Empty spirits find new spirit

Texas, USA - Empty wine and beer bottles are finding a new role in the hands of an artistic priest. Father Jairo Lopez hand cuts the bottles into small pieces he will then use in mosaics and he compares his art to his church community. "The colors, textures and materials of a mosaic, that's my parishioners. They are all of different styles, sizes and cultures. The community is one big mosaic," Father Lopez says. His mosaics have "become part of my prayer life, my spirituality."

Marble, tile and granite often keep company with the glass pieces. It is time-consuming work, sometimes taking hundreds of hours to complete a single piece.

Most of his time is taken up with his day job as a priest to St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Marble Falls, Texas, though Tuesdays - his day off - he usually dedicates to mosaic art.

A cowboy church

Kansas, USA - At the intersection of Highways 24 and 59, not far from the college town that is home to the University of Kansas, is a yellow-and-white stripped tent. It is a place of God but lacks pews and stained glass windows. The congregation often drive pickups, sometimes pulling a horse trailer - and the minister wears jeans. He leads his flock in front of an altar emblazoned by a cross with a horseshoe in the center. Rev. Terry Newell's Crossroads Community Church is for those who are often more cowboy than not. It is a small group of churchgoers, 100-135 attending regularly, but it is a place where they share a common faith and common interests.

"Well, the reason I attend here is...the fellowship that I've experienced...plus the fact that the people here have a common interest in riding horses," said Bill McCall.

The church even had a full-on rodeo last July. Pastor Newell believes his cowboy church, "would be a great way to reach the Western culture."

Record price for monk's work

Hong Kong - An artwork depicting a journey by 18 monks through a mountain landscape and accompanied by mythical animal consorts by Wu Bin, a 16th century Ming dynasty painter and Zen monk at the Qixia Temple in Nanjing, has brought a record price of $24.8 million at a Beijing sale making this is the highest price ever paid for a Chinese painting at auction. The final price was almost 8 times the pre-sale estimate. 

The scroll, "Eighteen Arhats," is typical of the work of Wu Bin who often painted Buddhist monks and priests performing magical rituals and healing ceremonies. The work was once owned by the emperor of Qianlong whose own calligraphy adorns the piece. 

A "letter leaf" calligraphy by the 11th century Song Dynasty poet, Zeng Gong, gaveled in at $15.9 million. Zeng Gong was considered a founder of the one of the eight great schools of Chinese philosophy.

Apology for massacre

New York City, USA - A reconciliation ceremony held by America's oldest Protestant church centered around an apology to Native Americans for massacring them 400 years ago. The Rev. Robert Chase of the Collegiate Church - started in 1628 in then-New Amsterdam as the Reformed Dutch Church - admitted, "We consumed your resources, dehumanized your people and disregarded your culture, along with your dreams, hopes and great love for this land." 

The solemn rite was held on Native American Heritage Day, the day after Thanksgiving, in front of the Museum of the American Indian in lower Manhattan in New York City. This area is where Dutch colonists built a fort in Lenape tribal territory near what is now called Broadway. Four congregations compose the Collegiate churches in New York City including the landmark Marble Collegiate Church on Fifth Avenue once led by the late Rev. Norman Vincent Peale - a renown religious leader. 

Ronald Holloway, the chairman of the Sand Hill band of Lenapes, reminisced that Dutch colonists "were hacking men, women and children to death. After 400 years, when someone says 'I'm sorry,' you say, 'Really?'"

Stealing Buddha's heads

Thailand - At least 20 heads have been stolen from statues of the Buddha in the World Heritage province of Ayathaya, Thailand. Police have vowed to redouble efforts to catch the thieves and thwart future thefts. 

"It's already sinful to steal from temples. It's much worse to steal ancient relics," said deputy national police chief Jongrak Juthanond. "The thieves are cursed and those who buy them are cursed, too." 

Phra Athikansadaeng Premasilo, the Wat Dong Wai temple's 77-year-old abbot was understandably upset about the recent theft of seven heads from sandstone Buddha images. He said, "When the monks woke up for morning prayers, it was still dark and we didn't notice anything until we found the dogs dead. They poisoned the dogs in the middle of the night before stealing the statues." 

The police are working with monks to discuss ways to improve sites' security including higher fences and barred windows. Installing security cameras is also part of the recommendations. "We believe there is a rise in demand in the antique markets abroad where people like to decorate their living rooms with these images," Police Chief Jongrak speculated.

Loan sharks rankle religious

London, England - Representatives from temples, mosques, synagogues and churches, together with more than 2,000 others plan to call on politicians to impose a 20% cap on interest rates. 

London Citizens, a group representing more that 150 faith congregations and charities are concerned about those whose lives have been decimated by legal loan sharks who, they claim, impose predatory lending rates on ordinary people struggling to make ends meet. 

“Despite a massive taxpayer bailout of the banks, ordinary people across London have been forced into the hands of legal loan sharks in order to gain access to credit,” said Paul Regan, a trustee of London Citizens. This has been caused by a lack of access to credit from banks. The group proposes making borrowing at interest rates of 50 or 500 per cent illegal.

All that is fair

Mumbai, India - 300 priests gathered with Cardinal Oswald Gracias, Archbishop of Bombay, to work on a fairer policy regarding postings to churches and access to to the Archbishop's time. Transparency is key. A cloud of favoritism has been suspected by many priests when it comes to assignments to "better" churches. 

Public relations officer of the diocese, Father Anthony Charanghat, announced, "To ensure that transfers are just and equitable, the conference of diocesan and priest will advise on transfers." The average tenure at a parish is 6 years. Priests were also encouraged to spend more time studying the scriptures and less time exploring the latest technologies, i.e., the web. Charanghat said, "People can seek professional guidance elsewhere but spiritualism is something we impart." 

Magic tattoos

Cambodia - For centuries, people in Cambodia have endured hours of discomfort to get mystical tattoos they believed would give them magical powers. Magical tattoos are reputed to have many powers. Soldiers got them to repel bullets or to achieve invisibility to enemies. Others had them to bring good luck or to be more popular. An adviser on mores and customs at Cambodia’s Buddhist Institute said, “Tattoos were really popular among Cambodian men in the past. Almost every Cambodian male was tattooed.” 

Tattoo artist, Chan Trea pointed out that few of those who know how to do magic tattoos remain among the living. The skin art is done by traditional healers or Buddhist monks who use special needles and recite magic spells. Hindu gods, characters from Pali and Sanskrit, or supernatural creatures are the usual images. "I guess, in the future, things like magic will be very rare in this country,” said Trea.

Polish nun reveals Papal punishment

London, England - A Polish nun who worked in the private papal apartments has disclosed that Pope John Paul II put himself through bodily penance as "remorse for his sins." Sister Sobodka said, “We would hear it - we were in the next room at Castel Gandolfo. You could hear the sound of the blows when he flagellated himself. He did it when he was still capable of moving on his own.” 

The flagellation (whipping) was also confirmed by a former papal secretary, Bishop Emery Kabongo. “He would punish himself and in particular just before he ordained bishops and priests. Before passing on the sacraments he wanted to prepare himself." 

This is all part of a Vatican investigation by officials from the Congregation for the Causes of Saints as part of the process that could lead to sainthood for the late Pope. The Vatican refused comment saying, “The investigation and documentation is still secret and as such we can make no comment on it until the final report is published.”

Vagabond philosopher likes caves

Moab, Utah, USA - The "Peace Pilgrim" has lived without money for almost 3 decades but faced a recent dilemma - a book deal. Daniel Suelo, a vagabond philosopher following in the sacred tradition of sadhus - India's wandering monks, has lived without food or shelter, unless offered, as he walked some 25,000 miles across North America. 

He has blogged about his three-decade, penniless odyssey using library computers but harbors no illusions that the world will ever follow his example forsaking money to go live in caves. Suelo says, "I do this to show that we are in a culture that believes our happiness comes from things outside ourselves, rather than within. You can be happier with less." 

In regards to a book, the publisher hesitated when cave-dwelling Suelo asked the book be made available at no cost to interested readers and he refused to accept any payment. Now, he is being interviewed by an author who is writing a book about him.

Monk manga

Hachoiji, Japan - A manga marketing strategy is being used by the late-16th century Ryohoji temple. The Buddhist temple put up a manga-inspired sign at the entrance and has girls clad in maids outfits as greeters in an attempt to use Japanese pop culture to bring in more visitors and generate more interest. Manga is a form of Japanese comics and usually associated with certain stylistic traits. "I'm a manga generation who grew up watching them on television. I have little resistance to manga....I wanted to tell the people that temples are a fun place to visit," said Shoko Nakazato, the temple's head monk. 

To date, it has proved a success. Previously, the temple had no visitors on a weekday but now it counts around 30 people. "I came over because this temple has been the talk of the Net," said Mitsutaka Adachi, a 26-year-old telecom software programmer, one of many first-time visitors to the ancient temple. Ryohoji is also selling a card with cartoon characters which allows buyers to download three-minute motion pictures on to their mobile phones of chief monk Nakazato chanting prayers.

Monks mark anniversary

Kaesong, North Korea - Marking the 908th anniversary of the death of Jawoon, the monk who founded the Cheontae Order (South Korea's second-largest Buddhist sect), a gathering was held at a temple in Kaesong, North Korea. The ceremony was attended by monks from both the South and North in a continuation of civic exchanges between the nations. South Korean Unification Ministry spokeswoman Lee Jong-joo said, "This shows that inter-Korean exchange and cooperation proceeds in a normal manner." 

The Cheontae Order helped North Korea restore a temple in Kaesong in 2005. Annual joint ceremonies have since been held there by monks from the two sides. Last year, ties between the countries were tense so no ceremony took place. It is hoped that this ceremony will help in restarting the previously established tradition and further peaceful relations between the countries.

Walking saint goes marching in

Belgrade, Serbia - "The walking saint" has walked away and hundreds of thousands gathered to say goodbye with a somber funeral procession in Belgrade, Serbia. Patriarch Pavle, the leader of the Serbian Orthodox Church through its post-Communist revival and the Balkans' bloody ethnic conflicts in the 1990s has died at the age of 95 after an extended hospitalization for heart and lung problems. Since 1970, he has been leader of the 7-million member church. 

Funeral prayers were held at Belgrade's Church of St. Michael the Archangel, or Saborna Crkva in Serbian, where Pavle's body lay in an open casket. Estimates of up to a half-million Orthodox believers, many from neighboring Bosnia and Montenegro, were made by state television as to the number attending the funeral procession. 

Crowds joined Serbian leaders and clergy in a solemn procession to the St. Sava Temple, the biggest Orthodox Christian church in the Balkans, where a public mass was held to honor Pavle. The Serbian saint was finally placed to rest during a private ceremony at a monastery located in Belgrade's suburbs.

Minister offends Sikhs

Punjab, India - His attempt to placate the Sikh community in his own country may have backfired when Canadian prime minister Stephen Harper paid a visit to the Golden Temple, the most significant place of worship for Sikhs - located in the city of Amritsar, in the northwestern Indian state of Punjab. 

During the visit, the prime minister’s aide, Alisa Mohammed, declined the prasad (a gracious gift, usually edible, that is believed to contain a blessing) when it was given to her. The Prime Minister followed suit, which was interpreted as a rebuff. Harper also declined partaking in langar, a tradition in which all people would sit on the floor together, as equals, to eat the same simple food. 

After Harper had left the holy city, the community voiced its displeasure at the way the prime minister and staff had conducted themselves. One official put it into these words, “It is for the first time that we have suffered such humiliation at the hands of a foreigner."

No Jains allowed

Rajasthan, India - In its announcement, a public conference organized by Anoop Mandal touted, “It is a public program and people from all communities and religions are welcome — except Jains, of course.” The Anoop Mandal group has made no secret of their position “against the doing of the Jain community.” The Jain community has responded. Jasmin Shah, a Jain community leader, says the government should not allow the event the Anoop Mandal group is hosting saying, “It is an anti-Jain cult, which is specifically targeting the Jain monks," and that the group, "viciously abuses the Jain community in its scriptures like Jagathitkarni." The Jagathitkarni claims Jains are behind global warming through the use of "Black magic." 

Anoop Mandal is suspected of being behind the deaths of two Jain monks who were recently run over on roads in Rajasthan, India. Started in 1920 by Anoop Das, from its inception the Anoop group has projected Jains as outsiders, exploiters and non-Hindus.

Monks run over

Rajasthan, India - Anti-Jain bigotry is suspected to be behind the deaths of two Jain monks who were struck and killed in road accidents near Nakoda in Rajasthan, largest state of the Republic of India. Jain community members point to a group called 'Anoop Mandal' as being behind the so-called accidents. Pundit Maharaj Saheb said, "the state [Rajasthan] has failed to control the vicious propaganda against Jainism, because of which Jains have to suffer a lot. As there is no direct evidence of anybody's involvement in the accidents, we cannot name anybody. But we had similar experiences in the past where Jain monks were beaten up by 'Anoop Mandal' members." 

The national leader of Anoop Mandal has denied that the organization had any role in the death of the Jain monks. Jain religious leaders are not convinced and have demanded a police probe into the deaths.

Come together, the Beatles once sang

United Kingdom - The first official Interfaith Week is underway in the UK with the government's blessings. It began with a 'Mitzvah Day 2009' on Sunday, during which Jewish charities, schools, and synagogues from five different countries joined forces with local churches, mosques, and temples to perform good deeds. Monday was 'International Day for Tolerance' and ceremonies were opened by the Archbishop of Canterbury. The Secretary of State, the Chief rabbi and religious leaders from around the country were in attendance. 

To date, various events have included Jewish and Hindu children planting a vegetable garden together, synagogue members joining with Hindu monks to clean a local park, and Jewish children and Muslim youth leaders working on arts and crafts projects for care homes. An interfaith pilgrimage and a football game between Muslim imams and Christian vicars are also part of the events designed to build greater understanding between believers and to help people of different faiths learn about each other’s beliefs.

Geek speak about religion

Vatican - God-fearing geeks feel that church marketing is lagging behind the times and various religious leaders are concerned about missing out on opportunities offered by the explosion in social networking. 100 religious delegates attended a recent meeting - ‘The Internet Culture and Church Communications’ - which took place at the Vatican between November 12-15. The delegates met with representatives from Facebook, Google, YouTube and Wikipedia. One religious participant opined that the internet is “as important as the invention of the printing press" and went on to point out that just as the printing press helped make the Bible available to everyone who could read, the internet can make the Gospel accessible to everyone who uses the internet. 

One church-marketing internet company advises, "Get with it churches, synagoges, ashrams and temples. The Internet is the Word and it is the Way. Typos, cheesy logos, and bad clip art aren't helping the cause."

United we stand

Minneapolis-St Paul, Minnesota, USA - 16 Christian schools around the Minneapolis-St Paul area have banded together to raise awareness of the educational advantages offered students and to dispel public misconceptions about private education. The schools belong to different religious denominations but are working together to offer learning alternatives even in the face of challenging economic times. 

Sue Beuning, admissions director at Southwest Christian High School in Chaska pointed out, "people do have the impression that private schools are for rich families, and that's just not the case." Each school has financial aid and scholarship programs to assist students. In the past, the schools have operated in a more competitive relationship. This marks a change where there is a coming together for a common cause - the benefits of a Christian-based education.

Scientologists attacked again

Australia - Torture, coerced abortions, embezzlement and blackmail are just some of the accusations tabled by Australian Parliament Senator, Nick Xenophon, against the Church of Scientology. Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, has voiced "concerns" about “grave allegations” against the Church since these explosive charges were revealed. Xenophon told the Senate, “Scientology is not a religious organization, it is a criminal organization that hides behind its so-called religious beliefs. Letters received by me which were written by former followers in Australia contains extensive allegations of crimes and abuses that are truly shocking - crimes against them and crimes they say they were coerced into committing.” 

In a statement, the Church responded, "Senator Xenophon is obviously being pressured by disgruntled former members who use hate speech and distorted accounts of their experiences in the Church." It went on to say the allegations "are about as reliable as former spouses are when talking about their ex-partner" and that the Senator is cowering behind parliamentary privilege to avoid libel laws.

Let them eat cake

Wichita, Kansas, USA - Religious bigotry may be behind the withdrawal of the proposal to open a second Lord's Diner in Wichita, Kansas. Every day for 8 years, the Lord's Diner has served a hot meal to 400-500 hungry people in its existing location. 

The Catholic charity offered to open a second location where it would occupy a vacant, city-owned building that was formerly a Boys and Girls Club in the city's north end but was met with stiff opposition from a small, but vocal group of mostly African-American citizens. They claimed the area was already adequately serviced by their own area churches - except none of those churches provide a daily meal opportunity. 

The Lord's Diner would have purchased the property outright and renovated it for use. Now building remains empty with no other foreseeable plans in the pipeline, though the charity's opposition claimed the Diner's moving into the area would hamper revitalization efforts and attract the wrong crowd into the largely black community.

Old church raised from dead

Botswana - A church in Botswana will receive renovation to its original state, thanks in part to a $44,000 from the American Embassy in Gaborone. Located in Old Palapye - now called Malaka - the church was built in the 1890's. The area has a rich and ancient history with rock paintings, stone cairns, circular foundations, verandas, stonewalls, red ochre pottery, iron implements of archeological importance and is near the sacred Moremi Hills, where the Tswapong gods are believed to live. 

In 1889, Old Palapye was one of the largest towns in southern Africa, home to a population of around 30,000 people but drought and illness caused abandonment of the area in the early 1900's. When work is completed, it is planned the church will be managed as a heritage site and museum under a community trust. 

Area villagers will also be allowed to use the old London Missionary Society location as a place of worship.

Merry Nazimas

Cologne, Germany - Tree ornaments shaped like Iron Cross medals and swastikas, swastika-shaped cookie cutters and instructions on how to bake Germanic-themed breads and cakes are just a small part of an exhibition at the National Socialism Documentation Centre in Cologne, Germany. Selected objects from a large family collection of memorabilia document the Nazis' attempt to redefine Christmas and exploit the holiday for propaganda purposes. 

"Christmas was a provocation for the Nazis - after all, the baby Jesus was a Jewish child," said Judith Breuer, "The most important celebration in the year didn't fit with their racist beliefs so they had to react, by trying to make it less Christian." Judith and her mother, Rita, have spent years collecting the pieces from flea markets.

Sticks and stones

Bristol, UK - Religious and racial intolerance has been documented by two BBC reporters of Asian origin who posed as a Muslim couple. For 8 weeks, they lived in a housing estate in Bristol, England, using hidden cameras to film instances of what they were subjected to. In one instance, an 11-year-old boy threatened the female member of the team, Tamanna Rahman - who wore a hijab headscarf and acted as if she spoke very little English - with a brick as he tried to steal her purse. Rahman also documented being pelted with glass and stones. 

Pretending to be a part-time painter and decorator, Amil Khan - the male reporter - was punched in the head by a local man. The reporters captured over 50 instance where they were degraded both religiously and racially with rebukes relating to terrorism, "Taliban" and "jihad." Much of the affronts came from children and teenagers. 

The footage has been turned into a documentary titled "Hate on the Doorstep" and was aired by the Panorama show on the BBC.

Forest of utopian dreams

Somerset, UK - Tobias Jones and his wife sold their house in Bristol and bought a 10-acre woodland in Somerset County in the southwest of part England with the plan of creating a communal shelter for people facing a period of personal crisis. 

"I want charity, in the old cliche, to begin at home, to be an integral part of our lives – not just something we do with loose change once in a while," says Jones. "The sermon on the mount might actually be a manifesto for life, rather than a few nice ideals to take out for a spin on a Sunday morning." 

They have spent 5 years visiting or living on similar communities and Jones has written a book titled "Utopian dreams : in search of the good life" on communal living, so the family feels prepared for the new venture.

Banning architecture?

Switzerland - A campaign to ban minarets in Switzerland has provoked heated reactions from across the globe. Though Mosques are a part of the Swiss landscape - there are over 100 dotted around the country but only 4 have minarets - opposition to future minarets remains firm. Muslim organizations have invited the public into their mosques in hopes of countering public fears and prejudices. 

Minarets are a symbol of Muslim political power according to the Swiss People's Party - the largest party in the Swiss parliament which is due to vote on the issue on November 29th. Zurich's city council allowed the use of a controversial poster that urged a minaret ban saying the campaign posters were protected by free speech. 

A Swiss opinion poll recently reported that 51% of those questioned would reject the proposed ban. Switzerland is home to an estimated 400,000 Muslims.

Similar sins of the secularists

Ireland - Separation of church and politics is “unrealistic” and “naive” according to John Bruton, former EU ambassador to Washington. “As long as religious belief exists, and there is every reason to believe it will always exist," Bruton said to guests in Dublin last night at an event jointly hosted by the Jesuit quarterly review "Studies" and the Catholic think tank, the Iona Institute. 

In his address, he warned that secularists “should beware of committing the same errors of immoderation, of the sort they justly condemn in churches in the past, in pursuit of their own cause today. For example, to seek to use the power of the state to remove every symbol or sign of religious belief from the public space would be just as immoderate as were past efforts to harness the powers of the state to push one religion on people.”

More racist than Hitler

Italy - Excerpts from  a diary kept by Mussolini's mistress reveal the Italian dictator was a rabid anti-Semite and vowed to destroy all Jews - also referring to them as reptiles. He proudly claimed his hatred preceded even Hitler's whom he called a "softy" even though he was moved by the warm reception he felt he'd received by the German dictator at the 1938 conference in Munich. "I have been a racist since 1921. I don't know how they can think I'm imitating Hitler," Mussolini proudly boasted in August 1938 according to the diary. 

Mussolini also ravaged Pious XI for the Pope's criticism of Fascism and the Nazis. Claretta Petacci wrote the diaries between 1932 and 1938 which historians agree are authentic. "Secret Mussolini" will include excerpts and the book is due out this week. Partisans shot Petacci and the dictator in 1945.

Taking to the streets

Cornwall, UK - An effort to help people who are homeless, injured or drunk has church-goers taking to the streets in a number of towns in the county of Cornwall in the U.K. The "Street Pastor" scheme began in Camborne and has spread to include Torbay, Ilfracombe, Exeter, Plymouth, Newquay, Falmouth, St Austell and Truro and has spread to include towns and cities in the county of Devonshire. 

In some areas, robbery fell by a third, reported violence fell by 18%. Sexual offenses and vehicle crime also dropped markedly. Teams volunteer street pastors from area churches patrol town centers on weekend nights and are supported by local police.

Gardening for greater good

Dallas, Texas - Projects across the Dallas, Texas area saw volunteers planting bushes, preparing a community garden, laying sod, cleaning up litter and painting houses in a variety of efforts done for the purpose of bringing together members of denominations across the theological spectrum to focus on the common good. 

More than 1,00 people participated in 10 different projects sponsored by Sojourners, a Washington, D.C. based ministry, which also worked with local church and ministry leaders on the issues of reducing homelessness and supporting public education. This is the second Sojourners "Justice Revival." The first was held in Columbus, Ohio.

Motorcycle for medical help

Ghana - In a program to help bring healthcare to all, Koforidua Diocese of the Anglican Church in Ghana has given a new motorcycle to be used to undertake outreach programs in villages surrounding Kwahu-Jamase. All Saints Church of Denmead in the United Kingdom is a partner to the African Diocese. Bishop Quashie also presented a water tank and items to be used for the construction of a water closet toilet. Father Asomani, Director of the Anglican Diocesan Development and Relief Organization, said next year the organization would begin a malaria prevention program including distribution of treated mosquito nets.

Poles nix ban of crucifix

Poland - In response to the European Court of Human Rights ruling against crucifixes in Italian classrooms, the President of Poland said his country will never agree to removing that object from their classrooms in Poland. "Nobody in Poland will accept the message that you can't hang crosses in schools," said President Kaczynski during Independence day celebrations. Religious symbols were banned from public buildings under Communist oppression but became part of an expression of democracy after the fall of Communist domination. 

Former President, Lech Walesa, also weighed in, "We must respect minorities but also protect the rights of the majority." Around 90 percent of Poles are Catholic and attend church regularly. 

Don't blame poor for flood

Philippines - The Philippines' Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales has defended the poor urban families living along the waterways saying that those who live in squatter communities are often tradespeople, market vendors, janitors, housekeepers bus drivers and even teachers and policemen who can't afford other housing. Rosales condemned high real estate prices that are “far beyond the reach of our poor and many of the middle class.” The proliferation of squatter communities in Manila has been blamed for floods resulting from storm "Ondoy" which killed hundreds and drove thousands to shelters. 

Cardinal Rosales said the government can't, “simply order people off the waterways,” but needs to restructure the urban land use policy “so that the poor may have the possibility to have security of tenure in our cities where their livelihood is found.”

Keys to success

Malaysia - Hindu religious leader, Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami, revealed what he holds are the tools for success in life at a recent seminar in Malaysia. Bodhinatha said, “Having a good profession, nice house and a family is not an indicator of true success.” The keys to true success in life are enduring happiness, affirmations, worship at temples, learning from mistakes, steadfastness and giving. He said, “enduring happiness resides in one’s soul and can be experienced through meditation, worship and helping others. Repeating a statement of affirmation, such as ‘I have a new job’ several times a day, and visualising the environment of your new office will lead to a successful offer. Our state of mind and how we approach a situation can have a significant impact.” 

Bodhinatha said selfless service was a means to happiness. Although presented from a Hindu perspective, he hopes his advice is considered suitable for those of different faiths, particularly individuals seeking improvement in their home life, academic studies and business affairs.

The spirits be with you

Manchester, UK - Spiritualist, Alan Power, who believed psychics could help solve crimes was forced out of his job as a trainer with the Greater Manchester Police Authority. Now, Judge Peter Clark has upheld a previous ruling that the spiritualist beliefs were consistent with being religious and dismissed a police appeal. A previous judge ruled that the beliefs, “are worthy of respect in a democratic society and have sufficient cogency, seriousness, cohesion and importance to fall into the category of a philosophical belief for the purpose of the 2003 regulations (England's Employment Equality [Religion or Belief] Regulations Act 2003)." The spiritualist said, “Its fantastic. It proves that spiritualism is a religion worthy of respect.” 

According to the 2001 census, spiritualism is the eighth largest faith group in Britain, with 32,000 adherents and more than 300 churches. Mr. Power added, “I have not claimed any costs. I am not claiming compensation. It is about hurt feelings. I expect my religion to be respected.” 

United we stand

Australia - In a historic alliance, Australian religious leaders took a stand on climate change. Rabbi Kamins of the Council of Progressive Rabbis; Reverend Professor James Haire, director of the Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture; Ikebal Patel, president of Australian Federation of Islamic Councils; Kanti Jinna, vice-chairman of Hindu Council of Australia; Bhante Sujato, executive of Australian Sangha Association; Sister Geraldine Kearney, of Australian Catholic Religious; and Bhikkhu Sujato, of the Buddhist Council of NSW were all united in expressing deep concern and in creating a public stance on this important environmental concern. 

“The foundation of all the great religions was built upon us being custodians and caring for the earth. Australia and other developed countries need to address their historical responsibility,” said Thea Ormerod, chair of Australian Religious Response to Climate Change.

The mix of Church and State

Kenya - Protestant churches in Kenya have prepared a bill that would institute minimum reforms in the event a new constitution is not enacted. All presidential appointments would be subjected to parliamentary approval as a way of checking the powers of the president, the offices of the Attorney General and that of the Director of Public Prosecutions be established as separate and independent offices with security of tenure, and a pre-defined parliamentary calendar be set as part of the constitution. The National Council of Churches of Kenya also proposes radical surgery of the judiciary. "We are keen to work to build consensus which fulfils the dreams and aspirations of all Kenyans," said NCCK secretary general Rev. Karanja.

Are we really alone?

Vatican City - The Vatican is interested in the possibility of extraterrestrial life. Director of the Vatican Observatory, Rev. Jose Gabriel Funes, says, “The questions of life’s origins and of whether life exists elsewhere in the universe are very suitable and deserve serious consideration." Thirty scientists from the U.S., France, Britain, Switzerland, Italy and Chile attended a conference called by the Catholic Church to study the possibility of extraterrestrial alien life, its implications and how scientific disciplines can explore the issue. 

Astronomy professor at Arizona University, Chris Impey, commented,  “There is a rich middle ground for dialogue between the practitioners of astrobiology and those who seek to understand the meaning of our existence in a biological universe.” The Church's stand is that believing the universe might host aliens, even intelligent ones, does not contradict a faith in God.

No tags for Jesus

South Carolina, USA - The South Carolina state legislature approved a automobile license plate with the words "I Believe" above a cross in front of a stained glass window in 2008. Several hundred people have currently registered to buy the plates A lawsuit was brought by Americans United on behalf of several individuals and Hindu and American-Arab groups contending the license violated separation of church and state. District judge Cameron Currie agreed ruling it amounted to state endorsement of a particular religion in violation of the First Amendment and ordered the state not to issue the plate. 

Lt Governor Andre Bauer had argued that given the state already permitted 103 speciality vehicle plates it was ridiculous Christians couldn't have one too.

Priests protest pesticides

Philippines - Concern that the spraying of pesticides on banana plantations in the Philippines is indiscriminately harming people, livestock and other crops has prompted Church leaders to call for a permanent ban on the practice. Urging President Arroyo to exercise a sense of motherly care for the future generations, the Philippines Catholic Church stated, "We are one with all affected people of Mindanao in working for deliverance from this immoral practice of aerial spraying that infringes upon human health and dignity." 

Cardinal Rosales and other bishops have also voiced opposition to the Laiban Dam project which would stand on a seismic fault line and submerge almost 70,000 acres of valuable forest.

Offering plate coupons

Pennsylvania, USA - Parishioner, Stacey Middleton of the Philadelphia Cathedral had an idea. Since demand at the church's food pantry is overwhelming, she began asking other members of the congregation to bring in coupons to help the less fortunate who are struggling to make ends meet. She reasoned people could be shown how to use coupon buying power to save money. Middleton saved 75 percent on a recent shopping trip thanks to coupons and donated some of what she bought to a women's homeless shelter. Other church members are following her example. 

“By this happening in our church, people not only give me donations, and give me the coupon flyers as donations, but they have also begun to bring more food. Because it’s so easy," she says.

Native American month celebrated

New York, USA - In America, Thanksgiving Day is filled with thoughts of turkey, travel and traditions. November is also Native American month - a time to celebrate and understand the traditions and spiritual beliefs of all indigenous people who have called the North American continent home long before European immigrants arrived on the scene. This year's theme is "Pride in our heritage, honor to our ancestors." The Clarkson Integrator university newspaper in Potsdam, NY has joined in by publishing the Creation story shared by tribes of the Iroquois Nation in an editorial.

Dalai Lama visits site of refuge

India - The Dalai Lama is visiting the town of Tawang in the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. Tens of thousands are flocking to hear him speak. The 300-year-old monastery there is considered one of the most influential outside of Tibet. It was a place of refuge for the Dalai Lama when he fled Tibet 50 years ago. On Sunday, the Dalai Lama emphasized, "My visit to Tawang is non-political and aimed at promoting universal brotherhood and nothing else." A number of devotees from neighboring Bhutan are also among those gathered.

Methodists to teach Hinduism

Indiana, USA - Prestigious U.S. DePauw University will offer a new course called "Modern Hinduism" in which students will study the rise of Hinduism from the colonial period to modern day. "The main objective is to encourage an understanding of the embedded nature of modern Hinduism within the historical matrices of culture, society, politics and economics in South Asia," the University said in a statement after the course was approved by its faculty. 

DePauw is a prestigious, private national liberal arts college with a Methodist heritage founded in 1837 and located in Greencastle, Indiana.

Church feared unholy

Joburg, South Africa - The Central Methodist Church in Joburg (Johannesburg), South Africa is facing charges that it is a center for all things unholy including dying babies, prostitution and continuing brawls. After the Gauteng Legislature's health and social development committee visited the church, and chairwoman Molebatsi Bopape said she would recommend that it be closed. 

The church has been a shelter for people without an alternative, but also a source of crime and some shocking new allegations of sexual abuse of women and children according to DA Jack Bloom who says it is, "a situation that has got way out of hand." A number of women leave their babies at the church will the go out drinking or engage in prostitution.

Children are the damned

Nigeria - An increasing number of young children have been denounced by evangelical churches in Nigeria who have accused the children of being witches. Those churches have been characterized as renegade local branches of international franchises. The result is that many of those accused children are then tortured and killed by parishioners who take literally the Biblical exhortation, "Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live." 

Poor education and poverty have laid the foundation for this situation along with the rapid growth of evangelical Christianity. The Mount Zion Lighthouse, part of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria is one church responsible for accusations. 

Statistics indication around 1,000 children have been murdered and over 15,000 accused.

The devil made them do it

Philippines - Evil exists and the devil is not about to change his ways are what prompted a seminar on spiritual direction, deliverance ministry and exorcism in Ormoc City in the province of Leyte, Philippines. Sponsored by the Alliance of the Holy Family International (AHFI), it was attended by the clergy from Calbayog, Borongan, Naval and Palo. AHFI spiritual director Fr. Edgardo Arellano says, "The greatest influence of the Devil is to convince even bishops and priests that he no longer exists.” The archdioceses of Manila and Palo, and the Diocese of San Pablo in Laguna have exorcism offices. 

The Catholic Rite of Exorcism calls for a Church-approved exorcist to consult modern medicine and rule out the possibility of a mental and psychological disorder before proceeding. A person may be considered possessed when they exhibit the following signs: he or she speaks other languages they didn't know, exhibits extraordinary strength, knows about hidden or secret things, and is averse to anything sacred.

When getting stoned can kill you

Somalia - A man in in the port town of Merka, Somalia, was stoned to death for adultery. 300 people watched on as 33 year-old Abas Hussein Abdirahman was executed by the al-Shabab Islamist group. The man's pregnant girlfriend has been spared until she gives birth. This is the third execution by stoning this year. Those incidents included two men accused of spying and a 13 year-old girl, killed for being raped. Somalia's new President, President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed has condemned the group for spoiling the image of Islam by killing people and harassing women. "Their actions have nothing to do with Islam," the President said.

God, save us from elephants

Oklahoma, USA - A couple had an unusual encounter on their way home from church in Enid, Okla. While driving back to their wheat farm after services, they sideswiped an elephant. The animal had escaped from a nearby circus. Bill and Deena Carpenter escaped injury but the pachyderm didn't fare so well as it suffered a broken tusk and possible broken leg. The tusk punched through the side of the Carpenter's SUV. "The good Lord was with us," Carpenter said. The elephant was treated by vetenarian, Dr. Dwight Olson, who found the injured animal hiding in the bushes, then it was transferred to the veterinary school at Oklahoma State University for follow-up procedures.

Church is elevated

India - A church which has long been preserving a portion of the holy dress of St. Mary will soon be elevated in designation to that of a cathedral. St. Mary’s Jacobite Syrian Church in Angamaly, India will be given the status of ‘Sunoro Cathedral’ (church where a holy relic is kept) by the Patriarch of Antioch Ignatius Zaka I. It will be the first such designation in the Jacobite church. In connection with the famous ‘Annidha Festival’ on November 15, the official declaration will be made at a public function to be held on the church premises.

Jesus, queen of heaven

Scotland - Jesus, Queen of Heaven is new play stirring intense controversy in Glasgow. It portrays Jesus as a transsexual woman. A woman who was formerly a man wrote the play and stars in the lead and only role. Christian evangelicals were joined by Roman Catholics in picketing the Tron Theatre where the play opened this week. This is a sequel for the playwright who also authored, God's New Frock, a partly autobiographical production about growing up as a male and trying to suppress the impulse to become a woman. 

The author/actor has expressed disappointment at the public's reaction and says she had imagined the son of God alive in the present day as a transsexual woman, and is attempting to present how "she" would relate the parables under this transgendered identity.

God's dogs

Los Angeles, Calif. - The Covenant Presbyterian Church in Los Angeles departed from the traditional service and featured one targeting pet owners. Rev. Tom Eggebeen felt this would help build his congregation so he turned God's house into a dog house. The 30-minute service featured canine prayers, an offering of dog treats and even individual doggie beds. Eggebeen says he believes the strong connection between an owner and his or her dog is a form of God's love. He hopes his idea will draw new followers and help his church reconnect with the community.

Some suicides allowed church burial

India - Priests with the Catholic Church in India will now perform burial services for "non-scandalous" suicide deaths, which are now viewed by the Church as being committed as a result of chronic mental illness, depression or sudden emotional outburst. Life is God's property and to destroy it is to assert dominion over what is God's according to the Church. 

Previously, the body was only allowed to the main gate of the church for prayers before interment. There would be no religious rite at the burial. Babu Joseph, the spokesperson for the Catholic Bishops Conference of India pronounced, "If the priest wants to give a simple burial, he will be allowed to, provided it is not a scandalous suicide."

Green Patriarch meets with Obama

Washington, D.C. - The "Green Patriarch," Greek Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, met with U.S. President Obama on Tuesday. Of primary concern was climate change and other environmental ills. After the meeting, His All Holiness affirmed to a crowd at Georgetown University, "We view with alarm the dangerous consequences of disregard for the survival of God's creation." The Orthodox Church, which has its seat in Istanbul, is comprised of some 300 million Christians. The patriarch has been in the U.S. since October 20th. He got the nickname 'Green Patriarch' from Al Gore.

Crook sentenced in Church swindle

Los Angeles, Calif. - Curtis D. Somoza, 41, of Westlake Village bilked South Los Angeles churchgoers out of $44 million in an insurance scam. The Los Angeles Federal Court sentenced him Tuesday to 25 years in federal prison after he'd pled guilty to charges of conspiracy, mail fraud, and other crimes.

Prosecutors charged that Somoza and co-defendant, Robert Coberly, got 63 men to invest in a company they claimed would buy life insurance policies for a church-based organization but used the money to buy a racing boat, a Ferrari and other luxuries.

March for Jesus

Sao Paulo - The annual "March for Jesus" drew an estimated 1.5 million in Brazil. Uniting faithful from hundreds of Brazilian evangelical churches, this is the event's 17th year and featured Christian bans, local celebrities and a number of preachers to the stage set up at a central Sao Paulo plaza. Organized by the Reborn in Christ Church, the theme was "March to Topple Giants," which organizers said refers to the evangelicals' crusade against discrimination and misunderstanding in Brazil.

Feeding the Poor

Ghana - Over 20,000 people in the Gomoa East District in Ghana have been fed by the Swedru Central Assemblies of God Church, in partnership with the Eliza Rovere Ministries from the United States. 

Rev. Arkoh-Nunoo said the time had come for the churches to spend some of their collections and other proceeds to cater for the people, especially the underprivileged. He called for the church to assist in the creation of jobs and wealth for the people and not to rely on the government alone in order to reduce poverty.

Nun found dead on Navaho reservation

Arizona - Sister Marguerite Bartz, 64, a nun with the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament has been found dead in her residence at a church in a small community on the Navajo Indian reservation near the Arizona-New Mexico border. She ministered for the Diocese of Gallup. 

A search is on for her beige 2005 Honda CR-V with a New Jersey license plate. The FBI is investigating. The public's assistance is sought as to any relevant information pertaining to the death.

Court outlaws crucifixes

France - A ruling against crucifixes in Italian classrooms has been handed down by the the European Court of Human Rights. The Strasbourg court opined that the display of a cross ran counter to the child's right to religious freedom, violates the parent's rights to educate their child as they saw fit and also restricted the rights of children to believe or not to believe. 

The Italian government says it will appeal against the decision. Education Minister Mariastella Gelmini said the crucifix was a "symbol of our tradition."

South African Church leaders meet

South Africa - The National Church Leaders Consultation in Johannesburg, South Africa saw Church leaders promise to continue the fight against disease and crime. The leaders of Church communities were urged to increase their efforts at building a healthier, more caring society and in strengthening the morals and ethics of the people in their church communities. 

HIV/AIDS was touted as a scourge bedeviling the nation. Statistics were presented from a number of sources showing that South Africa needed a mass mobilization for testing, treatment rollout and prevention. 

The conference involves most of the heads of Christian denominations and Church leaders in South Africa. It takes place twice a year.

Swastikas sprayed on Jewish deli

Dallas, Tex. - Natalie's Kitchen and International Market, a kosher restaurant, was victim to swastikas and obscenities spray painted on the building in Far North Dallas. Police are investigating it as a hate crime. A Reform synagogue in Sherman was also victim to a burglary and vandalism last week. In that case, police got a tip and two men were arrested in connection with the crime. That incident appeared to be an alcohol-related crime of opportunity and not an act of hate. 

In hopes to avoid just these kinds of problems, Natalie's owners have kept a low profile and have no external signs indicating it as a Jewish establishment. Elements of the graffiti indicate it is not the work of an organized anti-Semitic group.

Hope to avoid controversy

Olympia, Wash. - Controversy wracked the holiday season last year so this year the state of Washington will bar any and all religious displays in the Capitol in Olympia. Previously, atheists countered a Nativity scene with one of their own displays with other displays following including a Festivus pole based on a holiday celebrated by a Seinfeld character in the comedy series. There will still be a holiday tree featured inside the rotunda.

Hawaiians celebrate Saint

Hawaii - In the mid-1800's, Father Damien cared for exiled leprosy patients in Hawaii when no one else would. Ships delivering the sick dumped them offshore and forced them to swim ashore. There were no hospitals or doctors or housing. Father Damien came to the island, cared for the sick, built homes and planted trees. He eventually contracted leprosy himself suffered and died from it. 

Now he has been canonized by the Catholic Church though he has long been considered a saint by the people of Hawaii who are celebrating the designation with the arrival of a relic from the priest.

Hoping Our Lady will Knock

Ireland - Close to 10,000 people gathered Saturday at the Basilica in Knock, Ireland, in hopes of witnessing a visitation from the Virgin Mary, as predicted by Joe Coleman, a Dubliner who describes himself as a visionary of the Blessed Mother. Coleman said the visitation would be visible only to those with an open heart. Earlier this month, 5,000 gathered under similar circumstances. Some said they saw the sun dancing in the sky. The first Knock apparition of Our Lady's was in 1879. 

The Catholic Archbishop of Tuam, Dr Michael Neary, issued a statement clarifying the church’s view, "It is not healthy, does not give glory to God and...is not good witness to the faith to be looking for extraordinary phenomena."