Today's religion and world affairs news from the United
States and around the globe: Turkey voices concerns over China's Ramadan bans, the Greek church wavers in the midst of a national crisis, and the Vatican releases the itinerary for Pope Francis' visit to the United States.
BERKLEY CENTER IN THE NEWS
How Long Will Israel Let Its Churches and Mosques Burn?
by Drew Christiansen
National Catholic Reporter
http://ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/how-long-will-israel-let-its-churches-and-mosques-burn
The torching of the Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fish at Tabgha, one of the most famous Catholic churches in the Holy Land, marks the 18th arson attack on a church or mosque in the area in the past four years. (...) Any state that calls itself a democracy must protect freedom of worship for all faiths, not just the dominant one. This is particularly true in the Holy Land, where the devotions and yearnings of the three Abrahamic faiths intersect and interact.
AROUND THE WORLD
Prime Minister David Cameron: British Schools Must Root Out Muslim Extremists
by Trevor Gundy
Huffington Post Religion/RNS
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/06/30/david-cameron-schools-extremists_n_7698600.html?utm_hp_ref=religion
After terrorists killed some 30 British tourists at one of Tunisia’s best-known holiday resorts last week, headmasters and teachers at Britain’s privately owned and state-run schools have been ordered to be on the lookout for Muslim extremists attempting to “groom” youngsters to their cause.
Turkey Says Concerned Over China's Ramadan Bans on Uighurs
New York Times/Reuters
http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2015/06/30/world/europe/30reuters-turkey-china-religion.html
Turkey has voiced its concern to Beijing about reports that Uighur Muslims had been banned from worship and fasting Ramadan in China's far western region of Xinjiang. Earlier this month, state media and government websites in the region published stories and official notices demanding that party members, civil servants, students and teachers in particular do not to observe the holy month.
Healing Wounds, Opening Wounds
by Erasmus Blog
Economist
http://www.economist.com/blogs/erasmus/2015/06/greek-crisis-and-church
In the midst of Greece's social and economic crisis, the Greek church--which predates the Greek state by centuries--finds itself in a rather difficult position as it decides how to react to and deal with the nation's current struggle.
First, Do No Harm
by Erasmus Blog
Economist op-ed
http://www.economist.com/blogs/erasmus/2015/06/islam-violence-and-west
In the past, the United States and its allies have done quite a lot to foster some of the leaders who turned to more militant factions of Islam. Though we cannot do much to change theological tendencies in modern Islam, we must avoid repeating past mistakes and be wary of nurturing illiberal and violent factions.
Does Japan’s Conservative Shinto Religion Support Gay Marriage?
by Isaac Stone Fish
Foreign Policy
http://foreignpolicy.com/2015/06/29/what-does-japan-shinto-think-of-gay-marriage/
A look at the practices and beliefs of one of Japan’s major religions.
The World's Jewish Population Is Nearing Pre-Holocaust Levels
Huffington Post Religion/AP
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/06/29/world-jewish-population-growth_n_7687838.html?1435590126
The Jewish People Policy Institute announced in its annual report that the world's Jewish population has grown to 14.2 million--nearly as large as it was before the Holocaust. The report said the rise has been due in part to natural growth, along with "changing patterns of Jewish identification," as more individuals with only one Jewish parent increasingly identify as Jewish.
DOMESTIC
Pope in US to Meet With Homeless, Prisoners and Immigrants
New York Times/AP
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2015/06/30/world/europe/ap-eu-rel-vatican-cuba-us.html
The Vatican has published the itinerary for Pope Francis' highly anticipated visit to the United States in late September. Plans for the trip include meeting with homeless people, immigrants, and prisoners, along with presiding over a meeting about religious liberty.
Holier Than Thou
by James Morone
Foreign Affairs op-ed
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/reviews/review-essay/2015-06-16/holier-thou
In his new book, One Nation Under God, Kevin Kruse examines the origins of religion in America and how an originally secular state has transformed into what many citizens today consider a "Christian nation."
How Long Will Israel Let Its Churches and Mosques Burn?
by Drew Christiansen
National Catholic Reporter
http://ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/how-long-will-israel-let-its-churches-and-mosques-burn
The torching of the Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fish at Tabgha, one of the most famous Catholic churches in the Holy Land, marks the 18th arson attack on a church or mosque in the area in the past four years. (...) Any state that calls itself a democracy must protect freedom of worship for all faiths, not just the dominant one. This is particularly true in the Holy Land, where the devotions and yearnings of the three Abrahamic faiths intersect and interact.
AROUND THE WORLD
Prime Minister David Cameron: British Schools Must Root Out Muslim Extremists
by Trevor Gundy
Huffington Post Religion/RNS
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/06/30/david-cameron-schools-extremists_n_7698600.html?utm_hp_ref=religion
After terrorists killed some 30 British tourists at one of Tunisia’s best-known holiday resorts last week, headmasters and teachers at Britain’s privately owned and state-run schools have been ordered to be on the lookout for Muslim extremists attempting to “groom” youngsters to their cause.
Turkey Says Concerned Over China's Ramadan Bans on Uighurs
New York Times/Reuters
http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2015/06/30/world/europe/30reuters-turkey-china-religion.html
Turkey has voiced its concern to Beijing about reports that Uighur Muslims had been banned from worship and fasting Ramadan in China's far western region of Xinjiang. Earlier this month, state media and government websites in the region published stories and official notices demanding that party members, civil servants, students and teachers in particular do not to observe the holy month.
Healing Wounds, Opening Wounds
by Erasmus Blog
Economist
http://www.economist.com/blogs/erasmus/2015/06/greek-crisis-and-church
In the midst of Greece's social and economic crisis, the Greek church--which predates the Greek state by centuries--finds itself in a rather difficult position as it decides how to react to and deal with the nation's current struggle.
First, Do No Harm
by Erasmus Blog
Economist op-ed
http://www.economist.com/blogs/erasmus/2015/06/islam-violence-and-west
In the past, the United States and its allies have done quite a lot to foster some of the leaders who turned to more militant factions of Islam. Though we cannot do much to change theological tendencies in modern Islam, we must avoid repeating past mistakes and be wary of nurturing illiberal and violent factions.
Does Japan’s Conservative Shinto Religion Support Gay Marriage?
by Isaac Stone Fish
Foreign Policy
http://foreignpolicy.com/2015/06/29/what-does-japan-shinto-think-of-gay-marriage/
A look at the practices and beliefs of one of Japan’s major religions.
The World's Jewish Population Is Nearing Pre-Holocaust Levels
Huffington Post Religion/AP
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/06/29/world-jewish-population-growth_n_7687838.html?1435590126
The Jewish People Policy Institute announced in its annual report that the world's Jewish population has grown to 14.2 million--nearly as large as it was before the Holocaust. The report said the rise has been due in part to natural growth, along with "changing patterns of Jewish identification," as more individuals with only one Jewish parent increasingly identify as Jewish.
DOMESTIC
Pope in US to Meet With Homeless, Prisoners and Immigrants
New York Times/AP
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2015/06/30/world/europe/ap-eu-rel-vatican-cuba-us.html
The Vatican has published the itinerary for Pope Francis' highly anticipated visit to the United States in late September. Plans for the trip include meeting with homeless people, immigrants, and prisoners, along with presiding over a meeting about religious liberty.
Holier Than Thou
by James Morone
Foreign Affairs op-ed
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/reviews/review-essay/2015-06-16/holier-thou
In his new book, One Nation Under God, Kevin Kruse examines the origins of religion in America and how an originally secular state has transformed into what many citizens today consider a "Christian nation."
Opens in a new window