U.S under U.N. scrutiny for Religious Rights

The U.S. will be the brunt of scrutiny by the United Nations Human Rights Council during the "Universal Periodic Review," coming under accusations of human rights violations such as:

• violent, barbaric police officers
• holding political prisoners behind bars
• 30% of the population not having adequate income for basic needs
• discrimination against Muslim people

The speakers against the U.S. even come from inside the U.S, and they say that America has stimulated a profiling issue of Middle Eastern people based on terrorism and religious beliefs. These people will be able to speak out against the U.S. and say "what really goes on" here and how it should be changed.

I was surprised to read this article. I never would have guessed that the U.S. would be brought before the U.N. for human rights violations-- especially when this is a "free" country, one that I think has done a pretty good job in comparison to others around the world. I don't think the U.N. should be able to be told people's opinions about American's attitudes toward other people (Muslims, Middle Eastern people) if there aren't bad things happening because of those attitudes.

Terrorists Target France and Burqa Ban

Here is a link to an interesting article and video. Anything that has bin Laden targeting anything is something that I would read. This article explains how, apparently, bin Laden reached out to France last Wednesday, threatening and justifying an attack on the country because of the burqa ban it implemented. The audio, which was verified as bin Laden speaking, is the first of its kind to target France individually.

This is just one example of how the burqa ban decision has impacted people all over the world. If bin Laden is listening, there has to be a lot more people with negative opinions on this matter as well.

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.

Penn State Religion in the Media Talk

As I was checking my email just now, I saw a link to a flyer promoting a panel called "What does the media say about religion?" It's sponsored by the Center for Ethics and Religious Affairs at Penn State. There will be a panel to offer their knowledge and a discussion afterward about how attendees think media shape's the public's view of religion.

Too bad its happening right now! I can't make it. But I was pleased to see the email come through my Communications listserv emails. The link showed a colorful flyer that had newspaper headlines of religious issues, such as the Washington Post headline: "Under God - religion, government and politics in the news."

It's good to see a Penn State organization offer discussion about media and religion. I hope they have a good turnout and insightful discussion. Maybe they'll ask the question-- Do you think you can worship aloud, Penn State?

Church and State Collide in French Schools

I stumbled upon this article on nytimes.com and was surprised by what I read. As we've been learning, France has controversial and strict rules against Islamic headscarves and veils. The country has been ridiculed by many people for its strict religious laws. Yet, in this article, we see a diverse French school-- full of Muslims, Catholics and other religions-- joined and worshipping together in a new, state-appointed school. It's an interesting mix of church and state, which in France, let alone in any country anymore, surprised me. The fact that they have a new, state-funded Catholic school with state appointed teachers isn't something we see often. Just sayin'.

The Tony Blair Foundation

Michelle shared The Tony Blair Faith Foundation's website with us, and I've been exploring it today. The goal of this foundation is to "promote respect and understanding about the world's major religions and show how faith is a powerful force for good in the modern world." The site emphasizes that different faiths can make a difference by joining together and fighting issues like illness and poverty around the world.

I like that the site is committed to teaching others about understanding different religions. If people understood why different religions work the way they do, then there may be less of a fear or intimidation factor among individuals when encountering someone of a different religion for the first time. In this way, communication is a top priority for the foundation. To build on the importance of communicating about religions, the foundation is trying to implement a Faith and Globalization course into universities and institutions around the world. Maybe one day it will make it to Penn State-- check it out!

Hidden

After Amy's video post about the Chinese Christian church being demolished, I searched for it online. I wanted to see if because the video said that reporters were being punished for covering the demolition. Would there be any other footage or coverage that I could find?

I Google-searched "chinese christian church demolished" multiple ways. Every result gave a religious-watch website, usually Christian, that was reporting about the persecution, but zero news media articles or responses. I even searched Sky News, the outlet that somehow obtained the cell-phone video of the demolition, and I could not find an article or even the video clip. No news outlet had any results.

The commentator on the video was right. These happenings across China are not being reported or made available for the public's knowledge. It is up to people in the religious affiliations to let their congregations know, and maybe even to alert the general public.

Westboro Baptist Church

Warning: this is a loaded post. I'll start with the Westboro Baptist Church. I'm not usually one to harp on my religious views. I don't mind talking about it, and I certainly don't mind justifying my views, but there is a time and place for these discussions. I do come from a Christian family--my dad's a minister at our local Presbyterian church. I've learned to accept different backgrounds and viewpoints as a Christian, but this is something I just can't seem to justify or accept.

The Westboro Baptist Church is an extremist church founded by Fred Phelps, who shows up and protests at soldiers' funerals with posters clad with sayings like "Thank God for Dead Soliders," and "Burn in Hell," and "God Hates Fags." So basically, while a family is praying at the gravesite and putting their son, daughter, sister, brother, father, or mother's casket into the ground, this church will attend and completely disrespect the family with protests in hope of "spreading God's message." Oh, and for the record, they believe that gays are responsible for all of the bad in the world.

Confused?

In a world of free speech and freedom of religion, it's a challenge to justify the hate this group projects upon the world with their "religion." Although the right of free speech is warranted, it's a struggle to watch these families literally go through Hell-- not only by the news of their loved one's death, but by not being able to appropriately grieve as each family should be entitled to do. It's an example how religion can be completely misconstrued and warped if given the opportunity.

Check out this video. It features 2 members of the Westboro Baptist Church after they got out of a court case dealing with a lawsuit from a soldier's family. For the record, their website is godhatesfags.com.

Brings up the question: does the right of freedom of speech justify the acts of this hate group?

Journalists Can't Cover Christianity in China

In response to Tony's post, I wanted to share a brief video clip about the repression of Christianity in China. Here, the government is destroying churches. Chinese journalists who tried to cover this story were thrown in jail, along with many other Christians who've been thrown in jail for holding private Christian services in their homes. This report suggests that there has been an explosion of Christianity in China, so now there are more Christians than communists-- a fact that the government most likely dislikes.

Religious Convictions Cause Campaigns - Are they effective?

An article in The New York Times explains how in 1929, the Church of Scotland began a campaign in Kenya to eradicate the practice of female circumcision. The church had a successful missionary relationship with the Kenyans, but once they tried to get them to stop the practice, many of the church goers left. In fact, it became a political statement by one Kenyan political organization to deepen the cultural practice, and it became an even more entrenched norm.

In contrast, the article talks about a campaign made by Christian missionaries and targeted to China, encouraging them to stop binding women's feet. This campaign eventually had success, and the given explanation is a two-fold theory:

"First, begin with a dialogue of mutual respect, free of self-congratulation. Second, when you have a core of converts, organize a program of public commitment to new practices, which takes into account the traditions of the community. To end one practice, as the anti-foot-binding campaigners grasped, you need to start another."

In this campaign, the campaigners insisted on respecting the culture, and tried to get cultural authorities to follow their idea by reaching the elite with newspapers and article evidence. Then, once there was a trusted group, this group spread the message that foot-binding should not be practiced anymore, and it eventually caught fire.

Should missionaries, no matter their religion, even try to change cultural practices to begin with? In these cases, I say yes. I think that these practices by the Kenyans and the Chinese, with respect to women's health, are wrong and harmful. They were (and maybe still are?) manipulating the body in ways that are painful, but more significantly, unnatural.

This could easily be a religious issue, but in many ways it is a human rights issue as well. I think that the missionary's convictions had more to do with preventing suffering than with having an agenda heard. It seems to me that they were trying to love and care for the people they were ministering to.

China barring Christians from travel ---- what gives?

From the New York Times-

More than 100 Chinese Christians seeking to attend an international evangelical conference in South Africa have been barred from leaving the country, some in the group said, because their churches are not sanctioned by the state.

Organizers say that more than 4,000 Christians from around the world will discuss faith, poverty, the AIDS epidemic and other issues at the nine-day conference, which begins Saturday in Cape Town. But members of the Chinese delegation said that they could get no farther than the passport control at international airports in China before officials confiscated their documents.

“They said it is illegal to attend this conference, and they sent me home,” said Liu Guan, 36, a Protestant evangelical leader who tried to fly out of Capital International Airport in Beijing last Sunday. “The explanation was ‘for your own good.’ ”

Analysis- Really China?

The story goes on to say after these people were invited to the conference, the were pressured by the government not to go. On top of that, the ones that did try to attend had their passports confiscated at the airport and were sent home. After asking for letters on why they were taken, they received a short response.

They voluntarily gave them up.

All I can say is I am personally very happy I'm allowed to practice whatever religion I choose in the United States.

Determining religion as a reason to be prohibited from leaving the country is a complete joke. It's like saying if you like soccer, 'nope, sorry, you can't go see the World Cup.'

I know there's really nothing that can be done as it's a relatively small issue and if other countries were to get involved larger problems may present themselves.

That said, this is a travesty and the word should definitely get out about the situation.

Basically, Living in China + Practicing Christianity = Not allowed travel.

Fair? I think not.

-Tony

Michigan Woman Faces Civil Rights Complaint for Seeking a Christian Roommate



Fair Housing Center of West Michigan. Photo from Foxnews.com

 When I was driving down Park Ave. this week, I was shocked to hear this topic on the radio: a woman from Grand Rapids, MI has a civil rights case targeted at her for putting up an ad seeking a Christian roommate.

The Fair Housing Center of West Michigan filed the complaint, becauseThe Fair Housing Act "prevents people from publishing an advertisement stating their preference of religion, race or handicap with respect to the sale or rental of a dwelling."

 All the ad said was "Christian roommate wanted," with the lady's housing information, and it is considered "illegal" because she used "Christian."

I find this case to be rather ridiculous. I've seen Christian roommate ads placed in several places around campus, and do not find it offensive. If someone wants to live with someone who has the same values, then they have the right to search for other Christians-- or Hindus, or Buddhists, or whatever other religion it may be. The attorney on the case argues that this is a violation of the First Amendment, and I would have to agree with him. We are in America, and are entitled to freedom of speech and press.

U.S. Fights for Islamic Rights

When I think of the United States, I think of it being the one place where freedom of speech and religion should be allowed. Yet lately, there have been many heated arguments over the Islamic faith after 9/11 events, like the right to build an Islamic worship center close to the site.

I just found this article about a Tennessee mosque that was vandalized during construction. The Department of Justice said "Islam is a religion and is entitled to freedom of expression." How can a supposedly free country like the U.S. renew people's rights to religious freedom at this time? Better communication about the Islamic faith may be necessary to alleviate people's fears and uncertainties, so that people who choose to practice this religion may do so freely.