Page 73 - Religion Belief
Christmas spirit grips nation
A number of people from the Christian community thronged the decked up churches in different cities on Christmas Eve to attend the midnight mass.Wearing their choicest attire, devotees, along with their family members and friends, sung carols and read the story of Jesus Christ's birth from the Bible in various cities, including Goa, Bengaluru and the national capital.People gathered in huge numbers to attend the midnight mass at Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church in Panaji, Goa, Sacred Heart Cathedral in Delhi and Bengaluru's St. Francis Xavier's Cathedral.In the north Indian hill town Dharmashala, Christians, Buddhists and Hindus, among people of other religions celebrated Christmas at St. John's Church in the Wilderness in Mcleodganj. Many also prayed for the tsunami victims of Indonesia. At least 373 people lost their lives in the devastating tsunami that struck Sunda Strait on Saturday.Claire, a French tourist told ANI, "We are sending a lot of prayers and good thoughts .
Christians ring in Christmas with carols, church bells in Maharashtra
Over a million Christians spread across Maharashtra rung in Christmas by singing carols, ringing church bells, lighting candles, attending midnight mass and exchanging Christmas greetings here on Monday at midnight.
Pilgrims gather in Bethlehem to celebrate Christmas Eve
Pilgrims from across the world gathered in Bethlehem on Monday for Christmas Eve, queuing to see the grotto where Jesus is believed to have been born and taking in a festive parade. Midnight mass was to be held in Bethlehem later, while Pope Francis was also due to hold mass at the Vatican as Christians celebrate the traditional day of Jesus's birth after a tumultuous year. Much of that tumult has come from Washington, and the festive spirit was dampened there as the national Christmas tree went dark on the third day of a US government shutdown. The US National Park Service said that it would remain unlit and closed to the public "until further notice," with checks being made for damage following an attempt by an intruder on Friday to climb the tree. The tree, whose spectacular lights were switched on at a ceremony attended by Trump earlier this month, became a forlorn symbol of the dysfunction gripping Washington two years into his presidency. In Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank, .
Bihar Governor and CM greet people on the eve of Christmas
Bihar Governor Lalji Tandon and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar Monday greeted the people of the state on the eve of Christmas. Extending his greetings and best wishes to the people of Bihar, Tandon said in his message that "May Lord Jesus Christ bless the people of the state with happiness, peace and prosperity. The festival of Christmas spreads the message of tolerance, love and world brotherhood." In his message, Kumar said that "Lord Jesus Christ spread the message of sacrifice, peace, love and compassion for the welfare of entire mankind. We should try to emulate Lord Christ's teachings in our life." "We should all celebrate Christmas with love and harmony," Kumar said in a release.
Pilgrims gather in Bethlehem to celebrate Christmas
Pilgrims from across the world gathered in Bethlehem on Monday for Christmas Eve, queueing to see the grotto where Jesus is believed to have been born and taking in a festive parade. Midnight mass was to be held in Bethlehem later, while Pope Francis was also due to hold mass at the Vatican as Christians celebrate the traditional day of Jesus's birth after a tumultuous year. In Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian scouts and a bagpipe band paraded in Manger Square across from the Church of the Nativity, built where Christians say Mary gave birth to Jesus. Crowds, some wearing Santa hats or holding balloons, looked on at the square decked out with a giant Christmas tree and a manger as carols in Arabic played through speakers. The Catholic archbishop for the Holy Land, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, arrived later in the afternoon and was to lead midnight mass. Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas was to be among dignitaries attending the ceremony. This year, visitors are able ..
Fake Colombian priest unmasked after 18 years
A Colombian man who pretended to be a Roman Catholic priest for 18 years hearing confessions and celebrating weddings, was exposed just before Christmas, the diocese in Spain where he was preaching said Monday. Marriages and baptisms carried out by Miguel Angel Ibarra remain valid but confessions are not even though the "grace of God acted" on the faithful who were deceived, the spokeswoman for the diocese of Cadiz and Ceuta told AFP. Ibarra moved to Spain from Colombia in October 2017 and had been in charge of the church in the village of Medina Sidonia, which is home to some 11,000 people, in the southern region of Andalusia. He had pretended to be a priest for the past 18 years, the she added. Colombian church officials informed the diocese on December 13 that it had received a complaint that Ibarra had forged his ordination documents and that after carrying out a "thorough investigation" they had concluded that he had never been ordained, the Spanish diocese said in a ...
Governor, CM extend Christmas greetings to Goans
Goa Governor Mridula Sinha and Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Monday extended warm Christmas greetings to all Goans.
Dubai releases photos of ruler's daughter who was 'missing'
The United Arab Emirates has released photos of the daughter of one of the country's rulers after friends said they believe she was forcibly returned to Dubai after fleeing. The state-run WAM news agency carried a government statement Monday saying the princess is "at home and living with her family in Dubai." Her father is Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai's ruler and the UAE's prime minister. The government says Sheikhs Latifa met with Mary Robinson, former U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, on December 21 at the family's request. Photos show the two women smiling in what appears to be a home. Sheikha Latifa had previously appeared in a 40-minute saying she was imprisoned off and on for several years and abused after trying to leave the Emirates.
'Caste' of Lord Hanuman: Hindu seers slam politicians
Akhada Parishad, the apex body of 13 Hindu ascetic denominations, Monday said politicians making statements about caste and creed of Lord Hanuman seem to have lost their "mental balance". In a strong-worded criticism of political leaders, Parishad president Mahant Narendra Giri said they should immediately stop making such statements about the Hindu deity. "The ignorant politicians who are making unnecessary statements about the caste and religion of Hanumanji have lost their mental balance. They should treat their brains", Giri told PTI. He said a deity cannot be "divided" into castes. "Lord Hanuman is an incarnation of Lord Shiva. He is a Rudra incarnation. It would be appropriate for politicians to stop making statements about the Lord now", he said. Laxminarayan Tripathi, head of the third gender Akhada, also expressed anger over the political statements regarding caste and creed of the deity. "It is a matter of shame that politicians are continuously making ...
J-K governor extends greetings on Christmas eve
Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik Monday extended greetings to the people on the occasion of Christmas. In his message, the governor said over the past centuries the teachings of Jesus Christ have guided human beings on the path of righteousness. Malik expressed hope the celebration of this occasion would strengthen the bonds of communal harmony, brotherhood, amity, and re-invigorate the secular and pluralistic traditions in the state.
Christmas festivities grips Assam
The Christmas festivity gripped Assam on Monday with Churches decorated with nativity scenes, brightly lit X-mas trees, colourful lights and singing of carols to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ. With a festive atmosphere prevailing in the state where Christianity is the third largest religion, private homes belonging to both Christians and other people were lit up with decorative lights and stars adding to the happy festival. Shops selling Christmas trees, bright tree ornaments, colourful bubbles, lanterns, stars, Santa clauses, red caps have sprang up along roads. People have started thronging the 175-year old Christ Church founded in 1844, Guwahati Baptist Church established in 1845 as well as Don Bosco Church along with other churches in the state. Besides thronging the churches to attend special prayers and soak in the festive atmosphere, people are also visiting various public halls where Christmas celebrations and carols were sung spreading the message of ...
Lord Hanuman was a sportsperson, says UP sports minister
Amid row over Lord Hanuman's identity, Uttar Pradesh's sports minister and former cricketer Chetan Chauhan has said that the Hindu deity was a sportsperson. However, he dismissed his party colleagues' attempts at identifying Lord Hanuman's caste and said gods don't have castes. "Hanumanji was a devta, a god and I consider him as god and I worship him.. I am a sportsman and all sportsmen worship power... Humunanji was a symbol of power and strength... He also used to do wrestling and was a sportsman... all wrestlers worship him," Chauhan said in Amroha Sunday. He added, "There is no caste of gods and saints.. Similarly for me Hanumanji is a god... I do not want to divide him on caste lines." During campaign for state elections in Rajasthan, UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath kicked up a storm by calling Lord Hanuman a Dalit, following which several leaders of his party joined the spree in taking a shot at the lord's identity and Chauhan's comment is the latest addition to it. At a rally
President Kovind extends Christmas greetings to the nation
President Ram Nath Kovind has greeted the people of the nation on Christmas eve while expressing hope that the spirit of the festival inspires promotion of humaneness in the society."On the occasion of Christmas, I extend my warm greetings and best wishes to all fellow citizens in India and abroad, and especially to my Christian brothers and sisters," President Kovind said in a message."Jesus Christ symbolised peace, harmony and hope. Christmas is a celebration of human values that nurture mutual caring and sharing and transform life itself into a festival. May this Christmas inspire us to promote fraternity and humaneness in our nation and across our planet," he added.With festive fervour in the air ahead of Christmas, preparations are in full swing across various pockets of the country, ready to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ on Tuesday.Celebratory instincts, in case of Christmas, are not just among Christians, but for the society at large. The prime message, as the saying ...
In Christmas greetings, Prez for promoting fraternity, humaneness in country
President Ram Nath Kovind Monday greeted citizens on the eve of Christmas and called for promoting brotherhood and humaneness in the country, according to an official statement. "Jesus Christ symbolised peace, harmony and hope. Christmas is a celebration of human values that nurture mutual caring and sharing and transform life itself into a festival," Kovind was quoted as having said in the statement issued by the Rashtrapati Bhavan. He said, "May this Christmas inspire us to promote fraternity and humaneness in our nation and across our planet.
Pondy Lieutenant Governor, CM extend Xmas greetings
Puducherry Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi and Chief Minister V Narayanasamy Monday conveyed their greetings to the people on the eve of Christmas. In her greetings, Bedi said,"Christmas is a festival of joy celebrated not only by our Christian brethren but also by people of all faiths around the world." She said, "Let darkness of enmity and hatred be dispelled by the light of love, joy and peace shining through the life and teachings of Lord Jesus Christ." In his greetings, Narayanasamy said all should nurture and follow the teachings of Christ that "We should show love and affection to all, including those doing harm and trying to cause sufferings to us." Christmas strengthens the bonds of universal brotherhood and secularism, he said. Narayanasamy further said, "Peace, love and compassion should continue to light the lives of people around the world." Welfare Minister M Kandasamy, PWD Minister A Namassivayam, AIADMK legislature party leader A Anbalagan and Members of .
TN Governor, Chief Minister extend Christmas greetings
: Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit, Chief Minister K Palaniswami and various political party leaders extended their greetings on the eve of Christmas. In his message, Purohit said, "the festival of Christmas marks the birthday of Lord Jesus Christ and is celebrated with merriment and joy." "On this happy occasion I convey my heartiest greetings and best wishes to all our Christian brothers and sisters," he said in a Raj Bhavan release. Palaniswami appealed to the people of Tamil Nadu to follow the preachings of Lord Jesus and spread love and promote brotherhood on the occasion. He noted that late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa implemented a subsidy scheme for members of the Christian community to undertake a pilgrimage to Jerusalem and so far 3,236 people had benefited, he said in a release. MDMK chief Vaiko, Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam founder TTV Dhinakaran and PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss were among those who extended Christmas greetings to the people.
French prime minister defends police targeted by protesters
France's prime minister met Monday with police officers targeted by violent yellow vest protesters, in a show of support amid growing concerns about growing brutality from both sides. Prime Minister Edouard Philippe visited a motorcycle police unit involved in an incident Saturday near the glittering Champs-Elysees avenue in central Paris. In the incident, during the sixth straight weekend of protests by the grassroots movement protesting high taxes and other economic problems, an officer pulled a gun after protesters kicked over his motorcycle. He did not fire it, but the move prompted a surge of anger by demonstrators hurling paving stones and other projectiles that drove the officer and his team to flee. Overall, the number of protesters Saturday was sharply down from previous weekends, and most actions were peaceful. But despite multiple concessions from President Emmanuel Macron, the movement isn't over and one group is calling for Christmas protests Monday and Tuesday on the ...
Amarinder Singh extends greetings on eve of Christmas
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has extended warm greetings to all Christians on the eve of Christmas, with a call for strengthening the bonds of universal brotherhood and secular harmony by rising above intolerance and communal hatred. The chief minister said Lord Jesus Christ's message of peace, love and compassion continued to light the lives of people around the world and remained a beacon to guide one and all towards brotherhood and amity. Given the relevance of the philosophy of Lord Jesus, it was important for humanity to follow his ideals and rededicate themselves to the principles propounded by him, Singh said in his message. He called upon the people of Punjab to commemorate this festival collectively, with traditional fervor and gaiety and a commitment to secularism.
US package delivery giant to pay USD 4.9 mn to settle religious discrimination lawsuit
An American package delivery giant will pay USD 4.9 million to settle a discrimination lawsuit that alleged the company excluded employees from certain religious groups, including Muslims and Sikhs, from opportunities of being promoted at work due to a strict appearance policy. United Parcel Service (UPS), the world's largest package delivery company, will pay USD 4.9 million and provide other relief to settle a class religious discrimination lawsuit filed by the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the federal agency said. Elizabeth Fox-Solomon, the EEOC's lead trial attorney for the case, said UPS' strict appearance policy "has operated to exclude Muslims, Sikhs, Rastafarians, and other religious groups from equal participation and advancement in the workforce for many years." EEOC said in a statement that UPS prohibits male employees in supervisory or customer contact positions, including delivery drivers, from wearing beards or growing their hair below collar ...
CM connived with atheist, Maoist groups to destroy Sabarimala: BJP
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan destroyed Sabarimala temple by entering into a 'contract with atheist and Maoist' groups, said BJP leader B Gopalakrishnan on Sunday.Referring to a group of women who have gathered at Pamba to enter the temple, the BJP leader said, "This is a deliberate attempt of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who is trying to destroy Sabarimala temple at any cost.""No young lady from Kerala wants to go there because they are all devotees of Lord Ayappa. That is why he (Pinarayi) went to Tamil Nadu and made a pact with some atheist group, some Maoist group. With permission of the government and Pinarayi, this team (women devotees) has reached Pamba," he said.Gopalakrishnan's statement comes after a group of eleven women reached Pamba on Sunday to visit the Sabarimala temple. However, they all returned without paying obeisance at the shrine after Lord Ayyappa devotees including women opposed their entry into the temple.He also blamed the state government for ...