www.malaysia-today.net MALAYSIA, August 13, 2006: It all started 16 years ago when Azlina Jailani, who was brought up in the Muslim faith, decided to convert to Christianity. Lina Joy (her Christian name) turns 42 years old this year and she has petitioned the federal government to support her decision to convert to Christianity. The news article explains, “In 1999, the…
www.contracostatimes.com LIVERMORE, CALIFORNIA, August 21, 2006: Dr. Kishore Narra began volunteering at the Livermore Shiva-Vishnu Temple’s biweekly health clinic almost four years ago as a way to give back to his community. The doctor of internal medicine, also a long-time devotee at the temple, said the temple is more a religious landmark. It also is a place for those looking…
epaper.timesofindia.com MUMBAI, INDIA, August 20, 2006: The Sai Baba Sansthan Trust, Shirdi, has decided to buy a 200 pound gold throne for Sai Baba worth US$4.73 million, says this article. Trust chairperson Jayant Sasane told TOI on Thursday that it would take at least six months to replace the existing silver throne with a gold one. “We have floated a…
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.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.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.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…