http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/eastern-religion/ en-us Sat, 2 Jan 2010 02:38:22 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2419303/posts Harrisburg ELCA Congregation Gives Building to Coptic Orthodox Church HARRISBURG, Pa. (ELCA) -- An Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) congregation here is breathing new life into its church building by moving out and turning its facilities over to a congregation of another denomination. Following its worship service of carols and a celebration luncheon Dec. 27, Memorial Evangelical Lutheran Church gave its building as a gift to St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church. This Sunday, Jan. 3, Memorial's members will worship at the James E. Morecraft Christian Education Building, owned by the congregation and directly across the street from the Memorial's... ELCA News Service http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2419303/posts#comment Sat, 2 Jan 2010 02:38:22 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2405663/posts More than 1,000 Buddhist extremists armed with clubs, swords and stones ferociously attacked a Catholic church in the town of Crooswatta, Sri Lanka on December 6, destroying the altar, statues and pews. L’Osservatore Romano reported that Father Jude Denzil Lakshman, pastor of Our Lady of the Mystical Rose, said “I still can hear their shouts in my ears, ‘Cut him to pieces, kill him’.” The attack took place after the 7 p.m., Sunday Mass, leaving several parishioners wounded. “It is obvious that the attack was well-planned and that the mob waited for us to come out after Mass,” Father Lakshman... Catholic News Agency http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2405663/posts#comment Fri, 11 Dec 2009 20:29:35 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2382959/posts BHUBANESWAR, India (Reuters) - Hundreds of poor Hindu villagers in eastern India have refused to hand over a rare turtle to authorities, saying it is an incarnation of God, officials said on Tuesday. Villagers chanting hymns and carrying garlands, bowls of rice and fruits are pouring in from remote villages to a temple in Kendrapara, a coastal district in eastern Orissa state. Policemen have struggled to control the gathering and have failed to persuade the villagers to give up the sea turtle. "We have asked the villagers to hand it over as it is illegal to confine a turtle, but... Reuters http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2382959/posts#comment Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:40:55 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2347297/posts We are losing our children! Research indicates that 70% of teens who are involved in a church youth group will stop attending church … [1] Similar statements from Christian leaders aren’t new, but many still can’t seem to identify the root cause of the problem. However, most front-line evangelists in the Western world have reached a consensus. The following quote is from a person who shares his faith more times in a month than most Christians ever will in their lives... CMI http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2347297/posts#comment Thu, 24 Sep 2009 15:37:40 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2346728/posts » 09/22/2009 17:44INDIACatholic priest donates kidney to save Hindu manby Nirmala CarvalhoIn Kerala, Father Chiramel offers one of his kidneys to an unknown recipient. The priest said he was inspired by the ‘Year for PriestÂ’. “For me donating an organ is a unique and privileged opportunity to share in ChristÂ’s suffering.” New Delhi (AsiaNews) – Fr Davis Chiramel, a 49-year-old Catholic priest from Kerala, donated one of his kidneys to a complete stranger. The clergyman is parish priest at St Francis Xavier Church in Vadanapally (Kerala). Earlier this year he decided to help a Hindu father of two, a... asia news http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2346728/posts#comment Wed, 23 Sep 2009 21:48:30 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2307298/posts <p>It's a tradition that's over 700 years old and it involves dangling and then dropping infants from the roof of a mosque.</p> <p>On Thursday hundreds of babies under the age of two were shaken in the air before being dropped off the roof of the Baba Umer Durga, a Muslim shrine, in western India. The act is part of an ancient ritual that is believed to ensure good health for the children and prosperity for their families.</p> MyFoxNewYork http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2307298/posts#comment Mon, 3 Aug 2009 18:41:11 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2303251/posts Festivities in a new temple dedicated to the Indian monkey god Hanuman  in Frisco, Texas, earlier this month remind us that a minority of religions exists within the shores of the United States that is relatively silent. The faith that is the subject here, of course, is Hinduism, which in that North Texas town, at least, is enjoying an "expanding population," according to the Dallas Morning News. Despite the fact that Indians have been quietly enriching the American melting pot for decades to centuries, few non-Indians know much about the colorful religion of Hinduism. In actuality, the term "Hinduism" represents... Houston Examiner http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2303251/posts#comment Wed, 29 Jul 2009 02:37:17 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2283239/posts ISTANBUL - Just when one thought TVshows could not get more outrageous, Kanal T comes up with the idea to make an imam, a priest, a rabbi and a Buddhist monk try to convert 10 atheists. While some fear the program could create problems, a sociologist says this just shows the yearning to learn more about religions A new show set to grace Turkish television screens will see a Muslim imam, a Christian priest, a Jewish rabbi and a Buddhist monk competing to turn 10 unbelievers into devotees of their own faith each week. The show, "Tövbekarlar Yarışıyor," which can... Hurriyet DailyNews http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2283239/posts#comment Wed, 1 Jul 2009 14:00:29 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2271409/posts There's coming a wind of balance ~ ~ ~ , Prominent change is about to enter your life , Life changing events calendared in my loving kindness for those in my will , I shall use you as a Horn of Cornucopia to pour out the fragrance and fruit of my very womb upon the multitudes , For you are my wellsprings of life in my name , Salvation ! Fire ! Hunger and thirst after righteousness ! The Blossom of Unity carrying the peddles of my love ! , Breath in ~ ~ (o: my fragrant words , Devour... http://thejoshuachronicles.blogspot.com/ http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2271409/posts#comment Sun, 14 Jun 2009 06:12:26 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2271408/posts There's coming a wind of balance ~ ~ ~ , Prominent change is about to enter your life , Life changing events calendared in my loving kindness for those in my will , I shall use you as a Horn of Cornucopia to pour out the fragrance and fruit of my very womb upon the multitudes , For you are my wellsprings of life in my name , Salvation ! Fire ! Hunger and thirst after righteousness ! The Blossom of Unity carrying the peddles of my love ! , Breath in ~ ~ (o: my fragrant words , Devour... http://thejoshuachronicles.blogspot.com/ http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2271408/posts#comment Sun, 14 Jun 2009 06:12:20 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2263266/posts MARYKNOLL, N.Y. (CNS) -- Imagine that the youngest child in a religiously observant family comes home from high school and announces to his prominent father that he is converting to a minority religion he heard about from his principal. Predictably, the reaction is shock, disbelief and resistance. But Stephen Taluja, who was raised a Sikh in Punjab state, India, converted to Catholicism anyway. Now 27, he had his father's blessing when he was ordained as a Maryknoll priest May 30. His ordination Mass was celebrated by Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan of New York at the Queen of Apostles Chapel at... catholicnews http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2263266/posts#comment Tue, 2 Jun 2009 22:01:58 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2240446/posts (CNSNews.com) – Following complaints from a Muslim group, an online game company removed a video game in which “Jesus,” “Mohammed,” “Buddha” and other religious figures engage in combat. But on Wednesday -- one day after yanking the game – the makers uploaded a new, tongue-in-cheek version. This time, rather than have the religious figures fight each other, gamers are invited to “give love and respect” to them. This is achieved by mouse-clicking on the figures in a bid to prevent them from disappearing. They vanish anyway, and the screen then displays a message, over the backdrop of a burning village,... CNSNews.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2240446/posts#comment Wed, 29 Apr 2009 16:12:02 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2239629/posts CAIRO — An influential Islamic group branded an online video game depicting religious figures fighting each other as offensive to Muslims and Christians and successfully demanded Tuesday that it be taken offline. In the game "Faith Fighter," caricatures of Jesus, the Prophet Muhammad, Buddha, God and the Hindu god Ganesh fight each other against a backdrop of burning buildings. God attacks with bolts of lighting and pillars of fire while the turbaned Muhammad can summon a burning black meteorite. The Saudi-based Organization of the Islamic Conference, which represents most Muslim nations, said it should be removed from the Internet. "The... Fox News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2239629/posts#comment Tue, 28 Apr 2009 16:33:36 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2215838/posts NEW YORK (CBS) ― A public school principal is facing charges of major misbehavior. Education officials are looking into a reports that the man led religious chants against people he considered enemies. CBS 2 HD spoke with outraged moms -- and the principal. Parents at P.S. 24 in Riverdale say their principal is unprincipled. "It all comes down to his lack of competence as a leader," said Unjoo Trebach of the school's parents association. Philip Scharper is under investigation by the city's Department of Education for potentially crossing the line between church and state with Buddhism. "He has tried to... WCBSTV http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2215838/posts#comment Fri, 27 Mar 2009 03:05:42 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2215272/posts It was good to hear some encouraging news from the Church of England, reported by Robert last week. However, little good seems to come from the The Episcopal Church (TEC) in USA. The Church of England Newspaper (27 February 2009) reported that the Anglican Communion’s first Anglican-Buddhist bishop was recently elected at a special convention of the Diocese of Northern Michigan. Concerns had been raised about the suitability of a professed Buddhist who said he had received Buddhist “lay ordination” and was “walking the path of Christianity and Zen Buddhism together” as well as the fact that he was the... Sydney Anglican http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2215272/posts#comment Thu, 26 Mar 2009 15:20:52 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2208481/posts He fought Fascism in the 1940s armed with little more than a crumpled suit, a bemused look and funny walk. Now Charlie Chaplin is embroiled in another battle of beliefs, this time with India’s Hindu extremists. Radicals in the southern state of Karnataka have stymied plans to erect a 20m (67ft) statue of the film star because he was a Christian. The move comes amid a campaign against Western culture that has raised concerns that parts of India are being “Talebanised” by Hinduism’s far Right. The Chaplin sculpture, which would have shown him in his baggy trousers and bowler hat,... Times Online UK http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2208481/posts#comment Tue, 17 Mar 2009 19:27:39 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2193225/posts Washington, DC—An Episcopal priest who has received a Buddhist lay ordination has been elected bishop in the Diocese of Northern Michigan. The Rev. Kevin Thew Forrester, who has served in the diocese since 2001, was elected on the first ballot and received 88 percent of the delegate votes. *** Forrester, who has been identified by his former bishop Jim Kelsey as ‘walking the path of Christianity and Zen Buddhism together, is not the first Episcopal clergyman to practice dual faiths. In 2004, Pennsylvania priest Bill Melnyk was revealed to be a druid; while in 2007 Seattle priest Ann Holmes Redding... Institute on Religion & Democracy http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2193225/posts#comment Wed, 25 Feb 2009 00:23:10 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2145624/posts In the Mumbai bombings, the world has seen another example of how religions can conflict. The Washington Post's Craig Whitlock and Karen De Young summarized the India/Pakistan situation this way: "The roots of the long-running conflict are religious: A majority of India's population is Hindu, while most Pakistanis are Muslim." Of course, the India bombing is not the only place where religious conflict is playing itself out. In his new book, "World of Faith and Freedom," Thomas Farr, the former director of the State Department's Office of International Religious Freedom, argues that foreign policy makers cannot afford a hands-off approach... The Dallas Morning News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2145624/posts#comment Tue, 9 Dec 2008 18:45:10 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2134360/posts “We will be here for you,” said Han Huimin to his paralyzed ex girlfriend, Wu Yueying. “We will take care of you as long as we are alive.” Han’s wife, Xu Minfang, also standing by Wu’s sick bed, nodded reassuringly at Wu. This is the 34th year since Wu was paralyzed after a traffic accident back in 1974. At that time, Wu was Han’s first girlfriend. Han attended to her since then, and refused to consider another girlfriend. He was determined to take care of Wu all his life, even at the cost of his own marriage. Three years later... Epoch Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2134360/posts#comment Wed, 19 Nov 2008 01:39:40 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2131527/posts RATANPUR, Nepal – The teenage boy revered by many as a reincarnation of Buddha sat silently in the jungle as he blessed his devotees Wednesday with a light tap on the head, which they consider the touch of the divine. His face was still, his long hair spilled over his white robe, and he never said a word. The followers of Ram Bahadur Bamjan, 18, believe he has been meditating without food and water since he was first spotted in the jungles of southern Nepal in 2005, when believers say he spent months without moving, sitting with his eyes closed... Associated Press http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2131527/posts#comment Thu, 13 Nov 2008 17:22:22 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2117922/posts CNA).- Addressing the violent attacks against Christians in India was the focus of this year’s message to Hindus for the celebration of Diwali from Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, the president of the pontifical council for Inter-religious Dialogue. This year Diwali, or the Festival of Lights, falls on October 28, and for the occasion, Cardinal Tauran has penned a message in English entitled, "Christians and Hindus: Together in Favor of Non-violence." The celebration of Diwali should be an opportunity to consider “how we can live harmoniously in today's society, witnessing to the truth, light and hope,” Cardinal Tauran wrote. Saying that “religions... CNA http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2117922/posts#comment Tue, 28 Oct 2008 22:06:04 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2115885/posts Q: Does your faith believe it's OK to celebrate Halloween? Why, or why not? Although Halloween has roots as a religious holiday, it is celebrated as a secular event in the U.S. While there are some in the Jewish community who refrain from participating, most Jewish children eagerly anticipate the day and enjoy dressing in costumes and going out trick-or-treating. There is little negative concern about the holiday other than over indulging from the contents of the candy bag. Rabbi Matt Friedman Temple Beth Israel, Redding When I was a kid, Halloween was a fun event, with perhaps just a... Redding.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2115885/posts#comment Sun, 26 Oct 2008 21:20:02 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2096779/posts BHUBNESHWAR, India — Indian authorities arrested four people and suspended a police officer Friday following a medical report indicating a Catholic nun was likely raped in an attack by a Hindu mob during religious clashes, a state government spokesman said. Fox News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2096779/posts#comment Fri, 3 Oct 2008 17:30:59 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2075953/posts Father Ranjit Tigga has spent most of his life as a Jesuit missionary in rural India working with poor tribal villagers near the state of Orissa, southeast of Calcutta near the Bay of Bengal. Father Francis Ezhakunnel, another Jesuit missionary, was the director of a leprosy center in the state of Jharkhand, just north of Orissa. And Father Nicolas Santos teaches college in western India. All three Indian priests are now at Marquette University studying for advanced degrees in business administration and communications, so they can return to India and aid in the advancement of those they serve. Although immersed... MJS http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2075953/posts#comment Sat, 6 Sep 2008 12:34:21 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2064017/posts According to witnesses, Saturday afternoon Fr. Thomas celebrated mass in Burgida, before setting out for another village in the district where he was to have celebrated Sunday mass. The last people to have seen him alive were religious sisters from Lingapetta convent, where the priest had stopped for supper before continuing his journey. “Fr. Thomas is a martyr – said Msgr. Marampudi, archbishop of Hyderabad, on hearing of the brutal murder. The Indian Church is shocked and deeply saddened by this barbarous killing, the result of a growing climate of intolerance and violence against Christians in this country”. The prelate... Catholic Online http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2064017/posts#comment Tue, 19 Aug 2008 00:02:39 GMT