Page 224 - Religion Belief
Shankaracharya counters RSS chief's claim that those born in
Swami Swaroopanand Saraswati, the Shankaracharya of Dwaraka-Sharda Peeth, said that there was no logic in the assertion that those born in India were Hindus as he claimed it would "eliminate the basic structure of society". He was reacting to the statement of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat that anybody living in India was a Hindu. "The theory that one who is born in India is Hindu has no logic behind it since it will eliminate the basic structure of society," the Shankaracharya told reporters in Vrindavan. A real Hindu has faith in the Vedas and Shastras, while Muslims read the Quran and Hadith and Christians follow the Bible, he said. Addressing a gathering in Tripura earlier this week, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief said, "Muslims in India are also Hindus." On the Ayodhya temple dispute, the Shankaracharya said that political parties did not have the right to build a Ram temple in Ayodhya. "Only Shankaracharyas and Dharmacharyas have the right to construct a ...
Hindu, Muslim and Sikh festivals to get more BBC coverage
The BBC today announced plans to expand its religious coverage to celebrate holy days and festivals of non-Christian faiths from around the world, including Hinduism, Islam and Sikhism. Under proposals to inject more religious themes into mainstream TV and radio of the UKs public broadcaster, festivals like Diwali and Eid will take centre-stage during popular programming. "We will create specific features and content for major festivals such as Diwali, Passover, Rosh Hashanah [Jewish new year], Ramadan, Eid and Vaisakhi [Sikh new year]," states the BBCs 'Religion and Ethics Review', published today. Under the policy shiftdetailed in the new review, viewers will also see the protagonists of mainstream dramas grappling with dilemmas caused by their faith. The move follows a year-long consultationthat found that people of all faiths were "often absent, poorly presented or satirised" and as a result the BBC fails to reflect British society completely. "(The plans) will ...
ISKCON to organise Gita Mela
Over six lakh people are expected to attend a 11-day Gita Mela organised by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) at its spiritual hub in Mayapur in West Bengal's Nadia district from Saturday, the religious order said.
India's ties with US, Israel prospering because of belief in
India's ties with the America and Israel are prospering because there is a commonality in the belief of human values and a desire for peace around the world, Indian Ambassador to the US Navtej Sarna has said. Indian Jewish diaspora is an important part of the Indian-American diaspora, Sarna said on the occasion of Hanukkah celebrations at the Indian Embassy here. "Both (India-US and India-Israel) relationships, which in many ways draw strength from the other are today prospering like they have never done before," Sarna said. "They (the two relationships) are prospering because there is a commonality in the belief of human values, in democracy in the rule of law and in the desire for peace around the world," said the Indian Ambassador at the celebrations attended by members of the Indian American Jewish community, members of the diplomatic corps and eminent Jews. "I think that the Indian Jewish diaspora in the United States is an important part of the overall Indian ...
Union minister Krishna Raj hospitalised
Union Minister Krishna Raj was rushed to a city hospital here on Wednesday after she fell ill during a party meeting in Parliament.
Pak mobilising Arab countries against Trump's Jerusalem move
Pakistan has been mobilising widespread protests and calling on the Arab world to pressurise the United States to revert President Donald Trump's decision of recognising Jerusalem as capital of Israel.The Middle East Media Research Institute has published an article titled, "Pakistani religious, political leaders react to President Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as capital of Israel", which cited statements made by the Pakistani religious and political leaders that appeared in Roznama Islam, a pro-Islamism Urdu daily, from December 7-10, 2017 against the US President's move."U.S. President Donald Trump announced the U.S. recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, and also that the U.S. Embassy would be moved there from Tel Aviv. The announcement sparked protests in the Islamic world, since Muslims consider Jerusalem to be the First Qibla, or direction of prayer, before it was superseded by Mecca. Leaders of political and religious parties in Pakistan also condemned the U.S. .
Mathura Christians finally get bail
Additional Sessions Judge Amal Pal Singh on Tuesday granted bail to the seven Christians held in judicial custody on charges of attempting religious conversion.
Pope tackles US-Jerusalem issue with Jordan's King
Jordan's King Abdullah II and Pope Francis today discussed the US decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital, as well as the former's role as custodian of the city's holy sites. "My dear friend and brother," said Abdullah as he greeted the pontiff at the Vatican, presenting him a painting of Jerusalem's Old City, featuring the Islamic Dome of the Rock and the Christian Church of the Holy Sepulcher. The Vatican said the pair had "cordial conversations focused above all on the theme of the promotion of peace and stability in the Mideast, with particular reference to the question of Jerusalem." They discussed "the role of the Hashemite Sovereign as Custodian of the Holy Places" and pledged "to encourage negotiations among the interested parties, as well as promoting inter-religious dialogue," it said in a statement. Francis called for "respect of the status quo" in Jerusalem earlier this month following US President Donald Trump's decision to recognise Jerusalem as
Sikhs in Pakistan's KP province allege being forced to convert
The Sikh community in Pakistan's Hangu district in northwestern province of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa have alleged that they were being forced to convert to Islam by a government official, according to a media report. The Sikh community members have lodged a complaint with the Deputy Commissioner Hangu Shahid Mehmood, the Express Tribune reported. According to the Pakistan's National Database and Registration Authority, there are around 6,000 Sikhs in the country, living in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), Sindh, Balochistan, Nankana Sahib, Lahore and other districts of Punjab. In his complaint, Farid Chand Singh said that the community members had been living in the area since 1901 and were never offended by anyone, specially over religious beliefs. "They rather lived all their lives peacefully with Muslims, despite having been a hotbed for sectarian conflicts, residents of Hangu district never harmed us," he was quoted as saying in the ...
Thousands of devotees throng Lord Saturn temple in Tirunallar
Thousands of devotees from across the country today offered prayers at the famous Lord Saneeswara temple in Tirunallar near here on the occasion of 'Sanipeyarchi' festival (transit of Saturn). The bells of the temple rang at 10:01 a.m, amidst 'Maha Deeparadhanai' and special prayers marking the transit of Lord Saturn from the zodiac sign'Viruchikam' (Scorpio)to 'Dhanush' (Sagittarius). Tight security arrangements were made by the Puducherry police for the festival, officials said. All devotees entering the temple were screened with metal detectors while surveillance cameras were installed at strategic locations. The district administration made elaborate arrangements to regulate the crowd at the 'Nala Theertham' and the temple. Legend has it that persons who are under the malefic influence of 'Saturn' would be relieved of it, if they take an oil bath at the 'Nala theertham' and worship at the shrine, especially on the day of 'Sanipeyarchi', which occurs once in ...
'One doesn't have to abandon its religion to become Hindu'
In the wake of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat's statement - Muslims in India are also Hindus - row, organisation's ideologue M.G. Vaidya said on Tuesday that one did not have to leave his or her religion to become a Hindu."Muslims don't need to leave Quran to become a Hindu. They just have to consider Hinduism as their own religion," M.G. Vaidya told ANI here.He added that a person not going to the temple was also a Hindu and one should remember the meaning of Hindu.Addressing a public function in Tripura on Sunday, Bhagwat said, "The Muslims in India are also Hindus. We have no enmity with anyone. We want welfare of all."The statement has created a furore especially among religious leaders. While some Hindu saints welcomed it, others opposed it and said such a statement should not have been made.
Godmen divided over Bhagwat's 'Hindu' remark
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat's statement - Muslims in India are also Hindus - has stirred a controversy, with some saints supporting his remark while others opposing it.Endorsing Bhagwat's remark, Mahanth Shakun Pandey told ANI, "His statement is laudable. This is bitter truth that every citizen who lives in India is Hindu. Those who call themselves Muslims, I ask them to check their background. They will find that their ancestors are Hindu. All Muslims are Hindu.However, Mahant Dharmdas Maharaj slammed RSS chief's statement saying that he should refrain from making such statements."There is no point in raising this issue. What message he wants to give to Hindus and Muslims. They should make such statement after giving it a thought," he said.Addressing a public function in Tripura, Bhagwat had said, "The Muslims in India are also Hindus. We have no enmity with anyone. We want welfare of all.""Hindutva is different from Hinduism and today the disturbed Western .
London gets first-ever female bishop
The Church of England today appointed the Right Reverend Sarah Mullallyas the first female bishop of London, making her the senior-most female bishop to be appointed by the Anglican church. The 55-year-old, who was the bishop of the town of Crediton in Devon, takes over her London role from Dr Richard Chartres, who retired in February, Downing Street said today. Legislation to allow women bishops was formally adopted by the Church of the England in 2014. Mullally, the daughter of a hairdresser and among the most prolific bishops on Twitter, vowed to be "a bishop of London but also for London". The bishop of London is the number three position in the Church of England after the Archbishops of Canterbury and York. "It is a great honour to be nominated to the See of London. Having lived and worked in London for over 32 years, the thought of returning here is about returning home," said Mullally. Before becoming a priest, the bishop worked as a nurse in the state-run ...
Pak steps up security after church attack ahead of Christmas
Pakistan today beefed up security around hundreds of religious places of minorities, including Hindu temples, a day after ISIS suicide bombers struck a church during a mass in the restive southwestern city of Quetta, killing nine people and injuring 44 others. Authorities have instructed law enforcement agencies to tighten security arrangements in and around the worship places and other places of religious significance for the non-Muslims against any possible threat. "Our resolve remains strong and unflinching against terrorists. Their (cowardly) attacks cannot weaken us," Balochistan Chief Minister Sanaullah Zehri said today as he announced Rs 10 lakh in compensation each for the families of the dead, and Rs 5 lakh for each injured in the attack. Sindh Home Minister Sohail Anwar Siyal also asked for increasing security for mosques, shrines, Imambargahs etc. "Those who are adamant to destroy peace in the country are ulcerous and the entire nation is united against their .
Satna incident: Catholic priest, Bajrang Dal activist held
A Catholic priest and a Banjrang Dal activist have been arrested from Satna in Madhya Pradesh, three days after suspected workers of the right-wing group had allegedly beaten up priests and seminarians over forced conversion of Hindus to Christianity, police said today. Father M George was arrested for forced religious conversion under the Madhya Pradesh Religious Freedom Act, 1968. Vikas Gupta, the activist, was arrested in connection with the torching of a vehicle on the night of December 14. Both were arrested yesterday, a police official said. That night, suspected Bajrang Dal activists had allegedly beaten up a group of Christians, including 10 priests, and set their car on fire outside the Civil Lines police station over alleged conversion of Hindus to Christianity. Father George and five others were booked on the complaint of a local youth, Dharmendra Dohar, who claimed that he was lured with money to convert to Christianity on December 10, Superintendent of ...
Cake for 'joyful' pope on his 81st birthday
Pope Francis celebrated his 81st birthday today with a hero cake and a message urging the world -- and children in particular -- to join in the holiday mood and be joyful. The Argentine pontiff thanked the crowds gathered in Saint Peter's Square for the Angelus prayer as they sang happy birthday, and was expected to slice into his birthday cake after lunch. It sports a picture of the pope carrying the world on his shoulders, designed by Italian graffiti artist MauPal. The artist -- whose real name is Mauro Pallotta -- famously depicted Francis as Superman in 2014 and has since begun supporting Vatican charitable projects by selling T- shirts bearing the flying pope. The pear and cinnamon delight shows Francis in his white cassock, holding up with one hand the world, which is divided in two but stitched back together -- a symbol of the pope's unifying force, Rome pastry maker Hedera said. Francis's birthday this year falls on Gaudete Sunday, which the church marks as a ...
Gita Research Institute to be set up in Mathura
A research institute for the study of the 'Bhagavad Gita' will be soon set up by the Uttar Pradesh government in this temple town, a minister said. The Gita Research Institute has been proposed by the Yogi Adityanath government, Minister for Religious works and culture Laxmi Narayan Chaudhary said. "For research on Gayan (singing), Vadan (the art of music) and Nratya (dance) of the Krishna age, the government is setting up the institute," the minister said. Speaking at the 144th anniversary celebration of the Government Museum, Mathura, the minister said no language in the world was as sweet as Brij Bhasha and no art was as gifted as the art of Mathura. Unfortunately, no efforts were made to promote these, he said.
Saintly bones, blood not for sale, Vatican warns
Those looking for gifts for Catholic loved ones this Christmas should steer clear of websites and shops peddling saintly remains, with the Vatican reminding sellers today that hawking relics is forbidden. "Trading in" or "selling relics is absolutely forbidden," the Catholic Church's saint-making office said in a new guide on how to verify relics' authenticity and preserve them. The bones, hair, fingernails and skin of Roman Catholic saints have been preserved and cherished through the centuries, including the tongue of Anthony of Padua, head of Catherine of Siena and a vial containing the blood of pope John Paul II. While it would be difficult to sell famous relics such as the Holy Shroud of Turin - seen by many as Christ's burial shroud - on the black market, there are antique shops and popular websites selling the so-called relics of minor saints. Not only should they not be sold, relics can be displayed in churches only with a certificate attesting to their ...
Sisodia asks DSSSB to allow Sikh students to wear religious
Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia today directed the Delhi Subordinate Services Selection Board (DSSSB) to allow Sikh students to wear their religious symbols while appearing in examinations organised by it. Sisodia, who also holds the service portfolio, today wrote to the DSSSB chairman regarding the issue. He wrote that it had come to notice that a Sikh student was not allowed to wear "kada and kirpan" in a recent exam conducted by the DSSSB. "This is unconstitutional," he said, citing Article 25 of the Constitution, which guarantees to all persons the right to freely profess, practise, and propagate their religion. "Chairman, DSSSB, is hereby directed to issue necessary instructions to ensure that Sikh students may be allowed to carry their religious symbols when they come for any examination organised by the DSSSB," he wrote in the letter.
Egypt reopens ancient library in Sinai after renovations
Egypt reopened today an ancient library which holds thousands of centuries-old religious and historical manuscripts at the famed St Catherine Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site, in South Sinai. The inauguration ceremony was attended by Egyptian and western officials. It comes after three years of restoration work on the eastern side of the library that houses the world's second largest collection of early codices and manuscripts, outnumbered only by the Vatican Library, according to Monk Damyanos, the monastery's archbishop. "The library is now open to the public and scholars," said Tony Kazamias, an adviser to the archbishop, adding that restoration work is still underway without specifying a completion date. The ancient library holds around 3,300 manuscripts of mainly Christian texts in Greek, Arabic, Syriac, Georgian, and Slavonic among other languages. It also contains thousands of books and scrolls dating to the 4th century. At least 160 of the manuscripts ...