Bihar poors embrace Buddhism

About 100 children belonging to downtrodden, poor families embraced Buddhism in Bihar and vowed to spread the message of Buddha.

All the children who included 77 boys and 15 girls hail from various villages in central Bihar’s Nalanda district where Buddha is believed to have stayed for some months after attaining enlightenment at Bodh Gaya.
The children …. Source article  : Bihar poors embrace Buddhism.

Senior officer in Saudi religious police fired for advocating mixing of the sexes

Saudi cleric fired for advocating mixing of sexes

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – The head of Saudi Arabia’s powerful religious police has fired the chief of the Mecca branch for advocating the mixing of the sexes, an official from the force said Tuesday.
Ahmed bin Qassim al-Ghamidi’s suggestion in a newspaper interview this week that men and women …. Read the original article  : Senior officer in Saudi religious police fired for advocating mixing of the sexes.

Watchdog group wants military to cancel evangelist’s Pentagon appearance on prayer day

Group wants evangelist’s Pentagon event canceled

DENVER – A watchdog group objected Tuesday to an evangelist’s invitation to speak at the Pentagon next month, saying his past description of Islam as “evil” offended Muslims who work for the Department of Defense and the appearance should be canceled.
Mikey Weinstein, president of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, said … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Watchdog group wants military to cancel evangelist’s Pentagon appearance on prayer day.

LA’s cardinal says anti-illegal immigration bill in Arizona encourages Nazi techniques

LA cardinal: Nazism in Arizona immigration bill

LOS ANGELES – The head of the nation’s largest Roman Catholic archdiocese has condemned a proposed Arizona crackdown on illegal immigrants, saying it encourages people to turn on each other in Nazi- and Soviet-style repression.
The measure wrongly assumes that Arizonans “will now shift their total attention to guessing which …. Original article  : LA’s cardinal says anti-illegal immigration bill in Arizona encourages Nazi techniques.

Nepal Christians begin vigil for new constitution

KATHMANDU – For the first time in Nepal’s history, its minority Christian community Tuesday joined the socio-political process, beginning a “vigil” to ensure that the new constitution would be enacted in time and guarantee religious freedom to all.

The open-air stage in Tundikhel, traditionally the bastion of political rallies, overflowed with Christians from different denominations, including … Original source on Gaea Times at : Nepal Christians begin vigil for new constitution.

Pope accepts resignation of Miami archbishop, names Orlando bishop to replace him

Miami archbishop resigns, Orlando bishop replaces

VATICAN CITY – The pope has accepted the resignation of Miami Archbishop John Favalora and named Orlando’s bishop to replace him.
Favalora in December turns 75, the normal retirement age for bishops. Pope Benedict XVI on Tuesday accepted his resignation early under a church law that allows for a bishop to …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Pope accepts resignation of Miami archbishop, names Orlando bishop to replace him.

Goa minister supports gambling, slammed

PANAJI – A senior minister in the Congress-led coalition government in Goa has publicly appealed to police and the opposition to support and encourage gambling during religious festivals, evoking sharp response from several quarters.

Sports minister Manohar Asgaonkar’s appeal in support of gambling at a public function Saturday at Pernem, some 35 km from here, …. Source  : Gaea News Network.