Religion

This hour, we open the phone lines to our listeners to react to the suprise announcement this week that Pope Benedict XVI would resign at the end of this month.What’s next in papal succession and what, if anything, does it mean for American Catholics? Guests include NPR senior European correspondent Sylvia Poggioli; Fritz Bauerschmidt, chair of the department of theology at Loyola University Maryland; and David Cloutier, professor of theology at Mount St. Mary’s College in Emmitsburg.

February 12, 2013

Does heaven exist? Where do we go when we die? Most of us have asked ourselves these questions at some point. But without any credible evidence of an afterlife, most of us are left to ponder this question until death. Dr. Eben Alexander III, an academic and research neurosurgeon, claims an afterlife does exist. Following a near-death experience, he says there is a heaven, and that he has been there. Alexander is the author of the New York Times best-selling paperback, "Proof of Heaven: A Neurosurgeon's Journey Into The Afterlife."

Have we lost the War on Drugs? A lot of people think so. We speak with journalist Benjamin Wallace-Wells about his recent New York Magazine cover story called “The Truce on Drugs,” which examines the shifting landscape of drug policy, including here in Baltimore.

As Catholic Bishops gather in Baltimore for their biannual conference, we talk with Baltimore Archbishop William Lori about Catholic voters and political issues.

We check in with The Baltimore Sun's technology reporter Gus Sentementes for the latest in tech news.

Maryland Morning theater critic J. Wynn Rousuck brings us her review of "Heroes" at Everyman Theatre in Baltimore.

If today’s a holiday for you, to mark Veterans Day – hope you’re enjoying it. It's not a holiday for Catholic Bishops. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is meeting here in Baltimore through Wednesday with an agenda that includes policies on preaching and using social media.

Web Extra: Archbishop Lori on his support of the Maryland Dream Act

Web Extra: Archbishop Lori on social media and the Catholic church

Expect a complex ballot in November:  Once you finish voting for President, Senator, Congressperson, and multiple  referendum questions, then you might have a series of bond issues to vote on. UMBC political scientist Roy Meyers tells you what you need to know when you get there.

Then – Members of the local Muslim community respond to the film Innocence of Muslims, which has spurred international outrage and which some say led to the deaths of four Americans in Libya.

Pulitzer Prize-winning music critic Tim Page on his work, his Asperger's syndrome, and the balancing act between the two.

NPR correspondent Margot Adler speaks to Tom Hall about paganism and journalism.