By Rajmund (Ray) Dabrowski – Authentic religion calls for a respect, sensitivity and acceptance of another’s beliefs and practices. Do unto others ? the saying goes. It really did not matter which one of the muezzins woke me up. The melodic reciting of a call to prayer from one of the minarets at 4:45 in…
In Peru, ‘historic’ religious liberty legislation passes (ANN)
Law recognizes religious pluralism; all faiths to enjoy same ‘rights, obligations and benefits’ 7 Dec 2010, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States Adventist News Network Staff Members of Peru’s congress voted last week to approve legislation guaranteeing the religious liberty of all citizens, a freedom already recognized by the South American country’s constitution. The act comes…
What Wall? (Alison Agins)
A guest editorial by Alison Agins. It was originally published on her blog “Progressive Christian on the Wall” at http://aliagins.wordpress.com/2010/10/18/what-wall/ Our Founders in the late 1700′s were very familiar with what happens when the church runs the state. They were not ignorant of the Puritans fleeing to the new country to practice their brand of…
Residents, Church Vie For History-Rich Russian Isles (NPR)
Russia’s Solovetsky Islands, less than 100 miles from the Arctic Circle, have become a popular tourist destination. Originally an outpost of the Orthodox Church, they later became home to a brutal prison. Now, islanders and church officials are battling for control.
CalChamber Sounds Alarm on Employer Impact of Proposition 19
“This initiative would change the way employers are required to do business in our state,” said Allan Zaremberg, President and CEO of the California Chamber of Commerce. “Essentially any employer would be required to offer marijuana users extra protections above those provided to other employees. If Proposition 19 becomes law, our state’s workers will face increased exposure to injuries and our employers will face increased exposure to liability. Proposition 19 is bad for employers and their employees.”
Karen Scott to Present Eight Week Seminar on Religious Freedom in Walla Walla, Washington
Karen Scott is a member of the ReligiousLiberty.TV Advisory Panel. Freedom FROM Religion or Freedom FOR Religion? A Seminar Covering Eight Sundays at Pioneer United Methodist Church Time: 9 AM Sundays Room 102 Dates: October 17, 24, 31, November 7, 14, 21, 28, and December 5, 2010 209 E Birch St Walla Walla, WA 99362…
The case against legalizing marijuana in California (Philadelphia Inquirer)
EXCERPT: Prop 19 pushers argue that by taxing and regulating marijuana, the state will reap a tax windfall. But the act would let every landowner grow enough marijuana to produce 24,000 to 240,000 joints a year for “personal consumption.” Who would pay the $50-per-ounce tax on marijuana (a 100 percent tax) when he could grow…
Colorado School’s Rosary Rule Disputed (KKTV)
EXCERPT: COLORADO SPRINGS — An announcement made by a Colorado Springs middle school, stipulating how students can wear rosaries, has the ACLU speaking out against the decision. The group says religious liberty does not stop at the entrance to a public school. [District spokesperson Elaine] Naleski says some students were offended at how others were…
French Court Approves Veil Ban (AJE)
EXCERPT: France’s highest court has approved a law banning full-facial veils in public – with the exception of mosques – eliminating the last hurdle for the ban. Those behind the law argue that it will protect women’s rights. Its critics, however, say that it stigmatises Muslim women and it is a breach of religious freedom….
Mainstreaming Hate in the Netherlands (ForeignPolicy)
Here is an excerpt from an article by former Financial Times writer and Dutch media Middle East correspondent Ferry Biedermann published on ForeignPolicy.com on October 4, 2010. The rise of the far right has hardly caused a ripple in the Netherlands. The Dutch coalition deal was done before the end of September, marking the political…