Stories about Religion from July, 2010
Australians Want More Than Election Slogans
Just twenty-three days after deposing Kevin Rudd, Australia's Prime Minister Julia Gillard has called a general election for 21 August. The Oz blogosphere is looking for substance not just spin in this campaign.
Bangladesh: Freedom Of Speech And Book Ban
Bangladeshi singer, songwriter, poet and blogger Maqsoodul Haque at The Bangladesh Poet of Impropriety discusses the politics behind and effectiveness of the recent banning of book of a controversial religious leader.
Panama: The Feast of Corpus Christi in La Villa de Los Santos
Clotilde Castillo of the blog Panamá Mio [es] describes the feast of Corpus Christi in the Panamanian village of La Villa de Los Santos that took place between June 10-13.
Somalia: Islam or barbarism?
Nkwazi Mhango questions the recent ban on bras and beard shaving in Somalia by Somali terrorist groups: “With shock and dismay, I read news that men in Somali capital were given 30 days to mandatory grow beards and trim their mustaches.”
Puerto Rico: A Sacred Run
“For many ancient Indigenous cultures runners were an important way to send messages between communities”: The Voice of the Taino People Online reports that the tradition is about to be rediscovered though a “four directions” run on the island of Boriken.
Sri Lanka: A Caring Home For Old Priests Needs Support
Dee at Ranting in Colombo highlights a 150 year old Buddhist temple at Kurunegala (Wellawa) which cares for a number of aged, debilitated, desolate and destitute monks and needs support.
Global: If God said ask me anything what would you ask him?
South African blogger Khaya Dlanga asked people on the “Internets” what they would ask God is he said they could ask him anything…here are the answers.
Iraq: Covering up a Sex Scandal
Omar, from Iraq the Model, compares a sex scandal cover up in Najaf to that in the Vatican.
Argentina: Senate Approves Equal Marriage
The Argentinean Senate sanctioned a law that establishes equal rights to marry, without discriminating between heterosexual and homosexual couples, and with the same rights to adoption, among other issues. With this measure, Argentina becomes the first Latin American country to allow same-sex marriage.
Singaporeans hate mega churches?
Blogger Irreligious tries to understand why some people in Singapore are skeptical about the rise of mega churches or church groups with large congregations
India: Opposing The Ban On The Veil
GreatBong at Random Thoughts Of A Demented Mind explains why he opposes the Burkah ban.
Cuba: A Different Kind of Prison?
The Cuban Triangle wants to know: “Are the releases unconditional? Spanish officials and Church authorities say they are. We will know for sure in due course, as we’re beginning to see reports that some of the prisoners are saying they want to remain in Cuba.”
Europe, U.S.A.: Poll on Burqa Ban Shows Opposite Viewpoints
The blog EU-logos about European affairs reflects (fr) on a recent poll by the Pew Research Center that shows a widespread support in European countries for a burqa ban whereas such proposal would be rejected by 65% of voters in the U.S [Fr]. The blog suggests that such transatlantic polls...
Bahrain: Stubbing it Out!
With the Muslim Holy month of Ramadan (month of fasting) fast approaching, Bahraini blogger Tawfeeq Al Rayash is hitting two birds with one stone. He is fasting for three months and kicking off smoking after a wake up call from his daughter.
Cuba: True Freedom
Uncommon Sense applauds the political prisoners who “refuse ‘freedom’ if it means having to leave Cuba” saying: “They are the ones who are truly free.”
Cuba: No Real Progress?
Blog for Cuba comments on a statement from the Vatican with regard to the “progress” taking place on the island: “I ask which of Cuba's repressive laws has been rescinded? None, absolutely none, and a maneuvered release and exile of dissidents is an old ploy used by the regime to...
D.R. of Congo: From Texas to Kivu
Texas in Africa shares his experience as a researcher in the Democratic Republic of Congo: “My research in the DRC is about social services, which means that when I'm here, I spend a lot of time in church offices. Religious groups run almost all of what's left of the DRC's...
Iraq: The Issue with Islamic Fundamentalists
Iraq Pundit has issue with the Obama administration's decision to drop references to Islamic radicalism.
Morocco: “Still Living in My Parent's House,” says a 40-year-old Girl
One in every three Moroccan women is single. Studies show that this has more to do with economic hardship, lack of education, the absence of democracy. Samira is a 40 year-old single woman still living in her parents' house. She shares her day-to-day experiences on her blog.
Pakistan: Muslim Mob Kills Wife, Children of Christian
Pak Tea House highlights a grim news which was not reported in mainstream media in Pakistan: “a Muslim mob in Jhelum, Pakistan murdered the wife and four children of a Christian last month, but local authorities are too afraid of the local Muslim leader to file charges.”
Cuba: Hunger Striker Ends Protest
The Cuban Triangle reports that political prisoner Guillermo Farinas’ hunger strike is officially over. 1Click2Cuba also comments.
