Today's religion and world affairs news from the United States and around the globe: the seventieth anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, revisiting Catholic divorce, and Muslim radicalism in France.
BERKLEY CENTER IN THE NEWS
Catholics and Eretz Israel
by Drew Christiansen
National Catholic Reporter
http://ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/catholics-and-eretz-israel
Still, despite a quarter-century of advocacy for the church on Israel-related issues, I nonetheless find myself uneasy with a bifurcated consciousness: a religious consciousness of Catholic bonds with Judaism and critical awareness of Israel's political options. As necessary as moral discrimination about Israeli policy may be, I am uneasy over its potential chilling effect on religious respect for Jews.
AROUND THE WORLD
Auschwitz Survivor: Being Alive Is the Best “Revenge”
by Michele Chabin
USA Today
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/01/27/auschwitz-survivor-revenge_n_6549554.html?ncid=tweetlnkushpmg00000055
Those who experienced the Holocaust firsthand observe that the anti-Semitism that fueled the Holocaust survives today, referring to many assaults there, including the terror attack on a kosher supermarket in Paris this month that left four Jews dead. Today, a group of nearly 100 Auschwitz survivors, ages 73 to 96, will return to the death camp for the first time, for what might be the last major anniversary we remember with those who experienced the Holocaust firsthand.
Never Again, Again
Economist
http://www.economist.com/news/europe/21640865-70th-anniversary-camps-liberation-war-eastern-europe-topical-again-never-again
Events planned in Auschwitz and Prague in commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz were intended to honor victims and bring public attention to a renewed wave of anti-Semitism and intolerance in Europe. Both historical commemorations have been overshadowed by Russian leader Vladimir Putin and the warfare in eastern Europe that his government has incited. Although the horrors wrought by ethnic hatred and nationalism have never been more relevant, the world should also take this opportunity to honor the victims of the Holocaust.
Charlie Hebdo Raises the Question: Is Hate Speech Protected in France?
by Jill Lawless
Huffington Post Religion
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/01/27/free-speech-france-charlie-hebdo_n_6550240.html?ncid=tweetlnkushpmg00000055
Since the rampage that left four dead at a kosher supermarket and 12 at the Charlie Hebdo offices, French authorities have arrested dozens of people—including a comedian—for appearing to praise the terrorists or encourage more attacks. That has unleashed accusations of a double standard, in which free speech applies to those who mock Islam while Muslims are penalized for expressing their own provocative views. Many Muslims complain that France aggressively prosecutes anti-Semitic slurs, but that they are not protected from similar racist speech.
The Mill of Muslim Radicalism in France
by Farhad Khosrokhavar
New York Times op-ed
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/26/opinion/the-mill-of-muslim-radicalism-in-france.html?_r=0
Indeed, reform must begin with respect. For if French prisons have become a breeding ground for radicalism, it is partly because they mistreat the Islamic faith itself.
Kerry’s Visit to Nigeria Coincides With Major Boko Haram Offensive
by Siobhan O’Grady
Foreign Policy
http://foreignpolicy.com/2015/01/25/kerrys-visit-to-nigeria-coincides-with-major-boko-haram-offensive/
Just as US Secretary of State John Kerry was preaching the importance of a peaceful Nigerian election in the coastal megacity of Lagos on Sunday, Boko Haram militants were engaged in a series of violent attacks in the northern city of Maiduguri, killing an unknown number of soldiers and civilians and terrifying the largest city in the country’s northeast.
DOMESTIC
As Vatican Revisits Divorce, Many Catholics Long for Acceptance
by Michael Paulson
New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/25/us/as-vatican-revisits-divorce-many-catholics-long-for-acceptance.html?ref=todayspaper
Facing millions of divorced Catholics around the world, many of whom express frustration over their status in the church, the Vatican has begun a remarkable re-examination of the church’s treatment of worshipers whose marriages have broken apart.
related | Stories of Catholic Marriage and Divorce
by Diantha Parker
New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2015/01/24/us/catholic-divorce-reader-stories.html?ref=todayspaper
A synod of Roman Catholic bishops met in Rome this fall to begin a broad discussion of the church’s teachings on the family, including those governing divorce. The New York Times asked readers if, and how, the church’s rules on divorce had affected them. Here is a selection of their stories.
Romney’s Consideration of Candidacy is Closely Tied to His Faith, Allies Say
by Ashley Parker and Alex Thompson
New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/26/us/politics/romneys-consideration-of-candidacy-is-closely-tied-to-his-faith-allies-say.html?_r=0
During his 2012 presidential run, Mitt Romney’s team was reluctant to let him mention his religion at all, creating a vacuum that hid a side of him from voters and allowed it to be filled with Democratic attack ads. The 2014 Netflix “Mitt” documentary—from filmmaker Greg Whiteley, also a Mormon—offered an appealing, behind-the-scenes look at Mr. Romney as a man of faith and family. Many in his inner circle said that if he runs again, this is the version of Mitt Romney that they would present to the country.
Catholics and Eretz Israel
by Drew Christiansen
National Catholic Reporter
http://ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/catholics-and-eretz-israel
Still, despite a quarter-century of advocacy for the church on Israel-related issues, I nonetheless find myself uneasy with a bifurcated consciousness: a religious consciousness of Catholic bonds with Judaism and critical awareness of Israel's political options. As necessary as moral discrimination about Israeli policy may be, I am uneasy over its potential chilling effect on religious respect for Jews.
AROUND THE WORLD
Auschwitz Survivor: Being Alive Is the Best “Revenge”
by Michele Chabin
USA Today
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/01/27/auschwitz-survivor-revenge_n_6549554.html?ncid=tweetlnkushpmg00000055
Those who experienced the Holocaust firsthand observe that the anti-Semitism that fueled the Holocaust survives today, referring to many assaults there, including the terror attack on a kosher supermarket in Paris this month that left four Jews dead. Today, a group of nearly 100 Auschwitz survivors, ages 73 to 96, will return to the death camp for the first time, for what might be the last major anniversary we remember with those who experienced the Holocaust firsthand.
Never Again, Again
Economist
http://www.economist.com/news/europe/21640865-70th-anniversary-camps-liberation-war-eastern-europe-topical-again-never-again
Events planned in Auschwitz and Prague in commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz were intended to honor victims and bring public attention to a renewed wave of anti-Semitism and intolerance in Europe. Both historical commemorations have been overshadowed by Russian leader Vladimir Putin and the warfare in eastern Europe that his government has incited. Although the horrors wrought by ethnic hatred and nationalism have never been more relevant, the world should also take this opportunity to honor the victims of the Holocaust.
Charlie Hebdo Raises the Question: Is Hate Speech Protected in France?
by Jill Lawless
Huffington Post Religion
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/01/27/free-speech-france-charlie-hebdo_n_6550240.html?ncid=tweetlnkushpmg00000055
Since the rampage that left four dead at a kosher supermarket and 12 at the Charlie Hebdo offices, French authorities have arrested dozens of people—including a comedian—for appearing to praise the terrorists or encourage more attacks. That has unleashed accusations of a double standard, in which free speech applies to those who mock Islam while Muslims are penalized for expressing their own provocative views. Many Muslims complain that France aggressively prosecutes anti-Semitic slurs, but that they are not protected from similar racist speech.
The Mill of Muslim Radicalism in France
by Farhad Khosrokhavar
New York Times op-ed
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/26/opinion/the-mill-of-muslim-radicalism-in-france.html?_r=0
Indeed, reform must begin with respect. For if French prisons have become a breeding ground for radicalism, it is partly because they mistreat the Islamic faith itself.
Kerry’s Visit to Nigeria Coincides With Major Boko Haram Offensive
by Siobhan O’Grady
Foreign Policy
http://foreignpolicy.com/2015/01/25/kerrys-visit-to-nigeria-coincides-with-major-boko-haram-offensive/
Just as US Secretary of State John Kerry was preaching the importance of a peaceful Nigerian election in the coastal megacity of Lagos on Sunday, Boko Haram militants were engaged in a series of violent attacks in the northern city of Maiduguri, killing an unknown number of soldiers and civilians and terrifying the largest city in the country’s northeast.
DOMESTIC
As Vatican Revisits Divorce, Many Catholics Long for Acceptance
by Michael Paulson
New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/25/us/as-vatican-revisits-divorce-many-catholics-long-for-acceptance.html?ref=todayspaper
Facing millions of divorced Catholics around the world, many of whom express frustration over their status in the church, the Vatican has begun a remarkable re-examination of the church’s treatment of worshipers whose marriages have broken apart.
related | Stories of Catholic Marriage and Divorce
by Diantha Parker
New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2015/01/24/us/catholic-divorce-reader-stories.html?ref=todayspaper
A synod of Roman Catholic bishops met in Rome this fall to begin a broad discussion of the church’s teachings on the family, including those governing divorce. The New York Times asked readers if, and how, the church’s rules on divorce had affected them. Here is a selection of their stories.
Romney’s Consideration of Candidacy is Closely Tied to His Faith, Allies Say
by Ashley Parker and Alex Thompson
New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/26/us/politics/romneys-consideration-of-candidacy-is-closely-tied-to-his-faith-allies-say.html?_r=0
During his 2012 presidential run, Mitt Romney’s team was reluctant to let him mention his religion at all, creating a vacuum that hid a side of him from voters and allowed it to be filled with Democratic attack ads. The 2014 Netflix “Mitt” documentary—from filmmaker Greg Whiteley, also a Mormon—offered an appealing, behind-the-scenes look at Mr. Romney as a man of faith and family. Many in his inner circle said that if he runs again, this is the version of Mitt Romney that they would present to the country.
Opens in a new window