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Huckabee and Obama Betray Paradigm Shift in Both Religion and Politics

January 9, 2008

        Despite sporadic Democratic efforts to co-opt the issue of religion in this particular election cycle, the Republicans still have the brand. But what may ultimately tarnish the brand is a major change in how it is perceived, if not its ingredients. Remember when your grandmother's Coca Cola suddenly became "classic coke" and how the consumers howled?
        Analogously, with the sudden and unscripted rise in the electoral fortunes of Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, there has been a sudden sea change in how the Grand Old Party treats religion. The party has gone from singling out social and religious issues that unify, such as abortion and gay marriage, to those of personal identity, which divide the electorate. Huckabee's in-your-face Southern Baptist version of "winning the nation for Christ" through politics is turning off Catholics.
        Even more significantly, evangelical Christians in the South and Midwest are no longer taking direction from Eastern conservatives, who were the mainstays of the old "Reagan coalition". They do not consider a Mormon like Mitt Romney, or a Catholic like Rudi Giuliani, as someone they can support when they have the option of voting for one of their own. But in considering Mike Huckabee one of their own, evangelical Christians are not - at least not yet - considering the question of whether a candidate with ties to the Christian Reconstructionist Movement would be acceptable to so-called "premillenialist" Christians, who make up most of the evangelical population, including Southern Baptists.
        Christian Reconstructionism, derived from the radical Calvinism of the sixteenth century, holds that Christians must take control of the levers of government in order to enforce upon the whole of society the moral codes of both the Old and New Testaments. One prominent Reconstructionist, for example, has called for executing of adulterers in America by stoning.

    Premillennialists, who historically have awaited the return of Jesus for Christian "justice" to be instituted, do not believe that believers should necessarily be committed political activists unless it becomes a question of protecting their own religious freedom. 

        There has been little or no press attention given to the fact that Huckabee has locked arms both in the present and in the past with the Reconstructionists. In 1998 he co-authored a book entitled Kids Who Kill with George Grant, the granddaddy of Christian Reconstructionists.   More recently, according to a report in Robert Novak's column, Huckabee held a fundraiser at the home of Reconstructionist Dr. Steven Hotze.
        The old Moral Majority-style coalition politics built by Jerry Falwell appears moribund, if not dead. This return to sectarianism among Republicans is paralleled by anxiety over Latino immigration, legal as well as illegal. And the reason for this is that Latino immigrants have been turning up in communities in the Midwest that have not experienced immigration since the turn of the last century as well as in the South, which have never experienced ethnic immigration at all.
        There is much talk of "broken borders" among Republicans, but the Mexican border may not be the only border that is broken. The boundary between religious identity and political identity finally seems to have been breached irremediably.
        At the same time, the Social Gospel Movement appears to be returning to the mainstream under Barack Obama. Obama's message of "hope" appears to be resonating in particular with younger voters. Obama, rather than Hillary Clinton is getting the support and attracting the imagination of college age young people. And the fact that Obama belongs to a church, Trinity United Church of Christ, that describes itself as Afrocentric, while the candidate himself makes a pitch that seeks to transcend "identity politics", is also highly significant.

        Now that Huckabee has momentum among Republicans, he would have a difficult time attacking Obama's church without laying themselves open to exposing Huckabee's own connections.         Criticizing another candidate's religious leanings is something in all events that seems foreign to Americans, who are not comfortable doing it. In this election, the most viable candidates appear to be the persons who have a core base of religious support to build from.

        Most significantly, nobody's base of support can any longer be stigmatized or marginalized as extremist, even if in fact it is. Political correctness has now taken on a religious cloak.

        Not even centrist candidates such as Hillary Clinton or John McCain can raise the issue of Obama's, or Huckabee's, religious commitments without appearing bigoted.  That is a major change from elections past.
        Regarding Hilary Clinton's struggle with Obama in the primaries, what we see amongst the Democrats is division by age and class rather than ethnicity and gender. John Edwards gets older union workers. Hillary Clinton's base of support is public employees.  Barack Obama's followers are young people and African-Americans. It is the first time an African-American candidate has had any mainstream appeal. All these developments seem to portend an intergenerational war with politics and religion as the battlefield that may shape this country for years to come.
        There seems to be a fundamental polarizationi n evidence this election between Americans old enough to remember a nation in which white Anglos were not only a majority, but whose supremacy was unchallenged, and those too young to recall such an era. The latter are apparently comfortable with a "browner" America.  It is a generation that grew up with multiculturalism and learned to read well from the Harry Potter books, a set of novels in which the villains advocate purity of blood and the heroes, a much more inclusive "wizarding world" in which rewards are based on talent.
        Where their elders see a menacing tide of job and benefit stealing people, younger people seem to see co-workers and potential spouses. Their religion and politics are increasingly inclusion-based rather than identity-based.  That is a fundamental gap between the generations, as well as between secularists and religious believers. It is not likely to be resolved anytime soon on either the electoral, or on the spiritual, level..
Martin Katchen.  Martin Katchen, who hold as Ph.D. in Religious Studies from the University of Sydney (Australia), is an independent scholar who lives and teaches in Los Angeles.

Links

http://www.cato-at-liberty.org/2007/12/20/follow-huckabees-money/

http://www.tucc.org

http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/01-04-2008/0004730567&EDATE=

http://www.wfn.org/2008/01/msg00077.html

More Links

http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080037827&ch=1/6/2008%2010:24:00%20AM

            (Jan 6) A three-member committee has strongly criticized the ruling government for showing indifference to the situation in Orissa. The committee included a member of the National Integration Council and the Secretary General of the All India Christian Council. In addition, the committee condemned all forms of fundamentalism and demanded a judicial probe by a Supreme Court judge.

http://www.independent.ie/world-news/europe/catholic-bishops-to-face-fundamentalism-grilling-1258710.html

            (Jan 6) Roman Catholic bishops in the UK have been called to appear before a committee of MPs after growing fears that they are pushing a fundamentalist brand of their religion in schools. In one case, the Bishop of Lancaster instructed Catholic schools to stop “safe sex” education, use science to teach about the “truths of the faith,” and place crucifixes in all classrooms. In another case, a letter was sent to parishes warning that Catholic education was under threat after attempts by a local council to set up an inter-faith academy.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/06/us/06muslim.html?em&ex=1199768400&en=7a53c166e0abb05e&ei=5087%0A

            (Jan 6) Organizations founded by Muslim American women have opened up new opportunities for other Muslim women attempting to get away from domestic violence, which has long straddled a line between culture and religion. However, one problem they are facing is how to speak out about the issue without adding to the stereotype that Muslim men are barbaric, oppressive, terrible people.

http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=59538

            (Jan 6) A Toronto suburb is considering a new plan that would impose, among other things, dramatically higher taxes and fees for churches as well as new restrictions on the sizes and numbers of worship centers. Churches and other religious organizations are currently assembling a response to the proposals, and a vote is scheduled for later this month.

http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20080106/lead/lead6.html

            (Jan 6) Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, and former lay preacher, has called the Church’s campaign against casino gambling as hypocritical because they have been silent on other forms of betting, gaming, and lotteries. According to the Minister, there is no biblical base to say casino gaming is wrong as opposed to any other form of game of chance.

http://www.prweb.com/releases/Christian/robot/prweb603151.htm

            (Jan 6) A new Artificial Intelligence software program, called godsbot, has been released to bring peace on the world-wide-web and goodwill to all beings. The program is a personable and engaging “friend” that is accessible to anyone with an internet connection, so long as they pay a $10 minimum donation. Designed to educate and entertain, the program can simulate intelligent conversation with adults or children and can discuss questions about philosophy, science and religion. In addition, it learns and remembers information from discussions with individual subscribers.

http://www.getreligion.org/?p=3044

            (Jan 6) A number of homosexual Muslims in Germany are struggling through issues of their sexual identity and religion. A recent New York Times story interviews visitors to a gay nightclub in one neighborhood. Although Berlin’s homosexual subculture has a long history, gay men and lesbians from Muslim families face discrimination at home.

http://www.reuters.com/article/mediaNews/idUSN0325508520080106

            (Jan 6) An Islamic group has demanded a Canadian magazine publish its response to a recent article, raising questions about government-imposed restrictions on freedom of expression in the country. The article in question, from October 2006, combines a high Muslim birthrate with the idea that Muslims are “hot for jihad,” to suggest that the West could be in jeopardy if it is unwilling to stand up for its civilization. The Islamic group, the Canadian Islamic Congress, has asked a government body to step in to guarantee its right to an equal-length rebuttal.

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/942051.html

            (Jan 6) A new proposal to reform Israel’s current system of conversion will soon be under consideration by Yisrael Beitenu if Shas, the main religious party in the coalition, supports it. The proposal would allow several hundred rabbis become involved in the conversion process to help solve a the bottleneck experienced by those wishing to become Jewish. Nearly 300,000 immigrants from the former Soviet Union are currently classified as non-Jews or as having no religion, but the government has considered their incorporation into the Jewish community as a national goal for years.

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3490901,00.html

            (Jan 6) The Israeli government has approved the re-formation of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, four years after it was dissolved in an attempt to save taxpayers’ money. When the Ministry was dissolved, its responsibilities were dispersed among other government offices and the National Authority for Religious Services was formed as a division in the Prime Minister’s Office. The re-formed Ministry will have less authority than before.

http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/6533

            (Jan 6) Churches in Pakistan, condemning the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, have appealed for international prayers and help in eradicating terrorism from the country and assistance with the restoration of democracy in the country.. The appeal was issued by four Protestant churches in the country.

http://www.christianpost.com/article/20080106/30752_Kenyans_Turn_to_God_for_End_to_Violence.htm

            (Jan 6) After nearly a week of violence and rioting, Kenyans on both sides of the political divide are turning to God to help save Kenya. Christians across the country filled churches, seeking God’s intervention to bring peace where political leaders have failed. Hundreds of people have been killed in post-election violence and another 250,000 have been displaced from their homes.

http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Top_News/2008/01/06/jailhouse_wrangle_over_druid_diet/2197/

            (Jan 6) Another prison inmate is in the news for dietary needs this week.  This time, federal jailers in New York are being confronted with an inmate who happens to be a Druid priest. The admitted drug smuggler, who goes by the name Love Sky Dancer, is insisting on unprocessed organic foods that comply with his religion’s tenets. Currently, the inmate is reportedly subsisting on a diet of grits, honey and boiled water.

http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5i1QLN68y3cdtaJEXToJ-8sBlETzw

            (Jan 6) Afghanistan’s Islamic clerics have called on the president to clamp down on the burgeoning television industry, which is claims is spreading immorality and unIslamic culture. The clerics believe Hop, an MTV-style music show, is having a negative impact in the Muslimc society. More than one dozen private television stations have sprung up since the fall of the Taliban, who banned TV as unIslamic during their rule. This is not the first time that conservative voices have questioned the free media currently allowed in Afghanistan.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2008/01/07/nmuslim107.xml

            (Jan 7) Muslim groups have demanded the resignation of the Church of England’s Bishop of Rochester after his recent statement that Muslim fundamentalists have made some parts of Britain unsafe for Christians and persons of other faiths. Mohammed Shafiq, from the Ramadhan Foundation, has stated that the bishop is promoting hatred towards Muslims and should resign, and Ajmal Masroor, of the Islamic Society of Great Britain, has asserted that the premise is false because Muslim communities have become much more integrated in the past few years. Despite the calls, senior figures from the Church of England have backed up the bishop’s remarks.

http://au.christiantoday.com/article/moyes-cdp-muslim-immigration-policy-is-not-christian/3679.htm

            (Jan 7) The NSW Deputy President of the Australia’s Christian Democratic Party (CDP), Reverend Dr. Gordon Moyes, has issued a strong statement against a moratorium on Muslim immigration and the closure of a Muslim school in Camden.  Both are championed by Reverend Fred Nile. Although the immigration policy was rejected, it was later endorsed because thousands of brochures had already been printed. Dr. Moyes stated that condemning a whole race or religious group and preventing them from going to Australia on the basis of race or religion is unacceptable for Christians.

http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/170060.html

            (Jan 7) Seven Thai Muslim policemen and three soldiers have been arrested after allegations that they supplied intelligence to Islamic insurgents in the country. Separatists are thought to be trying to split the Muslims, who make up a majority in the south, away from allegiance to the majority Buddhist administration. The area, comprised of three border provinces, has been in turmoil since January 2004.

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/942414.html

            (Jan 7) Synagogues are becoming new locales for live music as a way of bringing Jews back to religious observance.  Synagogue membership has been declining sharply for years. Attracting Jews who don’t know the structure or don’t know Hebrew can be difficult, so proponents hope that music will help grab people spiritually and emotionally right off the bat and help get them engaged. Many Orthodox congregations don’t allow instruments in services, but they do use song.

http://www.russiatoday.ru/features/news/19420

            (Jan 7) After decades of state-sponsored atheism, Cuba is rediscovering religion, particularly Russian Orthodoxy. In the past, friendship between Cuba and Russia was based on mutual communist goals, but now those ties are being rebuilt by the Orthodox religion. Laws restraining religion were relaxed over ten years ago, and religion is now flourishing in the country. Cuban leader Fidel Castro is even supporting the construction of a new Orthodox Cathedral in Havana.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=0b283a29-1552-4dad-bec2-01650e626eab&MatchID1=4617&TeamID1=3&TeamID2=4&MatchType1=1&SeriesID1=1163&PrimaryID=4617&Headline=Rioting+inmates+set+prison+ablaze

            (Jan 7) Inmates in a jail in Jalandhar set the prison ablaze and destroyed property for over two hours, claiming jail authorities had acted improperly. Prisoners claim that they were protesting the recent actions of officials, including shaving the head of a Sikh prisoner, which is against the Sikh religion, and the beating of other inmates after a hunger strike. None of the prisoners tried to escape during the riot.

http://www.virtueonline.org/portal/modules/news/article.php?storyid=7427

            (Jan 7) The Church of England has launched an unprecedented campaign designed to offer practical and spiritual help for anyone struggling with post-Christmas financial difficulties. The “matter of life and debt” campaign draws on Bible texts and specially written prayers to help those dealing faced with loan sharks, high-interest credit card repayments and other financial burdens.

http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0800087.htm

            (Jan 7) 225 Jesuits prayed before the tomb of their founder this week, seeking God’s presence and guidance as they proceed to elect a new superior general. During the General Congregation, major issues facing the Society of Jesus and its more than 19,000 members were also discussed.

http://www.christianpost.com/article/20080107/30759_Muslim_Clerics_Press_Afghan_President_to_Block_Missionary_Activity.htm

            (Jan 7) Afghanistan’s Islamic council has called on the country’s president, Hamid Karzai, to take action to stop foreign aid groups from engaging in efforts to convert locals to Christianity. The council also called for the reintroduction of public executions, which ceased after the fall of the Taliban in 2001. Ahmad Ali Jebrayeli, a member of the council, and member of parliament, said sources had informed him that missionaries were using offices in Kabul and in the provinces as based to convert the population, and alleged that missionaries are being supported by NGOs.

http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0800096.htm

            (Jan 7) A leading Vatican official has proposed a worldwide program of eucharistic adoration in order to seek spiritual reparation for damage caused by sexual abuse of children by priests. The initiative would involve dioceses, parishes, monasteries, convents and seminaries in a prayer movement to support priestly holiness.

http://www.indcatholicnews.com/BAGHOP321.html

            (Jan 7) Several churches and Christian institutions were damaged by bombers this past week. However, damage was not serious and only one person, believed to be guarding an Orthodox Church, was injured.

http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/Story.asp?Article=205002&Sn=BNEW&IssueID=30294

            (Jan 7) Councilors in Bahrain found themselves at odds this past week after discussion turned to whether or not women should be allowed to receive benefits after the death of their parents. After discussion began, one councilor asked whether or not the amendment took into consideration Jews and Christians, believing that minorities should be taken into account in the predominantly Muslim country. Under the current law, property is divided the Islamic way after the death of the parents – two shares for males and one share for females.

http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2008/jan/08010708.html

            (Jan 7)  Cardinal Franc Rode, the Vatican official who deals with the various religious orders, has expressed sorrow and anxiety at the Jesuit order’s infidelity to the teachings of the Church and told them to return to the ideals of the order’s founder, St. Ignatius. The order has been the source of controversy over the past 40 years, including many of the homosexual priest scandals as well as dissenting teachings.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119974523121273089.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

            (Jan 8) An insurance company has decided that a small Protestant church in Michigan is too risky to insure because of its’ denomination support of gay rights. According to the company, Brotherhood Mutual Insurance Co. of Fort Wayne, Indiana, controversial stances such as the church’s have resulted in property damage and the potential for increased litigation among churches.

http://www.zeenews.com/articles.asp?rep=2&aid=417173&sid=FTP

            (Jan 8) A rare exhibit of very early Christian art is now on display in Fort Worth, Texas. The exhibit includes the earliest known depiction of Jesus’ crucifixion, as well as gems, frescoes, marble sculpture and lavishly decorated crosses dating from the third to the six centuries. The only other major exhibition addressing the same period of Christian art was at a museum in New York thirty years ago.

http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5ifp798UM89twVYIapgshy0S1zzfw

            (Jan 8) Non-Muslim religious leaders in Malaysia are protesting a government refusal to issue new visas for foreign priests. In addition, foreign priests currently in the country have been given only six-month renewals and notified that they must leave after that time. The majority of foreign clergy is made up of Hindu priests, of whom there are about 200 at present. Visas for temple musicians have also been reduced from one year to six months and temple sculptors have had their permits reduced from six months to one week.

http://www.chinapost.com.tw/headlines/2008/01/08/51606/Malaysian-opposition.htm

            (Jan 8) The Malaysian government has been accused of fomenting Islamic Puritanism in the country in order to gain votes in the general elections later this year. A former deputy prime minister claims that recent government efforts to bolster the status of Islam will undermine the rights of ethnic minorities of other faiths. The former minister says that the state-sponsored Muslim Puritanism is operating under a theology that leads to the rejection of constitutional freedom of other faiths.

http://www.bosnewslife.com/news/3365-china-release-christian-bookstore-owner-and

            (Jan 8) Chinese authorities have released on bail the owner of a Christian bookstore, as well as two dozen others associated with his case, amid international pressure. The individuals were detained last months on charges of illegal printing and distribution of Christian literature. According to Chinese law, after 37 days of administrative detention, a formal arrest warrant must be issued or the accused must be released. Since no warrant was issued, the individuals were released.

http://www.bosnewslife.com/news/3366-mission-watch-missionaries-concerned-after

            (Jan 8) Christian missionaries have expressed concern after recent attacks on churches in Russia. According to Russian Ministries, a Protestant Christian missionary organization in the country, says that suspected members and allies of the Nashi movement vandalized two churches, one Baptist and one Pentecostal, on December 27 in a town southwest of Moscow. The Nashi youth movement is seen as a strong nationalistic and anti-Western movement that supports Russian President Putin, who has close ties to the Russian Orthodox Church.

http://www.christianpost.com/article/20080108/30769_Worst_Christian_Persecution_Expected_in_Saudi_Arabia,_N._Korea.htm

            (Jan 8) According to Release International, a church persecution advocacy group, Saudi Arabia and North Korea are expected to be the world’s worst persecutors of Christians this year. In both countries, Christianity is illegal and the practice of the religion is strictly forbidden and results in server punishments. This article examines the persecution Christians face in these and other countries.

http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics-article.php?yyyy=2008&mm=01&dd=08&nav_id=46770

            (Jan 8) Belgrade has rejected a demand by the Montenegrin Orthodox Church (CPC) to be registered in Serbia. According to the Ministry of Religion, the Orthodox churches do not recognize the CPC, and the ministry will not interfere in canonic relations between various Churches.

http://ncronline.org/NCR_Online/archives2/2008a/011108/011108j.htm

            (Jan 8) Religious orders have added their voices to protests against bottled water, claiming that despite the convenience, it is environmentally, economically and politically wrong. According to protestors, the bottled water industry is bad because it involves oil required to make the bottles, the limiting of access to safe drinking water in developing countries, and leads to the negative environmental impact of discarded plastic bottles.

http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0800132.htm

            (Jan 8) Religious leaders in Uganda are urging forgiveness rather than justice as the twenty-year war in the northern part of the country appears to be winding down. In addition, leaders have called on the international community to back off from legal proceedings against the leader of the rebel Lord’s Resistance Army.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/storypage/storypage.aspx?id=507e8401-4ba3-4bbb-b49d-33096eed529f&MatchID1=4617&TeamID1=3&TeamID2=4&MatchType1=1&SeriesID1=1163&PrimaryID=4617&Headline=Throw+Taslima+out%2c+Muslim+leaders+tell+govt

            (Jan 8) Seven top Muslim religious organizations have asked the Indian government not to extend the visa of a controversial Bangladeshi writer, and have decided to meet with the prime minister to seek action against her, for hurting the religious sentiments of Indians. Her book, Dwikhandito, could be banned from the country.

http://www.christianpost.com/article/20080108/30779_Young_Christians_Name_Personal_Faith_as_Top_Concern.htm

            (Jan 8) The Lutheran Church has released a new report on the views of young Christians in the US. According to the report, which includes responses by more than 2,000 Christians, personal faith was the top concern. Following that were the future, family relationships, college, and unbelievers. In addition, 58.4% said pre-marital sex is always wrong, 60.8% claimed never to have engaged in sexual intercourse, and 65.8% said homosexuality is always wrong.

http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0800116.htm

            (Jan 8) According to Archbishop Domenico D’Ambrosio, papal delegate for the shrine in San Giovannia Rotondo where the body St. Padre Pio is currently buried, has announced that it will be exhumed, studied and displayed for public veneration later this year. The public veneration will coincide with the 40^th anniversary of the saint’s death and the 90^th anniversary of the day he received the stigmata. Padre Pio was born in 1887, in Italy. He was beatified in 1999 and canonized in 2002.

http://www.anglicanjournal.com/issues/2008/134/jan/article/sharing-with-lutherans/

            (Jan 2) Anglicans and Lutherans have announced plans to increase cooperation in areas of mission and ministry around the world. Of particular interest are human needs, global concerns, and the formation for lay and ordained ministry. The communiqué emphasized commonalities between the groups and hope for future efforts.

http://www.daijiworld.com/news/news_disp.asp?n_id=42035&n_tit=Gujarat%3A+Muslim+Woman+Honoured+for+Helping+Hindus

            (Jan 3) This year’s Shri Mahadev Desai Samajseva Puraskar (SMDSP) was awarded to Ayesha Patel, a 63-year-old Muslim woman, for her significant work for women and child development in slum areas of Mehsana. Ayesha was awarded Rs51,000 cash after helping about 300 distressed women, most of whom were Hindus. Ayesha also started Inami Jalsa, a program to increase the number of Muslim girl students in schools.

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/941411.html

            (Jan 3) The small village of Belmonte, Portugal is enjoying a revival, while most other towns in the center of the country face difficult economic times, thanks to the actions of conversos, descendents of Jews who survived the Inquisition by practicing their religion in secret. Until the 1990s, the roughly 300 Belmonte convesos kept their religion in secret, but have emerged and helped spur the small economy. One of the main causes is Jewish tourism in the town.

http://www.theindiancatholic.com/report.asp?nid=10001

            (Jan 3) Despite having no external financial assistance, a small Russian Orthodox community in a suburb of Karaganda, Kazakhstan is trying to build its own church. Currently, the few hundred worshippers huddle in a makeshift chapel in the basement of the half-finished Holy Cross Church. Building began in 2004, but the second story of the two-story church is still incomplete.

http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=76080

            (Jan 3) Boys in Senegal, can be entrusted to a marabout to learn the Koran. The boys, known as talibes, number about 10,000 in Dakar, and up to 100,000 across the country, but often their marabout are unable to support the children. As a result, thousands of the children spent hours each day walking the city in search of scraps of food and begging for money to meet a daily quota exacted by their marabouts. Many never learn the Koran, and rarely to they attain adequate schooling to be successful adults.

http://www.totalcatholic.com/pages/news_pages/0301sacrifice.html

            (Jan 3) At least 20 Catholic Church workers were murdered or gave their lives for others in 2007, according to Fides, the news agency of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples. Fides emphasizes the importance of each life in contributing to the growth of the Church around the world. The list included 14 priests and three Iraqi subdeacons.

http://www.israeltoday.co.il/default.aspx?tabid=178&nid=14955

            (Jan 3) Israel’s Internal Security Minister has announced that any Jew who is found expressing any outward form of worship atop Jerusalem’s Temple mount will be arrested.  The written decision informed police after two right-wing religious Israeli lawmakers informed police that they intended to test the freedom of religion for Jews in Isreal by ascending the Temple Mount and quietly praying together. The minister insists that any such activity is prohibited due to the violent Muslim reaction it would produce.

http://www.kansascity.com/440/story/428781.html

            (Jan 3) The Quinceanera, an elaborate coming-of-age ritual for Hispanic girls on their 15^th birthday, has long been divisive in the U.S. Catholic Church. One side sees it as an exercise in excess, while the other sees it as a great opportunity to send a message about faith and sexual responsibility. Last summer, the Vatican endorsed the tradition as it approved a new set of prayers for U.S. diocese called the Order for Blessing on the Fifteenth Birthday. In the U.S., Hispanics account for nearly 40% of the Catholics, and 71% of new U.S. Catholics since 1960.

http://www.chabad.org/news/article_cdo/aid/621373/jewish/Learning-Network-Connects-Jews-Around-the-World.htm

            (Jan 3) The Jewish Learning Network, or JNet, is helping Jews across the world explore their Jewish heritage. The organization matches curious students with learned volunteer teachers for phone-based study sessions. Thus far, the program has matched more than 1,500 with their own personal teachers. According to the coordinator, JNet is able to reach a whole class of people untouched by traditional methods of Jewish education.

http://www.jewishjournal.com/home/preview.php?id=18734

            (Jan 3) The Jewish community in Papeete, an exotic, 400-square-mile island in the South Pacific has no rabbi or cantor, and is thousands of miles from its nearest Jewish neighbors. In addition, hiring a rabbi from Isreal is too expensive for the small congregation. So, a couple of synagogue members have volunteered to guide the community in prayer. This is but one difficulty the Tahitian community must face in efforts to preserve Judaism on the island.

http://www.thisdayonline.com/nview.php?id=99537

            (Jan 3) The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has issued a statement decrying incessant cases of religious intolerance in secondary schools across Gombe. The chairman says intolerance and impatience, especially that rooted in religion, among students is becoming worrisome. The Christian community has pledged support for the state government and advised the governor to remain focused.

http://www.thelutheran.org/blog/index.cfm?page_id=66&blog_id=846

            (Jan 3) Officials of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Lutheran World Federation have called for peace in the Republic of Kenya and for resolution of disputes over recent election results. The ELCA has confirmed its missionaries in the country are safe, and is sending in some funds to assist emergency relief efforts.

http://www.kenilworthweeklynews.co.uk/mind-and-spirit/Vicar-fears-clash-with-council.3636553.jp

            (Jan 3) Warwickshire County in England has announced that it will begin employing civil celebrants to preside at funerals, raising accusations that it the city council is trying to encroach on the church’s territory. When anyone in England dies, they have an automatic right to an Anglican funeral, but can opt for a humanist service or one of the religion of their choice. The church argues that civil celebrants have no purpose, and that the council may try to compete with churches and other religions.

http://www.thejewishadvocate.com/this_weeks_issue/news/?content_id=4244

            (Jan 3) The Rabbinical School of Hebrew College in Newton will ordain its first students this year, bringing a wave of new leadership to the global Jewish community. The college is the world’s first accredited, full-time transdenominational rabbinical school. According to the college’s president, the school became convinced that there should be a way to train rabbis that was not divided along denominational lines.

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iwPdnKgMWLtgIPARJ7-Fq5QzW46QD8TUT64G0

            (Jan 4) The Malaysian government has again stated that non-Muslims may not use the word “Allah.” The issue seemed to be closed after the government re-issued the publishing permit for a newspaper, despite saying that it would not do so if the paper continued to use the word. However, renewal of the permit apparently does not override the warning. The newspaper, The Herald, publishes reports in four langues for the country’s 900,000 Catholics.

http://www.thenewanatolian.com/tna-30475.html

            (Jan 4) Protestant Christians in Turkey are planning to hold a conference to boost the country’s image after recent anti-Christian attacks in 2007. The Protestant Baptist Churches Association of Turkey is planning to invite Christian community leaders of 120 countries. One chairperson of the organization believes Turkish people lack information about Christianity and recent reports have failed to discuss how Turkish Christians have practices their religion freely in the past.

http://www.secularism.org.uk/89475.html

            (Jan 4) A Spanish mayor has asked the Catholic Church to eliminate his data from their records and cancel his baptism. The process has been legal in Spain since last October, when the National Court ruled in favor of a man who considers baptism to be an illegitimate or illegal process. Although a number of Spaniards are considering or carrying out the move, the mayor is believed to be the first person occupying a public position to do so.

http://www.secularism.org.uk/89470.html

            (Jan 4) Also in Spain, the government and Catholic Church are at odds following a mass demonstration, organized by the Church, which ended up attacking the Spanish government’s legalization of gay marriage, its new fast-track divorce law, and a new civics course that parents can choose instead of religious indoctrination in schools. In a survey last year, 74% of those interviewed described themselves as Catholics, but 60% accepted same-sex marriage, half seldom or never go to church, and 42% never pray.

http://www.phayul.com/news/article.aspx?id=18982&article=Exiled+Tibetans+plan+protest+March+to+Tibet+ahead+of+Beijing+Olympics&t=1&c=1

            (Jan 4) Five organizations representing exiled Tibetans have announced a plan for a major protest march from India to Tibet this year to demand China pass a peaceful resolution to the issue of Tibet. The march is being timed to take place just ahead of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The march is part of a series of actions Tibetans and their support groups are planning in order to disrupt the symbolic relay of the Olympic torch. Organizers have urged Tibetans to take to the street to protest wherever China takes the torch, but also to refrain from any violence.

http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0800059.htm

            (Jan 4) The head of the Ukrainian Catholic Church has announced his opinion that ordaining married men is not a guaranteed way to solve the shortage of priests, and it will not automatically improve the quality of priests. The statements came in an interview with the Vatican newspaper. According to the cardinal, whose Eastern-rite church ordains married men, the rates of separation and divorce, as well as the number of priests and religious asking to be released from their vows, has increased.

http://www.kfdm.com/news/texas_24122___article.html/court_moment.html

            (Jan 4) A U.S. federal court has upheld a lower decision which allows for a moment of silence in Texas schools. The current law allows schoolchildren to begin each day with a minute of silence to  “reflect, pray, [or] meditate.” The court decision states that the law, and subsequent ruling, protects the “constitutional rights and religious liberties” of all children.

http://www.thebostonpilot.com/article.asp?ID=5680

            (Jan 4) Massachusetts’ Catholic bishops have urged the legislature to reconsider its plans for funding embryonic stem-cell research in light of recent advances in research using alternative cells. The Massachusetts Catholic Conference applauds the recent breakthrough in stem-cell research that maintains the sanctity of human life and does not require the destruction of embryos. Current legislation provides $1 billion in public funding for stem-cell research based on the cloning and destruction of embryos.

http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/Story.asp?Article=204774&Sn=WORL&IssueID=30291

            (Jan 4) A Christian Malaysian has asked authorities in the country to halt the funeral for his dead wife while a court determines whether she converted to Islam before her death. The incident comes after a numerous legal battles concerning the rights of non-Muslim minorities. The woman’s husband claims that she remained a Christian at her death and any conversion was legally invalid.

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/stlouiscitycounty/story/5020ECBFA01F5B80862573C700148BEF?OpenDocument

            (Jan 5) A Missouri prison inmate once labeled a white supremacist now says he is Jewish and that his soul will be in jeopardy if he is forced to eat nonkosher food. Although the number of Jews in prison in the state is small – only 60 or 70 of about 30,000, the ruling could have wide-ranging effects. However, a prison official has said that if the state is ordered to provide kosher meals, they may have to alter their policy of accepting a prisoner’s religious without verification.

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/front_page/20080105_Donor_cancels_Islamic_chair_for_Temple.html

            (Jan 5) An Islamic group who previously offered $1.5 million for an endowed chair in Islamic studies at Temple University has canceled the deal. Talks were initially put in jeopardy after a number of people raised concerns about the donor, the International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT), which has been probed for links to terrorism. Although part of the reason for the chair is to encourage and engage interfaith dialogue with Jews and Christians, the school decided that the chair should not be funded by the Muslim organization.

http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/001200801051421.htm

            (Jan 5) The Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC), has decided to set up a council in every state in order to protect holy sites and resolve any related problems with local governments. The move, which will form the Council of Hindu Temples, comes a few weeks after officials were instructed to list the number of temples in the country and identify their problems. The council will also safeguard temples and protect the integrity of the Hindu religion, register temples which comply with requirements, and obtain permanent and suitable alternative sites for some temples.

http://www.organiser.org/dynamic/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=219&page=10

            (Jan 5) About 150 families from several villages, whoreportedly converted to Christianity a few years ago, have been welcomed back to the Hindu religion during a ceremony. Participants repented after admitting that they were Hindus previously but had been tempted by promises of Christian missionaries which they believe were never fulfilled.

http://www.asianews.it/index.php?l=en&art=11168&size=A

            (Jan 5) According to a  number of experts and leaders of different communities, a new school textbook on “Religions in Russia” represents Catholicism as hostile reality towards Orthodoxy, Russia’s traditional religion. Among many statements vilifying Catholicism, it also contains many factual errors. The textbook has largely drawn a negative reaction. Critics believe the book could lead to the increase of xenophobia and intolerance in the country.

http://www.nevadaappeal.com/article/20080105/COMMUNITY/866849312

            (Jan 5) The Catholic Diocese of Reno, Nevada will celebrate the silver jubilee of its annual diocesan conference by holding inter-religious talks later this month.  According to coordinators, the dialogue will include regional leaders of Muslim, Protestant, Hind and Jewish faiths, and topics will include truth, fullness, acceptance of each other, and growing together.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2008/01/06/nislam106.xml

            (Jan 5) One of the Church of England’s most senior bishops has issued a warning that Islamic extremists have created places in Britain where it is too dangerous for non-Muslims to go. Rt. Rev. Michael Nazir-Ali, the Bishop of Rochester and the Church’s only Asian bishop, asserts that people of different races or faiths may be physically attacked if they live or work in certain communities.

bhttp://www.christianpost.com/article/20080105/30743_Church_Urges_Australian_Gov't_Not_to_Teeter_on_Death_Penalty.htm

             (Jan 5) The Catholic Church has urged the Australian government to maintain a consistent stance opposing the use of the death penalty. The chairman of the Australian Catholic Social Justice Council, Bishop Saunders, argues that people should oppose the death penalty because every person shares a fundamental right to life. Saunders has also urged the Australian government to work with neighboring countries to abolish the death penalty.