Today's religion and world affairs news from the United States and around the globe: rising tensions in Israel, Christians in the Middle East, and religious violence in India.
AROUND THE WORLD
UK Muslims Condemn Britain’s Plans to Combat Extremism
by Michael Holden
Reuters
http://blogs.reuters.com/faithworld/2015/10/20/uk-muslims-condemn-britains-plans-to-combat-extremism/
British Prime Minister David Cameron unveiled a new strategy on Monday to combat extremism, saying the battle was “perhaps the “defining one of this century”, but his proposals were condemned by Muslims as demonizing their communities and set to fail.
Marine Le Pen, French National Front Leader, Speaks at Her Hate-Speech Trial
by Adam Nossiter
New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/21/world/europe/marine-le-pen-french-national-front-leader-speaks-at-her-hate-speech-trial.html?ref=world&_r=0
Ms. Le Pen, accused of inciting hatred against Muslims, turned what was meant as an accusatory stage into a full-throated platform for her far-right views.
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Kai-moon in Jerusalem Urges Calm as Violence Continues
by Brakkton Booker
NPR
http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/10/20/450314699/un-secretary-general-ban-ki-moon-in-jerusalem-urges-calm-as-violence-continues
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon said his visit "reflects the sense of global alarm" and also urged calm during a stop in Israel on Tuesday. He met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in an effort to quell the increase in violence there over the past month.
Some Middle Eastern Christians are Speaking up Against “Holy War” in Syria
Economist
http://www.economist.com/blogs/erasmus/2015/10/russia-syria-and-holy-war
At the beginning of this month, when Russian jet fighters went into action in Syria, it was widely reported that Russia and its national church had proclaimed a "holy war" against Islamic State. In the Western world, some people groaned ("not another warring party that claims to have God on its side") and some quietly approved, on the grounds that just maybe, the only antidote to jihad could be counter-jihad.
Singapore Church Founder is Convicted of Fraud
by Austin Ramzy
New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/22/world/asia/singapore-city-harvest-church-kong-hee-sun-ho.html
The pastor of a Singapore megachurch was convicted of fraud on Wednesday, with a judge finding that he had used millions in church funds to promote his wife’s career in pop music.
Current Situation in Punjab Evokes Memories of 1984 Anti-Sikh Violence
by Smran Jeet Singh
Huffington Post
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/simran-jeet-singh/the-current-situation-in-pujab_b_8320586.html?utm_hp_ref=religion
Due to a lack of media transparency, it is difficult to ascertain the facts of the violence anti-Shik incidents that have occurred in the Punjab region last week. It is clear, however, that the Indian government responded to the violence by calling the Indian Army and ordering a media blackout. The government’s response has lain the ground work for a rise in violence against Shiks similar to the events of 1984.
Pope Francis’ Plans for Inclusiveness Divide Bishops
by Laurie Goodstein and Elisabetta Povoledo
New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/22/world/europe/vatican-meeting-reveals-divisions-among-catholics-on-family-issues.html
The most momentous, and contentious, meeting of bishops in the 50 years since the Second Vatican Council exposed deep fault lines between traditionalists focused on shoring up doctrine, and those who want the church to be more open to Catholics who are divorced, gay, single parents or cohabiting.
Palestinians Hope U.N. List Will Spur Talk of Protections
by Somini Sengupta
New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/22/world/middleeast/palestinians-hope-un-list-will-spur-talk-of-protections.html?ref=todayspaper
After a request last year from Palestinian leaders for “international protection” on Palestinian lands, the United Nations secretary general released a summary, on Wednesday, of 17 examples of international protections for civilians living in disputed areas around the world in the past 95 years.
Pope Francis to Meet Iran’s Rouhani Next Month, Reports Say
by Adam Taylor
Washington Post
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2015/10/21/pope-francis-to-meet-irans-rouhani-next-month-reports-say/
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani is scheduled to meet with with Pope Francis during a visit to the Vatican next month.
UK Muslims Condemn Britain’s Plans to Combat Extremism
by Michael Holden
Reuters
http://blogs.reuters.com/faithworld/2015/10/20/uk-muslims-condemn-britains-plans-to-combat-extremism/
British Prime Minister David Cameron unveiled a new strategy on Monday to combat extremism, saying the battle was “perhaps the “defining one of this century”, but his proposals were condemned by Muslims as demonizing their communities and set to fail.
Marine Le Pen, French National Front Leader, Speaks at Her Hate-Speech Trial
by Adam Nossiter
New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/21/world/europe/marine-le-pen-french-national-front-leader-speaks-at-her-hate-speech-trial.html?ref=world&_r=0
Ms. Le Pen, accused of inciting hatred against Muslims, turned what was meant as an accusatory stage into a full-throated platform for her far-right views.
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Kai-moon in Jerusalem Urges Calm as Violence Continues
by Brakkton Booker
NPR
http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/10/20/450314699/un-secretary-general-ban-ki-moon-in-jerusalem-urges-calm-as-violence-continues
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon said his visit "reflects the sense of global alarm" and also urged calm during a stop in Israel on Tuesday. He met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in an effort to quell the increase in violence there over the past month.
Some Middle Eastern Christians are Speaking up Against “Holy War” in Syria
Economist
http://www.economist.com/blogs/erasmus/2015/10/russia-syria-and-holy-war
At the beginning of this month, when Russian jet fighters went into action in Syria, it was widely reported that Russia and its national church had proclaimed a "holy war" against Islamic State. In the Western world, some people groaned ("not another warring party that claims to have God on its side") and some quietly approved, on the grounds that just maybe, the only antidote to jihad could be counter-jihad.
Singapore Church Founder is Convicted of Fraud
by Austin Ramzy
New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/22/world/asia/singapore-city-harvest-church-kong-hee-sun-ho.html
The pastor of a Singapore megachurch was convicted of fraud on Wednesday, with a judge finding that he had used millions in church funds to promote his wife’s career in pop music.
Current Situation in Punjab Evokes Memories of 1984 Anti-Sikh Violence
by Smran Jeet Singh
Huffington Post
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/simran-jeet-singh/the-current-situation-in-pujab_b_8320586.html?utm_hp_ref=religion
Due to a lack of media transparency, it is difficult to ascertain the facts of the violence anti-Shik incidents that have occurred in the Punjab region last week. It is clear, however, that the Indian government responded to the violence by calling the Indian Army and ordering a media blackout. The government’s response has lain the ground work for a rise in violence against Shiks similar to the events of 1984.
Pope Francis’ Plans for Inclusiveness Divide Bishops
by Laurie Goodstein and Elisabetta Povoledo
New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/22/world/europe/vatican-meeting-reveals-divisions-among-catholics-on-family-issues.html
The most momentous, and contentious, meeting of bishops in the 50 years since the Second Vatican Council exposed deep fault lines between traditionalists focused on shoring up doctrine, and those who want the church to be more open to Catholics who are divorced, gay, single parents or cohabiting.
Palestinians Hope U.N. List Will Spur Talk of Protections
by Somini Sengupta
New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/22/world/middleeast/palestinians-hope-un-list-will-spur-talk-of-protections.html?ref=todayspaper
After a request last year from Palestinian leaders for “international protection” on Palestinian lands, the United Nations secretary general released a summary, on Wednesday, of 17 examples of international protections for civilians living in disputed areas around the world in the past 95 years.
Pope Francis to Meet Iran’s Rouhani Next Month, Reports Say
by Adam Taylor
Washington Post
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2015/10/21/pope-francis-to-meet-irans-rouhani-next-month-reports-say/
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani is scheduled to meet with with Pope Francis during a visit to the Vatican next month.
Opens in a new window