· December, 2012

Stories about Religion from December, 2012

Philippines: Catholic Church Offers Online Rituals

  26 December 2012

The Philippine Catholic Church has been actively using the internet to fulfill its evangelical mission. In recent years, it has launched several online platforms which allow Filipinos around the world to celebrate Christian traditions.

It's Christmas in Bethlehem

  24 December 2012

It's Christmas in Bethlehem, in the West Bank, Palestine, the birth place of Jesus Christ. What better way than to celebrate this occasion than by sharing photographs and reactions of netizens to this event, celebrated by billions worldwide.

Mayan Priests Denied Access to Ceremonial Places in Guatemala

  22 December 2012

Guatemala, the heart of Mayan culture, has started their festivities for the 13 Baktun - the last cycle of the Mayan calendar, due to end on December 21, 2012. But sadly the celebrations were dominated by staged government shows which were neither lead nor shared by indigenous communities or spiritual leaders. Mayan elders are the keepers of the 'long count of the days', however Guatemalan authorities imposed restrictions on them to practice their ceremonies.

Caribbean: What Happened in 2012 (Part 1)

  19 December 2012

This year, events in the regional blogosphere were curiously bookended by hunger strikes. Part 1 of this 2012 recap takes a look at the topics that most shaped online discussion in the Bahamian, Cuban and French-speaking Caribbean blogospheres.

Mehzar – Pakistan's Youngest Victim of Violence Against Shias

  11 December 2012

Mehzar Zahra is one of the youngest victims of the ongoing assault on Shia Muslims by terrorists and extremists organizations in Pakistan. The 12 year -old girl was shot while her father was taking her to school. Her father died instantly and she is battling for her life in a hospital in Karachi.

Tibet Scholars Appeal to China's President Xi Jinping

  11 December 2012

A group of international Tibetan studies scholars launched a petition addressed to China's Xi Jinping, asking the new leader to adjust its language, culture and religion policy in the Tibetan region: As specialists in the areas of Tibetan language, culture and religion, we would like to share with you, through this...

Algerian Solutions to the Film ‘Innocence of Muslims’

  9 December 2012

In the wake of the anti-Islam film entitled ‘Innocence of Muslims‘, and which was broadcast on YouTube, the Algerian tabloid Chourouk asked its readers in its online edition on how best to respond to repeated attacks on Islam. Some 800 readers responded. The majority of comments have suggested that the best way to react to such repeated provocations is to follow the example of the Prophet (PBUH) and show his true character by putting his legacy into practice in all Muslim countries.

Chinese Supreme Court Says Self-Immolation Is Murder

  8 December 2012

Anthony Tao from Beijing Cream highlighted the Chinese Supreme Court's latest statement that self-immolation is “intentional murder.” The blogger obviously disagreed: Self-immolation is not murder. It’s a tragic, incomprehensible, radical act made against harsh political, social, and economic realities.

Italy: Staying in Venetian Monasteries

  7 December 2012

Olia and Claude Barrère, two French expatriates in Venice, Italy, write on their blog, “Olia i Klod” [fr]: Today, as in the past, monasteries offer the possibility of accommodation. They are places of peace, places rich in culture, very well managed, and offer moments of serenity. In Venice, many of...