For some time Religions in the News has been an occasional feature over on Street Prophets, the blog (also known as Little Blue). With the formation of Street Prophets, the group, it will now be cross-posted here. The listing of stories of not intended to be comprehensive, but are simply some stories that I have noticed. I encourage readers to let us know about other stories in the comments.
Some of the recent news stories about religion have included Egypt’s lack of religious freedom, the Methodists and the 1864 Sand Creek Massacre, the religious rights of prisoners in the United States, President Obama’s proclamation of a National Day of Prayer, a state gospel song, sending Christian missionaries to Muslim countries, and, of course, the end of the world.
Religious Freedom in Egypt:
The US Commission on International Religious Freedom has called for Egypt to be put on a blacklist for lack of religious freedom. According to the Commission attacks on Coptic Christians and other minorities have worsened despite political changes. According to Leonard Leo, the chair of the Commission:
"Not everything in Egypt has changed. Violence against Coptic Christians and other religious minorities continues unabated, without the government bringing the perpetrators to justice."
While Christians make up 10 percent of Egypt's population, they have been the target of several recent attacks and repeatedly accused authorities of systematic discrimination.
Sand Creek Massacre:
In 1864, the Reverend Colonel Chivington (known as the Fighting Parson) led an attack on a group of Cheyenne women, children, and elders who were peacefully camped near Sand Creek, Colorado. While his men begged him not to attack the friendly Cheyenne, Chivington ordered that all be killed—men, women, children—and no prisoners be taken. Chivington reportedly said:
“Damn any man who sympathizes with Indians. I have come to kill Indians, and believe it is right and honorable to use any means under God's heaven to kill Indians.”
After the battle, he appeared on a Denver stage where he displayed 100 Indian scalps (including the pubic hair of Indian women) and told delighted audiences about the exploits.
The United Methodist Church has announced a $50,000 donation to the National Park Service for the development of a center at the Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site. According to the Reverend Stephen Sidorak, Jr.:
"This effort is only a single step in a very complex and emotional journey for our church. We have played an unfortunate role in history in regards to Native Americans, and our recognition of our involvement is long overdue."
Prisoners:
The Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty (BJC) has filed an amicus brief with the 7th Circuit in the case of Willis v Commissioner, Indiana Department of Corrections. According to the BJC:
Safety and security are of course compelling governmental interests, but states can and should demonstrate that a religious accommodation will cause a decrease in security to meet that burden. Here, the state tries - as the brief describes - "to leap this gap and make money equivalent to a recognized compelling interest—prison security..." The court should reject this leap.
In an unrelated case regarding prisoners’ religious rights, a federal judge has ruled that the Virginia prison system did not violate a Muslim inmate’s religious rights when it refused to allow him to grow a 1/8-inch beard which he believed is required by his religion. Attorney Jeffrey Fogel has filed an appeal:
"There is no conceivable security issue for a Muslim, with concededly sincere beliefs, to grow a 1/8-inch beard.”
National Day of Prayer:
President Barack Obama, following Public Law 100-307, has proclaimed May 5 as a National Day of Prayer. According to the proclamation:
On this National Day of Prayer, let us follow the example of President Lincoln and Dr. King. Let us be thankful for the liberty that allows people of all faiths to worship or not worship according to the dictates of their conscience, and let us be thankful for the many other freedoms and blessings that we often take for granted.
The proclamation also states:
I invite all citizens of our Nation, as their own faith or conscience directs them, to join me in giving thanks for the many blessings we enjoy, and I ask all people of faith to join me in asking God for guidance, mercy, and protection for our Nation.
Proposed Circumcision Ban:
A petition drive in San Francisco which would place a ban on the circumcision of children has drawn condemnation from a number of religious groups.
State Gospel Song:
The Oklahoma House has voted to name “Swing Low Sweet Chariot” as the state’s official gospel song. "Swing Low Sweet Chariot" was written in 1862, when Oklahoma was still Indian Territory, by a Choctaw Freedman named Wallis Wallis. It's said the Red River made Wallis think of the Jordan River, and the song was loosely based on a Bible passage that describes the Prophet Elijah being taken to heaven in a chariot. According to State Representative Jabar Shumate:
"Granting this song official recognition will help publicize the diversity of Oklahoma and the contributions of African-Americans to our state."
Government Missionaries:
Bryan Fischer of the American Family Association has called for the United States to send Christian missionaries to Muslim countries:
The only thing that will give us a shot at building a democracy in an Islamic land is a mass conversion of its people to biblical Christianity. If we want to see freedom come to those darkened, benighted lands, we should be sending missionaries in, right after we send in the Marines to neutralize whatever threat has been raised against the United States.
If they don’t want our missionaries, fine. Their choice. We’ll take them and our Marines home, and let them know we’ll have no hesitation about returning with lethal force if they threaten us again. This time, Marines and missionaries. Next time, Marines and missiles.
Reminder:
The world is coming to an end on May 21, 2011. This is the latest prediction of Harold Camping who is well-known for his inaccurate predictions. According to Camping, this is when the gathering of souls will begin and it will be followed by five months of chaos and tribulation.