Interfaith

Suspected Insurgents Kill 3 Buddhists In Thai South

December 19, 2009

Author: Surapan Boonthanom, Viparat Jantraprap and Jason Szep

Source: Reuters

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE5BI0TD20091219

Suspected Muslim insurgents blew up a gas tank near a school in southern Thailand on Saturday, killing three Buddhist villagers and wounding two including a local leader, police said. 

The blast appeared intended for a senior official of Bajao district in Narathiwat, one of Thailand's three southernmost...

Read more about Suspected Insurgents Kill 3 Buddhists In Thai South

UN Gives Final Approval to Resolution Criticizing Rights Violations In Iran

December 18, 2009

Author: Staff Writer

Source: Baha'i World News Service

http://news.bahai.org/story/743

The United Nations General Assembly gave its final stamp of approval today to a strongly worded resolution condemning Iran for a long list of human rights violations.

By a vote of 74 to 49, with 59 abstentions, the General Assembly confirmed an earlier vote by its Third Committee in November on a resolution that expresses "deep concern at serious ongoing and recurring human...

Read more about UN Gives Final Approval to Resolution Criticizing Rights Violations In Iran

Support Lower for U.N. Text On Religion Defamation

December 18, 2009

Author: Staff Writer

Source: The New York Times

Wire Service: Reuters

http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2009/12/18/world/international-us-un-religion.html?_r=2

The U.N. General Assembly condemned defamation of religion for the fifth year running on Friday but support continued to erode for a resolution Western countries say threatens freedom of speech.

The assembly...

Read more about Support Lower for U.N. Text On Religion Defamation

Islamic Group Hosts Interfaith Dinner

December 18, 2009

Author: Mirko Petricevic

Source: The Record

http://news.therecord.com/News/Local/article/646975

With Arabic script regarding the Prophet Muhammad and his son-in-law Ali hanging over each shoulder, Bob Chodos leaned forward Friday afternoon and lit a row of colourful candles seated on a tiny menorah.

Onlookers, among more than 50 people gathered in the audience, included Muslims and Christians from more than a handful of faith traditions....

Read more about Islamic Group Hosts Interfaith Dinner

Creche, Menorah Removed From Pa. Courthouse Lawn

December 18, 2009

Author: Staff Writer

Source: Google News

Wire Service: AP

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gh0-A7VXdEglScaadBAOJmd85SXgD9CLB38G1

Officials in northeastern Pennsylvania have removed a pair of religious holiday symbols from a public space after being threatened with legal action.

Luzerne County commissioners took down the creche (CRESH') and menorah from the...

Read more about Creche, Menorah Removed From Pa. Courthouse Lawn

Loss Of Holiday Display Sparks Backlash

December 18, 2009

Author: Jennifer Learn-Andes

Source: Times Leader

http://www.timesleader.com/news/Loss_of_holiday_display_sparks_backlash_12-18-2009.html

Former Luzerne County commissioner Frank Trinisewski said he will resort to legal action against the county if a Nativity scene and menorah are not returned to the courthouse lawn.

Political activist Gene Stilp is also organizing a live Nativity scene – complete...

Read more about Loss Of Holiday Display Sparks Backlash

In a Rich Tapestry Of Columns, a Search for Common Threads

December 18, 2009

Author: Peter Steinfels

Source: The New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/19/us/19beliefs.html?emc=tnt&tntemail0=y

It comes to mind now because the Beliefs column is about to close out 20 years of appearing every other week, with occasional absences, in these pages — 486 columns, counting this one, or 482 over the strict quota of four good ones.

That student’s opinion also comes to mind because the...

Read more about In a Rich Tapestry Of Columns, a Search for Common Threads

New Pew Forum Study Measures Government Restrictions, Social Hostilities Related to Religion In 198 Countries

December 16, 2009

Study: Religion Repressed In Third Of All Nations

December 16, 2009

Author: Dave Bryan

Source: Google News

Wire Service: AP

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ioSE4vc2Ahae2I5Bke5rh5i9_hsAD9CKOMCG0

In Indonesia, Muslim groups burn down a mosque belonging to the minority Ahmadiyya. In Singapore, the government refuses to recognize Jehovah's Witnesses. In Belgium, 68 religion-based hate crimes are reported in 2007 alone.

People...

Read more about Study: Religion Repressed In Third Of All Nations

Air Force Academy Says Religious Climate Improving

December 16, 2009

Author: Dan Elliott

Source: Google News

Wire Service: AP

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hxguLPR5dm3gs41EB02qj7nXcLpgD9CKI9H80

The Air Force Academy says religious tolerance has improved dramatically since allegations five years ago that evangelical Christians harassed cadets who didn't share their faith. Even the school's most vocal critic agrees.

"This is...

Read more about Air Force Academy Says Religious Climate Improving

PIL for Separate Buddhists Crematoriums

December 14, 2009

Author: Staff Writer

Source: Press Trust of India

http://www.ptinews.com/news/423117_PIL-for-separate-Buddhists-crematoriums

A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Bombay High Court demanding separate crematoriums in the city for followers of Buddhist religion.

The petitioner, Gautam Korde, a Buddhist in his petition has said the Buddhists are forced to use Hindu crematoriums where they are...

Read more about PIL for Separate Buddhists Crematoriums

Officials Say Priest Attacks Menorah In Moldova

December 14, 2009

Author: Corneliu Rusnac

Source: Google News

Wire Service: AP

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5h5QM7rGb_P_klRNQyXOJthQfGhiAD9CJ7ENO1

Dozens of people led by an Orthodox priest smashed a menorah in Moldova's capital, using hammers and iron bars to remove the candelabra during Hanukkah, officials said.

The 1.5 meter(5-foot)-tall ceremonial candelabrum was...

Read more about Officials Say Priest Attacks Menorah In Moldova

Malaysia Hearings Start In Catholic 'Allah' Fight

December 14, 2009

Author: Staff Writer

Source: Google News

Wire Service: AP

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iBsivc5w3lwu3BlDOW-WCA4b01cgD9CJ2H081

Lawyers for the Roman Catholic Church urged a court Monday to let Christians use "Allah" as a translation for God and overturn a government ban that has become a symbol of religious grievances in Muslim-majority Malaysia.

The High...

Read more about Malaysia Hearings Start In Catholic 'Allah' Fight

Pages