tagged articles with: freedom

Hong Kong symposium raises religious rights awareness

Hong Kong symposium raises religious rights awareness

ucanews.com reporter, Hong Kong - Activities el Thu, Apr 21st 2016

"We hoped the event would give young Catholics here more information about the church in China and transform their concern into prayers," he said. Tsang said many young Catholics are satisfied participating in parish activities but not engaging in issues on social justice and religious freedom. The symposium aimed to change that prevailing attitude, he said.

How Easter Killed My Faith in Atheism

How Easter Killed My Faith in Atheism

Lee Strobel - WSJ - Articles el Wed, Mar 30th 2016

For nearly two years, I explored the minutia of the historical data on whether Easter was myth or reality. I didn’t merely accept the New Testament at face value; I was determined only to consider facts that were well-supported historically. As my investigation unfolded, my atheism began to buckle.

Crisis in Syria: On the Road from Damascus

Crisis in Syria: On the Road from Damascus

Timothy Radcliffe - The Tablet - JPIC News el Tue, Dec 22nd 2015

The bell rang out from the Carmelite monastery in the Syrian mountains between Damascus and Homs. It would be audible to Islamic State (IS) jihadists, whose front line is less than three miles away. It said defiantly: “We are still here.” The terrorists captured Qara, the local ­village, burnt the churches, dug up the Christian graves and scattered the bones. The friars and sisters had survived only by taking refuge in an old Roman tower where they were protected by Muslim friends. Now the village has been recaptured by the Syrian army.

Lord's Prayer cinema ad ban in England

Lord's Prayer cinema ad ban in England

Caroline Wyatt-BBC Religious affairs correspondent - Church Issues el Mon, Nov 23rd 2015

The Church of England has said it is "disappointed and bewildered" by the refusal of leading UK cinemas to show an advert featuring the Lord's Prayer. The Church called the decision "plain silly" and warned it could have a "chilling" effect on free speech. It had hoped the 60-second film would be screened UK-wide before Christmas.

Controls on religion inside Tibet have intensified

Controls on religion inside Tibet have intensified

ucanews.com reporter, Beijing - Missions el Mon, Nov 2nd 2015

Gyaltsen Norbu, the Panchen Lama installed by the Chinese government, has called for tighter controls over monks to ensure they follow Buddhist precepts in what is already among the most strictly managed Buddhist societies.  Roaming monks not based at any one temple are particularly prone to breaking precepts, Norbu said in rare public comments on Oct. 25 at the Fourth World Buddhist Forum in Wuxi, near Shanghai.

Giant cross raises Christian spirits in Karachi

Giant cross raises Christian spirits in Karachi

ucanews.com reporter, Karachi - Activities el Mon, Jun 15th 2015

Pakistan’s tiny and downtrodden Christian community are taking heart from the construction of Asia’s tallest cross in the country’s most populous yet violent city of Karachi. A 42.6-meter-tall concrete and steel cross is being erected at the entrance of Karachi’s largest cemetery — Gora Qabristan — containing thousands of tombstones and graves. 

Why is the UK government so afraid to speak of Armenian genocide?

Why is the UK government so afraid to speak of Armenian genocide?

Giles Fraser-The Guardian - World Issues el Mon, Jun 1st 2015

Britain’s strategic relationship with Turkey has been more important than telling the truth. If Armenians are to find closure, we must recognise their suffering, In the early fourth century, the Armenians were the first people to adopt Christianity as their official religion. In 1914 there were 2 million Armenian Christians living in Turkey. By 1922, there were only 400,000 left.

Democracy is a religion that has failed the poor

Democracy is a religion that has failed the poor

Giles Fraser-The Guardian - World Issues el Thu, May 28th 2015

Right now I feel ashamed to be English. Ashamed to belong to a country that has clearly identified itself as insular, self-absorbed and apparently caring so little for the most vulnerable people among us. Why did a million people visiting food banks make such a minimal difference? Did we just vote for our own narrow concerns and sod the rest?

How should Christians vote?

How should Christians vote?

Tim Stanley - The Telegraph - Discernment el Wed, May 6th 2015

 I’ve not decided who to vote for yet and, according to the polls, a lot of you haven’t either. One thing that we Christians have to consider is how the various choices match up to the ideals and aspirations of the Bible. And so I thought it might be helpful to examine where the parties stand on the pertinent issues.

Vocations are calls to embark on exodus to Promised Land, pope says

Vocations are calls to embark on exodus to Promised Land, pope says

Carol Glatz - Catholic News Service - Discernment el Thu, Apr 23rd 2015

"Responding to God's call, then, means allowing him to help us leave ourselves and our false security behind, and to strike out on the path which leads to Jesus Christ, the origin and destiny of our life and our happiness," the pope said in his message for the 2015 World Day of Prayer for Vocations. The day will be celebrated April 26 at the Vatican and in many dioceses around the world.