Today's religion and world affairs news from the United States and around the globe: Pope Francis begins his trip to Cuba and the United States, bombings by Islamist groups in Nigeria and Somalia, and Syrian refugees in Germany.
BERKLEY CENTER IN THE NEWS
Anti-Muslim Demagoguery on the Campaign Trail
By Drew Christiansen & Ra'fat Aldajani
National Catholic Reporter
http://ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/anti-muslim-demagoguery-campaign-trail
On Sunday September 20, Republican presidential candidate Dr. Ben Carson said “I would not advocate that we put a Muslim in charge of this nation. I absolutely would not agree with that.” (...) In previous eras where it wasn’t politically incorrect to cast doubt and speak ill of Irish-Americans, Jews, Catholics or African-Americans, at least it was understandable that this was a young country that was going through some historical growing pains. There is no excuse today.
Can Pope Francis Really Get His Message Through in the U.S.?
by Paul Elie
Vanity Fair
http://www.vanityfair.com/news/2015/09/can-pope-francis-get-his-message-through-in-the-us
The Pope’s greatest asset may well be his irrepressible authenticity. He thrives on spontaneity to connect with crowds and amidst his busy schedule during his visit to the United States, Elie anticipates the pope to come bearing his knack for surprises.
POPE FRANCIS TRIP
Pope Francis Meets Fidel Castro, Warns against Ideology on Cuba Trip
by Philip Pullella
Reuters
http://blogs.reuters.com/faithworld/2015/09/21/pope-francis-meets-fidel-castro-warns-against-ideolog...
Pope Francis met Cuba’s revolutionary leader Fidel Castro on Sunday hours after warning Cubans to beware the dangers of ideology and the lure of selfishness as their country enters a new era of closer ties with the United States. Latin America’s first pope and Castro, the region’s last surviving leftist icon of the 20th century, discussed religion and world affairs at the home of the 89-year-old retired president for about 40 minutes.
Political Split Awaits Pope Francis on Eve of U.S. Visit
By Peter Baker
New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/21/us/politics/political-split-awaits-pope-francis.html?ref=politics
Pope Francis and President Obama have established a productive diplomatic relationship rooted in their shared concern for many social and political issues. Nonetheless, Republicans and other socially conservative groups view the Pope’s visit will bolster their causes. Catholics have become a crucial swing vote that both sides of the aisle are eager to capture; both Democrats and Republicans seek to leverage the Pope’s visit to that end.
How Pope Francis Clashes With Both Democrats And Republicans, In 1 Graphic
by Danielle Kurtzleben
NPR
http://www.npr.org/sections/itsallpolitics/2015/09/22/442319485/how-pope-francis-clashes-with-both-d...
When Pope Francis addresses Congress on Thursday, watch in the background on the C-SPAN feed for some uncomfortable fidgeting. That's because he has plenty of material to make both Democrats and Republicans squirm.
New Evidence Shows That the Pope Can Change Catholics’ Minds about the Culture War
by David T. Buckley
Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/monkey-cage/wp/2015/09/22/new-evidence-shows-that-the-pope-can-c...
New research shows that Francis’s statements on religion in public life do matter to Catholic voters, particularly to those most likely to be found in the pews on any given Sunday.
Activists Hope Pope Can Change Climate Conversation In Washington
by Kate Sheppard
Huffington Post
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/climate-pope-washington_56006f39e4b0fde8b0cf6c41?utm_hp_ref=reli...
Climate activists are hopeful that Pope Francis will be able to bring a message to policymakers this week that has so far not permeated the nation's capital: that climate change is as much a moral consideration as it is a scientific, economic and political challenge.
AROUND THE WORLD
We Must Compromise with Evil in Syria
by Gideon Rachman
Financial Times op-ed
http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/96bf7e48-6041-11e5-a28b-50226830d644.html?siteedition=uk#axzz3mTQnMPs...
Some in the west will object that this means getting around the negotiating table with people who have committed horrible acts of evil. True enough. But we have done it before in the interests of peace. The conflict in Cambodia was ended by a UN-sponsored peace process in 1991 in which the Khmer Rouge — responsible for the Cambodian genocide — took part.
With Refugees, Germany’s Muslim Minority Could Become Europe’s Largest
by Tom Heneghan
Reuters FaithWorld
http://blogs.reuters.com/faithworld/2015/09/22/with-refugees-germanys-muslim-minority-could-become-e...
When the flood of Middle Eastern refugees arriving in Europe finally ebbs and asylum-seekers settle down in their new homes, Germany could unexpectedly find itself housing the continent’s largest Muslim minority.
Why the Haj is Safer than Ever
Economist
http://www.economist.com/blogs/economist-explains/2015/09/economist-explains-14
This haj will be the hottest in two decades, with expected highs of 45 C (114 F). The surrounding region is in turmoil; Saudi Arabia itself is at war in neighbouring Yemen, while fighting rages in Syria, Iraq and Libya too. Even before pilgrims had gathered, a crane collapse at Mecca’s Great Mosque killed more than 100 people, while Saudi Arabia had witnessed a frightening spike in cases of a deadly virus. All this might suggest that the haj is a perilous pilgrimage; is it? The short answer is no.
ISIS Defectors Reveal Disillusionment
by Kimiko De Freytas-Tamura
New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/21/world/europe/isis-defectors-reveal-disillusionment.html?ref=world
The number of ISIS defectors are speaking out about their time in and disillusionment with the Islamic State. In doing so they risk imprisonment and reprisal. The International Center of the Study of Radicalization at Kings College London urge governments to provide more incentive to former ISIS members. Their stories of disillusionment, often the result of a multitude of the abuses, and escape can be used to dissuade potential recruits from joining ISIS.
Deadly Car Bombing at Somalia’s Presidential Palace Is Claimed by Shabab
by Mohammed Ibrahim
New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/22/world/africa/deadly-car-bombing-at-somalias-presidential-palace-is...
A car loaded with explosives was detonated Monday at the gate of the presidential palace in Mogadishu, killing at least four people and wounding a dozen others, witnesses and officials said. The Shabab, a militant Islamist group affiliated with Al Qaeda, claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it targeted senior Somali and foreign officials.
More than 100 Killed by Boko Haram Bombings in Nigeria
by Norimitsu Onishi
New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/22/world/africa/deadly-bombings-are-reported-in-nigerian-city-where-b...
More than 100 people were killed Sunday evening in northern Nigeria in a quick succession of what appeared to be carefully coordinated bombings by Boko Haram, the Islamist extremist group.
Anti-Muslim Demagoguery on the Campaign Trail
By Drew Christiansen & Ra'fat Aldajani
National Catholic Reporter
http://ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/anti-muslim-demagoguery-campaign-trail
On Sunday September 20, Republican presidential candidate Dr. Ben Carson said “I would not advocate that we put a Muslim in charge of this nation. I absolutely would not agree with that.” (...) In previous eras where it wasn’t politically incorrect to cast doubt and speak ill of Irish-Americans, Jews, Catholics or African-Americans, at least it was understandable that this was a young country that was going through some historical growing pains. There is no excuse today.
Can Pope Francis Really Get His Message Through in the U.S.?
by Paul Elie
Vanity Fair
http://www.vanityfair.com/news/2015/09/can-pope-francis-get-his-message-through-in-the-us
The Pope’s greatest asset may well be his irrepressible authenticity. He thrives on spontaneity to connect with crowds and amidst his busy schedule during his visit to the United States, Elie anticipates the pope to come bearing his knack for surprises.
POPE FRANCIS TRIP
Pope Francis Meets Fidel Castro, Warns against Ideology on Cuba Trip
by Philip Pullella
Reuters
http://blogs.reuters.com/faithworld/2015/09/21/pope-francis-meets-fidel-castro-warns-against-ideolog...
Pope Francis met Cuba’s revolutionary leader Fidel Castro on Sunday hours after warning Cubans to beware the dangers of ideology and the lure of selfishness as their country enters a new era of closer ties with the United States. Latin America’s first pope and Castro, the region’s last surviving leftist icon of the 20th century, discussed religion and world affairs at the home of the 89-year-old retired president for about 40 minutes.
Political Split Awaits Pope Francis on Eve of U.S. Visit
By Peter Baker
New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/21/us/politics/political-split-awaits-pope-francis.html?ref=politics
Pope Francis and President Obama have established a productive diplomatic relationship rooted in their shared concern for many social and political issues. Nonetheless, Republicans and other socially conservative groups view the Pope’s visit will bolster their causes. Catholics have become a crucial swing vote that both sides of the aisle are eager to capture; both Democrats and Republicans seek to leverage the Pope’s visit to that end.
How Pope Francis Clashes With Both Democrats And Republicans, In 1 Graphic
by Danielle Kurtzleben
NPR
http://www.npr.org/sections/itsallpolitics/2015/09/22/442319485/how-pope-francis-clashes-with-both-d...
When Pope Francis addresses Congress on Thursday, watch in the background on the C-SPAN feed for some uncomfortable fidgeting. That's because he has plenty of material to make both Democrats and Republicans squirm.
New Evidence Shows That the Pope Can Change Catholics’ Minds about the Culture War
by David T. Buckley
Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/monkey-cage/wp/2015/09/22/new-evidence-shows-that-the-pope-can-c...
New research shows that Francis’s statements on religion in public life do matter to Catholic voters, particularly to those most likely to be found in the pews on any given Sunday.
Activists Hope Pope Can Change Climate Conversation In Washington
by Kate Sheppard
Huffington Post
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/climate-pope-washington_56006f39e4b0fde8b0cf6c41?utm_hp_ref=reli...
Climate activists are hopeful that Pope Francis will be able to bring a message to policymakers this week that has so far not permeated the nation's capital: that climate change is as much a moral consideration as it is a scientific, economic and political challenge.
AROUND THE WORLD
We Must Compromise with Evil in Syria
by Gideon Rachman
Financial Times op-ed
http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/96bf7e48-6041-11e5-a28b-50226830d644.html?siteedition=uk#axzz3mTQnMPs...
Some in the west will object that this means getting around the negotiating table with people who have committed horrible acts of evil. True enough. But we have done it before in the interests of peace. The conflict in Cambodia was ended by a UN-sponsored peace process in 1991 in which the Khmer Rouge — responsible for the Cambodian genocide — took part.
With Refugees, Germany’s Muslim Minority Could Become Europe’s Largest
by Tom Heneghan
Reuters FaithWorld
http://blogs.reuters.com/faithworld/2015/09/22/with-refugees-germanys-muslim-minority-could-become-e...
When the flood of Middle Eastern refugees arriving in Europe finally ebbs and asylum-seekers settle down in their new homes, Germany could unexpectedly find itself housing the continent’s largest Muslim minority.
Why the Haj is Safer than Ever
Economist
http://www.economist.com/blogs/economist-explains/2015/09/economist-explains-14
This haj will be the hottest in two decades, with expected highs of 45 C (114 F). The surrounding region is in turmoil; Saudi Arabia itself is at war in neighbouring Yemen, while fighting rages in Syria, Iraq and Libya too. Even before pilgrims had gathered, a crane collapse at Mecca’s Great Mosque killed more than 100 people, while Saudi Arabia had witnessed a frightening spike in cases of a deadly virus. All this might suggest that the haj is a perilous pilgrimage; is it? The short answer is no.
ISIS Defectors Reveal Disillusionment
by Kimiko De Freytas-Tamura
New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/21/world/europe/isis-defectors-reveal-disillusionment.html?ref=world
The number of ISIS defectors are speaking out about their time in and disillusionment with the Islamic State. In doing so they risk imprisonment and reprisal. The International Center of the Study of Radicalization at Kings College London urge governments to provide more incentive to former ISIS members. Their stories of disillusionment, often the result of a multitude of the abuses, and escape can be used to dissuade potential recruits from joining ISIS.
Deadly Car Bombing at Somalia’s Presidential Palace Is Claimed by Shabab
by Mohammed Ibrahim
New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/22/world/africa/deadly-car-bombing-at-somalias-presidential-palace-is...
A car loaded with explosives was detonated Monday at the gate of the presidential palace in Mogadishu, killing at least four people and wounding a dozen others, witnesses and officials said. The Shabab, a militant Islamist group affiliated with Al Qaeda, claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it targeted senior Somali and foreign officials.
More than 100 Killed by Boko Haram Bombings in Nigeria
by Norimitsu Onishi
New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/22/world/africa/deadly-bombings-are-reported-in-nigerian-city-where-b...
More than 100 people were killed Sunday evening in northern Nigeria in a quick succession of what appeared to be carefully coordinated bombings by Boko Haram, the Islamist extremist group.
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