Category: Religion

French Ban Burkinis

165px-BathingSuit1920sThe French has been fighting against the wearing of religious scarves and Burkas by Muslim women for years. Now, French officials have taken on the Burkini — a loose swimsuit that covers Muslim women like a wetsuit with a hood. Burkinis have been banned in pools as more clothing than swimsuit. If you want to swim in France, you will don a bikini or at least a revealing swimsuit.
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Iraqi Freedom: U.S. Supported Government Moves to Ban Books

270px-Santo_Domingo_y_los_albigenses-detalleWith continuing stories of the denial of legal rights, the abuse of women (ad here and here), rise of radical Islam, and war crimes, many Americans are still unsure why we are sacrificing thousands of our citizens and billions in funding in Iraq. Now, the U.S. supported government is moving to ban books that it considers unduly “sectarian.”

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Sharia Court in Somalia Stones to Death a Thirteen-Year-Old Girl For Premarital Sex

stone-1Amnesty International has confirmed that a Sharia court in Somalia executed a 13-year-old girl for having sex outside of marriage in Kismayo. Aisha Ibrahim Kuhulow was reported to be 23 year old, but her father has confirmed widespread reports that she was only 13.
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Iran Arrests Chief of Notorious Jail As Accounts of the Torture and Killing of Protesters Mount

250px-flag_of_iransvgThe Iranian government has arrested the chief of Kahrizak jail as news accounts have documented numerous cases of the torture and killing of protesters arrested in the recent post-presidential protests. These deaths include the alleged killing of seven lawyers.
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Kosher Complaint: Conservative Rabbi Challenges Georgia’s Definition of Kosher

250px-Shabbat_ChallosThere is an interesting entanglement case filed in Atlanta, Georgia where Rabbi Shalom Lewis has challenged Georgia’s Kosher Food Labeling Act (OCGA Sec. 26-2-330 ff.) on the ground that it codifies the definition of kosher by the orthodox rabbis.
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Pakistani Eunuchs Fight For Recognition and Rights

Pakistan flagThere is an incredible story out of Pakistan concerning the plight of what are called “eunuchs” in that country. The term is used broadly to refer to transsexuals, transvestites, or hermaphrodites. These marginalized individuals are forced to live in colonies and become prostitutes in a country that shuns and abuses them.
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New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg Accused of Illegally Funneling Money to Two Jewish Groups

225px-Michael_Bloomberg_2008_crop-altfelderThere is a major fight brewing between New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Councilman Simcha Felder over an allegation of the unlawful use of discretionary funds. Between 2002 and 2006, the office of Mayor Michael Bloomberg gave $1.1 million to the Orthodox Agudath Israel of America and $400,000 to Ohel Children’s Services. Such use of funds is only allowed at the request of a council member and Bloomberg has said that it was requested by Felder – who has denied any such request.
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Sudanese Police Beat Women Protesting Pants Ban

300px-Fomfr_whipSudanese police beat women protesting outside a Sudanese court Tuesday during the trial of Lubna Hussein, a former U.N. worker and journalist, who is facing flogging for wearing pants in violation of Islamic laws. We previously discussed the story, here. The police fired tear gas into a group of 50 or so women and beat them with batons for protesting against the Sharia court proceeding. Hussein’s lawyer was also beaten.
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Federal Appellate Court Rules in Favor of Santeria Priest in Home Sacrifices

goatvi3The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit has ruled in favor of a Santeria priest — Jose Merced, 46 — who sacrificed goats in his Texas home in Euless. The court ruled that the prohibition on the ritual violated the Texas Religious Freedom Restoration Act (TRFRA).

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Creationist Kills Evolutionist With Knife But Is Sentenced to Just Five Years After Court Finds Him a “Person of Good Character” and the Killing “A Complete Aberration”

320px-Ape_skeletonsScotsman Rudi Boa, 28, and his girlfriend Gillian Brown were on a trip to New South Wales, Australia when they met English backpacker Alexander Christian York, 33. The couple and York had some drinks and soon got into an argument over evolution. York ended up stabbing Boa to death but was given just a five-year sentence because the court found him a decent chap and the killing an “aberration.”
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New Alleged Victims Come Forward to Accuse Scientology Leader David Miscavige Of Assault

488px-scientology_symbolsvgIn the aftermath of recent stories of alleged abuse, additional former member of the Church of Scientology have come forward with accounts of abuse and claims of cult-like activities — including members who accuse Scientology Leader David Miscavige of assault.
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Former Journalist and United Nations Worker Faces Flogging in Sudan for Wearing Pants

300px-Fomfr_whipLubna Hussein, a former journalist and current United Nations worker, is facing 40 lashes for the crime of wearing pants in a public place — an act of unspeakable “indecency” under Sharia law in Sudan. She says that 10 other women arrested at a restaurant in Khartoum, including some non-Muslims, were already flogged.

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Official British Military Magazine “Soldier” Features Openly Gay Soldier on Cover Next to Headline “Pride”

blogimage_gaysoldier2.jpg_thumbs_600x852_thumbs_200x284The British army took a remarkable and commendable step this month by featuring Trooper James Wharton, an openly gay soldier. While U.S. military officers continue to fret over gays in the military and discharge decorated heroes for their private relations, the British has shown that tough guys can be gay guys.

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