Author: Martin Marty

Source: Martin Marty Center

http://marty-center.uchicago.edu/sightings/archive_2006/1023.shtml

Philippus Aureolus Theophrastus Bombastus von Hohenheim, a.k.a. Paracelsus, was challenged by authorities who called him the Luther of medicine. "Why do you call me a medical Luther?... I leave it to Luther to defend what he says, and I will be responsible for what I say." I thought about P.A.T.B.v.H. this week while...

Author: Michael Luo

Source: The New York Times

Source: BBC News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6054152.stm

A Christian priest has been shot dead on Indonesia's Sulawesi island, where religious tensions are high after the execution of three Catholic militants.

The Rev Irianto Kongkoli was shot in the head while shopping in Palu, the capital of Central Sulawesi province.

Relations between Christians and Muslims in Central Sulawesi have been fraught since the execution of the three militants...

Author: John M. Glionna

Source: Los Angeles Times

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/life/religion/4261380.html

After the government executed three Christians, many in divided nation wonder if Muslims convicted in Bali bombings will meet same fate: An eye for an eye in Indonesia?

Maringan Simanjuntak wipes his brow in Bali's equatorial heat and talks in measured words about the fear and frustration of being Christian in the...

Source: BBC News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6053826.stm

Five people have been killed in western Ethiopia in violence between Christians and Muslims. It is the latest in a series of religious clashes near the town of Jimma, around 450 km (280 miles) from the capital, Addis Ababa. Last month 10 people were killed and more injured in four days of fighting between rival religious groups. Hundreds of homes were destroyed in the violence, as well as three religious centres.
...

Source: China View

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-10/19/content_5225324.htm

China's top advisor Jia Qinglin said here Thursday that religion can play an important role in building a harmonious society.

"China has engaged itself in building a harmonious society, during which religion can play an important role," said Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, when meeting with Archbishop of...

Source: The Buddhist Channel

http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=3,3315,0,0,1,0

Gaden Shedrup Choekhorling, the main Buddhist temple in Elista, Kalmykia, turned 10 on 6 October 2006 and the day was declared as a national holiday by the President of Kalmykia.

The main Buddhist temple was opened on 5 October 1996 and consecrated by His Holiness the Dalai Lama on 30 November 2004.

Mr. Tashi, Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in...

Source: BBC News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6050408.stm

Thousands of people have been attending mass ceremonies in India at which hundreds of Hindu Dalits converted to Buddhism and Christianity. The events in the central city of Nagpur are part of a protest against the injustices of India's caste system, activists say. The Dalits - once known as Untouchables - hope to escape the prejudice and discrimination they often face. Laws designed to protect Dalit rights are...

Author: Dan Murphy

Source: The Christian Science Monitor

http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/1019/p01s03-wome.html

Sohail Nakhooda says Islam has a problem getting its message heard.

Thirty-eight Muslim scholars from 20 countries sent a letter to Pope Benedict XVI urging mutual tolerance and respect over the weekend, and 500 prominent Muslims signed a religious ruling rejecting violence against civilians on Tuesday. Neither got much publicity....

Source: WDC Media

http://www.wdcmedia.com/newsArticle.php?ID=2075

A Florida pastor who was dropped from political appointments by Governor Jeb Bush and Attorney General Charlie Crist for statements against Islam now says he wants to work together with peace-loving Muslims to oppose Islamic extremism. Dr. O'Neal Dozier says clarifying his beliefs about Muslims is an important step in the proposed alliance.

Dozier, pastor of Worldwide Christian Center in Pompano Beach,...

Source: BBC News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6054958.stm

The Vatican has confirmed that Pope Benedict XVI will travel to Turkey in November, his first visit to a predominantly Muslim country.

The Pontiff will visit Ankara, Izmir, Istanbul and ancient Ephesus during the trip, which will begin on 28 November.

The trip has been overshadowed by a row over remarks he made about Islam.

The visit, which will run until 1 December, is the result of an...

Author: MICHAEL LAFLEUR

Source: Lowell Sun

https://www.lowellsun.com/2006/10/11/council-considers-adding-prayer-at-end-of-meetings/

Though unwilling to end their practice of opening...

Author: Nirmala Carvalho

Source: Asia News

http://www.asianews.it/news-en/A-hundred-thousand-Dalits-gather-in-...

Author: ANN PEPPER

Source: Orange County Register

http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/homepage/abox/article_1308603.php

Margaret Henke and a couple of committed friends have grown their faith-based environmental group from a seedling effort that mostly preached to the converted into a force rooted in hundreds of members from a spectrum of faith communities.

And this year an October conference sponsored by the group, the...

Author: DIANA B. HENRIQUES

Source: The New York Times

http://www.goupstate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061011/ZNYT02/610110342/1051/NEWS01

For tens of millions of Americans, the Rev. Rick Warren is best known for his blockbuster spiritual guide, The Purpose Driven Life, which has sold more than 25 million copies; his success as the founder of the 22,000-member Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif.; and his...