Today's religion and world affairs news from the United States and around the globe: the Vatican invites mayors to a meeting with Pope Francis, a coding class unites girls of different faiths, and UPS faces a lawsuit over religious discrimination.
BERKLEY CENTER IN THE NEWS
Restated US Distinction Between Israel and Its Settlements A Green Light for Boycotts, Divestment
by Drew Christiansen and Ra'fat Aldajani
National Catholic Reporter
http://ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/restated-us-distinction-between-israel-and-its-settlements-gree...
When President Barack Obama signed the Trade Promotion Authority bill in June 2015, the fear was that the long-standing U.S. position opposing Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories was eroding. (…) Once the bill was signed into law, however, Obama put to bed any notion that the U.S. position on Israeli settlements had changed. What seemed for a brief moment as a step toward legitimizing the settlements was clearly and forcefully stopped in its tracks by the State Department.
AROUND THE WORLD
Muslim Scholars Use Ramadan to Push for an Islamic Renewal
New York Times/AP
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2015/07/16/world/middleeast/ap-ml-ramadan-reforming-islam.html?_r=0
During the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, Muslims are called on to reflect on their faith as they conduct their daily fast. This past month, some clerics and scholars reflected on ways to reform the religious discourse in Islam to keep up with modern-day challenges and oppose extremism.
Vatican Keeps Up Eco-Pressure, Invites Mayors to See Pope
New York Times/AP
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2015/07/15/world/europe/ap-eu-rel-vatican-climate.html
In an effort to keep up the pressure on world leaders to listen to Pope Francis' mantras of fighting climate change and human trafficking, the Vatican has invited mayors to a meeting next week devoted to battling the exploitation of the Earth and its poorest people.
‘Hands Off My Church’ Petition Plays on French Worries About Islam
by Tom Heneghan
Washington Post/RNS
http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/religion/hands-off-my-church-petition-plays-on-french-worries...
After the head of the Grand Mosque of Paris said that Muslims needed to double the number of mosques around the country--and that using empty churches could help them do that--40,000 French have signed a rousing “Hands off my church” petition.
Interfaith Girls Coding Class Teaches Students The Common Language Of Computers
by Antonia Blumberg
Huffington Post Religion
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/interfaith-girls-coding-class-london_55a589f1e4b0896514cfaebe?ut...
An interfaith girls coding class in London brings Muslim, Jewish and Christian students together to learn the common language of computer programming. Sponsored by an interfaith wing of the Church Urban Fund, the class aims to expose students to faiths and cultures they may have previously had little contact with.
Counting Ramadan
Foreign Affairs
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/2015-07-14/counting-ramadan
Every year, millions of Muslims in every region of the world fast from sunrise to sundown for the holy month of Ramadan. To accommodate this practice, businesses in many Muslim countries grant their employees reduced working hours--which can take a toll on the country's economic growth.
DOMESTIC
EEOC Sues UPS Over Religious Discrimination
by Jacob Bogage
Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2015/07/15/eeoc-sues-ups-over-religious-discrimi...
The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission plans to sue UPS, the country's largest private package delivery service. Citing religious discrimination, the suit will allege that UPS failed to hire certain applicants or promote employees because their religious dress conflicted with company uniform policy.
With Religious Affiliation on the Decline, What Should Happen to Hallowed Buildings?
by Megan Sweas
Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2015/07/14/with-religious-affiliation-on-the-dec...
Katy Perry has negotiated with the Los Angeles Archdiocese to buy a former convent in Los Feliz, one of the trendiest neighborhoods in L.A. Though two nuns are attempting to block the purchase, the legal dispute brings an important question to the table--what should become of our old religious buildings?
Restated US Distinction Between Israel and Its Settlements A Green Light for Boycotts, Divestment
by Drew Christiansen and Ra'fat Aldajani
National Catholic Reporter
http://ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/restated-us-distinction-between-israel-and-its-settlements-gree...
When President Barack Obama signed the Trade Promotion Authority bill in June 2015, the fear was that the long-standing U.S. position opposing Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories was eroding. (…) Once the bill was signed into law, however, Obama put to bed any notion that the U.S. position on Israeli settlements had changed. What seemed for a brief moment as a step toward legitimizing the settlements was clearly and forcefully stopped in its tracks by the State Department.
AROUND THE WORLD
Muslim Scholars Use Ramadan to Push for an Islamic Renewal
New York Times/AP
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2015/07/16/world/middleeast/ap-ml-ramadan-reforming-islam.html?_r=0
During the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, Muslims are called on to reflect on their faith as they conduct their daily fast. This past month, some clerics and scholars reflected on ways to reform the religious discourse in Islam to keep up with modern-day challenges and oppose extremism.
Vatican Keeps Up Eco-Pressure, Invites Mayors to See Pope
New York Times/AP
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2015/07/15/world/europe/ap-eu-rel-vatican-climate.html
In an effort to keep up the pressure on world leaders to listen to Pope Francis' mantras of fighting climate change and human trafficking, the Vatican has invited mayors to a meeting next week devoted to battling the exploitation of the Earth and its poorest people.
‘Hands Off My Church’ Petition Plays on French Worries About Islam
by Tom Heneghan
Washington Post/RNS
http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/religion/hands-off-my-church-petition-plays-on-french-worries...
After the head of the Grand Mosque of Paris said that Muslims needed to double the number of mosques around the country--and that using empty churches could help them do that--40,000 French have signed a rousing “Hands off my church” petition.
Interfaith Girls Coding Class Teaches Students The Common Language Of Computers
by Antonia Blumberg
Huffington Post Religion
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/interfaith-girls-coding-class-london_55a589f1e4b0896514cfaebe?ut...
An interfaith girls coding class in London brings Muslim, Jewish and Christian students together to learn the common language of computer programming. Sponsored by an interfaith wing of the Church Urban Fund, the class aims to expose students to faiths and cultures they may have previously had little contact with.
Counting Ramadan
Foreign Affairs
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/2015-07-14/counting-ramadan
Every year, millions of Muslims in every region of the world fast from sunrise to sundown for the holy month of Ramadan. To accommodate this practice, businesses in many Muslim countries grant their employees reduced working hours--which can take a toll on the country's economic growth.
DOMESTIC
EEOC Sues UPS Over Religious Discrimination
by Jacob Bogage
Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2015/07/15/eeoc-sues-ups-over-religious-discrimi...
The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission plans to sue UPS, the country's largest private package delivery service. Citing religious discrimination, the suit will allege that UPS failed to hire certain applicants or promote employees because their religious dress conflicted with company uniform policy.
With Religious Affiliation on the Decline, What Should Happen to Hallowed Buildings?
by Megan Sweas
Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2015/07/14/with-religious-affiliation-on-the-dec...
Katy Perry has negotiated with the Los Angeles Archdiocese to buy a former convent in Los Feliz, one of the trendiest neighborhoods in L.A. Though two nuns are attempting to block the purchase, the legal dispute brings an important question to the table--what should become of our old religious buildings?
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