Today's religion and world affairs news from the United States and around the globe: elections in Myanmar, the Pope Francis effect in Cuba, and churches in South Carolina.
AROUND THE WORLD
Cultural Destruction as a War Crime
New York Times editorial
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/09/opinion/cultural-destruction-as-a-war-crime.html?ref=opinion
The International Criminal Court began legal proceedings last week against Ahmad al-Faqi al-Mahdi, a radical Islamist accused of directing the destruction of 10 religious sites in Timbuktu, Mali. The destruction occurred in 2012 when Ansar Dine, a group linked to Al Qaeda, overran Timbuktu and tried to impose its version of an Islamic regime. The group was ousted from Mali in 2013 when French forces intervened. This is the first time the International Criminal Court will examine the destruction of religious sites as a war crime.
The Pope’s Subversive Message
by Arthur C. Brooks
New York Times op-ed
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/08/opinion/the-popes-subversive-message.html?ref=todayspaper
Given Pope Francis’s loving charisma and gentle demeanor, it is easy for many to view this pope as they might see any kindly, secular philosophical figure. This is how the media often portrays him — as an unthreatening man who is cheerfully sanding down the sharp edges of his church. But herein lies Francis’ true subversive genius: What looks to some like a smiley-face sticker is actually an invitation to total conversion.
What the ‘Pope Francis Effect’ Hasn’t Delivered in Cuba
by Nick Miroff
Washington Post
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2015/10/07/what-the-pope-francis-effect-hasnt-deli...
Two weeks have passed since Francis left Cuba, and there has been no sign yet that his visit -- and his rapport with Fidel and Raul Castro -- have led to any new concessions for the church.
Veiled Attack
The Economist
http://www.economist.com/news/americas/21672361-muslim-bashing-effective-campaign-tactic-veiled-atta...
Since Canada enacted a rule in 2011 requiring veiled women to reveal their faces during public citizenship ceremonies, the country has sworn in 680,000 citizens. Just two have refused to comply. This seemingly marginal issue has come to the fore in campaigning for the national election to be held on October 19th. It could well affect the outcome.
Image of Merkel in Muslim Veil Sparks Wider Refugee Debate in Germany
by Anthony Faiola
Washington Post
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/image-of-merkel-in-muslim-veil-sparks-wider-refugee-deba...
In a country struggling to come to terms with a massive influx of Muslim refugees, the image struck a national nerve: German Chancellor Angela Merkel peering out from a black veil, her pious face juxtaposed against a national Parliament building Photoshopped to include soaring minarets. German public broadcaster ARD this week flashed the image on national television while airing a segment that quickly went viral and triggered an uproar on social media.
Hollande Warns Sunni-Shi’ite Confrontations Could Lead to “Total War”
Reuters FaithWorld
http://blogs.reuters.com/faithworld/2015/10/08/hollande-warns-sunni-shiite-confrontations-could-lead...
Europe must live up to the challenge of an upheaval that has forced hundreds of thousands of refugees to flee Syria, where everyone including Iran, Russia and the West must seek a political solution, French President Francois Hollande said on Wednesday. Speaking alongside German Chancellor Angela Merkel to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, eastern France, Hollande said the risk of failure was “total war” and that Europe, if slow to grasp the scale of the refugee exodus, had now made a start.
Suu Kyi Sees Worrying Anti-Muslim Sentiment in Myanmar Election Campaign
Reuters FaithWorld
http://blogs.reuters.com/faithworld/2015/10/08/suu-kyi-sees-worrying-anti-muslim-sentiment-in-myanma...
Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has expressed worries over an increase in anti-Muslim sentiment in Myanmar and religion being used for political means, saying that there were, “very, very worrying signs of religious intolerance which we did not have in this country before.”
Media Savvy Islamic State Presents Grave Concern for U.S. at Home, Admiral Says
Reuters FaithWorld
http://blogs.reuters.com/faithworld/2015/10/08/media-savvy-islamic-state-presents-grave-concern-for-...
A recruiting push by Islamic State militants via thousands of Twitter accounts and other social media postings remains one of the biggest threats facing the United States, a high-level U.S. military official said on Wednesday.
DOMESTIC
South Carolina Churches Are Doing More Than Praying For Flood Victims
by Antonia Blumberg
Huffington Post
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/south-carolina-churches-flooding_561565f3e4b0fad1591a7308
Flooding in South Carolina has reached "historic proportions," according to Gov. Nikki Haley, with at least 17 dead and damage yet to be calculated. Churches have risen to provide essential support for those affected.
Cultural Destruction as a War Crime
New York Times editorial
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/09/opinion/cultural-destruction-as-a-war-crime.html?ref=opinion
The International Criminal Court began legal proceedings last week against Ahmad al-Faqi al-Mahdi, a radical Islamist accused of directing the destruction of 10 religious sites in Timbuktu, Mali. The destruction occurred in 2012 when Ansar Dine, a group linked to Al Qaeda, overran Timbuktu and tried to impose its version of an Islamic regime. The group was ousted from Mali in 2013 when French forces intervened. This is the first time the International Criminal Court will examine the destruction of religious sites as a war crime.
The Pope’s Subversive Message
by Arthur C. Brooks
New York Times op-ed
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/08/opinion/the-popes-subversive-message.html?ref=todayspaper
Given Pope Francis’s loving charisma and gentle demeanor, it is easy for many to view this pope as they might see any kindly, secular philosophical figure. This is how the media often portrays him — as an unthreatening man who is cheerfully sanding down the sharp edges of his church. But herein lies Francis’ true subversive genius: What looks to some like a smiley-face sticker is actually an invitation to total conversion.
What the ‘Pope Francis Effect’ Hasn’t Delivered in Cuba
by Nick Miroff
Washington Post
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2015/10/07/what-the-pope-francis-effect-hasnt-deli...
Two weeks have passed since Francis left Cuba, and there has been no sign yet that his visit -- and his rapport with Fidel and Raul Castro -- have led to any new concessions for the church.
Veiled Attack
The Economist
http://www.economist.com/news/americas/21672361-muslim-bashing-effective-campaign-tactic-veiled-atta...
Since Canada enacted a rule in 2011 requiring veiled women to reveal their faces during public citizenship ceremonies, the country has sworn in 680,000 citizens. Just two have refused to comply. This seemingly marginal issue has come to the fore in campaigning for the national election to be held on October 19th. It could well affect the outcome.
Image of Merkel in Muslim Veil Sparks Wider Refugee Debate in Germany
by Anthony Faiola
Washington Post
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/image-of-merkel-in-muslim-veil-sparks-wider-refugee-deba...
In a country struggling to come to terms with a massive influx of Muslim refugees, the image struck a national nerve: German Chancellor Angela Merkel peering out from a black veil, her pious face juxtaposed against a national Parliament building Photoshopped to include soaring minarets. German public broadcaster ARD this week flashed the image on national television while airing a segment that quickly went viral and triggered an uproar on social media.
Hollande Warns Sunni-Shi’ite Confrontations Could Lead to “Total War”
Reuters FaithWorld
http://blogs.reuters.com/faithworld/2015/10/08/hollande-warns-sunni-shiite-confrontations-could-lead...
Europe must live up to the challenge of an upheaval that has forced hundreds of thousands of refugees to flee Syria, where everyone including Iran, Russia and the West must seek a political solution, French President Francois Hollande said on Wednesday. Speaking alongside German Chancellor Angela Merkel to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, eastern France, Hollande said the risk of failure was “total war” and that Europe, if slow to grasp the scale of the refugee exodus, had now made a start.
Suu Kyi Sees Worrying Anti-Muslim Sentiment in Myanmar Election Campaign
Reuters FaithWorld
http://blogs.reuters.com/faithworld/2015/10/08/suu-kyi-sees-worrying-anti-muslim-sentiment-in-myanma...
Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has expressed worries over an increase in anti-Muslim sentiment in Myanmar and religion being used for political means, saying that there were, “very, very worrying signs of religious intolerance which we did not have in this country before.”
Media Savvy Islamic State Presents Grave Concern for U.S. at Home, Admiral Says
Reuters FaithWorld
http://blogs.reuters.com/faithworld/2015/10/08/media-savvy-islamic-state-presents-grave-concern-for-...
A recruiting push by Islamic State militants via thousands of Twitter accounts and other social media postings remains one of the biggest threats facing the United States, a high-level U.S. military official said on Wednesday.
DOMESTIC
South Carolina Churches Are Doing More Than Praying For Flood Victims
by Antonia Blumberg
Huffington Post
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/south-carolina-churches-flooding_561565f3e4b0fad1591a7308
Flooding in South Carolina has reached "historic proportions," according to Gov. Nikki Haley, with at least 17 dead and damage yet to be calculated. Churches have risen to provide essential support for those affected.
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