In the News, July 29, 2015

July 29, 2015

Today's religion and world affairs news from the United States and around the globe: Central Asia cracks down on Islamic extremists, Kenyan bishops object to a vaccination campaign, and researchers make a shocking discovery at Jamestown.
AROUND THE WORLD
Central Asia Crackdown on Militant Islam Risks Backlash
New York Times/Reuters
http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2015/07/28/world/asia/28reuters-mideast-crisis-centralasia-insight.ht...
Taking draconian measures to stamp out militant Islam, authorities in Central Asia's former Soviet republics risk provoking a backlash that could bring even greater instability. Throughout the region, officials in various areas have banned beards, outlawed Islamic dress, shut restaurants that refuse to sell alcohol, and vetted preachers to ensure mosque sermons do not stir up unrest.  

Turkish President Erdogan in Beijing Amid Ethnic Tensions
by Christopher Bodeen
Washington Post/AP
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/turkish-president-erdogan-in-beijing-amid-ethnic-te...
The Turkish president met with top Chinese officials amid tensions over China’s treatment of its Uighur minority and sensitive negotiations surrounding the possible purchase of a Chinese missile system. In recent months, Turkish public sentiment has been inflamed by reports that Uighur Muslims--native to China’s northwest--had been restricted in practicing Islam.  

Nazi-Built Stadiums Become Host To Major Jewish Sporting Event
by Antonia Blumberg
Huffington Post Religion
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/nazi-built-stadiums-become-host-to-major-jewish-sporting-event_5...
The European Maccabi Games is one of the largest Jewish sporting events in the world, with more than 2,000 Jewish athletes from 36 countries around the world competing in this year's event. For the first time in history, Germany is hosting the games--and remnants of the country's Nazi past will play a key role in the event's message and venues.  

Nepal Hindu Temple Bans Five-yearly Mass Animal Sacrifice: Pressure Group
by Reuters Staff
Reuters FaithWorld
http://blogs.reuters.com/faithworld/2015/07/28/nepal-hindu-temple-bans-five-yearly-mass-animal-sacri...
After drawing much condemnation from animal rights groups over the years, a temple in southern Nepal--known for the mass slaughter of animals in its famous twice-in-a-decade festival--has indefinitely banned animal sacrifice.  

Kenya Catholic Bishops Call for Polio Vaccine Boycott
by Fredrick Nzwili
Religion News Service
http://www.religionnews.com/2015/07/28/kenya-catholic-bishops-call-polio-vaccine-boycott/
Roman Catholic bishops in Kenya have urged citizens to boycott a mass polio vaccination campaign, which has been organized by the World Health Organization and UNICEF. Despite assurances from the government, the bishops are questioning the safety of the vaccines for children.  

Crosses, Turbans and Maple Leaves
by Erasmus blog
Economist
http://www.economist.com/blogs/erasmus/2015/07/religion-and-politics-canada
Though Canadians have historically been quite wary of mixing religion with politics, religious themes nonetheless seem to find their way into appeals to voters and local debates. As elections approach in the country, candidates must remember that they will be representing all citizens, not just particular ethnicities or creeds.  

DOMESTIC
Top Mormons Could Meet Soon About Leaving Scouts
by Erik Eckholm and Laurie Goodstein
New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/29/us/catholic-panel-urges-churches-to-continue-sponsoring-scout-troo...
In officially lifting its ban on gay adult leaders this week, Boy Scouts of America might have jeopardized one of its most longstanding relationships. The most senior leaders of the Mormon Church are expected to meet in August to discuss whether they will cut century-old ties with Boy Scouts in response to their new policy.  

A Skeleton, a Catholic Relic, and a Mystery About American Origins
by Adrienne LaFrance
Atlantic
http://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2015/07/a-skeleton-a-catholic-relic-and-a-mystery-about-...
On the site of the first church built at Jamestown, archaeologists believe to have found a Catholic reliquary in an unearthed grave. This finding proves a landmark discovery for researchers, who view the reliquary as evidence of an underground community of Catholics who pretended to be Protestants.
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