Addressing Woods scandal, Dalai Lama says Buddhism about self-discipline, knowing consequences

Dalai Lama says faith can bring Woods discipline

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. – The Dalai Lama commented on Tiger Woods’ sex scandals Saturday, saying self-discipline is among Buddhism’s highest values, one day after Woods said he had strayed from his Buddhist faith.
Tibet’s exiled spiritual leader told The Associated Press during a brief interview in his hotel suite …. Source  : Addressing Woods scandal, Dalai Lama says Buddhism about self-discipline, knowing consequences.

Dalai Lama doesn’t fault Obama for low-profile reception, says US must be practical

Dalai Lama doesn’t fault Obama for low-key meeting
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. – The Dalai Lama says he doesn’t fault President Obama for his low-key reception in Washington because he recognizes that the president must juggle ties to the Tibetan spiritual leader with concerns about angering China.
The Dalai Lama told The Associated Press …. Source  : Dalai Lama doesn’t fault Obama for low-profile reception, says US must be practical.

Key Sunni group to boycott Iraq’s March election in move likely to undermine vote credibility

Key Sunni group boycott deals setback to Iraq vote

BAGHDAD – A top Sunni Arab lawmaker banned from running in Iraq’s March 7 election withdrew his entire party from the campaign Saturday and called on other groups to join the boycott, a move that threatened to undermine the credibility of the vote and raise sectarian tensions.
In …. Original source  : Key Sunni group to boycott Iraq’s March election in move likely to undermine vote credibility.

Woods cites Buddhism as a way for him to recover from personal troubles

Woods says he’ll turn to Buddhism for help
MIAMI, Fla. – In the theater of American public apologies, it’s common for celebrities to invoke their faith.
Disgraced golf superstar Tiger Woods did it Friday, in fact, with a twist. He cited the role of Buddhism in his life – and will look to it to …. Source article  : Woods cites Buddhism as a way for him to recover from personal troubles.

World’s Catholics number 1.166 billion: Vatican
VATICAN CITY – The number of Catholics in the world has “increased slightly” to 1.166 billion, the Vatican said Saturday, reporting its latest church statistics.

The figures cover the year 2008 and are contained in the 2010 edition of the Pontifical Yearbook which was presented to Pope Benedict XVI at a Vatican ceremony.
They also registered … Read more : World’s Catholics number 1.166 billion: Vatican.

Objectionable Jesus poster sparks violence, curfew
BATALA – An indefinite curfew was imposed in this Punjab town Saturday after tension prevailed following the publication of a poster depicting Jesus Christ in an objectionable manner. Clashes also broke out as some members of the Christian community forced shopkeepers to down shutters.

The curfew was imposed after members of the Christian community came to … Read more »»».

Anglican archbishop worried over dwindling numbers of Christians in the Holy Land

Anglican leader worried about Mideast’s Christians

BAPTISMAL SITE, Jordan – The Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams voiced grave concern Saturday over the eroding Christian presence in the Holy Land on the first stop of his four-day pilgrimage to the region.
Williams, the spiritual leader of the Anglican communion worldwide, held a sermon for hundreds of faithful at … Read more >>>.

‘Islamic extremism a challenge for Maldives’
NEW DELHI – The rising confusion over extremism in Islam has become a challenge for the Maldives, Vice President Mohammed Waheed Hassan said Saturday.

“There is a rising confusion in Islam over the extremism and this is one of challenges being faced by the democratic government of Maldives,” he said.
Hassan, who is on his first …. Original article  : ‘Islamic extremism a challenge for Maldives’.

Vatican: Number Catholics rising slightly as percentage of faithful worldwide

Vatican: Number of Catholics rising worldwide

VATICAN CITY – The Vatican says the number of Catholics as a percentage of the worldwide faithful is growing slightly.
The Holy See says that from 2007 to 2008 Roman Catholics grew from 17.33 percent of the global population to 17.4 percent.
The statistics are included in a yearbook presented Saturday to …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Vatican: Number Catholics rising slightly as percentage of faithful worldwide.

Northeast Indian state confiscates textbook showing Jesus with a beer can and cigarette

Indian state removes book with Jesus holding beer

GAUHATI, India – Authorities in a Christian-majority state in India’s remote northeast have confiscated all copies of a school textbook that carried a picture of Jesus Christ holding a can of beer and a cigarette, an official said Saturday.
The primary school textbook, which teaches cursive handwriting, used the … Read more »»».

Sunni party drops out of Iraqi elections, saying vote will lack legitimacy due to ballot purge

Sunni party drops out of Iraq’s national elections
BAGHDAD – Iraq’s main Sunni party said Saturday it is dropping out of next month’s national elections, seizing on U.S. concerns about Iran’s influence in the political process as proof that the vote will not be legitimate.
A statement from the Iraqi Front for …. Source  : Sunni party drops out of Iraqi elections, saying vote will lack legitimacy due to ballot purge.