Page 182 - Religion Belief
Mizoram observes Good Friday
Good Friday, that marks the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, was observed in the Christian-dominated state of Mizoram today. Special services were held in the local churches with the Catholic Church organising a mass last night. Members of the Catholic Church took out a procession in Aizawl and other places of the state.
Christians observe Good Friday with prayers, reconciliation
Christians across the globe are observing Good Friday today.Good Friday is widely regarded as the day Jesus Christ was crucified on a cross on Calvary Hill nearly 2,000 years ago.The day is observed with prayers, hymns and message of peace and reconciliation. It is a day of penance and fasting.Christians attend Holy Mass on this day. The rest of the day is spent in reflection, prayer and fasting. Some people fast for the whole day, some exclude meat from their diet and some take part in parades and activities etc.Services are performed in churches in the evening where Christ's death is remembered with hymns.The death of Jesus is marked as 'good' as it is believed that the ultimate sacrifice of his very life resulted in the saving of mankind from God's wrath and the forgiveness of everyone's sins.Easter will be celebrated on Sunday to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus three days after his crucifixion.Christians end their 40 days of Lent and indulge in merry making and festivities.
Filipinos celebrate Easter with crucifixion, flogging
Filipino zealots marked Good Friday with a bloody display of religious frenzy by having themselves nailed to crosses and whipping their backs raw in Asia's bastion of Catholicism. Though frowned upon by the church, the gruesome re-enactments of Christ's final moments draw thousands of believers -- and tourists -- in a carnival-like atmosphere that is big business for locals. In towns located north of Manila at least three people had eight-centimetre (three-inch) spikes driven through their palms and feet in hot, dry fields. More devotees were expected to take part later in the day. At the same time, bare-chested men, some of whose faces were concealed by hoods, lashed their backs bloody, as selfie-snapping onlookers watched. They left droplets of blood on cars, houses and even bottles of soda displayed on snack vendors' tables that lined the road. "If one of my family members gets sick, this is what we do," said Norman Lapuot, 25, as he flogged himself with a bamboo-tipped whip. "I do
Vatican rules out 'imminent' China bishop deal
A historic deal between China and the Vatican on the appointment of bishops is not "imminent," a Vatican spokesman said today, contradicting an optimistic statement from a Chinese government-approved bishop. "I can state that there is no imminent signature of an agreement between the Holy See and the People's Republic of China," said Vatican spokesman Greg Burke. "I would like to stress that the Holy Father Francis remains in constant contact with his collaborators on Chinese issues and is accompanying the steps of the ongoing dialogue," he added. Today, Bishop Guo Jincai, secretary-general of the Bishops Conference of the Catholic Church in China, was quoted by the state-owned Global Times as saying that negotiations with the Vatican had reached "the final stages". "If everything goes right, the deal could be signed as early as the end of this month," said Guo, who is recognised by China's Communist government. The Vatican relaunched long-stalled negotiations with Beijing three years
Pope on Holy Thursday urges priests to be close to sinners
Pope Francis is urging priests to be spiritually close to their flocks and not insist on preaching laws when they sin. Francis issued the guidance during Holy Thursday Mass, which is meant to show the unity of the Catholic Church during its most solemn, pre-Easter period. In his homily, Francis warned priests to not be tempted to insist on church law and doctrine when preaching, since that can distance ordinary faithful from Jesus. Even when people commit adultery, he said, priests should not condemn with legalisms. Rather, he said, priests should help adulterers to look forward, even if they have to tell them not to sin over and over. The admonition comes as Francis' opening to divorced and civilly remarried Catholics has badly divided the church.
All slaughter houses in Haryana's urban areas closed today
All slaughter houses in urban areas of Haryana will remain closed today on the occasion of Mahavir Jayanti, Urban Local Bodies Minister Kavita Jain has said. She said the sale of meat, fish and eggs will also be restricted today. Jain said Mahavir Jayanti was observed every year as non-violence day. "Different religious organizations of the state had met me and demanded prohibition of killing of animals on this day. After this, the officers of the Department were instructed to prepare a proposal in this regard. "Keeping in view the religious sentiments of the Jain community, the proposal to close down slaughter houses on March 29 and also restrict the sale of meat, fish and eggs has been approved," she said in an official release. Jain said officers have been instructed to ensure strict compliance of orders in the municipal areas and also submit a report of the same.
Mahavir Jayanti: Slaughterhouses to remain closed in Haryana
Haryana Urban Local Body Minister, Kavita Jain announced on Thursday that all slaughterhouses will remain closed in urban areas of the state on the occasion of Mahavir Jayanti and the sale of meat, fish and eggs will be restricted.Officials of the Urban Local Bodies Department have been instructed to ensure strict compliance with the instructions and send a report.In a statement released today, Jain said that every year Mahavir Jayanti is celebrated as a non-violence day. While meeting with various religious organizations of the state, she demanded a prohibition on the killing of animals on this occasion.After this, the officers of the urban local body department instructed to prepare a proposal in this regard.Mahavir Jayanti marks the birth anniversary of Lord Mahavir, the twenty-fourth and the last Tirthankara, a saviour and spiritual teacher of Dharma.
China-Vatican deal on bishops imminent: Chinese prelate
A historic agreement between the Vatican and Beijing on the appointment of bishops in China could be signed as early as this Saturday, a Chinese government-approved bishop said in a report published today. Negotiations have reached "the final stages," Bishop Guo Jincai, secretary-general of the Bishops Conference of the Catholic Church in China, was quoted as saying by the state-owned Global Times newspaper. "If everything goes right, the deal could be signed as early as the end of this month," said Guo, who is recognised by China's Communist government. Beijing and the Vatican severed diplomatic relations in 1951 and although ties have improved as China's Catholic population grows, they have remained at odds over the appointment of bishops. China's roughly 12 million Catholics are divided between a government-run association, whose clergy are chosen by the atheist Communist Party, and an unofficial underground church loyal to the Vatican. The situation is complex because the Vatican .
Case registered against BJP MLA for 'provocative statements'
A case has been registered against T Raja Singh Lodh, BJP MLA from Goshamahal constituency here, for his alleged provocative statements on the eve of Ram Navami, police said today. Police said two complaints were filed against Lodh some days back, charging the MLA with hurting their religious sentiments through his statements, which they said, disturbs communal harmony. Following the complaints, a case under IPC section 295A (Deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs) and other relevant IPC sections was registered against the MLA, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Mirchowk Division) B Anand said.
Muslim identity 'flattened' in today's India, say experts
Many organisations in the development sector that worked with Muslims did not want to acknowledge that they did so, and then there were some who did not want to work with them at all. Activist and author Farah Naqvi said she realised the sombre truth during her research for her new book "Working with Muslims: Beyond Burqa and Triple Talaq" that was released by former vice president Hamid Ansari yesterday. The issue of "flattening" Muslim identity in India echoed in the packed hall of the India International Centre where an eminent panel discussed the book, which investigates the reality of NGOs and their developmental work with Muslims in eight major states of India. Written in collaboration with the Sadhbhavna Trust, the book studies 373 NGOs and their work with Muslims. Of the 373, 79 are from Uttar Pradesh. Ansari, who delivered the keynote address, set the ball rolling on the debate and said there was need to discard the virus of considering Muslims with "apprehension, ...
Haryana orders closure of slaughter houses on March 29
The Haryana government has directed the closure of all slaughter houses in the state on March 29 in view of Mahavir Jayanti.
China frees Vatican-affiliated Chinese bishop: sources
Chinese police have released an underground bishop after holding him for a day, sources said today, as Beijing and the Vatican prepare to seal a historic agreement on the appointment of prelates. Vincent Guo Xijin, bishop of the diocese of Mindong in the southeastern province of Fujian, was at the centre of the controversial deal after being urged by the Vatican to step aside for a prelate recognised by China's Communist government. He was detained on Monday, a Catholic source close to the matter told AFP, though it was not clear why. "He has returned home. He was taken away on Monday evening and returned last evening," the source said, requesting anonymity to avoid repercussions. An Amnesty International researcher in Hong Kong, Patrick Poon, also cited sources as saying Guo was released after being held for "talks". The detention was first reported on Tuesday by AsiaNews, which is run by the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions. The AsiaNews report said Guo was detained along ..
Bengal governor appeals for peace post Ram Navami violence
In the wake of violence on the occasion of Ram Navami, West Bengal Governor K N Tripathi today appealed for peace and said everybody should perform their religious practices peacefully. Tripathi's comment comes in the backdrop of violence in various parts of the state over the celebration of Ram Navami on Sunday. "There should not be any riot or violence. And people should perform their religious practice peacefully," Tripathi told PTI. When asked whether he has any piece of advice for the state government, Tripathi said, "whatever I have to say to the state government, I'll communicate separately". Heavy police force was deployed in the Raniganj area of West Bengal yesterday after clashes broke out between two groups on Monday over a Ram Navami procession, killing one person and injuring two police officers, a district official said. In another incident, one person was killed and five police personnel were injured in group clash in Purulia. Sword-wielding BJP supporters had defied ...
Case registered against BJP MLA for hurting religious sentiments
A case has been registered against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Raja Singh in Rein Bazar Police Station for hurting religious sentiments of Muslims.Circle Inspector, Rein Bazar police station, in a statement said, "We have received a complaint from Iqbal Mbt, party worker on March 26, stating Raja Singh in a video has delivered a speech which is provocative and hurting the sentiments of the Muslim religion, he also promoted enormity between two religions"He also said, "After taking legal opinion yesterday regarding the complaint, we registered a case under sections 295-A, 153-B, 505 and 298 of Indian Penal Code (IPC).Further investigation is underway.
US State declares April as Sikh Awareness Month
The US State of Delaware has declared April as the 'Sikh Awareness and Appreciation Month' in recognition of the contribution of the religious minority community. Throughout this month, the public will be educated on what Sikhism truly is and what it stand for. Delaware Governor John Carney in a proclamation declaring April as "Sikh Awareness Month" said the community have earned respect and appreciation through exceptional service to the community. "The State of Delaware seeks to further the diversity of its community and afford Delawareans the opportunity to better appreciate the rich history of Sikh Americans," the proclamation read. The State Assembly - House of Representatives and Senate -- simultaneously passed unanimous resolutions proclaiming April as 'Sikh Awareness and Appreciation Month'. The move gains significance because Delaware has a small Sikh population. "Sikhs and Indian Americans are welcome in the state of Delaware with open arms," Carney told PTI after signing ...
Arunachal integral to India, no power can separate it: Rijiju
Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju today said Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India and no force in the world can separate it from the country. "We are part of united India since thousands of years when Lord Krishna from Dwarika of Gujarat wedded princess Rukshmini of Arunachal Pradesh," Rijiju said on the occasion of Madhavpur fair organised jointly by Ministry of Culture and the Gujarat government at Madhavpur Ghed near Porbandar. Madhavpur is said to be the place where Lord Krishna had married Rukshamani. The traditional fair is held every year between Ramnavmi and Teras. This year, the fair is being held between March 25 and 28. The fair will highlight the historical and cultural ties between Arunachal Pradesh and Gujarat. Invoking Lord Krishna, Rijiju, who represents Arunachal West Lok Sabha constituency, said Gujarat and his home state are connected with each other since thousands of years. "No force in the world can separate Arunachal Pradesh .
Age-old religious customs cannot be stopped casually: HC
The Madras High Court has held that centuries-old religious customs and practises cannot be stopped by government machinery by citing administrative inconvenience or anticipated trouble, unless such events become unlawful in present times. The court was disposing a petition by an executive trustee of Sri Kamatchi Amman temple in Cuddalore district, assailing an order of the local police refusing permission to the temple car festival conducted during night. Justice K Ravichandrabaabu directed the Revenue Divisional Officer, Cuddalore, to pass appropriate orders on the plea to permit the temple to take out the car during night time on the day of 'Panguni Uthiram' festival onMarch 31. The police shall also extend sufficient protection at the time of conduct of such festival, the judge said. He said it was not in dispute that the temple had been conducting the car festival every year in the Tamil month of 'Panguni' (March-April) during night hours based on some astronomical ...
Christian group complains against Illayaraja
A fringe Christian group on Tuesday lodged a police complaint against Padma Vibhushan music maestro Illayaraja for what it said was "hurting the community's sentiments" with his comments on Jesus Christ's resurrection.
RS adjourned for day following noisy protests
The Rajya Sabha was today adjourned for the day amid noisy protests by AIADMK and TDP members over various issues even as most members wanted to bid farewell to about 40 retiring colleagues. As soon as the House was adjourned for the day, Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad was heard urging members not to leave the House and remain seated. Most of the members, including those from the BJP and opposition parties, remain seated. However, after about 10 minutes most members from treasury benches left the House. Union minister and Leader of the House Arun Jaitley was seen interacting with several opposition members including Azad. Later at around 12 all the protesting Congress and BSP members too left the House. Earlier in the day Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu first adjourned the House for 15 minutes following protest by AIADMK and TDP. When the House reassembled, Naidu again made an appeal to protesting AIADMK members to sit down and let the farewell process ...
Gujarat government fest to retrace links with North East
Commemorating the traditionally celebrated mythological event of Lord Krishna's wedding with Rukmini, who is believed to have hailed from Arunachal Pradesh, the Gujarat government is holding an epic celebration from March 25 to 28 at the Madhavpur-Ghed village fair.