Today's religion and world affairs news from the United States and around the globe: Jordan attempts to end extremist teaching in its schools, Israel's minister of education comments on the recent violence in the country, and an Amish community takes in some unlikely converts.
AROUND THE WORLD
Soul-Searching in Israel After Bias Attacks on Gays and Arabs
by Jodi Rudoren
New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/07/world/middleeast/acts-of-violence-prompt-soul-searching-in-israel.html?ref=todayspaper&_r=0
A set of back-to-back attacks last week in Israel, which were attributed to religious fanatics, have set off a national outcry, with hundreds gathering each night for a mixture of mourning and protest.
Jordan Tries to Stem IS-style Extremism in Schools, Mosques
by Karin Laub and Mohammed Daraghmeh
Washington Post/AP
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/jordan-tries-to-stem-is-style-extremism-in-schools-mosques/2015/08/07/ef7a4034-3d07-11e5-a312-1a6452ac77d2_story.html
In rewriting school books and retraining thousands of teachers and preachers, Jordan's government is on a mission to tackle the growing contradiction between official anti-extremist policy and what is taught in schools and mosques--where Islamic State ideology dominates the education systems.
Islamic State Abducts Dozens of Christians from Syrian Town: Monitor
by Suleiman Al-Khalidi
Reuters
http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/08/07/us-mideast-crisis-christians-idUSKCN0QC0ST20150807
Islamic State militants have captured dozens of Christian families after seizing a strategically located town in the central Syrian province of Homs, a monitor said on Friday. The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least 230 people were kidnapped or detained, including dozens of Christians, some of whom were taken from a church in Qaryatain, the town captured overnight after heavy fighting with the Syrian army.
Francis: Burmese Treatment of Rohingya Minority a Form of ‘War’
by Joshua J. McElwee
National Catholic Reporter
http://ncronline.org/news/vatican/francis-burmese-treatment-rohingya-minority-form-war
In remarks to a group of young people at the Vatican that focused partly on the role of conflict and tension in daily life, Pope Francis entered into somewhat controversial territory by declaring that Burma's treatment of its populous and persecuted Rohingya minority essentially constitutes a war against them.
The United Kingdom's Extreme Anti-Extremism Policy
by Zaheer Kazmi
Foreign Affairs
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/united-kingdom/2015-08-05/united-kingdoms-extreme-anti-extremism-policy
In British Prime Minister David Cameron’s newly announced five year anti-extremist strategy, his evident focus on Muslims as a suspect community ultimately risks eroding, rather than fostering, trusting relationships between the state and its citizens.
The Religion of Climate Change
by Nicholas G. Hahn III
Wall Street Journal
http://www.wsj.com/articles/the-religion-of-climate-change-1438903522
The Catholic Church would usually condemn blatant politicization of theological documents like Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si,’ but not this time. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops wrote this week to welcome the Obama administration's move to adopt a "Clean Power Plan," which aims to help mitigate climate change.
Naftali Bennett on Israel's Jewish Terrorists
by Naftali Bennett
New York Times op-ed
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/08/opinion/naftali-bennett-on-israels-jewish-terrorists.html
Israel’s minister of education and diaspora affairs reflects on the recent attacks in the country, suggesting that a focus on coexistence and some changes in the education system might help combat the terror in the country.
DOMESTIC
Native Americans Lose Fight for Long Hair in Prisons
New York Times/AP
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2015/08/06/us/ap-us-alabama-prisoners-long-hair-.html
An appeals court this week ruled against a group of Native American inmates fighting for the right to wear long hair in accordance with their religious beliefs, citing security and hygiene reasons for the necessity of the policy.
Amish Converts Choosing Their Religion and Building Roots in Oldest Settlement
by Kevin Williams
Guardian
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/aug/07/amish-converts-maryland-oldest-settlement
In an Amish community in Oakland, Maryland, two converts are adding some intrigue and diversity to the traditionally German-speaking Amish sect, which boasts less than 200 converted followers nationwide.
Soul-Searching in Israel After Bias Attacks on Gays and Arabs
by Jodi Rudoren
New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/07/world/middleeast/acts-of-violence-prompt-soul-searching-in-israel.html?ref=todayspaper&_r=0
A set of back-to-back attacks last week in Israel, which were attributed to religious fanatics, have set off a national outcry, with hundreds gathering each night for a mixture of mourning and protest.
Jordan Tries to Stem IS-style Extremism in Schools, Mosques
by Karin Laub and Mohammed Daraghmeh
Washington Post/AP
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/jordan-tries-to-stem-is-style-extremism-in-schools-mosques/2015/08/07/ef7a4034-3d07-11e5-a312-1a6452ac77d2_story.html
In rewriting school books and retraining thousands of teachers and preachers, Jordan's government is on a mission to tackle the growing contradiction between official anti-extremist policy and what is taught in schools and mosques--where Islamic State ideology dominates the education systems.
Islamic State Abducts Dozens of Christians from Syrian Town: Monitor
by Suleiman Al-Khalidi
Reuters
http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/08/07/us-mideast-crisis-christians-idUSKCN0QC0ST20150807
Islamic State militants have captured dozens of Christian families after seizing a strategically located town in the central Syrian province of Homs, a monitor said on Friday. The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least 230 people were kidnapped or detained, including dozens of Christians, some of whom were taken from a church in Qaryatain, the town captured overnight after heavy fighting with the Syrian army.
Francis: Burmese Treatment of Rohingya Minority a Form of ‘War’
by Joshua J. McElwee
National Catholic Reporter
http://ncronline.org/news/vatican/francis-burmese-treatment-rohingya-minority-form-war
In remarks to a group of young people at the Vatican that focused partly on the role of conflict and tension in daily life, Pope Francis entered into somewhat controversial territory by declaring that Burma's treatment of its populous and persecuted Rohingya minority essentially constitutes a war against them.
The United Kingdom's Extreme Anti-Extremism Policy
by Zaheer Kazmi
Foreign Affairs
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/united-kingdom/2015-08-05/united-kingdoms-extreme-anti-extremism-policy
In British Prime Minister David Cameron’s newly announced five year anti-extremist strategy, his evident focus on Muslims as a suspect community ultimately risks eroding, rather than fostering, trusting relationships between the state and its citizens.
The Religion of Climate Change
by Nicholas G. Hahn III
Wall Street Journal
http://www.wsj.com/articles/the-religion-of-climate-change-1438903522
The Catholic Church would usually condemn blatant politicization of theological documents like Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si,’ but not this time. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops wrote this week to welcome the Obama administration's move to adopt a "Clean Power Plan," which aims to help mitigate climate change.
Naftali Bennett on Israel's Jewish Terrorists
by Naftali Bennett
New York Times op-ed
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/08/opinion/naftali-bennett-on-israels-jewish-terrorists.html
Israel’s minister of education and diaspora affairs reflects on the recent attacks in the country, suggesting that a focus on coexistence and some changes in the education system might help combat the terror in the country.
DOMESTIC
Native Americans Lose Fight for Long Hair in Prisons
New York Times/AP
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2015/08/06/us/ap-us-alabama-prisoners-long-hair-.html
An appeals court this week ruled against a group of Native American inmates fighting for the right to wear long hair in accordance with their religious beliefs, citing security and hygiene reasons for the necessity of the policy.
Amish Converts Choosing Their Religion and Building Roots in Oldest Settlement
by Kevin Williams
Guardian
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/aug/07/amish-converts-maryland-oldest-settlement
In an Amish community in Oakland, Maryland, two converts are adding some intrigue and diversity to the traditionally German-speaking Amish sect, which boasts less than 200 converted followers nationwide.
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