By Derek H. Davis – On October 15 the Russian Ministry of Justice took steps to begin liquidating 56 non-Russian Orthodox religious organizations. The groups face dissolution, Russian news sources reported, because they failed to file required annual reports on their activities. Those targeted include a range of non-Russian Orthodox organizations and churches but hardest hit were various Christian groups, both Protestant and Catholic. Baptist groups were prominent on the list, but Methodist, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Seventh-day Adventist and Pentecostal groups were also included. Well known humanitarian groups such as World Vision and Youth with a Mission were also named, as was the Russian branch of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. Non-Christian organizations were also named, including Muslim and Buddhist associations.
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UPDATE – Troy Anthony Davis Execution Stayed a Third Time Yesterday (New York Times)
A federal appeals court on Friday, October 4, halted the execution of a Georgia inmate convicted in the 1989 killing of a police officer, the third time in 16 months that a stay of execution has been ordered in the case.
Polygamy central issue in Utah Attorney General race
For Hill’s part, she said polygamists would never have to fear being prosecuted for their religion. She contends that the state’s bigamy statute is unconstitutional in the wake of the 2003 Supreme Court ruling Lawrence v. Texas.
Saudi King – World facing covert economic war (SaudiGazette.com.sa)
World leaders vowed Saturday in Beijing to overhaul the global financial system in the face of recession fears.
Sarah Palin’s Interview on Faith (CBN)
Sarah Palin discusses her faith in an interview with the 700 Club.
Washington State – Faith-based groups taking crucial role in Euthanasia initiative battle
Faith-based groups or individuals are playing a crucial role on
both sides of the battle to make Washington the second state, after
Oregon, to allow physicians to legally prescribe deadly medication —
hardly surprising, since the issue deals with literal matters of life
and death.
Disputes over religion and health care land in Calif. courts (ScrippsNews.com)
Dr. Catherine Kim of Simi Valley, Calif. can’t do it. Her practice as an obstetrician-gynecologist is based on medical science. But her convictions as a born-again Christian sculpt every aspect of her life, from the Bible stories she reads to her kids before bedtime to the prayers she offers people who visit her office.
Paper warns of global financial collapse if nations do not respond in concert (Telegraph.co.uk)
As the unflappable Warren Buffett puts it, the credit freeze is “sucking blood” out of the economy. “In my adult lifetime, I don’t think I’ve ever seen people as fearful,” he said.
The 2008 Election – Religion, the Economy, and Values Voters (AP)
“Barriers remain to both major parties if they seek to appeal to religious voters on the economy. You’re either for or against gay marriage or abortion rights, but no one supports foreclosures and layoffs. Differences arise over solutions, and analysts say it can make more sense for campaigns to make general pitches on the economy than faith-based appeals.”
OUTRAGE IN COLORADO: More than 100 Muslims Fired When They Protest Employer’s Policy Prohibiting Prayer Breaks (NPR)
Greeley, Colorado – Last month, more than 100 Somalis were fired for walking off the job after the company refused to let them take breaks to pray at sunset during the Muslim holiday month of Ramadan. They are in the process of filing a class-action lawsuit against the company.