Today's religion and world affairs news from the United States and around the globe: changes in Iran, the link between corruption and religious extremism, and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act in Indiana.
AROUND THE WORLD
Iran Matters Most
by Roger Cohen
New York Times op-ed
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/31/opinion/roger-cohen-iran-matters-most.html
During the next decade the Islamic Republic is likely to go through a leadership change. Its society is aspirational and Westward-looking. What these elements will produce in terms of change is unpredictable, but the chance of positive developments is enhanced by contact and diminished by punitive estrangement of Tehran.
The Martyr’s Daughter
by Thomas Erdbrink
New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/01/world/middleeast/iran-our-man-in-tehran.html
A supporter of Iran’s Islamic revolution, Najiyeh Allahdad, sees it as her duty to speak up when in her view the government doesn’t live up to the ideals for which her father fought and died.
The Link Between Corruption and Religious Extremism
by Tom Heneghan
Reuters
http://blogs.reuters.com/faithworld/2015/03/27/book-talk-the-link-between-corruption-and-violent-religious-extremism/
Sarah Chayes went to Afghanistan in 2001 as a journalist, stayed on as a development worker and became an expert on the link between corruption and violent religious militancy described in her book “Thieves of State.” The subtitle—“Why corruption threatens global security”—summarises her view that United States support for corrupt Afghan politicians over the past decade fanned grassroots anger there and boosted support for the resurgent Taliban militants.
The Ascent of Afghan Women
by Sorayah Sarhaddi Nelson
NPR
http://www.npr.org/2015/03/31/393900537/the-ascent-of-afghan-women
Afghanistan is a mountainous country, but scaling the peaks for sport is a new concept here. Mountaineering is considered an odd pastime for men, let alone women whose modesty Afghan society demands be protected at any cost—even death.
Dismissing the Catholic Angle
by Julia Duin
GetReligion
http://www.getreligion.org/getreligion/2015/3/30/jean-vanier-wins-the-templeton-but-many-mainstream-journalists-dismiss-the-catholic-angle
French-Canadian humanitarian, Catholic philosopher, and founder or a federation of communities worldwide for people with disabilities Jean Vanier was awarded the Templeton Prize earlier this month. But many mainstream news stories about this humble man skirted his Christian commitment.
DOMESTIC
Ensuring Religious Freedom in Indiana
by Mike Pence
Wall Street Journal op-ed
http://www.wsj.com/articles/mike-pence-ensuring-religious-freedom-in-indiana-1427757799
I want to make clear to Hoosiers and every American that despite what critics and many in the national media have asserted, the law is not a “license to discriminate,” either in Indiana or elsewhere. In fact, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act reflects federal law, as well as law in 30 states nationwide. Indiana’s legislation is about affording citizens full protection under Indiana law.
Religious Liberty and Equality
by David Brooks
New York Times op-ed
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/31/opinion/david-brooks-religious-liberty-and-equality.html
Certain basic truths are inalienable. Discrimination is always wrong. In cases of actual bigotry, the hammer comes down. But as neighbors in a pluralistic society we try to turn philosophic clashes (about right and wrong) into neighborly problems in which different people are given space to have different lanes to lead lives. In cases where people with different values disagree, we seek a creative accommodation.
Real Religious Leaders Must Stand Up for Real Freedom
by Rev. Al Sharpton
Huffington Post op-ed
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rev-al-sharpton/real-religious-leaders-mu_b_6971012.html?utm_hp_ref=religion
The Indiana Religious Freedom Restoration Act, signed by Governor Mike Pence last week, is one of the most biased pieces of state legislation we've seen in our modern era.
In Indiana, Using Religion as a Cover for Bigotry
New York Times editorial
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/31/opinion/in-indiana-using-religion-as-a-cover-for-bigotry.html?ref=opinion
In recent years, with federal and state courts striking down those marriage bans as unconstitutional (Indiana’s was struck down in 2014), opponents of marriage equality have resorted to using other strategies.
Iran Matters Most
by Roger Cohen
New York Times op-ed
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/31/opinion/roger-cohen-iran-matters-most.html
During the next decade the Islamic Republic is likely to go through a leadership change. Its society is aspirational and Westward-looking. What these elements will produce in terms of change is unpredictable, but the chance of positive developments is enhanced by contact and diminished by punitive estrangement of Tehran.
The Martyr’s Daughter
by Thomas Erdbrink
New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/01/world/middleeast/iran-our-man-in-tehran.html
A supporter of Iran’s Islamic revolution, Najiyeh Allahdad, sees it as her duty to speak up when in her view the government doesn’t live up to the ideals for which her father fought and died.
The Link Between Corruption and Religious Extremism
by Tom Heneghan
Reuters
http://blogs.reuters.com/faithworld/2015/03/27/book-talk-the-link-between-corruption-and-violent-religious-extremism/
Sarah Chayes went to Afghanistan in 2001 as a journalist, stayed on as a development worker and became an expert on the link between corruption and violent religious militancy described in her book “Thieves of State.” The subtitle—“Why corruption threatens global security”—summarises her view that United States support for corrupt Afghan politicians over the past decade fanned grassroots anger there and boosted support for the resurgent Taliban militants.
The Ascent of Afghan Women
by Sorayah Sarhaddi Nelson
NPR
http://www.npr.org/2015/03/31/393900537/the-ascent-of-afghan-women
Afghanistan is a mountainous country, but scaling the peaks for sport is a new concept here. Mountaineering is considered an odd pastime for men, let alone women whose modesty Afghan society demands be protected at any cost—even death.
Dismissing the Catholic Angle
by Julia Duin
GetReligion
http://www.getreligion.org/getreligion/2015/3/30/jean-vanier-wins-the-templeton-but-many-mainstream-journalists-dismiss-the-catholic-angle
French-Canadian humanitarian, Catholic philosopher, and founder or a federation of communities worldwide for people with disabilities Jean Vanier was awarded the Templeton Prize earlier this month. But many mainstream news stories about this humble man skirted his Christian commitment.
DOMESTIC
Ensuring Religious Freedom in Indiana
by Mike Pence
Wall Street Journal op-ed
http://www.wsj.com/articles/mike-pence-ensuring-religious-freedom-in-indiana-1427757799
I want to make clear to Hoosiers and every American that despite what critics and many in the national media have asserted, the law is not a “license to discriminate,” either in Indiana or elsewhere. In fact, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act reflects federal law, as well as law in 30 states nationwide. Indiana’s legislation is about affording citizens full protection under Indiana law.
Religious Liberty and Equality
by David Brooks
New York Times op-ed
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/31/opinion/david-brooks-religious-liberty-and-equality.html
Certain basic truths are inalienable. Discrimination is always wrong. In cases of actual bigotry, the hammer comes down. But as neighbors in a pluralistic society we try to turn philosophic clashes (about right and wrong) into neighborly problems in which different people are given space to have different lanes to lead lives. In cases where people with different values disagree, we seek a creative accommodation.
Real Religious Leaders Must Stand Up for Real Freedom
by Rev. Al Sharpton
Huffington Post op-ed
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rev-al-sharpton/real-religious-leaders-mu_b_6971012.html?utm_hp_ref=religion
The Indiana Religious Freedom Restoration Act, signed by Governor Mike Pence last week, is one of the most biased pieces of state legislation we've seen in our modern era.
In Indiana, Using Religion as a Cover for Bigotry
New York Times editorial
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/31/opinion/in-indiana-using-religion-as-a-cover-for-bigotry.html?ref=opinion
In recent years, with federal and state courts striking down those marriage bans as unconstitutional (Indiana’s was struck down in 2014), opponents of marriage equality have resorted to using other strategies.
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