Religion News on the Web
Selected religion-related news from around the Web
April 11, 2011
- The New York Times
NYT: France enforces ban on full-face veils in public
France
on Monday formally banned the wearing of full veils in public places,
becoming the first country in Europe to impose restrictions on a form of
attire that some Muslims consider a religious obligation.
April 08, 2011
- The Associated Press
AP: Dutch consider banning religious animal slaughter
One of Europe's first countries to allow Jews to practice their
religion openly may soon pass a law banning centuries-old Jewish and
Muslim traditions on the ritual slaughter of animals.
April 04, 2011
- The Guardian
The Guardian: Afghanistan plans Taliban-style dress code for weddings
There's an awful lot of flesh on display at Qasre Aros in central
Kabul. Arms and shoulders are free to the elements, while necklines
plunge daringly low on garish ballgowns made of every shade of synthetic
material imaginable and encrusted with fake jewels.
April 02, 2011
- The Associated Press
AP: Nonbelievers seek recognition from military
The cliche notwithstanding, there are atheists in foxholes. In fact, atheists, agnostics, humanists and other assorted skeptics from the Army's Fort Bragg have formed an organization in a pioneering effort to win recognition and ensure fair treatment for nonbelievers in the overwhelmingly Christian U.S. military.
March 31, 2011
- The New York Times
NYT: Vietnam persecutes Christian minority, report says
Vietnam has increased repression of indigenous minority Christians in
the country’s Central Highlands, closing small informal churches,
compelling public renunciations of faith and arresting worshipers, Human
Rights Watch said in a report on Thursday.
March 24, 2011
- The Independent
The Independent: Does God belong in the classroom?
As many as 100 parents braved gale-force winds on a Sunday to find out
more about the new primary school opening on their doorstep. It was a
testament to the appeal of the new school – the first state-sponsored
Hindu school to be proposed under Education Secretary Michael Gove's
flagship "free" school policy.
March 23, 2011
- The Associated Press
AP: Malaysia's gov't softens stance on seized Bibles
Malaysia's government has reversed its decision to stamp a seized
shipment of Malay-language Bibles with serial numbers and government
seals, softening its stance after Christians slammed the move as
desecrating their holy book.
March 22, 2011
- The Daily Star
Daily Star: Gulf Arab companies plan sukuk as cost rises
The political conflict in the Middle East will make it more expensive
for companies in the Arab Gulf such as First Gulf Bank PJSC and Masraf
al-Rayan to issue Islamic bonds as relative yields hold near the highest
level in more than three months.
March 16, 2011
- Religion News Service
RNS: Adventists grow as other churches decline
Rest on the Sabbath. Heed Old Testament dietary codes. And be ready for Jesus to return at any moment. If these practices sound quaint or antiquated, think again. They're hallmarks of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, the fastest-growing Christian denomination in North America.
March 15, 2011
- The Associated Press
AP: State senator wants Jesus out of Senate prayers
A state senator who is Jewish said Tuesday she was "highly uncomfortable" while a visiting Baptist pastor repeatedly mentioned Jesus Christ and Christianity in a prayer on the floor of the state Senate a day earlier, and wants to require that prayers in the chamber be nondenominational.