Tag: religion
Israel wants to tie peace with Palestinians to reparations for Middle Eastern Jews who fled to Israel
There's movement, slight, to restart the stalled Israel-Palestinian peace process. But Israel wants to introduce a new element to the discussion. They're seeking compensation for Middle Eastern Jews forced from their homelands, in exchange for compensation for Palestinian refugees....
Russian Orthodox Church stakes out assertive role on social issues
Russia's Orthodox Church is trying to become more relevant in Russian society. Though some 70 percent of Russians say they believe in the Orthodox Church, less than one percent go to church even once a month....
Russian court grants reprieve to one member of Pussy Riot band
The Russian band Pussy Riot ignited a storm of controversy for its protest performance in a Russian cathedral. Arrested and eventually convicted, a trio of band members were sentenced to two year in prison. But Wednesday, a Russian court suspended the sentence of one woman....
Germans angered over Catholic Church's decision to deny sacraments for church tax scofflaws
Germany has long required people who are members of a church or a synagogue to pay a tax that supports the church and its operations. But as more Catholics decline to pay, the church is telling them if they don't pay, they won't be allowed to receive church sacraments....
Srebrenica elections lays bare old tensions between Serbs, Bosniaks
Srebrenica was the site of one of the worst atrocities of the lengthy Serbian civil war. Thousands of Bosniaks, Bosnian Muslims, were killed there. In the aftermath of the massacre, the town is largely Serbian. But a quirk of policy has allowed Bosniaks who moved out of town to continue to vote in the city's elections. But that's poised to change....
In new memoir, Salman Rushdie tells tale of life as hunted man
Salman Rushdie knows what it's like to be a wanted man. After he published his novel The Satanic Verses, the leader of Iran issued a call for his death. Rushdie went into hiding, with armed guards protecting him at all times. He's telling that story now in his new book, Joseph Anton: A Memoir....
Pakistani politician calls on U.S. to ban blasphemy
In the wake of the video "Innocence of Muslims," protests have swept the Muslim world. While Pakistan came late to the protests, the country's Muslims and political leaders are calling on the U.S. to make such blasphemy illegal....
Divinity scholar says piece of ancient papyrus includes reference to 'Jesus' wife'
A tiny scrap of paper, no bigger than a business card, has caused a lot of commotion. According to one expert, the paper may be the first ancient scripture to refer to Jesus as having a wife....
France braces as it prepares for backlash over magazine's publication of Mohammad cartoons
A French magazine ignited a storm of controversy on Wednesday when it published a series of cartoons that lampoon and mock the Islamic Prophet Mohammad. The publication comes just days after a video produced in the United States, also deemed offensive to Muslims, set off days of protests across the Middle East and Africa....
Myanmar's Taung Byone festival brings some acceptance for LGBT community
In Myanmar, the only time the country's gay community can find acceptance is during the annual Taung Byone festival. At other times of year they're forced to the edges of society, but during Taung Byone they are the gatekeepers to the spirit world....
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