Religulous, the conversation continued

Going off of the previous post, here is an interview with a Catholic priest on his view of the movie Religulous.

Religulous

Religulous is a movie that came out in 2008. I have never seen it, but I know a few people who have seen it and they say it's very interesting and brings up a lot of different questions about religion. 

Christianity most persecuted religion in the world

Pope encourages Chinese bishops to defend their faith "with courage"

Here is a video that talks about the Chinese bishops mentioned in the previous post.

Pope renews plea for religious freedom in China

Pope Benedict XVI asked for prayers for the Church in China yesterday, saying that the faithful are “experiencing particularly difficult moments.”

The Pope also referred to tensions arising due to an ordination of a bishop sponsored by the Catholic Patriotic Association. The Pope asked the Virgin Mary “to support all Chinese bishops, who are so dear to me, that they may bear courageous witness to their faith.”

Freedom of Religion or No Religion

The American Atheists have recently bought a billboard above a New Jersey highway which looks to be celebrating Christmas, but reads, "You KNOW it's a Myth — This Season Celebrate REASON!" The American Atheists say they are trying to reach out to closeted non-believers during this holiday season.

According to their website, the billboard serves three purposes:

• 1) To address those atheists who "go along to get along", and to encourage them to come out of their closets
• 2) To attack the myth that Christianity owns the solstice season.
• 3) To raise the awareness of the organization and the movement.

Should I Be Laughing? Part 3

I am a Muslim

I attended an event at the Schlow Centre Region Library called "I am a Muslim." At the event, there were three speakers who are Muslims from different parts of the world. One of the speakers was from Kosovo, another was from Sudan, and the most memorable speaker of the night was a female student from Saudi Arabia who spent time talking about the hijab:

"It's a choice...just because I wear the hijab, that doesn't mean I am a good Muslim...If you don't wear the hijab, that doesn't mean your a bad Muslim," she said.

She also addressed the woman's role in Islam:

"I can go to work if I want, but that money is mine, not my husbands. Islam appreciates a woman," she explained.
But she elaborated by saying, "Her [a woman's] responsibility is to raise the children, not make the money for the family, that's the man's job."

As you can tell from the picture, a lot of students and people from the community came out to the event.

Clinton Reacts to International Religious Freedom Report

In her statement titled, "Annual Report on International Religious Freedom," Secretary of State Hillary Clinton reacts to the U.S.'s recent report.

Here are some snippets from her statement:

"Every year, the State Department prepares a comprehensive review of the status of religious freedom in countries and territories around the world...this is not only the American view; it is the view of nations and people around the world...

Because we believe in religious freedom and because we are committed to the right of all people everywhere to live according to their beliefs without government interference and with government protection, we are troubled by what we see happening in many, many places. Religious freedom is under threat from authoritarian regimes that abuse their own citizens. It is under threat from violent extremist groups that exploit and inflame sectarian tensions. It is under threat from the quiet but persistent harm caused by intolerance and mistrust which can leave minority religious groups vulnerable and marginalized.

During the past year, al-Qaida issued calls for further violence against religious minorities in the Middle East. Sufi, Shia, and Ahmadiyya holy sites in Pakistan have been attacked. So was a Syriac Catholic church in Baghdad just a few weeks ago. We received reports from China of government harassment of Tibetan Buddhists, house church Christians, and Uighur Muslims. And several European countries have placed harsh restrictions on religious expression.

These infringements on religious freedom strain the bonds that sustain democratic societies. With this report, we hope to give governments, NGOs, and citizens around the world valuable information about the status of religious freedom and a call to action for all of us to work together more effectively to protect it....

Indeed, freedom of speech and freedom of religion emanate from the same fundamental belief that communities and individuals are enriched and strengthened by a diversity of ideas, and attempts to stifle them or drive them underground, even when it is in the name and with the intention of protecting society, have the opposite effect. Societies in which freedom of religion and speech flourish are more resilient, more stable, more peaceful, and more productive. We have seen this throughout history. And as this report reflects, we see it in the world today..."

Trouble Spots

Here is a map that displays countries from Europe, Africa, and Asia that have the most violations in religious freedom. Do any of the countries surprise you?

Pope Encourages Religous Freedom in Iran

I posted on this a couple days ago...here is a video.

Should I Be Laughing? Part 2

Pope Delivers Message to Ahmadinejad

In a recent letter to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the Pope encouraged religious freedom in Iran. In the letter, the Pope referred to religious freedom as a human rights issue.
Here is an excerpt from the letter:
"When the promotion of the dignity of the human person is the primary inspiration of political and social activity that is committed to search for the common good, solid and enduring foundations are created for building peace and harmony between peoples."

Burqa Ban, What Do You Think?

As mentioned in previous posts, France has banned Islamic women from wearing the burqa. A lot of controversy is surrounding this law and many people are questioning its intentions. Is this a national security issue or an infringement on religious rights? Does this law suppress the rights of Islam OR the rights of women? I asked some female students at Penn State what they think.

Some Pictures for Thought

The Military Religious Freedom Foundation

I never knew about this organization...very interesting.

"The Military Religious Freedom Foundation is dedicated to ensuring that all members of the United States Armed Forces fully receive the Constitutional guarantee of religious freedom to which they and all Americans are entitled by virtue of the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. Over 18,000 active duty members of the United States Armed Forces have come to our foundation as spiritual rape victims/tormentees, 96% of them are Christians themselves."

http://www.militaryreligiousfreedom.org/

Religious Freedom in the USA

"We have the most religious freedom of any country in the world, including the freedom not to believe."
-Bill Clinton

Is this true?

Should I Be Laughing?

International Religious Freedom Day

October 27th was International Religious Freedom Day. This day celebrates an important human rights issue and may also stir-up questions such as, how is Freedom of Religion defined?

According to Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, freedom of religion is when "everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance."

In plain language, the UN explains this as having the right to profess your religion freely, to change it, and to practice it either on your own or with other people.

In France, burqa ban leads to terrorist threats

Recent legislation in France has banned the burqa, a garment that covers the entire body and is worn by some Islamic women. This law has been very controversial from the beginning but the issue seems to have gotten worse. France has been very firm about keeping the ban a law, but this law may soon threaten the safety of the entire nation. Lately, al-Queda leader Osama bin Laden threatened in a video to kill French citizens for revenge on France’s law.