Stories about Religion from October, 2010
Georgia: Halloween protests & revelry
The Young Georgians examines the history of Halloween, and not least in Georgia where controversy often results in religious groups objecting to young people holding their own events. This year is no exception with Orthodox Christians planning to stage protests while several events in clubs and public gatherings are scheduled...
Iran: A blog for Islamic Wallpapers
An Iranian blogger creates Islamic Wallpapers from religious Saints to high- ranking clerics in his blog.
Trinidad & Tobago: LGBT Community Speaks Out
Globewriter's Weblog says: “We have had this Ex-Gay minister here for a week and apparently the LGBT community has reached a boiling point…”; gspottt confirms that the community has had it with the “lying, ducking and hiding” when it comes to young people and their sexuality.
South Korea: Few Christians’ ‘Spiritual Mapping’ Enraged Korean Public
A handful of Christians’ “spiritual mapping” to the largest Buddhist temple in southern Seoul has enraged Korean public. A Youtube video shows (the original video had been removed) a church worship team sings Gospel songs and prays in the temple. Criticism is unlikely to subdue despite an apology from the...
Egypt: On Salafis and Shias
“Because some did not believe the claims that the Egyptian regime is behind the Salafi channels and the Salafi trend in the country , the suspension of the Salafi channels revealed very interesting facts,” writes Zeinobia, at Egyptian Chronicles.
Trinidad & Tobago: Divali
Repeating Islands notes that “it is once again time for the largest Hindu festival in Trinidad & Tobago, Divali or the Festival of Lights.”
India: Ayodhya Verdict And Secular Conscience
The six-decade-old Ayodhya dispute has been “acknowledged as one of India’s most divisive and contentious issues which have flared up repeatedly to polarize the country along religious lines by instilling a stream of dangerous ideas deep inside a devout Indian society, ” comments Words From Solitude.
Trinidad & Tobago: On Homophobia
Outlish suggests that homophobia “prevents us from maturing as a society, and taking responsibility for our actions, or the lack thereof”, while gspott urges readers to resist “the war on love”, here, here and here.
Israel: Controversial Loyalty Oath Undermines Democracy
The Israeli cabinet approved by a 22-8 vote the proposed amendment to Israel's Citizenship Law, which would require all those seeking citizenship to pledge allegiance to Israel as a “Jewish and democratic state," sparking controversy on the ground and online.
Bangladesh: Islamic Financing Is A Recent Development
Mezba at A Bengali in T.O. has some interesting questions regarding “Islamic” financing.
Bangladesh: Images Of Durga Puja
Sri Lankan photoblogger Chulie De Silva visits a Durga puja festival in Dhaka, Bangladesh and posts a photo essay.
Saudi Arabia: Genie in Court
"I was under the influence of a genie" is the latest excuse for administrative corruption in Saudi Arabia. A corrupt judge, a genie and a religious investigation panel, which claims to have interrogated the genie, create a plot to good for Saudi netizens to pass on. Haifa Alrasheed brings us the latest reactions on the story.
Bangladesh: On Secularism
“Being a secular state should be a unique nationalist stand point of Bangladesh,” opines Nayeem Hossain at E-Bangladesh.
Serbia: Children Get Military Training in Russian Camps
In the prime of the newest public discussion on patriotism and the origin of violence in the Serbian society, newspaper Danas reported that two years ago Serbian children, aged 11 to 15 years old, had spent 16 days in scout camps in Russia, where they were being trained to assemble and dismantle weapons, to throw bombs, and to fire rifles. Sinisa Boljanovic translates some of the reactions to the case.
Myanmar: Lighting Festival
Buddhists in Myanmar will celebrate lighting festival during Thadingyut. The festival is a celebration of the descent of Buddha from heaven. The Myanmar Youth in Action will organize a “Lighting Festival” at the Aein Daw Yar Pagoda.
Debating Animal Cruelty During Nepal's Dashain Festival
Nepalese around the world celebrate the fifteen day long Dashain festival with gusto as it brings communities and families together. But, lately this popular holiday has been criticized for a number of reasons but mainly animal cruelty.
Cuba: Plea for Dr. Biscet
The daughter of political prisoner Oscar Biscet pens a letter to President Obama; Blog For Cuba republishes it here, while Uncommon Sense says: “This is the moment for friends of Cuban liberty to speak up and act on behalf of Dr. Biscet and other Cubans imprisoned because of their faith...
Cuba: On Exile
“When, at the turn of the year, the prisons are emptied of political prisoners, for a time they’ll lose the stigma of being human rights violators…they are trying to decrease the size and strength of the dissidence”: Iván's File Cabinet suggests that “the proposal to leave Cuba could be expanded...
Cambodia: Bon Pchum Ben
The Sreisaat Adventures in Cambodia blogs about the Bon Pchum Ben, the annual commemoration of the spirits. It is one of the most important religious holidays in Cambodia.
France: First Case of Burqa Rage?
Allain Jules, blogging in centpapiers from Quebec, cannot wait for the impending decision of a French court in the case of a 63 years old former teacher who ripped off the burqa of a young female tourist from the United Arab Emirates in a Parisian shop back in February. She told...
Iran: Daily Photos of Art and Persian History
Iranian citizen media does not only talk about politics and protest, but also life, art and history. Vahid Rahmanian is a creative photo blogger who publishes photos of art and historic places in Iran.
