Daily media briefing
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Fri, 28 Jun 2024
Scotland: Provost’s ‘No surrender’ comment on Orange march was ‘ill judged’
An anti-sectarian group said that in an article in praise of the march, Drew McKenzie, the provost for the area, used provocative and insensitive language — such as "Proddy" and "Tim" — that would not ease community tensions.
The Times*
NI: Parents at Larne and Inver Primary School vote 'yes' for integrated education
Over 60 percent of voting parents supported the school's move to integrated status.
NI World
Reform candidates posted Rothschild conspiracies and ‘Hitler founded Israel’ video
Candidates standing for Reform UK have posted links to antisemitic videos by the conspiracy theorist David Icke, shared claims that Israel was behind the 9/11 terrorist attacks and suggested Greta Thunberg is "controlled" by "Rothschild handlers".
The Jewish Chronicle
Oklahoma state superintendent orders public schools to teach the Bible
Ryan Walters calls Bible 'necessary document to teach kids' and says Ten Commandments will also be required learning.
The Guardian
Wildcard candidate stirs up Iran presidential election
But this time there is a wild card: a reformist former heart surgeon and health minister, Massoud Pezeshkian, who has declared "immoral" the actions of Iran's morality police, who enforce strict dress codes on women.
BBC
Ultra-Orthodox Jews block highway to protest Israel’s new mandatory military service ruling
Military service is compulsory for most Jewish men and women in Israel. But politically powerful ultra-Orthodox parties have won draft exemptions for their followers that allow them instead to study in religious seminaries.
AP News
US: Moment Christian pastor's shocking beliefs on women are exposed
A Christian pastor in Texas claims God does not want women to vote and Americans should be ruled by a religious dictator.
Daily Mail
Thu, 27 Jun 2024
Rebel priests threaten to split Church of England over same-sex blessings
Group say they may have to create 'parallel province' if go-ahead is given for trial standalone services.
The Telegraph*
Assisted Dying Bill should be put to referendum, says Isle of Man chief minister
Alfred Cannan said the proposed legislation 'changes the social contract' and should be put to a public vote.
Shropshire Star
Vatican taken to trial for first time in an English court
Financier convicted in Holy See's tribunal over high-value UK property deal launches civil action in London.
The Guardian
‘How the persecution of Ahmadis undermines democracy in Pakistan’
"In Pakistan, the formation of a truly democratic government is increasingly hindered by the limited participation of religious minorities", writes Ayaz Brohi.
The Freethinker
ICC convicts Timbuktu jihadist police chief of war crimes
The presiding judge, Antoine Kesia-Mbe Mindua, said Al Hassan played a "key role" overseeing amputations and floggings as police chief when the Ansar Dine Islamist group seized control of Timbuktu for almost a year from early 2012.
The Guardian
US issues rare criticism of India in religious freedom report
The he United States offered rare criticism of close partner India in a report published Wednesday on religious freedom, while also voicing alarm over rising bigotry worldwide against both Jews and Muslims.
AFP / MSN
‘Evangelical Christians’ Trumpian pact’
"Conservative Christians would use their unlikely champion's return to office to impose their own regressive values on America", writes Jill Filipovic.
The New Statesman
Canada: First Nation, Catholic Church agree on residential school truths
Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc and the Vancouver and Kamloops arms of the Catholic Church have released the details of a signed document agreeing to a historical record acknowledging the harms caused by residential schools and the role the church played.
CBC / Yahoo! News
Wed, 26 Jun 2024
Priests overly critical of Church leaders on social media, says CofE
The report, which will be presented to the church's governing assembly, the General Synod, next month, suggested that priests were overly critical of church leaders and operated with too much "autonomy" and even "separatism" from church leadership.
The Times*
Rector: My conscience made me quit 'great' job but I had to do it
The 49-year-old, who held the position at one of the city's oldest churches for a decade, cited "institutional validation of homophobic and misogynistic views" as his reason for resignation.
Liverpool Echo
Reform candidate claimed Jews to blame for Muslim immigration
In a now-deleted post discovered by The Times, Aston wrote: "Many of the powerful groups agitating for the mass import into England of Muslims from the Third World are Jewish."
Bournemouth Echo
Michael D Higgins: ‘Segregated education holding back children and peace’
Contributing to a new book calling for more integrated education, Mr Higgins said it was past time policy makers caught up with the public mood.
Irish News
Jersey: Priest charged with child sex abuse
A 60-year-old Catholic priest who specialised in exorcisms and worked as a youth church leader in the Island has appeared in the Magistrate's Court charged with ten counts of sexually abusing a child in Jersey.
Jersey Evening Pos
Oklahoma Supreme Court shuts down ‘unconstitutional’ taxpayer-funded Catholic school
Republican governor intends to appeal to Supreme Court as GOP officials test church-and-state firewalls.
Independent
Ultra-Orthodox students must be drafted, Israel court rules
Israel's Supreme Court has unanimously ruled in a landmark case that ultra-Orthodox Jewish seminary students must be drafted to the military.
BBC
Russia imposes longest sentences yet on Jehovah's Witnesses for 'extremism'
Russia has jailed three Jehovah's Witnesses for more than eight years each for alleged extremist activity.
Reuters
Pakistani police charge 23 for blasphemy mob
Police in Pakistan have arrested 23 people accused of being part of a mob that killed a man suspected of desecrating the Quran, officials said on Monday.
Gulf Today
Nepalese spiritual leader ‘Buddha Boy’ convicted of sexual assault on minor
A court in southern Nepal has convicted a controversial spiritual leader known as Buddha Boy on charges of sexually assaulting a minor.
The National
Tue, 25 Jun 2024
Synod invited to approve stand-alone same-sex services
Proposals for stand-alone services of blessing for same-sex couples are to be brought to the General Synod in July.
Church Times*
As a child, I was relentlessly abused by a Catholic priest. As an adult, it almost killed me twice
Gerard Gorman faced unimaginable horror as an 11-year-old boarder in County Armagh. The pain haunted him for decades – then he took on the church.
The Guardian
Louisiana families file lawsuit against Ten Commandments display in schools
Human rights groups also back filing which aims to block state's new law forcing public schools to showcase text.
The Guardian
Trump claims Christianity under threat in US in pitch to evangelical voters
Ex-president seeks to rally religious voters by portraying himself as a persecuted defender of the faith.
Financial Times*
They took part in Apache ceremonies. Their schools expelled them for satanic activities
Educators on the Fort Apache Reservation have repeatedly condemned teens for participating in a sacred dance. It follows a pattern of Christian discipline begun more than a century ago.
The Guardian
LGBT troops on Ukraine's front line fight homophobia at home
"Unfortunately, what we're seeing is that the parliament is more conservative than society, and rather than listening to the public, the politicians are responding to the churches, who are not the majority, but who are very vocal," said Ms Sovsan.
BBC
Mon, 24 Jun 2024
NSS history: ‘Charles Bradlaugh’s struggle and triumph’
As the UK prepares to elect a new government on 4 July, Daniel Sharp reflects on NSS founder Charles Bradlaugh's heroic stand for democracy against the religious reactionaries of his day.
The Freethinker
NSS quoted: Tory candidates support ‘Hindu manifesto’
Tory candidates Bob Blackman, Theresa Villiers, Laura Farris and Ameet Jogia have all supported the manifesto. NSS concerns about the manifesto are quoted.
Mahalsa.co.uk
British Indian Reform candidate slams ‘Hindu Manifesto’
Tarun Ghulati has slammed the 'Hindu Manifesto' campaign, which was criticised by both the National Secular Society and several Tory campaigners.
Mahalsa.co.uk
Muslim campaign group backs election candidates who justify October 7 atrocity
An influential Muslim campaign group seeking to "punish" Labour over Gaza has endorsed candidates who have spread antisemitic conspiracy theories and appeared to justify the October 7 terrorist atrocity.
The Times*
Muslim vote may be decisive in most marginal constituencies, says think tank
The British Muslim vote could play a crucial role in the majority of swing seats around the country, a new analysis has found.
The Telegraph/MSN
Protestors say the pope isn't this hardline as they blast 'regressive' schools Pride guidance
Bishop Patrick McKinney's recent guidance says that teachers in the Diocese of Nottingham's Catholic secondary schools should not celebrate Pride Month.
Nottingham Post
National Church must ease CofE dioceses’ financial woes, review suggests
Church of England diocesan deficits are expected to double from £29 million in 2022 to £62 million this year, a review commissioned by the Archbishops' Council has calculated. Many dioceses will need funding help from the national Church, it suggests.
Church Times*
Russia: Deadly attacks on Dagestan synagogues and churches
Attacks on police officers, churches and synagogues in Russia's North Caucasus republic of Dagestan have left many people dead. The assailants have not been identified, but Dagestan has in the past been the scene of Islamist attacks.
BBC
Shutting Afghan women out of key UN conference to appease Taliban ‘a betrayal’
Group allegedly demanding Afghan participation in Doha meeting this month be limited to men and that women's rights be excluded from the agenda.
The Guardian
Pakistan: Mob torches police station and lynches man after accusing him of 'blasphemy'
A Muslim mob in northwestern Pakistan on Thursday broke into a police station, snatched a man who was held there and then lynched him over allegations that he had desecrated the Quran.
Associated Press
At least 1,301 people died during Hajj - Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia has been criticised for not doing more to make the Hajj safer, especially for unregistered pilgrims who have no access to facilities such as air conditioned tents and official Hajj transport.
BBC
‘In Trump we trust: religious right on crusade to make their man president’
America's evangelicals sense a chance to impose a radical agenda and resist what they see as a tide of liberal secularism.
The Guardian
Fri, 21 Jun 2024
General Election 2024: the Hindu vote – NSS quoted
The National Secular Society has criticised the manifesto, having particular issue with the part where it cites, as an example of Hinduphobia, someone saying that caste is "inextricably bound up with" Hinduism.
Religion Media Centre
‘ISB 11’ express hurt at delays to their reviews
Survivors of church-based abuse who were awaiting reviews by the Independent Safeguarding Board (ISB) have said that little progress has been made since it was suddenly disbanded a year ago.
Church Times*
Banned evangelist Franklin Graham returns for Glasgow show
A preacher who described homosexuality as an "abomination" is set to stage a concert in Glasgow four years after he won £100,000 in damages when his show was banned.
The Times*
ACLU sues Louisiana over requiring the display of Ten Commandments in public schools
The state recently passed a law requiring that all public schools display the Ten Commandments in every classroom,
The Guardian
Former nuncio to the US says he faces schism charges from the Vatican
The archbishop posted the two-page decree from the Vatican's Dicastry for the Doctrine of Faith ordering him to appear for extrajudicial trial, citing as evidence "public statements that show a denial of the necessary elements to maintain communion with the Catholic Church."
AP News
Yazidi survivors of Sinjar massacre alarmed by Iraq’s move to close camps
A decade after tens of thousands of Yazidis escaped an Islamic State attack many fear return to a home in ruins.
The Guardian
Egyptian pilgrims 'totally abandoned' in Hajj heat
Hundreds of people are thought to have died amid soaring temperatures at the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. Those who have perished come from more than two dozen countries, with most fatalities from Egypt.
BBC
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