Christianity

Iraqi Christians Protest End to Legislative Quotas

September 29, 2008

Author: Sameer N. Yacoub

Source: The Associated Press

http://www.timesargus.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080929/NEWS01/809290320/1002/NEWS01

raq's prime minister sought safeguards Sunday for small religious communities in this mainly Muslim country as Christians protested parliament's decision to stop setting aside seats for minorities on provincial councils.

In Baghdad, a series of explosions...

Read more about Iraqi Christians Protest End to Legislative Quotas

Buddhists and Catholics Pray Together for Hanoi Catholics

September 28, 2008

Author: Staff Writer

Source: VietCatholic News Agency

http://www.vietcatholic.net/News/Html/59351.htm

In a massive candlelight vigil protest at Orange County, California, Buddhist monks, Catholic priests, and leaders of other faiths led thousands of faithful to pray for Hanoi Catholics asking the Vietnam government to stop persecuting them and respect human rights.

Great Buddhist Venerable Thich Nguyen Tri, Chairman of Bat Nha Buddhist Temple...

Read more about Buddhists and Catholics Pray Together for Hanoi Catholics

US Asks Indian Govt to Protect Religious Freedom

September 26, 2008

Author: Staff Writer

Source: India Journal

http://www.indiajournal.com/pages/event.php?id=4639

Taking note of the recent violence against the Christian community in India, the U.S. has asked the Indian government to protect the religious freedom throughout the country.

“We urge all parties to refrain from violence and urge government officials to protect religious freedom throughout India and thus preserve India’s longstanding...

Read more about US Asks Indian Govt to Protect Religious Freedom

Attacks by Hindus Focus of Protest

September 26, 2008

Author: Julia Duin

Source: The Washington Times

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/sep/26/attacks-by-hindus-focus-of-protest/

About 100 people, holding signs protesting Hindu-on-Christian violence in the Indian state of Orissa, demonstrated in front of the White House on Thursday to get the attention of visiting Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Although there was no sign that anyone in Mr. Singh's...

Read more about Attacks by Hindus Focus of Protest

India's Remote Faith Battleground

September 26, 2008

Author: Soutik Biswas

Source: BBC News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7637087.stm

Anti-Christian riots have rocked several parts of India over the past month. The BBC's Soutik Biswas travelled to a remote region in the eastern state of Orissa, where the recent violence broke out, to investigate the complex roots of the conflict.

A narrow ribbon of fraying tar snakes up from the plains of Orissa to the hills of Kandhamal, an unlikely...

Read more about India's Remote Faith Battleground

'Pulpit Initiative' Challenges IRS Rules

September 26, 2008

Author: Adelle M. Banks

Source: Religion News Service

http://www.crosswalk.com/news/religiontoday/11582198/

Pastor Gus Booth remembers when he used to simply encourage his congregation of 150 in Warroad, Minn., to vote each Election Day. Now, he thinks it's important to tell them which candidate should get their vote.

On Sunday (Sept. 28), as part of the "Pulpit Initiative" organized by an Arizona-based conservative Christian legal group...

Read more about 'Pulpit Initiative' Challenges IRS Rules

NCC Governing Board Responds to 'A Common Word,' and Calls for Immigration Reform and an End to Trafficking

September 24, 2008

Author: Philip E. Jenks

Source: National Council of Churches

http://www.ncccusa.org/news/080924gbwrap.html

The National Council of Churches Governing Board approved an ecumenical response to the Muslim message, "A Common Word Between Us and You," declaring Christianity and Islam share a love of God and "are compelled to find common ground."

The Governing Board also passed resolutions calling for action in reforming U.S. immigration and...

Read more about NCC Governing Board Responds to 'A Common Word,' and Calls for Immigration Reform and an End to Trafficking

Indian Christians Seek Bush’s Intervention

September 23, 2008

Author: Staff Writer

Source: The Daily Etalaat Kashmir

http://etalaat.com/english/News/news-scan/2852.html

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, an independent, bipartisan federal agency advising the Administration and Congress, sent a letter last Friday to President Bush, urging him to raise pressing concerns about religious freedom in India during his anticipated September 25 meeting with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan...

Read more about Indian Christians Seek Bush’s Intervention

Judge Orders Army to Grant Conscientious Objector Status to Soldier with Religious Awakening

September 23, 2008

Author: Staff Writer

Source: The Associated Press

http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sns-ap-conscientious-objector,0,7706181.story

A federal judge has ordered the Army to grant conscientious objector status and an honorable discharge to a soldier who says he experienced a religious awakening in Iraq.

The ruling supersedes the Army's decision last year to deny Pfc. Michael Barnes...

Read more about Judge Orders Army to Grant Conscientious Objector Status to Soldier with Religious Awakening

Megachurch Opens in Muslim-Majority Indonesia

September 20, 2008

Author: Telly Nathalia and Sugita Katyal

Source: Reuters

http://www.iht.com/articles/reuters/2008/09/20/asia/OUKWD-UK-INDONESIA-CHURCH.php

A multimillion dollar megachurch opened on Saturday in Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim nation, with a rousing service attended by some 4,000 people singing hymns and reading from the Bible in Bahasa Indonesia.

Jakarta's grand Katedral Mesias is the brainchild of...

Read more about Megachurch Opens in Muslim-Majority Indonesia

More Church Attacks in Karnataka

September 17, 2008

Author: Staff Writer

Source: BBC News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7621590.stm

Two more churches have been vandalised in the southern Indian state of Karnataka, police say.

They say that a prayer hall was damaged by unidentified men in an attack at Ujjre near the city of Mangalore and a church attacked in the town of Kolar.

Police have arrested more than 170 people for violence in the state which injured at least 40 over...

Read more about More Church Attacks in Karnataka

Pages