Today's religion and world affairs news from the United States and around the globe: Pope Francis calls for the release of a priest and bishops held in Syria, a monk protests China's Olympic bid, and a media group attempts to counter the Islamic State's message.
AROUND THE WORLD
We Cannot Defeat ISIS Until We Stop Iran and Saudi From Pouring Fuel on the Sectarian Fire
by Sultan Sooud Al-Qassemi
Huffington Post
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sultan-sooud-alqassemi/isis-iran-saudi-sectarian_b_7674486.html?utm_hp...
At a time when Sunni and Shia sectarian tensions are raging, the Islamic State seems to be using the discord to its own advantage. As long as sectarianism continues to cause such rifts within Islam, it seems likely that IS will maintain its stronghold in the region.
Pope Francis Calls for Release of Priest and Bishops Abducted in Syria
by Philip Pullella
Reuters FaithWorld
http://blogs.reuters.com/faithworld/2015/07/26/pope-francis-calls-for-release-of-priest-and-bishops-...
Speaking to tens of thousands of people in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday, Pope Francis appealed for the release of an Italian Jesuit priest and two Orthodox bishops who were kidnapped in Syria two years ago--and asked world leaders to work for the freedom of all those abducted there.
Rights Advocates, and a Monk, Oppose Beijing’s Winter Olympics Bid
by Cherie Chan and Andrew Jacobs
New York Times
http://sinosphere.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/07/27/rights-advocates-and-a-monk-oppose-beijings-winter-ol...
A Tibetan Buddhist monk has joined in with human rights groups to protest Beijing's bid for the 2022 Winter Olympics. Citing the suffering his people have experienced under Chinese rule, the religious leader has asked to make a personal appeal to the president of the International Olympic Committee.
The Ecology of Planetary Woes
Economist Erasmus blog
http://www.economist.com/blogs/erasmus/2015/07/climate-trafficking-and-pope
Under Pope Francis, a hallmark of the Vatican's global view has been the assertion of a particular connection between climate change and extreme forms of social exclusion, such as slavery and human trafficking. Yet in many instances, the connection between the two remains somewhat unclear--and certainly neither of these two ills can be tackled in isolation.
With $4,000 a Month, Sister Feeds Nairobi's Destitute, Disabled Elderly
by Melanie Lidman
National Catholic Reporter
http://ncronline.org/preview/4000-month-sister-feeds-nairobis-destitute-disabled-elderly
With less than $4,000 per month, a 77-year-old sister from Franciscan Missionaries for Africa cares for 35 heavily disabled live-in residents at Kariobangi Cheshire House for the Aged--and provides twice-weekly lunches for 240 more people who suffer from diseases such as leprosy and HIV/AIDS.
DOMESTIC
Moderate Muslims Counter ISIS Propaganda With Their Own Media Strategy
by Paola Marizan
NPR Religion
http://www.npr.org/2015/07/27/424961326/moderate-muslims-counter-islamic-state-propaganda-with-own-m...
In response to the Islamic State's increase in online outreach efforts, a media team in southwestern Indiana is taking to the Web to reclaim the message of Islam and counter the propaganda spread by IS.
How U.S.-style Megachurches are Taking Over the World, in 5 Maps and Charts
by Rick Noack and Lazaro Gamio
Washington Post WorldViews
https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2015/07/24/how-u-s-style-megachurches-are-taking-...
Though American megachurches date back to the 19th century, these institutions abroad now boast much higher attendance than those in the United States. In looking at recent trends concerning the growth of these institutions abroad, it seems likely that the future of megachurches will lie in the rest of the world.
We Cannot Defeat ISIS Until We Stop Iran and Saudi From Pouring Fuel on the Sectarian Fire
by Sultan Sooud Al-Qassemi
Huffington Post
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sultan-sooud-alqassemi/isis-iran-saudi-sectarian_b_7674486.html?utm_hp...
At a time when Sunni and Shia sectarian tensions are raging, the Islamic State seems to be using the discord to its own advantage. As long as sectarianism continues to cause such rifts within Islam, it seems likely that IS will maintain its stronghold in the region.
Pope Francis Calls for Release of Priest and Bishops Abducted in Syria
by Philip Pullella
Reuters FaithWorld
http://blogs.reuters.com/faithworld/2015/07/26/pope-francis-calls-for-release-of-priest-and-bishops-...
Speaking to tens of thousands of people in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday, Pope Francis appealed for the release of an Italian Jesuit priest and two Orthodox bishops who were kidnapped in Syria two years ago--and asked world leaders to work for the freedom of all those abducted there.
Rights Advocates, and a Monk, Oppose Beijing’s Winter Olympics Bid
by Cherie Chan and Andrew Jacobs
New York Times
http://sinosphere.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/07/27/rights-advocates-and-a-monk-oppose-beijings-winter-ol...
A Tibetan Buddhist monk has joined in with human rights groups to protest Beijing's bid for the 2022 Winter Olympics. Citing the suffering his people have experienced under Chinese rule, the religious leader has asked to make a personal appeal to the president of the International Olympic Committee.
The Ecology of Planetary Woes
Economist Erasmus blog
http://www.economist.com/blogs/erasmus/2015/07/climate-trafficking-and-pope
Under Pope Francis, a hallmark of the Vatican's global view has been the assertion of a particular connection between climate change and extreme forms of social exclusion, such as slavery and human trafficking. Yet in many instances, the connection between the two remains somewhat unclear--and certainly neither of these two ills can be tackled in isolation.
With $4,000 a Month, Sister Feeds Nairobi's Destitute, Disabled Elderly
by Melanie Lidman
National Catholic Reporter
http://ncronline.org/preview/4000-month-sister-feeds-nairobis-destitute-disabled-elderly
With less than $4,000 per month, a 77-year-old sister from Franciscan Missionaries for Africa cares for 35 heavily disabled live-in residents at Kariobangi Cheshire House for the Aged--and provides twice-weekly lunches for 240 more people who suffer from diseases such as leprosy and HIV/AIDS.
DOMESTIC
Moderate Muslims Counter ISIS Propaganda With Their Own Media Strategy
by Paola Marizan
NPR Religion
http://www.npr.org/2015/07/27/424961326/moderate-muslims-counter-islamic-state-propaganda-with-own-m...
In response to the Islamic State's increase in online outreach efforts, a media team in southwestern Indiana is taking to the Web to reclaim the message of Islam and counter the propaganda spread by IS.
How U.S.-style Megachurches are Taking Over the World, in 5 Maps and Charts
by Rick Noack and Lazaro Gamio
Washington Post WorldViews
https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2015/07/24/how-u-s-style-megachurches-are-taking-...
Though American megachurches date back to the 19th century, these institutions abroad now boast much higher attendance than those in the United States. In looking at recent trends concerning the growth of these institutions abroad, it seems likely that the future of megachurches will lie in the rest of the world.
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