Stories about Religion from June, 2009
Myanmar: Collapse of an Ancient Pagoda
An ancient pagoda in Myanmar collapsed while it was going under renovation, killing at least 5 people. The 180-foot Danoke Pagoda in Yangon Division was originally damaged during Cyclone Nargis so it had been going under renovation. GV author Tan translates a Burmese blogpost about the tragedy.
Guatemala: The Murder of Father Rosebaugh in the Ixcán
One week after the murder of Rodrigo Rosemberg and the infamous video, another violent murder took place in the Ixcán region of Guatemala. Armed men intercepted the car carrying 5 missionaries. Shots rang out and a Roman Catholic priest from the United States, the Rev. Lawrence Rosebaugh was killed. The incident brought an end to the life of a man best remembered as a champion of non-violence and peace during his years serving in Latin America, and brought focus on the historical and present state of the region where he last served.
Fiji: ‘A Christian state'?
Fiji’s government has canceled this year’s conference of the Methodist church, claiming the week-long meeting would foster instability. The move was announced from a statement from government police and military forces, arguing that “inciteful issues are going to be discussed at the conference.” Fiji’s Methodists gather each August at a...
Iran: Bloggers react to mosque bombing
An explosion occurred on Thursday, at the Ali Ibn-Abitaleb mosque, the second largest Shiite mosque in Zahedan in Iran. At least 25 people were killed. Three men accused of being involved in the mosque bombing were hanged on Saturday morning.
Puerto Rico: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly
Blogging from Puerto Rico, Gil the Jenius suggests that “the next time…some church leader destroys a community, remember that the good is out there…and though the media…will rush to the story like dogs to vomit, the good, though often harder to find, is infinitely more worthy of Our attention.”
