Religion in the News: Hello, Dalai!
Buddhist leader the Dalai Lama received the Congressional Gold Medal from President Bush on Wednesday, angering China, which has leveled numerous charges against the Tibetan leader. Bush became the first standing president to meet with the Dalai Lama.
As Homer Simpson Would Say, It's 'Sacrilicious'
Artist Cosimo Cavallaro's controversial chocolate sculpture of Jesus, "My Sweet Lord," is back, CBS reported. The anatomically correct sculpture (sans loincloth, mind you) was supposed to go on display in April - four days before Good Friday - but death threats and a general uproar put a stop to the exhibit. But now Cavallaro is trying again, and it's scheduled to go on display Oct. 27 in a Chelsea art gallery.
Pope Appears in Bonfire
A photograph of a bonfire that some say looks like a famed photo of Pope John Paul II has become an Internet sensation, the Telegraph reported. The photo was taken in April during a ceremony in the pope's native Poland to mark the second anniversary of his death. To see the pictures, go to http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/10/16/wpope116.xml.
Quote of Note
"I don't think it should be a problem that I wear it."
Iman Khalil, 15, of Palm Harbor, Fla., after she was forced to sit out a youth soccer tournament game because a referee ruled her headscarf violated game rules. Starbanner.com reported that parents, her teammates and opposing players urged the referee to let her play, but he wouldn't relent. The league president expressed regret over the incident and said the rules state that players can wear religious articles as long as they aren't something that can cause injury.
The Word
Deacon: From the Greek word diakanos (servant). Originally a church administrator. Currently, the term may refer to a low-ranking member of the clergy, a lay minister, or a lay administrator. - Religioustolerance.org
Good Book?
"Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World (Gift Edition)," by Joanna Weaver: The life of a woman today isn't really all that different from that of Mary and Martha in the New Testament. Like Mary, you long to sit at the Lord's feet, but the daily demands of a busy world just won't leave you alone. Like Martha, you love Jesus and really want to serve him, yet you struggle with weariness, resentment and feelings of inadequacy. Then comes Jesus into the midst of your busy life to extend the same invitation he issued long ago to the two sisters from Bethany. With her fresh approach to the familiar Bible story, Joanna Weaver shows how all of us can draw closer to our Lord: deepening our devotion, strengthening our service and doing both with less stress and greater joy. - WaterBrook Press
Sacred Days
Oct. 18: St. Luke's Day (Christian): A day commemorating Luke, author of one of the Gospels. St. Luke, who was a physician, is the patron saint of doctors and surgeons. - Wikipedia.org
Oct. 20: Birth of the B'ab (Baha'i): A day to celebrate the birth of one of the founders of their faith. Ali Muhammad - aka B'ab - was born on Oct. 20, 1819, in Shiraz, Persia. - Beliefnet.com
Oct. 21: Dasera (Hindu): Dasera is a major Hindu festival, as it makes up one of the 3 ½ auspicious days of the year. It is the name imparted to the 10th day of the bright fortnight of the Hindu lunar month, Ashvin. - Sanatan.org
Survey Says
A September study by the Pew Research Center found that 43 percent of Republican voters say social issues such as abortion and gay marriage will be very important in the 2008 presidential race. The majority says domestic issues and the war in Iraq will be more important, but the 43 percent was larger than most expected it to be. - Pewforum.org
Religion Around the World
Religious makeup of the United States (according to a 2002 count):
Protestant: 52 percent
Roman Catholic: 24 percent
Mormon: 2 percent
Jewish: 1 percent
Muslim: 1 percent
Other: 10 percent
None: 10 percent
- Source: CIA World Factbook
GateHouse News Service