Today's religion and world affairs news from the United States and around the globe: the leaked draft of Pope Francis' encyclical, a look into Britain's ultra-Orthodox Jewish population, and a college student's fight to serve his country.
BERKLEY CENTER IN THE NEWS
Pope Francis May Find Wariness Among U.S. Bishops on Climate Change
by Laurie Goodstein
New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/14/us/pope-francis-may-find-wariness-among-us-bishops-on-climate-change.html?_r=0
“The composition of the bishops conference changed, and their agenda moved to reproductive issues and issues of gender,” said the Rev. Drew Christiansen, distinguished professor of ethics and development at Georgetown University, who worked at the bishops’ conference in the 1990s. “The environment as an issue was still there. They were working on it, but it was a back-burner issue.”
ENCYCLICAL
Pope Francis Blasts Global Warming Deniers in Leaked Draft of Encyclical
by Michelle Boorstein, Anthony Faiola and Chris Mooney
Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/an-italian-draft-of-pope-francis-environmental-paper-leaks--setting-off-scurry-to-google-translate/2015/06/15/89af0012-1379-11e5-9ddc-e3353542100c_story.html?tid=sm_fb
An Italian magazine leaked a draft of the encyclical Monday on its website, setting off a worldwide scurry as theologians, scholars, reporters, and countless others attempted to translate it. In the document, Pope Francis declares that a large majority of global warming is caused by human activity, and he calls on all people--but especially the rich--to reduce their consumption and reliance on fossil fuels.
related | Pope Draft Encyclical Calls for Swift Action on Climate Change
New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2015/06/16/world/europe/16reuters-pope-environment-leak.html
Version of Encyclical Leaks; Vatican Calls for Respect of Embargo
by Josh McElwee
National Catholic Reporter
http://ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/version-encyclical-leaks-vatican-calls-respect-embargo
The Vatican has announced that the version of the encyclical leaked on Monday is an earlier draft of the document and has called on journalists to respect earlier embargo agreements by waiting for the official document.
Pope's Missive On Environment, Poverty Could Affect Habits Of Millions
by Sylvia Poggioli
NPR Religion
http://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2015/06/16/414666357/popes-missive-on-environment-poverty-could-affect-habits-of-millions
While discussions over the content of the encyclical have generated some controversy, scholars believe that by focusing on the morality of addressing global warming rather than solely on its economic and political implications, Pope Francis has the power to impact and change millions of lives.
5 Key Questions About the Pope and Climate Change
by Daniel Burke
CNN Belief blog
http://www.cnn.com/2015/06/15/world/pope-climate-change/index.html
With the hype surrounding the encyclical, and the recent release of a trailer for the encyclical featuring Pope Francis in superhero form, the Belief Blog editor answers five key questions about the document's impending release.
AROUND THE WORLD
Shtetls of the Mind
Economist
http://www.economist.com/news/britain/21654102-attention-falls-little-known-growing-group-britains-jews-shtetls-mind
Britain’s Jewish population has been dwindling since the 1950s, largely as a result of ageing and assimilation. (...) Even as they struggle to stay true to their beliefs in the face of modernity, the haredim are becoming an increasingly influential force among Britain’s Jews.
German Anti-Islamic Group Pegida Says ‘We Need a Leader’ Like India’s Modi
by Adam Taylor
Washington Post WorldViews
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2015/06/15/german-anti-islamic-group-pegida-says-we-need-a-leader-like-indias-modi
DOMESTIC
Boston Muslims Struggle to Wrest Image of Islam From Terrorists
by Scott Shane
New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/16/us/boston-muslims-struggle-to-wrest-image-of-islam-from-terrorists.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&module=photo-spot-region®ion=top-news&WT.nav=top-news
Since the bombing at the Boston Marathon, the estimated 70,000 Muslims in the city and its suburbs have faced particular pressures and discrimination. One mosque in particular has taken to countering the perceptions of Islam in the city, and its leaders aim to build a home for a distinctly American Islam, emphasizing community service, tolerance and compassion.
Sikh Student's Right To Serve In ROTC And Wear His Turban Upheld By Court
by Carol Kuruvilla
Huffington Post Religion
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/06/15/sikh-student-turban-rotc_n_7588642.html?utm_hp_ref=religion
A U.S. District Court judge ruled last week that the Army violated a Sikh college student's rights by refusing to let him compete for a spot as a contracted member of his college’s Reserve Officer Training Corps program. The student was faced with removing his turban, shaving his beard and cutting his hair--all acts that are prohibited by Singh’s religion--but he will now be able to enroll without compromising his beliefs.
Pope Francis May Find Wariness Among U.S. Bishops on Climate Change
by Laurie Goodstein
New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/14/us/pope-francis-may-find-wariness-among-us-bishops-on-climate-change.html?_r=0
“The composition of the bishops conference changed, and their agenda moved to reproductive issues and issues of gender,” said the Rev. Drew Christiansen, distinguished professor of ethics and development at Georgetown University, who worked at the bishops’ conference in the 1990s. “The environment as an issue was still there. They were working on it, but it was a back-burner issue.”
ENCYCLICAL
Pope Francis Blasts Global Warming Deniers in Leaked Draft of Encyclical
by Michelle Boorstein, Anthony Faiola and Chris Mooney
Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/an-italian-draft-of-pope-francis-environmental-paper-leaks--setting-off-scurry-to-google-translate/2015/06/15/89af0012-1379-11e5-9ddc-e3353542100c_story.html?tid=sm_fb
An Italian magazine leaked a draft of the encyclical Monday on its website, setting off a worldwide scurry as theologians, scholars, reporters, and countless others attempted to translate it. In the document, Pope Francis declares that a large majority of global warming is caused by human activity, and he calls on all people--but especially the rich--to reduce their consumption and reliance on fossil fuels.
related | Pope Draft Encyclical Calls for Swift Action on Climate Change
New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2015/06/16/world/europe/16reuters-pope-environment-leak.html
Version of Encyclical Leaks; Vatican Calls for Respect of Embargo
by Josh McElwee
National Catholic Reporter
http://ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/version-encyclical-leaks-vatican-calls-respect-embargo
The Vatican has announced that the version of the encyclical leaked on Monday is an earlier draft of the document and has called on journalists to respect earlier embargo agreements by waiting for the official document.
Pope's Missive On Environment, Poverty Could Affect Habits Of Millions
by Sylvia Poggioli
NPR Religion
http://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2015/06/16/414666357/popes-missive-on-environment-poverty-could-affect-habits-of-millions
While discussions over the content of the encyclical have generated some controversy, scholars believe that by focusing on the morality of addressing global warming rather than solely on its economic and political implications, Pope Francis has the power to impact and change millions of lives.
5 Key Questions About the Pope and Climate Change
by Daniel Burke
CNN Belief blog
http://www.cnn.com/2015/06/15/world/pope-climate-change/index.html
With the hype surrounding the encyclical, and the recent release of a trailer for the encyclical featuring Pope Francis in superhero form, the Belief Blog editor answers five key questions about the document's impending release.
AROUND THE WORLD
Shtetls of the Mind
Economist
http://www.economist.com/news/britain/21654102-attention-falls-little-known-growing-group-britains-jews-shtetls-mind
Britain’s Jewish population has been dwindling since the 1950s, largely as a result of ageing and assimilation. (...) Even as they struggle to stay true to their beliefs in the face of modernity, the haredim are becoming an increasingly influential force among Britain’s Jews.
German Anti-Islamic Group Pegida Says ‘We Need a Leader’ Like India’s Modi
by Adam Taylor
Washington Post WorldViews
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2015/06/15/german-anti-islamic-group-pegida-says-we-need-a-leader-like-indias-modi
DOMESTIC
Boston Muslims Struggle to Wrest Image of Islam From Terrorists
by Scott Shane
New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/16/us/boston-muslims-struggle-to-wrest-image-of-islam-from-terrorists.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&module=photo-spot-region®ion=top-news&WT.nav=top-news
Since the bombing at the Boston Marathon, the estimated 70,000 Muslims in the city and its suburbs have faced particular pressures and discrimination. One mosque in particular has taken to countering the perceptions of Islam in the city, and its leaders aim to build a home for a distinctly American Islam, emphasizing community service, tolerance and compassion.
Sikh Student's Right To Serve In ROTC And Wear His Turban Upheld By Court
by Carol Kuruvilla
Huffington Post Religion
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/06/15/sikh-student-turban-rotc_n_7588642.html?utm_hp_ref=religion
A U.S. District Court judge ruled last week that the Army violated a Sikh college student's rights by refusing to let him compete for a spot as a contracted member of his college’s Reserve Officer Training Corps program. The student was faced with removing his turban, shaving his beard and cutting his hair--all acts that are prohibited by Singh’s religion--but he will now be able to enroll without compromising his beliefs.
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