Monthly Archive for August, 2010

Christians and Muslims: A Review of “The Tenth Parallel”

Published on August 27, 2010 in News. 0 Comments

robinson-t_ca0-articlelarge-v2By Linda Robinson, in The New York Times

The influential political scientist Samuel P. Huntington theorized about the “clash of civilizations.” The journalist and poet Eliza Griswold takes on the same topic in a much more visceral way: she traveled through the “torrid zone” to see, smell, taste and write about it. Her book “The Tenth Parallel” is a fascinating journey along the latitude line in Africa and Asia where Christianity and Islam often meet and clash. Since Americans commonly equate Islam with the Arab Middle East, this book is a useful reminder that four-fifths of Muslims live elsewhere. It’s also an intimate introduction to some of those who live in places like Nigeria, Sudan, Somalia, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines.

To read more…

America’s Promise Meant For Everyone

Published on August 25, 2010 in News and Newsletter. 0 Comments

eboo-patelBy Eboo Patel, in The Washington Post

Can you believe that, at one point, women couldn’t vote in America? That Japanese American citizens were put in detention camps because of the actions of the Imperial Japanese Navy? That Jackie Robinson was spat upon on the baseball diamond because of the color of his skin? That there were quotas on Jews at Ivy League Universities? That mosques were opposed across the country and a shocking number of people suggested a Muslim should be disqualified from the Supreme Court or the Presidency because of his religion?

Oh yeah, that last one is still happening. But one day, I promise you, we will be as ashamed of the way American Muslims are viewed and treated in 2010 as we are of Japanese internment and Jim Crow. America’s promise is meant for everyone or we are not America.

To read more…

The Void Within

Published on August 23, 2010 in News and Newsletter. 0 Comments

thevoidwithinFrom The Economist

In the small world of traditional French Catholicism, everybody knows about Abbé Francis Michel. For the past 23 years this small, stubborn figure in his well-worn soutane has been responsible for the cure of souls in the village of Thiberville in Normandy. The locals like his conservative style, even though his Latin services would not suit all French churchgoers. The village’s 12th-century church, and the 13 other places of worship under his care, are kept in good repair by his supporters. (These days, some priests in rural France must cope with as many as 30 churches.)

To read more…

Nuns Attack Vatican On Women’s Ordination

Published on August 18, 2010 in News and Newsletter. 0 Comments
Nazareth Sister Shalini D'Souza (extreme left) said she 'would like to see women ordained.'

Nazareth Sister Shalini D'Souza (extreme left) said she 'would like to see women ordained.'

By Ritu Sharma, in UCANews

Women Religious in India have slammed a recent Vatican document equating women’s ordination with sexual abuse of children, calling it “derogatory” and “shocking.”

“I am shocked at this statement. It is painful, absurd and a violation of the dignity of women,” said Sister Mary Scaria of Delhi archdiocese’s commission for justice and peace.

The Vatican on July 15 issued new rules to deal with abusive priests. It said priests who molest the mentally ill or use child pornography are in the same category as pedophile priests.

To read more…

At Ramadan, Obama Hails Islam As ‘Part of America’

Published on August 14, 2010 in News. 0 Comments

obamaFrom David Gibson, in Politics Daily

As opinion polls registered strong opposition to plans for an Islamic center near Ground Zero, President Obama on Wednesday issued a statement marking the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, calling the holiday “a reminder that Islam has always been part of America and that American Muslims have made extraordinary contributions to our country.”

Obama said Ramadan is a time “when Muslims around the world reflect upon the wisdom and guidance that comes with faith, and the responsibility that human beings have to one another, and to God.”

To read more…

Controversial New York Islamic Center Will Not Relocate to Public Land

Published on August 13, 2010 in News and Newsletter. 0 Comments

t1larg-nymosque1From Alona Rovord, in CNN

Developers of a Muslim community center near the site of the September 11, 2001, terror attacks in New York Wednesday declined an offer by Gov. David Paterson to relocate the project.

Paterson had suggested Tuesday that state-owned property could provide an alternative building site for the controversial project.

To read more…

Europe’s Irreligious

Published on August 12, 2010 in News. 0 Comments

201033nac063From The Economist

The proportion of people who regularly attend religious services has declined steadily throughout Europe in recent years. But habits vary widely across countries. According to the latest European Social Survey conducted in 2008 and 2009, over 60% of Czechs say they never attend religious services, with the exception of “special occasions” such as marriages and christenings.

To read more…

Accommodations Now Added for Religion Conference

Published on August 11, 2010 in Headline. 0 Comments

hotelblakeWe are pleased to announce that we have made arrangements with the Hotel Blake to create a room block for the 2011 Religion Conference.

Less than a five minute walk from the University Center, Hotel Blake is located in Printer’s Row/South Loop.

Hotel Blake has extended us a group rate of USD $99.00 per night plus tax and can be reserved by calling +1 (312) 986-1234.

Please visit our accommodations page for more details on how to book as well as a list of amenities.

Religion in Society Journal – Become an Associate Editor

Published on August 4, 2010 in Journal and Newsletter. 0 Comments Tags: .
    As part of the process of publishing The International Journal of Religion and Spirituality in Society all submissions are sent for peer review, prior to publication. Assessment, comments and guidance by the referees are an essential part of the publication process and invaluable to the authors of the submitted papers.

    In recognition of the important role of referees, the international advisory board acknowledges all referees who have refereed papers as an ‘Associate Editor’ in the volume of the journal they have contributed to.

    If you would like to referee papers submitted to The International Journal of Religion and Spirituality in Society, please email journals@religioninsociety.com, with your professional details, areas of expertise and contact details. If we feel you are qualified and we require refereeing for papers within your expertise, we will contact you.

Series: Religion in Society

Published on August 4, 2010 in Book and Newsletter. 0 Comments Tags: .

We are accepting book proposals for the imprint Religion in Society.

Common Ground is setting new standards of rigorous academic knowledge creation and scholarly publication.

Unlike other publishers, we’re not interested in the size of potential markets or competition from other books. We’re only interested in the intellectual quality of the work.

If your book is a brilliant contribution to a specialist area of knowledge that only serves a small intellectual community, we still want to publish it. If it is expansive and has a broad appeal, we want to publish it too, but only if it is of the highest intellectual quality.