India Criticized for Rising Religious Violence
Yesterday, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) criticized the Indian government's "inadequate" response to growing religious hatred, saying attacks and riots are on the rise; usually towards the country's Christian and Muslim populations. "Although the infrastructure for investigating and prosecuting cases of religiously motivated violence or harassment exists in India, the capacity of the legal system is severely limited and is utilized inconsistently," the USCIRF stated in a 14-page report. "These deficiencies have resulted in a culture of impunity that gives members of vulnerable minority communities few assurances of their safety, particularly in areas with a history of communal violence."
Honor Killing at a Wedding
In Amman, Jordan, a man has been charged with the honor killing of his pregnant sister because she got married without their family's approval two years ago. While attending her brother's wedding party on Wednesday, the man shot his 23-year-old sister in the head and abdomen. Additionally, the woman's husband was beaten by two other brothers, who were also charged as accomplices. The sister had been invited to her brother's wedding by their parents, with whom she had reconciled with.
Iran Cleric: Obeying Ahmadinejad is like obeying God
In Tehran, a senior Iranian cleric said obeying President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was like obeying God. What's his rationale? Well, Firebrand cleric Ayatollah Mohammad Taqi Mesbah-Yazdi, who is regarded as Ahmadinejad's spirtual mentor, believes the authority of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei comes from God, not from the people. Therefore..."When a president is endorsed by the vali-ye faqih, obeying the president is like obeying God," said Mesbah-Yazdi. The cleric also holds the belief that democracy and elections are incompatible with Islam while Ahmadinejad's allies deny the president takes orders from the cleric.
Controversial Muhammad Cartoons Banned From Book About Controversial Cartoons!
Yale University Press has decided to ban the controversial Danish cartoons of Muhammad from appearing in an upcoming book called "The Cartoons That Shook the World". Instead readers will only be able to read descriptions of the drawings --which "shook the world" by igniting an international shit storm in 2005-- in the book. If you ask me, this is sort of like watching 2001: A Space Odyssey blindfolded. Adding insult to injury, the Yale press will also refrain from publishing any other illustrations of the "prophet" that were to be included. The publisher came to these decisions after consulting two dozen Islamic and counterterrorism authorities who unanimously recommended that all Muhammad cartoons be left out of the final printing.
Rabbis Ward Off Swine Flu Using Horns and Prayers
On Monday, 50 rabbis and Jewish mystics circled Israel in a plane while chanting prayers and blowing horns in order to ward off the swine flu virus. One rabbi was quoted as saying that the flight aimed "to stop the pandemic so people will stop dying from it. We are certain that, thanks to the prayer, the danger is already behind us." Five Israelis have died so far out of the more than 2,000 cases reported nationwide.
And finally...Saved by the Beach
You ever stand on a beach, looking out at a glorious sun-kissed horizon and ponder the meaning of it all? Well, if you happen to be experiencing such a moment at Old Silver Beach in Falmouth, Massachusetts, reverends and church volunteers will be on hand to provide you with "the answers". Apparently, four churches have been given permission to set up prayer tents in the beach parking lot. Although the soldiers of Christ aren't allowed to solicit, they are still annoying folks, who see the tents as a violation of the separation between church and state. Unfortunately, the Board of Selectmen voted 4-0 in favor of allowing the prayer station, with one selectmen saying he sees it as an issue of free speech.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
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