WITH ANY PARTICULAR RELIGION.

AND THE DROP IN AFFILIATION IS ESPECIALLY EVIDENT AMONG YOUNG ADULTS.

>> ABOUT ONE-THIRD OF ALL AMERICAN ADULTS UNDER THE AGE OF 30 DESCRIBE THEMSELVES AS EITHER ATHEISTS OR AGNOSTICS OR SAY THEY JUST DON'T HAVE ANY PARTICULAR RELIGION.

AND THAT LARGE NUMBER IS A BIG PART OF WHAT'S DRIVING THE OVERALL GROWTH IN THIS POPULATION.

>> EXPERTS CITE MANY REASONS FOR THE RISE OF THE NONES -- AMONG THEM, THE GROWING SECULARIZATION OF AMERICAN CULTURE, AND THE WIDENING SOCIAL ACCEPTABILITY FOR PEOPLE TO ADMIT THEY'RE JUST NOT ALL THAT INTO RELIGION.

THE CLERGY SEX ABUSE SCANDAL IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH, THE STRONG POLITICAL FOCUS OF MANY RELIGIOUS GROUPS AND OTHER INSTITUTIONAL PROBLEMS MAY HAVE ALSO PLAYED A ROLE.

>> THEY LOOK AT THESE INSTITUTIONS AND THEY SEE PEOPLE WHO ARE MORE CONCERNED ABOUT POLITICS, MORE CONCERNED ABOUT MONEY, MORE CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR OWN POWER, AND THAT'S JUST NOT WHAT PEOPLE EXPECT OUT OF A FAITH INSTITUTION.

THEY EXPECT SOME LEVEL OF AUTHENTICITY, ESPECIALLY IN THE LEADERSHIP.

>> THE UNAFFILIATED TREND HAS FORCED RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS ACROSS THE BOARD TO TAKE A NEW LOOK AT THEMSELVES, WHAT THEY PRIORITIZE, HOW THEY COME ACROSS IN PUBLIC, HOW THEY RETAIN PEOPLE WHO ARE PART OF THEIR TRADITIONS, HOW THEY REACH OUT TO YOUNG PEOPLE AND HOW THEY NEED TO BROADEN THEIR APPEAL.

BUT WE ALSO DISCOVERED THAT BEING UNAFFILIATED DOESN'T NECESSARILY MEAN ABSOLUTE ATHEISM.

IN A JOINT SURVEY THAT OUR PROGRAM CONDUCTED WITH THE PEW RESEARCH CENTER, WE FOUND THAT MANY OF THE UNAFFILIATED ARE RELIGIOUS OR SPIRITUAL IN SOME WAY.

TWO-THIRDS OF THEM SAID THEY BELIEVE IN GOD, MORE THAN A THIRD CLASSIFIED THEMSELVES AS "SPIRITUAL" BUT NOT "RELIGIOUS" AND ONE-IN-FIVE SAID THEY DO PRAY EVERY DAY.

ONE INSTITUTION IN PARTICULAR, THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH, HAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL SIGNIFICANT TRANSITIONS OVER THE LAST 20 YEARS.

>> OUR TOP STORY THIS WEEK IS THE DEATH OF MOTHER TERESA.

WHILE THE WORLD WAS STILL MOURNING THE DEATH OF PRINCESS DIANA CAME THE SAD NEWS THAT THE BELOVED ROMAN CATHOLIC NUN HAD DIED FRIDAY OF A MASSIVE HEART ATTACK.

>> ON OUR VERY FIRST EPISODE OF RELIGION & ETHICS, WE REPORTED THE DEATH OF MOTHER TERESA, NOW ST. TERESA OF CALCUTTA.

POPE JOHN PAUL II, NOW ST. JOHN PAUL II, WAS STILL A POPULAR LEADER AND THOUGH GETTING OLDER, STILL TRAVELING THE GLOBE.

I COVERED SEVERAL OF HIS TRIPS, INCLUDING HIS HISTORIC VISIT TO THE HOLY LAND IN 2000.

HIS DEATH IN 2005 AND THE ELECTION OF BENEDICT THE XVI USHERED IN A NEW ERA FOR THE CHURCH.

IN 2013, BENEDICT STUNNED THE WORLD BY BECOMING THE FIRST POPE IN 600 YEARS TO RESIGN.

HE CITED HIS AGE AND HEALTH.

BENEDICT'S SUCCESSOR, POPE FRANCIS, HAS BEEN SHAKING UP THE CHURCH AND BEYOND WITH HIS PASTORAL APPROACH AND HIS EMPHASIS ON SIMPLICITY AND POVERTY.

FRANCIS'S EMBRACE OF A NEW SET OF ISSUES, FROM CLIMATE CHANGE TO IMMIGRATION, HAS GENERATED PRAISE AND CONTROVERSY.

IN THE SUMMER OF 2001, I WAS WORKING ON A STORY ABOUT HOW AMERICAN MUSLIMS WERE TRYING TO ORGANIZE POLITICALLY AND HAVE A STRONGER PUBLIC VOICE.

THEN CAME THE SEPTEMBER 11 ATTACKS, AND THINGS CHANGED PROFOUNDLY FOR THAT COMMUNITY.

AFTER THE ATTACKS, PRESIDENT BUSH SAID REPEATEDLY THAT AMERICA WAS NOT AT WAR WITH ISLAM.

>> THE FACE OF TERROR IS NOT THE TRUE FAITH OF ISLAM.

THAT'S NOT WHAT ISLAM IS ALL ABOUT.

ISLAM IS PEACE.

>> BUT MANY U.S. MUSLIMS REPORTED A BACKLASH OF DISCRIMINATION AND HARASSMENT.

SIKHS WHO WERE MISTAKEN FOR MUSLIMS ALSO REPORTED HATE CRIMES AGAINST THEM.

MANY MUSLIMS WERE FORCED OUT OF THEIR MINORITY ENCLAVES TO CONDEMN TERRORISM AND TRY TO EXPLAIN THEIR BELIEFS.

IRONICALLY, THE QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS INSPIRED NEW INTERFAITH SOLIDARITY WITH MUSLIMS AS WELL.

AMID HEIGHTENED SUSPICIONS AND GOVERNMENT SURVEILLANCE, SOME MUSLIM GROUPS LAUNCHED THEIR OWN PROJECTS TO COMBAT VIOLENT EXTREMISM.

>> IT'S ABOUT PRESERVING HUMAN RIGHTS, DIGNITY, JUSTICE.

AND SO WHAT WE'VE SEEN IS THAT MUSLIMS NOW ARE TAKING BACK THAT NARRATIVE.

>> THE DEBATES RAMPED UP DURING THE 2016 PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN SEASON WITH CALLS FOR MUSLIM REGISTRIES AND BANS.

MUSLIMS HAVE BEEN VERY OUTSPOKEN AGAINST PRESIDENT TRUMP'S TEMPORARY BAN ON TRAVEL FROM SEVEN PREDOMINANTLY MUSLIM COUNTRIES.

PEOPLE OF MANY RELIGIOUS TRADITIONS ARE SUPPORTING THEM.

WITH GROWING DIVERSITY AND THE LESSENING INFLUENCE OF INSTITUTIONAL RELIGION, MANY FAITH GROUPS HAVE FOUND THEMSELVES IN THE MIDST OF SERIOUS NEW CULTURE CLASHES.

THE WIDENING SOCIAL ACCEPTANCE OF LGBT ISSUES AND THE EVENTUAL LEGALIZATION OF SAME-SEX MARRIAGE HAVE HAD MAJOR IMPLICATIONS FOR MANY RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS.

WE COVERED DIVISIONS IN THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH AFTER THE 2003 CONSECRATION OF GENE ROBINSON AS THE NATION'S FIRST OPENLY GAY BISHOP.

DISAGREEMENTS ABOUT THE AUTHORITY AND INTERPRETATION OF SCRIPTURE BROUGHT THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH AND THE ENTIRE WORLDWIDE ANGLICAN COMMUNION TO THE BRINK OF SCHISM.

OTHER DENOMINATIONS HAVE FACED FIERCE THEOLOGICAL DEBATES OVER THE ISSUES AS WELL, MANY STILL NOT RESOLVED.

>> THE CHURCH SHOULDN'T JUST GO ALONG WITH WHAT THE WIDER SOCIETY DEMANDS OF IT.

>> OUR CALL TO BE INCLUSIVE OF ALL PEOPLE COMES FROM SCRIPTURE.

IT COMES FROM FAITHFULNESS TO GOD.

>> EVANGELICAL AND CATHOLIC CHURCHES WHICH HAVE NOT CHANGED THEIR POSITIONS ON HOMOSEXUALITY HAVE ALSO COME UNDER INCREASING PRESSURE TO RE-EXAMINE THEIR PRACTICES AND BE MORE INCLUSIVE OF LBGT PEOPLE.

MEANWHILE, NEW CONFLICTS HAVE ARISEN OVER THE BOUNDARIES OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IN THE PUBLIC SPHERE.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN CIVIL RIGHTS SEEM TO BUMP UP AGAINST RELIGIOUS RIGHTS?

TO WHAT EXTENT CAN FAITH-BASED NON-PROFITS AND BUSINESSES-OWNERS DENY SERVICES BECAUSE OF THEIR BELIEFS?

SEXUALITY ISSUES AND THE CONTRACEPTION MANDATE IN THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT SPAWNED A HOST OF COURT CASES THAT ARE STILL TRYING TO SORT OUT THORNY NEW CHURCH-STATE QUESTIONS.

THOSE ARE JUST A FEW OF THE MANY CHANGES I'VE COVERED FOR THIS PROGRAM.

BUT SOMETHING THAT HASN'T CHANGED IN 20 YEARS IS THAT PEOPLE ARE STILL LIVING OUT THEIR FAITH DAY TO DAY IN SO MANY DIFFERENT WAYS.

ONE IS BY HELPING OTHERS, ESPECIALLY IN CRISIS SITUATIONS.

I'VE BEEN PRIVILEGED TO SEE THIS FIRSTHAND, TIME AND TIME AGAIN -- FROM THE TEAMS OF VOLUNTEERS WHO POURED INTO NEW ORLEANS TO HELP AFTER HURRICANE KATRINA, RELIGIOUS GROUPS WORKING IN HAITI AFTER THE DEVASTATING 2010 EARTHQUAKE AND FAITH-BASED HUMANITARIAN WORKERS DELIVERING DESPERATELY-NEEDED AID TO REFUGEE CAMPS AND WAR ZONES.

ACROSS THE U.S. AND AROUND THE WORLD, I'VE WITNESSED THE MANY WAYS PEOPLE WORSHIP, EXPRESS THEIR SPIRITUALITY, SEEK THE SACRED AND BUILD COMMUNITY.

THE PERSEVERANCE OF FAITH AND HOPE, EVEN IN THE MOST DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES, CONTINUES TO INSPIRE ME.

I'M KIM LAWTON.

>>> NOW, LUCKY SEVERSON ON SOME OF THE PEOPLE HE'S BEEN LUCKY ENOUGH TO MEET OVER THE YEARS, MANY OF WHOM WERE STRIVING TO MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE.

>> I'VE BEEN IN THE NEWS BUSINESS A LONG TIME.

FIRST IN LOCAL, THEN NATIONAL, THEN INTERNATIONAL.

FOR ALMOST 20 YEARS I'VE BEEN DOING STORIES FOR THIS PROGRAM, AND I'VE HAD FAR MORE FUN THAN I DESERVE AND MET SOME AMAZING PEOPLE ALONG THE WAY WHO HAVE MADE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE -- PEOPLE LIKE SCOTT NEESON, THE FORMER PRESIDENT OF 20TH CENTURY FOX INTERNATIONAL.

SCOTT NEESON FOUND MOST OF HIS KIDS AT THIS MOUNTAIN OF GARBAGE OUTSIDE CAMBODIA'S CAPITAL CITY OF PHNOM PENH.

PICTURES ALONE DON'T DO IT JUSTICE, DON'T REVEAL THE STENCH, THE FILTH, MAGGOTS, THE CHEMICAL WASTE, AND SHARP, JAGGED OBJECTS.

>> WHEN I FIRST CAME HERE, I HAD NIGHTMARES.

I HAD TERRIBLE DREAMS FOR A WEEK OR TWO AFTERWARDS.

AND I THINK SOME OF THE THINGS I'VE SEEN OUT HERE ARE JUST HORRENDOUS.

>> HE HAD COME HERE BACKPACKING, ONE OF HOLLYWOOD'S MAJOR MOVERS AND SHAKERS.

YOU WERE A MAN OF MEANS?

>> I WAS A MAN OF MEANS AND LUXURIES.

AND YET, I SORT OF ENJOYED IT, BUT I WASN'T PARTICULARLY HAPPY.

>> SO HE STARTED A LIVE-IN SCHOOL WHERE KIDS ATTEND CLASSES BY DAY AND LEARN ABOUT THEIR CULTURE BY NIGHT.

HE STARTED WITH 40 KIDS, THEN MORE EACH YEAR.

>> THERE'S NO GOING BACK.

I MEAN, WHAT WOULD HAPPEN HERE WITH 117, 118 CHILDREN WHO ARE GOING THROUGH THE PROCESS OF CHANGING THEIR LIVES?

THEY'RE TRYING THEIR BEST.

I MEAN, HOW DO YOU JUST WALK AWAY FROM THAT?

DO YOU PUT THEM BACK IN THE STREETS?

DO YOU JUST TRY AND FORGET ABOUT IT?

>> TODAY HE'S SCHOOLING 2,500 KIDS, OPERATES THE ONLY FREE CLINIC IN CAMBODIA, SUPPORTS 200 STUDENTS IN UNIVERSITY AND IS BUILDING AN ACADEMY ATOP THE DUMP WHERE HE SAVED SO MANY LIVES.

IN THE BEGINNING WE ASKED IF HE WAS THE REAL DEAL.

SEEMS THAT HE IS.

BUT THERE ARE SOME SEEMINGLY GOOD PEOPLE WHO ARE ACTUALLY TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE.

>> THERE ARE BIG CHURCHES, AND THEN THERE'S THE YOIDO FULL GOSPEL CHURCH HERE IN SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA.

IT'S THE MOTHER OF MEGA-CHURCHES, WITH THE LARGEST CONGREGATION IN THE WORLD.

IT'S A PROSPERITY GOSPEL CHURCH HEADED BY ONE OF THE MOST REVERED RELIGIOUS LEADERS IN KOREA, THE REVEREND DAVID YONGGI CHO.

>> PEOPLE DON'T COME TO OUR CHURCH BECAUSE I'M HOLY PERSON, I'M SPECTACULAR CHRISTIAN.

NO.

THEY COME BECAUSE I SUPPLY THEIR NEED.

I MEET THEIR NEED THROUGH THE WORD OF GOD.

>> SADLY, NOT TOO LONG AFTER I INTERVIEWED PASTOR CHO, HE WAS SENTENCED TO THREE YEARS IN PRISON FOR EMBEZZLING $12 MILLION.

THAT MONEY COULD HAVE GONE A LONG WAY WITH FATHER MICHAEL DOYLE OF THE SACRED HEART CHURCH IN ONE OF AMERICA'S POOREST CITIES, CAMDEN, NEW JERSEY.

>> DONTAE PERKINS, 25, SHOT TO DEATH.

>> IT'S A MASS FOR THE 55 YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN MURDERED IN CAMDEN IN THE PAST YEAR, FATHER MICHAEL DOYLE OFFICIATING.

IN 2012, THERE WERE 266 SHOOTINGS, 67 HOMICIDES, WHICH MAKES CAMDEN PER CAPITA, ACCORDING TO THE FBI, THE MOST DANGEROUS CITY IN THE U.S.

BUT FATHER DOYLE SEES SOMETHING ELSE.

>> I SEE IT ALL THE TIME, A BEAUTY THAT'S DEEP AND WONDERFUL AND SOMETIMES TRAGIC, BUT BEAUTY ABSOLUTELY, I DO.

THEIR FACES ARE THERE WITH THEIR BURDENS AND THEIR WRINKLES AND THEIR DIFFICULTIES AND SO FORTH, BUT BEAUTY THAT'S JUST JUMPING AT YOU.

>> HE'S NOT A FIRE AND BRIMSTONE PREACHER, BUT HE GETS THINGS DONE, QUIETLY.

HE'S RAISED MONEY TO START AN INNER CITY PRIMARY SCHOOL.

HIS CHURCH ALSO FUNDS A FOOD KITCHEN, AND HAS REFURBISHED OVER 250 DECAYING HOMES AND RESOLD THEM AT AFFORDABLE PRICES.

I GUESS IF CAMDEN CAN TURN IT AROUND, ANY PLACE CAN TURN IT AROUND?

>> THAT'S VERY, VERY TRUE.

IF WE HAD FRANK SINATRA COME HERE AND SING FOR US "IF YOU CAN DO IT THERE."

>> "YOU CAN DO IT ANYWHERE."

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

YOU CAN DO IT ANYWHERE.

>>> A YOUNG STREET PREACHER IN HIS FOURTH YEAR OF DOCTORATE AT UC BERKLEY WHEN HE STUMBLED ON TO LUKE 6 WHICH SAYS, FWIF TO ALL THAT ASKS.

SO HE DID AND THEY CALLED HIM CRAZY.

>> HEAVENLY FATHER, WE PRAY FOR THE HOLY SPIRIT TO ENTER OUR HEARTS.

>> THEY KNOW HE UNDERSTANDS THEIR SITUATION BECAUSE THE PREACHER MAN, VINCENT PENIZELL IS ONE OF THEM.

>> IN THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, AMEN.

>> IDEA SPARE EVERY SINGLE DAY, EVERY DAY.

HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE HOMELESS, LIVING ON THE STREET?

YOU WILL SAY, WELL, YOU CHOSE HOMELESSNESS.

I DON'T CHOOSE ANYTHING, GOD CHOOSES FOR US.

>> FIRST HE INVITED THE HOMELESS INTO HIS APARTMENT UNTIL HIS WIFE LEFT HIM.

HE GOT BIG JOBS AS A CARPENTER AND WHATEVER HE EARNED HE GAVE TO THE HOMELESS.

>> HE KEEPS NO EVENING FOR HIMSELF AT ALL.

HE BUYS FOOD FOR PEOPLE AND KEEPS NOTHING FOR HIMSELF.

>> IT IS PAINFUL.

I DON'T LIKE PEOPLE TO THINK THAT I'M NUTS.

I LIKE TO BE TREATED WITH RESPECT AND DIGNITY.

I MEAN FOR CRYING OUT LOUD, YOU KNOW, I ONCE DESIRED A CAREER IN ACADEMIA.

>> FOR CRYING OUT LOUD.

>> I MEAN NOW HERE I AM A HOMELESS GUY, HAVING NOTHING, YOU KNOW, BEING A SERVANT TO EVERYBODY IN THE STREET, AND PEOPLE THINKING THAT I'M NUTS OR ON DRUGS.

>> I DID THAT STORY ABOUT TEN YEARS AGO AND I HAVE BEEN TRYING EVER SINCE TO FIND VINCENT.

HERE WAS A MAN THAT DID WHAT THE BIBLE TELLS US TO DO AND PEOPLE CALLED HIM NUTS.

IF YOU KNOW OF VINCENT'S WHEREABOUTS, PLEASE LET ME KNOW.

YOU CAN E-MAIL LUCKY WITH INFORMATION ABOUT VINCENT PINEZZO AT [email protected].

A LONGER VERSION OF LUCKY'S LOOKBACK IS ON OUR WEBSITE.

>>> SOME OF THE MOST POPULAR FEATURES WE'VE PRODUCED HAVE BEEN OUR BELIEF AND PRACTICE SEGMENTS.

OUR LONGTIME ADVISOR, UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA RELIGIOUS STUDIES PROFESSOR VANESSA OCHS HELPS US RECALL SOME OF THE WAYS WE EXAMINED THE POWER OF RITUALS.

>> ANY RITUAL SHOULD HAVE THE CAPACITY TO DEEPEN YOUR MINDFULNESS, TO BE PRESENT TO THE WORLD AROUND YOU, TO BE GRATEFUL FOR ALL THE PEOPLE WHO ARE AROUND YOU.

WE ARE ABLE IN A RITUAL TO AFFIRM BELIEF IN A WAY THAT ISN'T JUST CEREBRAL.

OUR WHOLE BODY IS ENGAGED IN THE ACT OF MAKING A CONNECTION.

>> AND IN THE WHIRLING DERVISHES IT BECOMES A MEDITATION.

IT'S AN ECSTATIC STATE, BUT OVER THE YEARS IT'S BECOME AN ART FORM.

THEY DO NOT CALL IT A PERFORMANCE.

I WOULD NOT CALL IT A PERFORMANCE.

IT IS A SPIRITUAL OFFERING.

>> THIS IS A RITE OF PASSAGE IN A YOUNG MAN'S LIFE, USUALLY BETWEEN 8 AND 16 YEARS OF LIFE.

>> THE RIGHT OF PASSAGE INTO ADULTHOOD IS A FRAUGHT TIME, PROBABLY MORE SO FOR THE PARENTS THEN FOR THE KID.

AND SO WE HAVE THESE PRACTICES IN MANY TRADITIONS WHERE A CHILD HAS TO UNDERGO A GREAT DEAL OF LEARNING, A GREAT DEAL OF PREPARATION, WHERE A CHILD IS TOLD BEFOREHAND -- "THIS IS WHAT IS EXPECTED OF YOU."

PILGRIMAGE IS ONE OF THE MOST COMPLEX RITUALS IN ANY TRADITION.

IT TAKES AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF PREPARATION.

IT TAKES A LOT OF PHYSICAL STRENGTH.

IT TAKES A LOT OF ENDURANCE.

IT TAKES A WILLINGNESS TO POTENTIALLY ENCOUNTER DANGER.

>> IT'S DIFFICULT TO MAKE ONE OF THESE JOURNEYS.

YOU'RE TRAVELING TO ANOTHER COUNTRY, MULTIPLE TIME ZONES AWAY.

YOU'RE STAYING IN UNFAMILIAR PLACES, YOU'RE EATING UNFAMILIAR FOODS, AND YOU ARE PUTTING YOURSELF OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE, AND THAT'S PART OF IT.

>> AND THEY ALLOW US TO PLAY A ROLE IN A STORY IN WHICH WE ARE ONE OF THE MAIN CHARACTERS, AND WE ARE CONNECTING TO THE SACRED NARRATIVES OF OUR TRADITION.

>> IT IS IN THE WILDERNESS THAT GOD SPEAKS TO MOSES.

IT'S IN THE WILDERNESS WHERE THE PEOPLE GET THE TEACHINGS OF THE TORAH.

ON PASSOVER WE'RE TAUGHT TO EMBODY THE STORY, TO ACT OUT THE STORY.

SO WHEN WE WALK THROUGH THE DESERT WE REALLY GET THAT IDEA OF FREEDOM.

>> HALLELUJAH, HALLELUJAH, >> ON EPIPHANY, ORTHODOX CHURCHES AROUND THE WORLD HOLD A SPECIAL WORSHIP SERVICE.

IT'S A TIME WHEN THE PEOPLE COME TOGETHER TO CELEBRATE THE LITURGY.

IT'S ALSO A TIME WHEN THE PEOPLE COME TOGETHER TO CELEBRATE THE GREAT BLESSING OF WATER.

>> SO MANY OF OUR WASHING RITUALS PREPARE AN INDIVIDUAL FOR AN ENCOUNTER WITH GOD.

>> THERE IS A COMMON EXPRESSION THAT CLEANLINESS IS NEXT TO GODLINESS.

>> THE IDEA OF LIFTING UP OUR HANDS TO DO GOD'S WORK OR SPIRITUAL WORK, RATHER THAN OUR HANDS ARE DOING MUNDANE THINGS.

>> A RITUAL HELPS US DEAL WITH THE CHAOS OF LIFE.

WHEN WE ARE SICK WE JUST FEEL SO ALONE.

WE FEEL THAT GOD HAS ABANDONED US.

MANY HEALING RITUALS INVOLVE WATER, LIKE GOING TO LOURDES.

THEY INVOLVE COMMUNITY, PEOPLE BEING WITH YOU.

THEY INVOLVE CHANTING THAT TAKES YOU AWAY FROM YOUR PAIN.

RITUAL IS PARTICULARLY POWERFUL AT THE TIME OF DEATH.

EVEN THOUGH WE EXPECT DEATH IT ASTONISHES US, IT LEAVES US WITHOUT WORDS.

AND EVEN PEOPLE WHO AREN'T RELIGIOUS WILL TURN TO THE DEATH RITUALS, THE BURIAL RITUALS AND PRACTICES OF THEIR TRADITIONS, BECAUSE THESE TRADITIONS TELL THEM THIS IS WHAT TO DO.

>> THE SHOFAR ON ROSH HASHANAH IS SUPPOSED TO SIGNIFY OUR CRYING OUT TO GOD.

WHEN A NEW YEAR COMES, WE'RE HOPING THAT WE ARE GOING TO BE THERE FOR THAT WHOLE YEAR.

MOST NEW YEAR PRACTICES USE FOOD OR MUSIC OR SOUND TO HOPE FOR AN AUSPICIOUS NEW YEAR.

>> OUR HOPE FOR PEACE IS OFTEN EXPRESSED THROUGH OUR PRAYERS.

THE PRAYERS OF OUR VOICES, THE PRAYERS OF CREATING LANTERNS.

TRCHLTS WE REAL >> WE BELIEVE THAT GOD WANTS US TO PERFORM THESE RITUALS.

>> I AM AN USHER BECAUSE GOD HAS GIVEN ME THAT TALENT, AND HE ALSO HAS GIVEN ME A BLESSING TO BE A BLESSING TO OTHERS.

>>> THAT ENDS THIS WEEK'S PROGRAM AND OUR ENTIRE SERIES, AFTER 20 YEARS ON THE AIR -- 1,017 SHOWS.

YOU'LL STILL BE ABLE TO WATCH PREVIOUS SEGMENTS AND PROGRAMS ON OUR WEBSITE AT PBS.ORG/RELIGIONETHICS.

WE THANK ALL OF YOU WHO HAVE WATCHED "RELIGION AND ETHICS NEWSWEEKLY" AND FOUND IT WORTHWHILE.

IT HAS BEEN A GREAT JOY FOR US TO PRODUCE.

WE WENT ON THE AIR IN 1997 WITH THE BACKING OF THE LILLY ENDOWMENT, FOR WHICH WE ARE DEEPLY GRATEFUL.

OUR MISSION WAS TO COVER EACH WEEK'S TOP RELIGION NEWS AND TO EXAMINE THE PLACE OF RELIGION AND MORAL ISSUES, BOTH IN INDIVIDUAL LIVES AND IN AMERICAN PUBLIC LIFE.

MANY VIEWERS THEN THOUGHT THE COMMERCIAL NETWORKS WERE NOT COVERING RELIGION VERY WELL, AND WE WERE PLEASED TO BE ABLE TO FILL THAT GAP.

WE COVERED THE HARD NEWS AND AT THE SAME TIME FOUND MOVING FEATURES OF MEN AND WOMEN ALL OVER THE WORLD WHO SPOKE ELOQUENTLY ABOUT THEIR BELIEFS AND PRACTICES, AND OF THE VITAL ROLE OF RELIGION AND ETHICS IN POLITICS AND EVERYDAY LIFE.

WE TOOK RELIGION SERIOUSLY, NEVER TO PROSELYTIZE BUT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE POWER AND THE GUIDANCE OF RELIGIOUS LIFE AND, SADLY, THE HARM RELIGION CAN SOMETIMES CAUSE, ALONGSIDE ITS INSPIRATION.

WE HOPE OUR COVERAGE WAS BOTH INTERESTING AND HELPFUL, AND THAT OUR APPROACH TO COVERING RELIGION NEWS WILL BE CARRIED ON.

MANY THANKS TO OUR FUNDERS AND TO OUR AUDIENCES.

MANY OF YOU HAVE THANKED US, WE SEND THOSE THANKS RIGHT BACK TO YOU.

IT'S BEEN A WONDERFUL 20 YEARS.

AS WE LEAVE YOU, MORE BEHIND THE SCENES PHOTOS OF OUR "RELIGION AND ETHICS" TEAM.

SNOETD MPANY.