While criticism of Israeli policies is common among Reform Jews, some 70 percent of them still remain attached to Israel and supportive of the Zionist project, writes Jerusalem-based journalist Elliot Jager in The Jerusalem Report (Dec. 14). Holding liberal theology, progressive political beliefs, and a very high level of intermarriage, the Union for Reform Judaism […]
Aggressive secularism targeted by French Catholic bishops
There is a trend in France pushing for a shift from the secular state toward the secularization of French society stated Archbishop Georges Pontier (Marseille), current president of the French Catholic Bishops’ Conference, in La Croix (Dec. 4). French historian Philippe Portier concurs in an article in the same newspaper (Nov. 25) and fears that […]
Hindu nationalist projects target conversions to Christianity
While a recent article claims that nearly 4 million Indians converted to Christianity over the past 20 years, Hindu nationalist activists have made pronouncements that they want a purely Hindu country by 2020. Currently, more than 80 percent of 1.27 billion Indians are Hindu. Hardline Hindu groups feel encouraged by the accession to power of […]
Homosexuality raises controversy for the New Apostolic Church
Jean-Luc Schneider, the Chief Apostle of the 10 million-strong New Apostolic Church (NAC), has recently spoken in favor of a more liberal ethical approach toward homosexuality during a March trip to Canada. However, it remains to be seen how African faithful — who now make 80 percent of the worldwide membership of the German-born movement […]
Brittany’s church art a conduit for new spirituality
The preservation of Catholic art and architecture in Brittany is generating its own kind of spirituality alongside and, in some cases, as a substitute for regular practice of the Catholic faith, writes Ellen Badone in the current issue of the journal Material Religion (March). Up until the 1980s, Brittany was among the most devout regions […]
Blasphemy laws common yet put to different uses
The shared concern about the need to limit rights to maintain public order and public morals is interpreted differently from one country to another, with resulting disagreements on what constitutes a legitimate limit on speech and religion, writes Asma Uddin, guest editor of the most recent issue of The Review of Faith and International Affairs […]
Not all Pentecostals are growing in Latin America
Although Pentecostalism shows few signs of decline in Latin America, one prominent denomination is seeing serious losses, and it may be because they are behind the curve in using technology and media. For the first time since its inception, the Congregação Cristã in Brasil (CCB) has lost members— 200,000 members in the last decade—while other […]
The ‘motherteresafication’ of Albania?
Mother Teresa has become a national symbol of Albania, even though it is a Muslim dominant and secular nation, writes Cecilie Endresen in the journal Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations (26:1). Since her beatification in 2003, Mother Teresa has been embraced by Albania’s ruling party as a national symbol, with her name, statues and portraits appearing […]
Global South and Israel becoming crossroads for new Jews
“As Western Jews continue to secularize in their lifestyles and belief systems, the increasing adoption of Judaism by committed practitioners of it in the Global South (including Africa) will parallel the transformation of Christianity,” according to political scientist William Miles of Northeastern University. Miles, who shared a paper he delivered at the November conference of […]
The Orthodox Church—a junior if influential partner of Russian State
The Russian Orthodox Church aspires to be the custodian of Russian identity and soul, but the State considers it as a junior partner that should not escape its control, explained journalist Konstantin von Eggert, former chief correspondent of BBC Russian Service and currently chief editor of the private channel Kommersant FM, at the Eastern European […]