Sri Lanka - The foreign ministry of Sri Lanka has announced it will deny the US singer Akron a visa to perform to a sold-out concert after almost 12,000 people on Facebook and a large number of Buddhist monks took serious offense over the performer's music video from his "Sexy Bitch" hit that featured bikini-clad women dancing in front of a statue of Buddha.
"Please stop insulting a religion. Save Buddhism," said one FB posting. A "We Hate AKRON" group on Facebook has over 11,700 fans in response to his video.
Sri Lanka is mostly Buddhist and is sensitive to the commercial use of religious imagery. Candles in the shape of Buddha have seen a ban by the government.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Arab poetry
MidEast - In the Arab version of American Idol, poet Hissa Hilal won a place in the program's finals after she recited a provocative poem in which she castigated Muslim preachers “who sit in the position of power” but are “frightening” people with their fatwas, or religious edicts, and “preying like a wolf” on those seeking peace.
The audience in The Million's Poet show gave the poem loud cheers. The poet has since received death threats that have been posted on several militant Islamic web sites. "Killing a human being is so easy for them, it is always an option,” she said.
From behind her own veil, Hilal recited, “I have seen evil in the eyes of fatwas, at a time when the permitted is being twisted into the forbidden." She called such edicts “a monster that emerged from its hiding place” whenever “the veil is lifted from the face of truth.”
Hilal was once a poetry editor at the Arab daily Al-Hayat.
The audience in The Million's Poet show gave the poem loud cheers. The poet has since received death threats that have been posted on several militant Islamic web sites. "Killing a human being is so easy for them, it is always an option,” she said.
From behind her own veil, Hilal recited, “I have seen evil in the eyes of fatwas, at a time when the permitted is being twisted into the forbidden." She called such edicts “a monster that emerged from its hiding place” whenever “the veil is lifted from the face of truth.”
Hilal was once a poetry editor at the Arab daily Al-Hayat.
Ancient vs modern
Israel - The discovery of bones, determined by archeologists to have belonged to Christians or pagans from the Byzantium era, has convinced the Israeli government to relocate the construction of an hospital emergency room in Ashkelon in the south of Isreal. The ward would have covered the ancient burial site.
According to Dep. Health Minister Litzman, the bones were Jewish and religious practice forbade them being moved.
According to Dep. Health Minister Litzman, the bones were Jewish and religious practice forbade them being moved.
Code violation
USA - The town of Gilbert, Arizona, says their zoning code prohibits assembly activities such as Bible studies, church leadership meetings, and church fellowship activities. The Oasis of Truth church was meeting at Pastor Joe Sutherland's house but were notified to cease and desist.
The Alliance Defense Fund, a national legal organization, has filed an appeal with the town, saying its code violates the U.S. Constitution.
The Alliance Defense Fund, a national legal organization, has filed an appeal with the town, saying its code violates the U.S. Constitution.
Render unto Caesar
Greece - The socialist Greek government is slated to impose heavy taxes on the Orthodox Church in its continued attempt to boost revenues in the face of a continuing debt crisis. The Church faces a 20% tax on any bequests and revenues from church property.
“The 20 percent hits us right between the eyes,” Bishop Anthimos of Thessaloniki said. A Church spokesperson declined comment on the new tax bill.
A director from the Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy think-tank said, “The fact that we are going through a major crisis will make it easier for the Church to accept this measure, otherwise it will be thought of as not contributing to the salvation of Greece’s economy.”
“The 20 percent hits us right between the eyes,” Bishop Anthimos of Thessaloniki said. A Church spokesperson declined comment on the new tax bill.
A director from the Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy think-tank said, “The fact that we are going through a major crisis will make it easier for the Church to accept this measure, otherwise it will be thought of as not contributing to the salvation of Greece’s economy.”
Creation myth
USA - Native American, Joy Harjo - author, playwright, poet, songwriter, musician and singer - performs her version of a Native American creation tale. Her show, “Wings of Night Sky, Wings of Morning Light’’ with Grammy-Award Winning Producer and Collaborator, Guitarist Larry Mitchell, is also running at the Autry National Center's Museum of the American West in Los Angeles through the 29th.
Portraying a character named Redbird Monawhee, Harjo takes the audience on a healing journey and recounts the story of Rabbit, creator of a clay man whose insatiable hunger for women and excessive riches throws the universe out of balance - a metaphor of how we became separated from the beauty of the world.
With both humor and sadness, struggle and self-discovery, Harjo reminds her audience of the importance of old stories and the valuable lessons they reveal.
Joy Harjo is a member of the Mvskoke Nation and writes a column for the tribal newspaper.
Portraying a character named Redbird Monawhee, Harjo takes the audience on a healing journey and recounts the story of Rabbit, creator of a clay man whose insatiable hunger for women and excessive riches throws the universe out of balance - a metaphor of how we became separated from the beauty of the world.
With both humor and sadness, struggle and self-discovery, Harjo reminds her audience of the importance of old stories and the valuable lessons they reveal.
Joy Harjo is a member of the Mvskoke Nation and writes a column for the tribal newspaper.
Chant master
USA - Considered by many the "chant master of American yoga," Krishna Das, performs his traditional chants - the spiritual practice of kirtan, chanting the names of the divine masters - in live events 200 times a year.
In the past, he has collaborated with such notables as Sting, and Mike D of the Beastie Boys. "The way I do it, it is not a religious practice, but a spiritual one," he says. On his current tour, he is sharing a bill with Deva Premal and Miten.
From churches to yoga studios, all of his performances are audience-participation events. His background is an interesting one. At one time, he played with an early version of Blue Oyster Cult in New York City and began yoga and meditation with other seekers like Ram Das.
This month he releases a new album titled "Heart As Wide As The World." Krishna Das emphasizes, "One of the things chanting does is to give a very immediate sense of release from the daily grind."
In the past, he has collaborated with such notables as Sting, and Mike D of the Beastie Boys. "The way I do it, it is not a religious practice, but a spiritual one," he says. On his current tour, he is sharing a bill with Deva Premal and Miten.
From churches to yoga studios, all of his performances are audience-participation events. His background is an interesting one. At one time, he played with an early version of Blue Oyster Cult in New York City and began yoga and meditation with other seekers like Ram Das.
This month he releases a new album titled "Heart As Wide As The World." Krishna Das emphasizes, "One of the things chanting does is to give a very immediate sense of release from the daily grind."
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