Stories about Religion from October, 2008
Frightful Facts or Fantastical Fictions?
This third part of the "Lore, ghosts, demons and frights" series has arrived, and we are looking this time a bit beyond the Latin American borders. With this last installment, we seek out the Chupacabras, stick our heads into Voudou rites, observe examples of exorcism and inquire after a cannibal murderer who has become a Venezuelan legend.
Ukraine: Kyiv's Churches
Pictures of Kyiv's churches – at Nash Holos.
Trinidad & Tobago: The Price of Progress
Maximilian Forte, writing at Review of the Indigenous Caribbean Center, posts a video of Trinidadian calypsonian King Austin's song Progress, which he calls “a critique of the ideology and practice of progress, from the vantage points of environmental unsustainability, exploitation, inequality, and the resultant social strife.”
Ukraine: Inside St. Volodymyr's Cathedral in Kyiv
Olechko posts the most recent of her daily paintings: St. Volodymyr Cathedral in Kyiv.
India: Mangalore violence
“It has been over a month since the riots in Mangalore but the anger has not gone away,” writes Apurva Mathad at Kafila after visiting a Monastery which was attacked in retaliation to the allegation of forced conversions. Madhat posts some pictures in his blog.
Trinidad & Tobago: Divali
Both Haveworld and Trinidad Carnival Diary wish their fellow Trinbagonians a Happy Divali!
Frail Economy Sours Festivities in Nepal
October 26th marked the beginning of five day “Tihar” or “Deepawali” festival in Nepal. Deepwali is when Hindus pray to the goddess of wealth and prosperity-Laxmi and ask for her blessings. The festival is also celebrated in the neighboring India. Tihar, festival of lights in Nepal. Image by Flickr user...
Brazil: Grandma Aggie, Thirteen Indigenous Grandmothers and the Pope
Lou Gold, a North-American blogger and nature-person turned “brasileiro’, blogs about [En] Grandma Aggie and the International Council of Thirteen Indigenous Grandmothers, re-telling some of the adventures of these courageous indigenous ladies and their recent efforts to get the Pope to rescind the Papal Bulls that created the “right” to...
Thailand: Amulets and warfare
Soldiers and even non-combatants are using Buddha amulets when they are on duty.
India: Shooting inside a bus
Hindustaniat reports that a young man from the Indian state Bihar was involved in a shootout in a moving bus in Mumbai after he threatened to kill the MNS leader Raj Thackeray with his pistol. The incident ended when he was shot by the Police. Yardloo has photos and videos...
Bahrain: Hollywood-Inspired Anti-Muslim Prejudices
Palestinian blogger Haitham Sabbah links to an article by Bahrain-based Paul J Balles, who writes about Hollywood-inspired anti-Muslim prejudices.
Saudi Arabia: Creating a modern mix
Saudi blogger Hala wonders about Canadian activist Irshad Manji, who is lesbian, feminist, and Muslim: “Some choose to create a modern mix of their original values and their new ones, thus reaching a comfort zone that can enable them to access both societies with agreeable levels, but how far can...
Iraq: Assassination for All Iraqi Interpreters!!!
This is the view that Iraqi Interpreter took of a decision made by the commander of the Multinational Forces in Iraq. Under a new rule, Iraqis who work alongside American soldiers as interpreters are to be required to not cover their face while they take part in operations with the US military.
Bhutan: Religion and Environment
Rabi C Dahal traveled across Bhutan on a bike for 13 days and tells about his impressions of the country in Bhutan Observer: “In almost all parts of the country, religious beliefs helped protect the environment.”
Bermuda: Speech, Boy!
The Premier of Bermuda makes a speech that leaves Vexed Bermoothes and Catch a fire feeling a bit disconcerted.
Republic of Congo: Ernest Kombo's Passing
Congopages announces the death of Ernest Kombo. Kombo was Bishop of Owando. He died in France, where he was being treated for cancer.
Brazil: A Musical Doctrine
Lou Gold, from VisionShare, blogs (in English and Portuguese) and posts some videos about the musical doctrine of Santo Daime and his personal happiness about the recent visit of an important Daime family and its musical entourage to Brasilia, Brazil.
Pakistan: The other face of Islamic banks
Mohammad Yusha at Chowrangi questions the operation of Islamic banks in Pakistan: “Are these banks Islamic? Not even close. These wolves in sheep clothing will suck your blood if they have to, to earn money in the name of Islam.”
Jamaica: “Old Boy”
Jamaican Geoffrey Philp is brimming with pride over his alma mater.
Egypt: Mice and Clerics
Not Green Data, from Egypt, shares his views on mice and clerics in this post.
Bangladesh: Protest against religious zealots
Unheard Voices reports that the protest against the removal of sculptures of bauls from Zia International Airport are gathering momentum.
