www.netscape.com U.S.A., August 19, 2006: Is America a Christian Nation? According to this article from the Freedom From Religion Foundation, Inc., The U.S. Constitution is a secular document. It begins, “We the people,” and contains no mention of “God” or “Christianity.” Its only references to religion are exclusionary, such as, “no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification…
www.usakumbhamela.net IRVINE, CALIFORNIA, August 18, 2006: (HPI note: Following is a press release from the organizers.) The first Kumbha Mela in the USA is being organized on September 10, 2006 at Bren Center, University of California Irvine, to usher in peace by infusing collective positivity. In India for thousands of years, millions of yogis, masters and saints have come together…
www.ndtv.com VADODARA, INDIA, August 20, 2006: Ganesh Chaturthi is just round the corner, and it normally indicates the beginning of a very prosperous season for Deity makers in Vadodara. But this year rains have brought more losses than prosperity. The artisans are now fighting against time, working round the clock to repair and remake hundreds of clay statues damaged in…
www.vivekananda.btinternet.co.uk LONDON, ENGLAND, August 18, 2006: Each year a number of students in UK earn the top marks of 100% in advanced level modules on Hinduism, and this year has been no exception. Eleven candidates received 100 percent marks in the Hinduism modules at A/S or A2 level. This advanced level syllabus includes the Bhagavad Gita, Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras and…
www.ibnlive.com BHOPAL, INDIA, August 14, 2006: The inclusion of a link for conducting arati (a Hindu prayer ceremony) at Ujjain on the state’s public relations department website has stirred considerable controversy. Describing the step “as a violation of the tenet of secularism enshrined in the constitution of India,” the Congress, the main opposition in the state, charged the government with…
www.thesunchronicle.com ATTLEBORO, MASSACHUSETTS, August 18, 2006: Hinduism is one of the oldest religions of the world but it is also one of the most misunderstood. With its unique view of divinity, its belief in a cyclic universe and its stress on spiritual exploration, Hinduism is a faith that many Westerners fail to grasp. “There are a lot more misconceptions than…
www.pib.nic.in NEW DELHI, INDIA, August 18, 2006: The Minister of State in the Ministry of External Affairs, Shri Anand Sharma, informed the Rajya Sabha today that the Government’s permission is not required for Indian citizens to go abroad for religious purposes. Muslims going on the Haj to Saudi Arabia must have a Pilgrim Pass, a special document issued by the…
www.capeem.org LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, August 11, 2006: (HPI note: this is a press release from URL above. This federal lawsuit is different from the one filed in State court by the Hindu American Foundation. The HAF lawsuit also faces a critical hearing in August.) California Parents for the Equalization of Educational Materials (CAPEEM) scored a victory on Friday when United…
www.uniindia.com MYSORE, INDIA, August 15, 2006: Marking the golden jubilee of the state formation, the Karnataka government has decided to celebrate the annual Dasara festivities in the city of palaces. Principal Secretary to the state government, I. M. Vittal Murthy told reporters here yesterday that the government had allocated US$161,000 for the festivities, beginning on September 23, and sponsorship from…
epaper.timesofindia.com MUMBAI, INDIA, August 16, 2006: Can a person charged with the murder of his wife in a case of dowry-related death also be charged for abetment to suicide? Given the heinous nature of the crime, the Bombay High Court says a trial court has the right to frame two distinctly contrary charges and have the accused husband or his…