Religion News for 9/22/2009

Hi, readers! It might be a bit late, but happy Eid and Rosh Hashanah to those celebrating. Today is the birthday of Pakistani philosopher Manzoor Ahmad. And today in religion news...

• Catholic bishops will discuss Middle East peace. Next year. (AP)
• An interesting account of a non-Muslim fasting for a day during Ramadan is over at Speaking of Faith's blog. (SOFObserved)
• There's still conflict about use of eagle feathers in Native American ceremonies. An LA Times article explores the government's role in protecting eagles versus its repression of Native American religious expression (LAT)
• Vietnamese authorities are persecuting followers of a Buddhist monk, Thich Nhat Hanh, who they say advocates "sabotage." (AP via ABC)
• Mike Huckabee won a straw poll for Republican presidential nomination among "Values Voters" conference attendees. (Pew/RNS)
• A Vatican official, Archbishop Raymond Burke, has said the Church erred in administering funeral rites to the late Senator Kennedy. (PD)
• Physician-assisted suicide is becoming an increasingly hot political topic in Britain. (Reuters)

Religion News for 9/18/2009

Happy Friday, readers! Two years ago today, Buddhist monks in Myanmar joined anti-government protesters in objection to increases in fuel prices and human rights abuses. And today in religion news...

• "Values voters" on the left and the right have a lot in common, at least demographically. (PD)
• Government reform protests took place in Iran, the first since last July. The government puts the death toll at 36, the reformers at 72. (AP)
• A death row inmate whose execution was botched, Rommel Broom, will testify about Ohio's lethal injection process and whether it constitutes cruel and unusual punishment. He claims he is innocent. (NYT)
• Two Florida school officials are facing jail terms for praying in front of students. (Washington Times)
• Jim Wallis over at Sojourners gives you a reason to pray for Glenn Beck, even if you think he's a nitwit. (Sojo)
  
  

Religion News for 9/17/2009

Hello readers! Happy Mexican Independence Day. Learn about Mexico's national icon, Our Lady of Guadalupe, here. Today in religion news...

• Mike Huckabee, Mitt Romney and Tim Pawlenty will be at a "Value Voters" gathering in Washington this weekend. Conspicuously absent? Sarah Palin. (Reuters)
• Sikh Americans continue to be a casualty of post 9/11 paranoia and bias. At issue this time? The wearing of turbans in federal and state identification photos. (Times of India)
• The largest church in the US, Lakewood Church in Houston, attracts 43, 500 followers every weekend. Much like other huge churches, it is an evangelical church with more "contemporary" music. (USAT)
• A pattern of violence against Christians and other minorities is emerging in Pakistan, according to the watchdog group Human Rights Commission of Pakistan. (NYT)
• If you live near Plano, TX, you can attend an interfaith Ramadan iftar (fast-breaking dinner) tomorrow. (DMN)

Religion News for 9/9/2009

Happy 9/9/09, readers!

• The Washington Post claims that the Christian Right is being resuscitated by the healthcare debate. (WaPo)
• Mahmoud Amedinejad has put a woman in his presidential Cabinet. (Miami Herald)
• Americans see Muslims as facing more religious discrimination than people of other faiths. (Pew)
• A traffic sign near the University of Utah was the victim of vandals/atheists. (Salt Lake Trib)
• The President of the Columbia Chapter of Americans United for Separation of Church and State has problems with state officials and public prayer. (The State)