Today's religion and world affairs news from the United States and around the globe: the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Pope Francis, domestic violence in Afghanistan, religious extremism in Europe, Ebola, and American immigration reform.
BERKLEY CENTER IN THE NEWS
Home Demolition as Vengeance
by Drew Christiansen and Ra’fat Aldajani
National Catholic Reporter
http://ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/home-demolition-vengeance
Justice demands appropriate punishment for those who commit acts of violence, but Israel’s collective punishment through home demolitions has proven to be a failure. It fails to deter politically motivated crimes. It is also counterproductive because in its excess and arbitrariness it accelerates the cycle of violence and hatred.
AROUND THE WORLD
Why the Pope Called Europe a ‘Grandmother’
by Josh Guida
New York Times op-ed
http://op-talk.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/01/why-the-pope-called-europe-a-grandmother/?ref=opinion
“In many quarters we encounter a general impression of weariness and aging, of a Europe which is now a ‘grandmother,’ no longer fertile and vibrant,” Pope Francis said in an address to the European Parliament last week.
Democracy and Religion in Israel
New York Times letter to the editor
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/02/opinion/democracy-and-religion-in-israel.html?ref=todayspaper
A series of letters to the editor regarding Israel, democracy, religion, and the proposed law “Israel, the Nation-State of the Jewish People.”
In 2004, I Met an Afghan Girl Sold Into an Abusive Marriage at Age 9. This Month, I Set Out to Find Her.
by Sudarsan Raghavan
Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2014/12/01/in-2004-i-met-an-afghan-girl-sold-into-an-abusive-marriage-at-age-9-this-month-i-set-out-to-find-her-2/
Today, domestic violence against women and girls is still widespread in Afghanistan. Many rural women are still forced into unhappy marriages every year. The legal system remains weak and corrupt.
A French Town Reels After Teenage Girl Vanishes, Apparently to Join Jihadists
by Suzanne Daley and Maia de la Baume
New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/02/world/europe/a-french-town-reels-after-teenage-girl-vanishes-apparently-to-join-jihadists.html?ref=todayspaper&_r=0
While there is enormous concern for the fate of these young women in Syria and Iraq, there is also a growing fear that the girls, far less likely to draw attention from security officials than their male counterparts, could pose a significant risk in their home countries, primarily in Europe.
The Firestarter of Berlin
by Sumi Somaskanda
Foreign Policy
http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2014/12/01/the_firestarter_of_berlin_imam_kamouss_islam_germany
Meet Imam Kamouss, the handsome, popular, self-proclaimed moderate Muslim preacher who has become the face of intolerance and terror across Germany.
4 Things Working With HIV Can Teach Us About Fighting Ebola
by Dale Hanson Bourke
Religion News Service
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/12/01/hiv-virus-ebola_n_6248656.html?utm_hp_ref=religion
Most Africans attend a worship service at least weekly. Not only is this a spiritual event, it is also a place to learn news, connect with members of the community and receive instruction from their faith leaders. By using the platform that faith leaders have in a community, trusted information can be disseminated to a large group of people. In addition, faith leaders can help dispel fear and shame that often leads the ill to hide their symptoms.
DOMESTIC
Archbishop Talks About Immigration Reform at St. Agnes of Bohemia
by Mitch Dudek
Chicago Sun Times
http://chicagosuntimes.com/news/archbishop-talks-about-immigration-reform-at-st-agnes-of-bohemiah/
Archbishop Blase Cupich, speaking in Spanish, said he told Obama his executive order granting temporary protection for a large number of undocumented persons was a good “first step” toward immigration reform.
Church Leaders Look to Educate, Encourage, and Calm St. Louis Parishioners
by Emanuele Berry
NPR
http://www.npr.org/2014/12/01/367704493/church-leaders-look-to-educate-encourage-and-calm-ferguson-parishoners
Since a black man was shot to death by a white police officer in the St. Louis suburb, churches there have tried to reduce tension with dialogues on race and healing. That role was amplified Sunday.
Home Demolition as Vengeance
by Drew Christiansen and Ra’fat Aldajani
National Catholic Reporter
http://ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/home-demolition-vengeance
Justice demands appropriate punishment for those who commit acts of violence, but Israel’s collective punishment through home demolitions has proven to be a failure. It fails to deter politically motivated crimes. It is also counterproductive because in its excess and arbitrariness it accelerates the cycle of violence and hatred.
AROUND THE WORLD
Why the Pope Called Europe a ‘Grandmother’
by Josh Guida
New York Times op-ed
http://op-talk.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/01/why-the-pope-called-europe-a-grandmother/?ref=opinion
“In many quarters we encounter a general impression of weariness and aging, of a Europe which is now a ‘grandmother,’ no longer fertile and vibrant,” Pope Francis said in an address to the European Parliament last week.
Democracy and Religion in Israel
New York Times letter to the editor
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/02/opinion/democracy-and-religion-in-israel.html?ref=todayspaper
A series of letters to the editor regarding Israel, democracy, religion, and the proposed law “Israel, the Nation-State of the Jewish People.”
In 2004, I Met an Afghan Girl Sold Into an Abusive Marriage at Age 9. This Month, I Set Out to Find Her.
by Sudarsan Raghavan
Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2014/12/01/in-2004-i-met-an-afghan-girl-sold-into-an-abusive-marriage-at-age-9-this-month-i-set-out-to-find-her-2/
Today, domestic violence against women and girls is still widespread in Afghanistan. Many rural women are still forced into unhappy marriages every year. The legal system remains weak and corrupt.
A French Town Reels After Teenage Girl Vanishes, Apparently to Join Jihadists
by Suzanne Daley and Maia de la Baume
New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/02/world/europe/a-french-town-reels-after-teenage-girl-vanishes-apparently-to-join-jihadists.html?ref=todayspaper&_r=0
While there is enormous concern for the fate of these young women in Syria and Iraq, there is also a growing fear that the girls, far less likely to draw attention from security officials than their male counterparts, could pose a significant risk in their home countries, primarily in Europe.
The Firestarter of Berlin
by Sumi Somaskanda
Foreign Policy
http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2014/12/01/the_firestarter_of_berlin_imam_kamouss_islam_germany
Meet Imam Kamouss, the handsome, popular, self-proclaimed moderate Muslim preacher who has become the face of intolerance and terror across Germany.
4 Things Working With HIV Can Teach Us About Fighting Ebola
by Dale Hanson Bourke
Religion News Service
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/12/01/hiv-virus-ebola_n_6248656.html?utm_hp_ref=religion
Most Africans attend a worship service at least weekly. Not only is this a spiritual event, it is also a place to learn news, connect with members of the community and receive instruction from their faith leaders. By using the platform that faith leaders have in a community, trusted information can be disseminated to a large group of people. In addition, faith leaders can help dispel fear and shame that often leads the ill to hide their symptoms.
DOMESTIC
Archbishop Talks About Immigration Reform at St. Agnes of Bohemia
by Mitch Dudek
Chicago Sun Times
http://chicagosuntimes.com/news/archbishop-talks-about-immigration-reform-at-st-agnes-of-bohemiah/
Archbishop Blase Cupich, speaking in Spanish, said he told Obama his executive order granting temporary protection for a large number of undocumented persons was a good “first step” toward immigration reform.
Church Leaders Look to Educate, Encourage, and Calm St. Louis Parishioners
by Emanuele Berry
NPR
http://www.npr.org/2014/12/01/367704493/church-leaders-look-to-educate-encourage-and-calm-ferguson-parishoners
Since a black man was shot to death by a white police officer in the St. Louis suburb, churches there have tried to reduce tension with dialogues on race and healing. That role was amplified Sunday.
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