Today's religion and world affairs news from the United States and around the globe: Christianity and communism in China, the United States intervenes in Nigeria's war on Boko Haram, reviving the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, and the role of religion in the U.S. presidential election.
AROUND THE WORLD
Pastor in China Who Resisted Cross Removal Gets 14 Years in Prison
by Edward Wong
New York Times
http://nyti.ms/1TCUVK3
In the last two years, Zhejiang has been carrying out a campaign to limit the influence there of Christian churches and groups. Christianity has a relatively strong presence in the province, where President Xi Jinping once served as the Communist Party chief. The campaign has included the removal of over 1,200 crosses from churches and other buildings and in some cases the destruction of entire churches.
U.S. Plans to Put Advisers on Front Lines of Nigeria’s War on Boko Haram
by Eric Schmitt and Dionne Searcey
New York Times
http://nyti.ms/1TC2VLe
The Pentagon is poised to send dozens of Special Operations advisers to the front lines of Nigeria’s fight against the West African militant group Boko Haram, according to military officials, the latest deployment in conflicts with the Islamic State and its allies.
What the ‘Oldest’ Muslim Graves in Europe Can Tell Us about the Past
by Ishaan Tharoor
Washington Post WorldViews
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2016/02/26/what-the-oldest-muslim-graves-in-europe...
But sifting through bones and dirt, the researchers of the study draw quieter, more nuanced conclusions. For centuries, Muslims and Christians co-existed in parts of Europe, lived side-by-side, worked together, and died together.
The Neglected Israeli-Palestinian Peace Process Must Be Revived
by Dennis Ross and David Makovsky
Washington Post op-ed
http://wpo.st/_xAG1
With Palestinians divided and their leaders increasingly discredited, and a right-wing government in Israel, the conflict is not about to be resolved. But that is all the more reason to think about what can be done to preserve the possibility of a two-state outcome, particularly with the Palestinians entering a period of uncertain succession.
In an Age of Terror, Free Speech Is an Early Casualty
Economist
http://econ.st/1n1o6tr
Just over a year has passed since Copenhagen joined the list of European cities struck by terrorists claiming to be acting in the name of Islam: two people were killed and five police injured in attacks on a free-speech debate and then a synagogue. For Danish civil-liberties campaigners, free speech itself is being added to the list of casualties, just as it has in other countries that feel threatened by jihadism.
NATIONAL
Kasich Takes Centrist Tone on Religious Freedom, Gay Marriage
by Hadas Gold
Politico
http://www.politico.com/blogs/2016-gop-primary-live-updates-and-results/2016/02/john-kasich-religiou...
Ohio Gov. John Kasich struck a moderate tone on the subject of religious liberties, saying companies should not be allowed to deny services based on their religious beliefs.
The Role of Religion in America’s Presidential Race
Economist
http://econ.st/1mZXxER A Pew Research Centre poll found that 51 percent of American voters deemed it very or somewhat important to have a president who shared their religious perspective. Unsurprisingly, the percentage who felt that way was higher (64 percent) among Republican-leaning voters than among the Democratically-minded (41 percent), but party affiliation made less difference than you might expect.
Why Do Evangelicals Support Donald Trump? A Pastor Explains
NPR
http://www.npr.org/2016/02/25/468149440/why-do-evangelicals-support-donald-trump-a-pastor-explains
Trump is a thrice-married real estate and casino mogul who, at times, has supported abortion. And he doesn't have the greatest familiarity with the Bible. Nonetheless, Trump has won in key states so far in no small part because of white evangelical voters, and Pastor Robert Jeffress of the First Baptist Church of Dallas joined NRP to explain why that's the case.
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