Yunus RSS feeds

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi died

jonas — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 02:59:28 -0600

Recently the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, the infamous Indian guru that once was the guru of the Beatles, died in his center in Vlodrop in the Netherlands. The world-press released a fair amount of uncritical and unresearched hagiographic articles containing praising biographies of this guru that nonetheless was very controversial during his lifetime. It took a deep delve into the internet to find an article shedding a less positive light on the founder of the Transcendental Meditation movement - although it was provided by the last journalist that interviewed the Maharishi.

World Council of Churches celibrates 60th anniversary in 2008

jonas — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 15:28:42 -0600

Celebrating a 60th birthday for some is a milestone marked by visions of retirement - celebrating achievements and dreaming of new endeavours. The World Council of Churches (WCC), however, on its 60th "birthday" in 2008 does not want to rest on past feats as it looks ahead to the challenges of the 21st century. The largest, most inclusive fellowship of churches in the world, and the pre-eminent face of 20th century ecumenism, is grappling with a very different world today - politically, economically, religiously - than the one it faced following the second world war.

Genuine ecumenism has its roots in prayer

jonas — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 15:19:26 -0600

Yesterday afternoon in the Roman basilica of St. Paul's outside-the-Walls, the Pope presided at the celebration of the second Vespers of the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul. The ceremony also marked the end of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity and was attended by representatives from other Churches and ecclesial communities. Combining the spirit of both events, the Pope pleaded to pray and trust in God to bring the different communities to greater unity.

In Support of Secularism in India

jonas — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 09:19:09 -0600

Rev. Dr. Babu Joseph, Spokesperson of the Media/Information Office of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India, discusses what secularity in India means and how this constitutional cornerstone stone of the Indian state is in practice not adhered to. Lately there have been many incidents which show the great dangers the religious minorities in India face these days. Dr. Joseph criticizes strongly the part the politicians play in aggravating the religious tensions in his beloved homeland.

Interesting interviews on Islam

jonas — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 08:38:04 -0600

Recently a couple of interesting interviews that widen the image normal media gives of Islam have been published on the net. One with British journalist Yvonne Ridley, who converted to Islam after being captured by the Taliban, another with Prof. Farid Alatas about Islamization of knowledge and one with Marco Schöller who has recently translated Al Nawawi’s collection of hadiths.

Pope Benedict proposes meeting with Muslim scholars

jonas — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 16:26:30 -0600

Pope Benedict XVI has responded to a letter sent to him and other Christian leaders by 138 Muslim scholars by inviting a group of its signatories to meet him and the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue.

Pope receives Saudi King

jonas — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 08:58:25 -0600

The Holy Father Benedict XVI met with King Abdallah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia. The sovereign subsequently went on to meet with Cardinal Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone S.D.B. who was accompanied by archbishop Dominique Mamberti, secretary for Relations with States.

Most diverse Christian Gathering ever to discuss unity and common witness

jonas — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 08:46:39 -0600

A unique gathering of high level church leaders to start Tuesday 6 November near Nairobi, Kenya, features the broadest range of Christian traditions ever represented at a global meeting, allowing for a discussion of unprecedented ecumenical breadth on what Christians are called to do - together if possible - in the world today.

Growing scientific innovation in the Islamic world

jonas — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 15:18:59 -0600

James Wilsdon, director of the Atlas of Ideas project at the think-tank Demos, argues against the emergent notion that Islam is "inimical to innovation". On the contrary, Wilsdon describes - with impressive facts and not just as a guessing opinion - how in the past few years, the Muslim world has become increasingly supportive of scientific research and development.

What today's Islamists want

jonas — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 15:01:42 -0600

Ibrahim El Houdaiby, a board member of IkhwanWeb.com, the Muslim Brotherhood's official English-language website, attempts to dispel the myth that all Islamists are terrorists or violent extremists as he describes what today's moderate Islamists really want.

Vatican reacts to Hindu violence on Christians

jonas — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 14:03:38 -0600

In an article entitled: "Vatican tells Hindus forced conversions impossible" Reuters reported that the Vatican officially told Indians that it was impossible to forcibly convert anyone to another religion. Reuters stressed the importance of this message as these days Hindu activists are increasingly accusing missionaries for pressuring poor Indians to adopt Christianity.

Message from Vatican for Hindus for Diwali

jonas — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 13:50:31 -0600

Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, President of the Pontifical Council on Interreligious Dialogue has written a message to Hindus on the celebration of Diwali, the festival of lights, which falls on 9 November this year. The message is entitled, "Christians and Hindus: Determined to Walk the Path of Dialogue".

China hosted conference on 'religious freedom' but no such freedom exists

jonas — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 15:29:51 -0500

The Communist Party of China (CPC) gathered more than 2,000 CPC delegates to discuss ‘religious freedom’ in the country. Recently the CPC also amended religion to their constitution but, although this happens for the first time in its history, it is in a rather unclear way that does not make it certain whether the party will also change its policy or. But Bernardo Cervellera from Asianews.it wrote a strongly critical analysis showing how there is no religious freedom at all for Christians under the rule of CPC - therefore calling the conference a bluff.

Religious freedom in India 'shrinking' says Christian author

jonas — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 06:06:59 -0500

Despite India remaining the world's most populous and vibrant democracy, freedom of religion is steadily on the decline, says John Dayal, a journalist-turned-Christian activist, who is now secretary general of the All India Christian Council.

Bush Calls on China to Meet with Dalai Lama

jonas — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 05:55:03 -0500

Tibet's spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, has been honored at a ceremony at the U.S. Capitol attended by President Bush. The awarding of the Congressional Gold Medal to the Dalai Lama marked the first time a U.S. president has made such a high profile public appearance with the Tibetan leader. President Bush joined lawmakers in urging China to hold direct talks with the exiled leader.