c&p
According to tradition, John Mark (the author of the Gospel of Mark) traveled to Egypt during the 1st century AD, sometime after the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and established a church in Alexandria. Today the Coptic (Egyptian) Orthodox Church is one of the oldest in the world. Coptic Christians make up approximately 10 percent of Egypt's population and are the largest Christian minority group in the Middle East. There are also large populations of Coptic Christians in Ethiopia, Eritrea, Sudan and Israel, as well as other nations throughout the world.
Over the years thousands of Copts have immigrated to the US to escape persecution and discrimination. Their presence has gone relatively unnoticed by most Americans, until last week, when a Coptic Christian man, his wife, and two daughters (ages 8 and 16) were found brutally murdered in their New Jersey home. They bled to death from multiple stab wounds and their bodies were found bound and gagged. Police have not ruled out the possibility of a burglary, but the gruesome nature of the murders has lead many to believe that the crime was religiously or ethnically motivated.
Hossam Armanious and his family came to the US from Egypt in 1997. According to news reports he was known for his outspoken defense of Christianity and his support for the persecuted church in Egypt. Reports also indicate that he was threatened with violence prior to his death for openly sharing his religious and political views in an internet chat room.
There is a centuries-long history of violence and animosity between Muslims and Coptic Christians in Egypt. In recent years the two groups have been able to live together in relative peace, although amid growing tensions. The US State Department's 2004 report on International Religious Freedom criticized Egypt for its treatment of religious minorities, saying in Egypt "...Christians are discriminated against in the public sector and in staff appointments to public universities. Christians are refused admission to Al-Azhar University, a publicly funded institution. Those accused of proselytizing have been harassed by police or arrested on charges of violating the penal code... The Government does not recognize conversions from Islam to Christianity or other religions." The report also stated that Christians often have difficulty in obtaining building permits to construct or repair churches. The US State Department also criticized the Egyptian government for upholding the acquittal of 94 of 96 suspects who were charged with various offenses committed during the 2000 sectarian strife in al-Kush, saying "The government failed to bring to justice those responsible for the murder of the 21 Christians killed in that conflict." None of the suspects arrested were charged with murder.
The president of the American Coptic Association told crowds outside the New Jersey family's funeral on Sunday that "Muslim terrorists" were responsible for their deaths. Tensions are already high and if authorities conclude that the New Jersey murders were ethnically motivated it could have serious ramifications for Coptic Christian and Muslim communities in the US and elsewhere.
Looks like the friendly Muslims may start a war here in th U.S.A.
And this has come to pass,not to stay.
Over the years thousands of Copts have immigrated to the US to escape persecution and discrimination. Their presence has gone relatively unnoticed by most Americans, until last week, when a Coptic Christian man, his wife, and two daughters (ages 8 and 16) were found brutally murdered in their New Jersey home. They bled to death from multiple stab wounds and their bodies were found bound and gagged. Police have not ruled out the possibility of a burglary, but the gruesome nature of the murders has lead many to believe that the crime was religiously or ethnically motivated.
Hossam Armanious and his family came to the US from Egypt in 1997. According to news reports he was known for his outspoken defense of Christianity and his support for the persecuted church in Egypt. Reports also indicate that he was threatened with violence prior to his death for openly sharing his religious and political views in an internet chat room.
There is a centuries-long history of violence and animosity between Muslims and Coptic Christians in Egypt. In recent years the two groups have been able to live together in relative peace, although amid growing tensions. The US State Department's 2004 report on International Religious Freedom criticized Egypt for its treatment of religious minorities, saying in Egypt "...Christians are discriminated against in the public sector and in staff appointments to public universities. Christians are refused admission to Al-Azhar University, a publicly funded institution. Those accused of proselytizing have been harassed by police or arrested on charges of violating the penal code... The Government does not recognize conversions from Islam to Christianity or other religions." The report also stated that Christians often have difficulty in obtaining building permits to construct or repair churches. The US State Department also criticized the Egyptian government for upholding the acquittal of 94 of 96 suspects who were charged with various offenses committed during the 2000 sectarian strife in al-Kush, saying "The government failed to bring to justice those responsible for the murder of the 21 Christians killed in that conflict." None of the suspects arrested were charged with murder.
The president of the American Coptic Association told crowds outside the New Jersey family's funeral on Sunday that "Muslim terrorists" were responsible for their deaths. Tensions are already high and if authorities conclude that the New Jersey murders were ethnically motivated it could have serious ramifications for Coptic Christian and Muslim communities in the US and elsewhere.
Looks like the friendly Muslims may start a war here in th U.S.A.
And this has come to pass,not to stay.
0
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Update on the latest in religion news:
Bibles for Kids-Suit
Judge orders halt to Bible distribution in school
ST. LOUIS (AP) -- A federal judge says it's unconstitutional for
a school district to allow the distribution of Bibles to grade
school students.
For more than three decades, the South Iron School District in
Annapolis, Missouri, allowed representatives of Gideons
International to give away Bibles in fifth-grade classrooms.
Eight parents sued two years ago and won a temporary injunction
against the handouts.
The district then altered its policy, saying the Gideons and
others were still welcome to distribute Bibles or other literature
before or after school or during lunch break, but not in
classrooms.
But federal Judge Catherine Perry has now ruled both practices
unconstitutional, saying their purpose "is the promotion of
Christianity" with the school's apparent endorsement.
Mathew Staver, president of Liberty Counsel, represented the
school district and said he'd appeal.
******************************
Baptists-Nominees
Seminary head nominated to lead Southern Baptist Convention
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- A Baptist leader who has advocated a
Christian "exit strategy" from public schools is in the running
for president of the Southern Baptist Convention.
The Reverend R. Albert Mohler, president of Southern Baptist
Theological Seminary, also has speculated about potential medical
treatment to switch an unborn baby's sexual orientation from gay to
heterosexual.
Robert Jeffress, pastor of First Baptist Church in Dallas,
announced last week that he intends to nominate Mohler at the
denomination's annual meeting in Indianapolis this June.
Current SBC President Frank Page concludes his second term in
June and is ineligible for re-election.
In addition to Mohler, the Reverend Bill Wagner, president of
Olivet University International in San Francisco, has agreed to be
nominated.
****************************************
Baptist Suit Dismissed
Judge dismisses lawsuit against Baptist megachurch pastor
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- A Tennessee judge has dismissed a
lawsuit against the senior pastor and two other leaders of a
Southern Baptist megachurch, saying the court lacked jurisdiction
over the case.
A lawsuit filed last year by about 75 members of Two Rivers
Baptist Church in Nashville accused the Reverend Jerry Sutton of
failing to abide by church rules and punishing those who question
his authority.
The members accused Sutton of misappropriating funds, including
using church money for personal trips and paying for his daughter's
wedding reception. They demanded access to church records and asked
the court to remove Sutton as officer and director of the church.
Sutton and others denied the allegations and said the church
members had no right to sue just because they didn't like the way
the church spent their offerings.
**************************
US-Papal Visit
Pope to celebrate Mass from outfield in Washington
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Pope Benedict will celebrate Mass from center
field at the Washington Nationals' new ballpark during his April
visit to Washington and New York.
Officials with the Archdiocese of Washington say moving the
altar from second base to the outfield will make room for an extra
4,000 seats, allowing a total attendance of 45,000.
Tickets to the April 17th Mass will be free, but the archdiocese
wants to keep them from falling into the hands of scalpers or
winding up on eBay.
The pope's schedule in Washington also includes a visit to the
White House on April 16th -- Benedict's 81st birthday -- and a
meeting with U.S. bishops.
After celebrating Mass, the pope will address educators at
Catholic University and meet with Muslim, Buddhist, Sikh and Jewish
leaders. He departs April 18th for New York, where he'll speak at
the U.N., visit ground zero and celebrate another Mass at Yankee
Stadium.
***************************
Presbyterian Property Suit
Departing Presbyterian church sues to block property seizure
PITTSBURGH (AP) -- A Pittsburgh church that's leaving the
Presbyterian Church (USA) for a more conservative denomination has
filed a lawsuit to prevent the presbytery from seizing its
property.
Memorial Park Presbyterian Church -- the largest in the
Pittsburgh Presbytery -- is seeking to confirm its title to 7.5
acres of land and ownership of church buildings.
Memorial Park officials have said they're concerned about the
mainline denomination's move away from traditional doctrines
concerning the Holy Trinity and the Bible's authority, and its
increasingly liberal views on gay ordination.
*********************************
Daughters Killed
Police: Father of slain teens upset about date with non-Muslim
DALLAS (AP) -- Police say a man whose teenage daughters were
found shot to death in a taxicab on New Year's Day had threatened
to hurt one of the girls for dating a non-Muslim boy.
Authorities in the Dallas suburb of Irving have issued a capital
murder warrant for Yaser Said, who has not been seen since the
girls were found dead.
The sisters' great-aunt has called the deaths an "honor
killing," in which a woman is murdered by a relative to protect
her family's honor.
According to a police report, a family member told investigators
that Said had threatened "bodily harm" against one of his
daughters for going on a date with a non-Muslim.
The sisters had both a Christian and Muslim memorial service.
*****************************
Child Slaying
Police: Slain girls' stepfather was practicing pagan ritual
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) -- Police in western Iowa say the killings
of an 8-year-old girl and her 10-year-old sister on Sunday were
part of a ritual linked to their stepfather's pagan religion.
Lawrence Harris has been jailed in Woodbury County on charges of
first-degree murder.
According to court documents, the 25-year-old Harris told police
he "had been casting a spell that had gone bad, and that the spell
could have had severe consequences."
After the killings, police say Harris set their house on fire to
cover up the crime.
Firefighters found his stepdaughters, stabbed and strangled, in
a second-floor bedroom.
*****************************************
Kosher Supremacist
Inmate with SS tattoo fighting for kosher meals
ST. LOUIS (AP) -- A Missouri inmate once labeled a white
supremacist is fighting for his right to be served kosher meals in
prison.
Prison officials and staff question the sincerity of Norman Lee
Toler's religious claims.
Toler insists he is Jewish despite guards catching him with
white supremacist literature and photos of Adolf Hitler. He also
has white supremacist tattoos, including a fresh "SS," the name
of a Nazi unit.
Toler argued in federal court that his soul will be in jeopardy
if he is forced to eat nonkosher food.
In the lawsuit, Toler said prison officials repeatedly denied
his requests for kosher food, violating federal law and his
constitutional right of religious expression.
**********************************
Greece-Monastery Protest
Female protesters invade male monastic sanctuary
THESSALONIKI, Greece (AP) -- Police in Greece say female
protesters in a land dispute with the Greek Orthodox Church defied
a 1,000-year-old ban and entered the all-male Mount Athos monastic
sanctuary.
Police say at least six women climbed over a fence on Tuesday
and briefly entered the self-governing peninsula, where women and
even female animals are strictly forbidden.
The ban is upheld by Greece's constitution and violations are
punishable by up to a year in prison. In the past, female visitors
are rumored to have entered the enclave disguised as men.
The Athos monasteries and nearby residents are at odds over
ownership of land outside the sanctuary.
[}:)]0 -
WASHINGTON (AFP) - The powerful US gun lobby, far from being weakened by last week's tragic college campus shooting, actually has emerged stronger, gun advocates said, stepping up calls Sunday for a better-armed US citizenry to prevent future attacks.
Gun rights advocates said that following last week's massacre, in which 23-year-old Cho Seung-Hui fatally shot 32 victims at Virginia Tech University, gun control forces will be hard pressed to make the case for tighter restrictions.
"This is a huge nail in the coffin of gun control," said Philip Van Cleave, president of the gun rights group Virginia Citizens Defense League.
"They had gun control on campus and it got all those people killed, because nobody could defend themselves," he told AFP.
"You want people to be able to defend themselves -- always," he said.
Van Cleave said the tragedy could give a boost to a years-long effort in Virginia to pass legislation allowing students to carry weapons on campus -- especially since existing laws failed to prevent Cho's murderous rampage.
"Gun control failed. That student under university rules was not to have a gun," Van Cleave said.
"Come legislative season, which is in January, we're going to be fighting to get a bill put in again -- the third year in a row now and hopefully this time it will pass -- that would let students that are over 21 with a permit ... carry concealed self-defense," he said.
The bill, which would also allow any faculty member possessing a concealed carry permit to carry a concealed weapon, has a "greatly enhanced" chance of passage following the Virginia Tech shooting, Van Cleave said.
The southeastern state where the shootings took place allows anyone 21 years of age or older and holding a concealed handgun permit to carry a weapon.
That is not true, however of college campuses, where most universities have a strict prohibition against carrying guns -- much to the chagrin of the state's pro-gun activists.
Other gun rights advocates echo Van Cleave's view that had even one Virginia Tech student or faculty member been armed, last week's carnage might have been prevented.
"The only person who is responsible to defend you is you -- the police are incapable of defending each and every one of us all the time," said Mike Stollenwerk, 44, co-founder of OpenCarry.org, a Virginia-based gun-rights networking group.
"Citizens have an inherent right to be able to defend themselves," he said, speaking last week to The Washington Times newspaper.
"You can't always have a policeman on every street corner to take care of you. Whenever you have a bunch of gun-control laws that prohibit people from carrying, the ones with the guns are the criminals."
Many had expected that the Virginia Tech rampage would be a rallying cry for gun control activists, but that has not turned out to be the case.
Even the mass killings at Colorado's Columbine High School in 1999 failed to result in gun-control legislation, despite the emotional outcry over those shootings.
The reaction has been even more muted following last week's tragedy, the deadliest school shooting in US history.
US politicians have shown little inclination to introduce new gun control legislation in a country where an estimated 40 percent of US households own a gun and where for many the constitutional right to bear arms is seen as sacred.
Reports that Cho's past brush with mental health authorities should have prevented him from being able to purchase a firearm is prompting a legislative reaction, however.
US Senator Chuck Schumer and Representative Carolyn McCarthy (news, bio, voting record) on Sunday announced plans to introduce federal bill requiring states to send critical mental health information to the federal government, which will allow them to screen out those who don't qualify to own firearms.
US media reported Sunday that a similar proposed bill in California impose mandatory background checks for buyers of handgun ammunition, require a face-to-face purchase instead of by mail, and require gun shops to store ammunition behind counters.
Schumer said about his bill that federal gun laws are only as the records provided by states.
"Our legislation, had it been in place last week, may well have stopped last weeks unspeakable tragedy," Schumer said in a statement.0 -
I have not po
This spells it out loud and clear, we're almost there!
We know Dick Lamm as the former Governor of Colorado .. In that context his thoughts are particularly poignant. Last week there was an immigration overpopulation conference in Washington , DC , filled to capacity by many of America 's finest minds and leaders. A brilliant college professor by the name of Victor Hansen Davis talked about his latest book, 'Mexifornia,' explaining how immigration - both legal and illegal was destroying the entire state of California . He said it would march across the country until it destroyed all vestiges of The American Dream.
Moments later, former Colorado Governor Richard D. Lamm stood up and gave a stunning speech on how to destroy America .
The audience sat spellbound as he described eight methods for the destruction of the United States . He said, 'If you believe that America is too smug, too self-satisfied, too rich, then let's destroy America . It is not that hard to do. No nation in history has survived the ravages of time. Arnold Toynbee observed that all great civilizations rise and fall and that 'An autopsy of history would show that all great nations commit suicide.''
'Here is how they do it,' Lamm said:
'First, to destroy America , turn America into a bilingual or multi-lingual and bicultural country... History shows that no nation can survive the tension, conflict, and antagonism of two or more competing languages and cultures. It is a blessing for an individual to be bilingual; however, it is a curse for a society to be bilingual. The historical scholar, Seymour Lipset, put it this way:
'The histories of bilingual and bicultural societies that do not assimilate are histories of turmoil, tension, and tragedy.' Canada , Belgium , Malaysia , and Lebanon all face crises of national existence in which minorities press for autonomy , if not independence. Pakistan and Cyprus have divided. Nigeria suppressed an ethnic rebellion. France faces difficulties with Basques, Bretons, Corsicans and Muslims.'
Lamm went on:
'Second, to destroy America , invent 'multiculturalism' and encourage immigrants to maintain their culture. Make it an article of belief that all cultures are equal; that there are no cultural differences. Make it an article of faith that the Black and Hispanic dropout rates are due solely to prejudice and discrimination by the majority. Every other explanation is out of bounds.
'Third, we could make the United States an 'Hispanic Quebec ' without much effort. The key is to celebrate diversity rather than unity. As Benjamin Schwarz said in the Atlantic Monthly recently: 'The apparent success of our own multi-ethnic and multicultural experiment might have been achieved not by tolerance but by hegemony. Without the dominance that once dictated ethnocentricy and what it meant to be an American, we are left with only tolerance and pluralism to hold us together.' Lamm said, 'I would encourage all immigrants to keep their own language and
culture. I would replace the melting pot metaphor with the salad bowl metaphor. It is important to ensure that we have various cultural subgroups living in America enforcing their differences rather than as Americans, emphasizing their similarities.'
'Fourth, I would make our fastest growing demographic group the least educated. I would add a second underclass, unassimilated, undereducated, and antagonistic to our population. I would have this second underclass have a 50% dropout rate from high school.'
'My fifth point for destroying America would be to get big foundations andbusiness to give these efforts lots ofmoney. Iwould invest in ethnic identity, and I would establish the cult of
'Victimology...' I would get all minorities to think that their lack of success was the fault of the majority. I would start a grievance industry blaming all minority failure on the majority plation.'
'My sixth plan for America 's downfall would include dual citizenship, and promote divided loyalties. I would celebrate diversity over unity. I would stress differences rather than similarities. Diverse people worldwide are mostly engaged in hating each other - that is, when they are not killing each other. A diverse, peaceful, or stable society is against most historical precept. People undervalue the unity it takes to keep a nation together. Look at the ancient Greeks. The Greeks believed that they belonged to the same race; they possessed a common language and literature; and they worshipped the same gods. All Greece took part in the Olympic games.. A common enemy, Persia , threatened their liberty. Yet all these bonds were not strong enough to overcome two factors: local patriotism and geographical conditions that nurtured political divisions. Greece fell. 'E. Pluribus Unum' -- >From many, one. In that historical reality, if we put the emphasis on the 'pluribus' instead of the 'Unum,' we will 'Balkanize' America as surely as Kosovo.'
'Next to last, I would place all subjects off limits. Make it taboo to talk about anything against the cult of diversity.' I would find a word similar to 'heretic' in the 16th century - that stopped discussion and paralyzed thinking. Words like 'racist' or 'xenophobe' halt discussion and debate. Having made America a bilingual/bicultural country, having established multi-cultum, having
the large foundations fund the doctrine of 'Victimology,' I would next make it impossible to enforce our immigration laws. I would develop a mantra: That because immigration has been good for America , it must always be good. I would make every individual immigrant symmetric and
ignore the cumulative impact of millions of them.'
In the last minute of his speech, Governor Lamm wiped his brow. Profound silence followed. Finally he said, 'Lastly, I would censor Victor Hanson Davis's book 'Mexifornia.' His book is dangerous. It exposes the plan to destroy America .. If you feel America deserves to be destroyed, don't read that book.'
There was no applause. A chilling fear quietly rose like an ominous cloud above every attendee at the conference. Every American in that room knew that everything Lamm enumerated was proceeding methodically, quietly, darkly, yet pervasively across the United States today. Discussion is being suppressed. Over 100 languages are ripping the foundation of our educational system and national cohesiveness. Even barbaric cultures that practice female genital mutilation are growing as we celebrate 'diversity.' American jobs are vanishing into the Third World as corporations create a Third World in America Take note of California and other states. To date, ten million illegal aliens and growing fast. It is reminiscent of George Orwell's book '1984..' In that story, three slogans are engraved in the Ministry of Truth building: 'War is peace,' 'Freedom is slavery,' and 'Ignorance is strength..'
Governor Lamm walked back to his seat. It dawned on everyone at the conference that our nation and the future of this great democracy is deeply in trouble and worsening fast. If we don't get this immigration monster stopped within three years, it will rage like a California wildfire and destroy everything in its path, especially The American Dream.
If you care for and love our country as I do, take the time to pass this on just as I did for you.
The New Busy is not the too busy. Combine all your e-mail accounts with Hotmail. Get busy.
The New Busy think 9 to 5 is a cute idea. Combine multiple calendars with Hotmail. Get busy.
sted much C&P, but thought was a good read.0 -
Update on the latest in religion news:
Debate-Bible
Huckabee defends Bible passage on wives submission
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (AP) -- Republican presidential candidate Mike
Huckabee has been called upon to defend another Bible passage --
the one about wives submitting to their husbands.
At Thursday night's Fox News debate in South Carolina, Huckabee
explained that the passage from the New testament book of Ephesians
also commands the husband to love his wife and submit himself to
the Lord.
Huckabee said that while the Bible passage has nothing to do
with being president, it is a guide for Christian marriage.
He added that he'll neither hide his faith, nor impose it on
others, but will live it as best he can whether he's elected
president or not.
======================================
Huckabee-Evangelicals
Huckabee among candidates courting Christians in South Carolina
UNDATED (AP) -- Propelled in Iowa by evangelicals' support, Mike
Huckabee is trying for a repeat victory in South Carolina, where
religion is woven even more tightly into the fabric of life.
A win there in the January 19th primary would keep the former
Arkansas governor and Southern Baptist minister in strong
contention for the Republican presidential nomination.
But while South Carolina has 700,000 Southern Baptists, their
support for Huckabee is mixed, and Bob Jones III of Bob Jones
University has endorsed Mitt Romney.
White evangelicals account for 53 percent of the state's likely
Republican voters, according to the Pew Research Center for the
People and the Press.
On the Democratic side, Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack
Obama have actively courted and received the support of many of
South Carolina's influential black ministers.
====================================
Political Pastors-Complaint
Watchdog group asks IRS to investigate religious group
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- A Texas group has asked the Internal
Revenue Service to investigate a nonprofit organization they say
violated state law by involving pastors in the governor's
re-election campaign.
The Texas Freedom Network alleges that several of Governor Rick
Perry's contributors funded the Texas Restoration Project, which
brought thousands of pastors together at invitation-only meetings
to hear speeches by Perry, Republican officials and religious
leaders.
The Texas Restoration Project also was instrumental in passage
of the state constitutional amendment banning gay marriage.
A spokesman for the governor says the Texas Freedom Network "is
a group pushing a leftist, secular agenda, nothing more."
==================================
Bush-Mideast
Bush visiting Church of the Beatitudes
JERUSALEM (AP) -- President Bush's Holy Land trip includes
another Christian holy site today.
After a stop at Jerusalem's Yad Vashem Holocaust museum, the
president is visiting the Church of the Beatitudes in Capernaum --
the town in Galilee where Jesus based much of his ministry.
Yesterday, Bush wrapped up his visit to Palestinian territory in
Bethlehem, where he toured the Church of the Nativity, which is
jointly administered by three Christian denominations.
His visit included the grotto beneath, which is revered as the
birthplace of Jesus.
Bush said, "For those of us who practice the Christian faith,
there is no holier place."
He also said he looks forward to a day when there will no longer
be the walls and checkpoints that restrict Palestinian life in
Bethlehem.
====================================
Human Trafficking-Churches
Christians joining battle against human trafficking
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Advocates for victims of human trafficking say
conservative Christians are joining the effort to free women and
children from bondage.
Congress has designated today -- January 11th -- the National
Day of Human Trafficking Awareness.
Gary Haugen (HOW'-gun), president of International Justice
Mission, says many Christians feel morally compelled to confront
modern slavery, especially when they're shown practical steps they
can take.
Haugen says International Justice Mission is comprised of
lawyers, criminal investigators and social workers who take on
individual cases of human rights abuse in the developing world.
The organization's Web site says that in rescuing the
defenseless and punishing their persecutors, International Justice
Mission is "demonstrating the love of Christ."
On the Net: www.ijm.org
=====================================
Britain-666
Motion to disestablish state church is numbered 666
LONDON (AP) -- A motion in the House of Commons calling for
disestablishment of the Church of England as the state religion is
inconveniently numbered 666, the Bible's mark of the beast.
Bob Russell, a Liberal Democrat member of the house, said it's
"incredible that a motion like this should have, by chance,
acquired this significant number."
Russell adds, "It looks as though God or the Devil have been
moving in mysterious ways."
Such motions rarely result in any action, much less call down
fire from heaven.
The Church of England, created by King Henry VIII's breach with
Rome, is the established faith in England. The monarch is obliged
to be a member, and has the title of Supreme Governor of the
church.
=================================
Ginsburg-Judaism
Justice Ginsburg talks about her heritage and Jewish advances
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Ruth Bader Ginsburg says the change in U.S.
acceptance of Jews can be seen on the Supreme Court, where two
members are Jewish yet their faith played no role in their
selection.
Ginsburg, appointed to the court by President Clinton in 1993,
is the sixth Jewish justice. Justice Stephen Breyer, named the
following year, is the seventh.
Referring to her five Jewish predecessors, Ginsburg said,
"We're justices who happen to be Jews. We're not Jewish justices
as they were."
Ginsburg spoke at a 100-year-old synagogue in Washington about
her heritage and participation in the television documentary "The
Jewish Americans" that is airing over three weeks on public
television.
=====================================
Vatican-Orthodox
Report: Chances improving for meeting between pope, Russian
patriarch
BERLIN (AP) -- A top official in the Russian Orthodox Church says
chances of a meeting between Pope Benedict XVI and Russian
Patriarch Alexy II are improving.
In an interview with the German magazine Der Spiegel,
Metropolitan Kirill, the top foreign relations official in the
Russian church, said relations between the two churches have become
warmer since Benedict was elected pope in 2005; and that after his
own meeting with the pontiff last month, it is evident that
"relations have improved."
Asked by Der Spiegel whether he could imagine the pope and
patriarch meeting in a third country, away from Russia and the
Vatican, Kirill replied that "it's certainly possible."
======================================
Mormons-History or Legend
Debate surrounds word change in Book of Mormon introduction
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- The introduction to the 2006 edition of
the Book of Mormon has a small change.
The word "among" has been added to a passage about American
Indians, who have long been presented by Mormon leaders as direct
descendants of a lost tribe of Israel known as the Lamanites.
The new introduction reads, "After thousands of years all were
destroyed except the Lamanites, and they are among the ancestors of
the American Indians."
In previous editions, the phrase was "they are the ancestors."
Church defenders say there's nothing important in the change.
But skeptics say church missionaries have long portrayed the
Book of Mormon as historic fact. To them, it looks like the new
wording is a quiet concession that DNA research contradicts the
scriptural claim.0
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