The following series of winter religious holidays was written by Religion Transcends writer Jackie Walker for the Winter 2009 issue of Relate magazine. Relate’s mission is to inspire teen girls to pursue their dreams with confidence and to teach them to be an example for others in their speech, life, love, faith and purity. Religion overviews may have Christian overtones to make the content relatable for the Christian teen audience.

If you’re putting the finishing touches on a winter wonderland of figgy pudding, jingling bells, and neatly wrapped presents, you’re in good company. Each year, about 93% of Americans celebrate Christmas. That’s more than 9 out of every 10 people in the United States!

Of course, Christmas comes in a variety of packages: Santa and his sleigh, Jesus and his manger, the Grinch and his itty-bitty heart. So just what is the real Christmas story? And what are some of the holy nights that the other 7% of Americans are celebrating this winter?

Set aside those gingerbread cookies and read this holiday list (we checked it twice!).

Islam

Holiday: Ashura

Date: December 27

Main Players: Noah, Moses, Hussein

The Story: Sunni and Shi’ite Muslims celebrate Ashura differently. Sunnis are those who believed a new leader should be elected when Muhammad died. Shi’ites are those who thought the new leader should be a descendent of Muhammad. Sunnis remember the day Noah stepped off the Ark. They also use Ashura to celebrate the day Moses parted the Red Sea and escaped from the Egyptians. Shi’ites mourn the death of Hussein ibn Ali. Hussein was the grandson of Muhammad. As a descendent, Shi’ites believed he should rule over the Muslim community. But the Sunnis didn’t recognize him as leader…so Hussein started his own kingdom. Because he refused to pledge allegiance to the government that was in place, he was killed and beheaded during battle. Today, Shi’ites consider Hussein a martyr because he died for his religion.

Traditions: Sunnis celebrate Ashura by fasting (meaning they don’t eat that day). Shi’ites mourn the anniversary of Hussein’s martyrdom on Ashura and sometimes for weeks after. To show their grief, they may:
-Fast
-Mourn in public
-You may have seen pictures of Muslim men walking in a line and beating themselves on Ashura; this is a way to show grief
-Visit Hussein’s tomb in Karbala, Iraq

Other installments in this series:
-Buddhism: Bodhi Day
-Judaism: Hanukkah
-Christianity: Christmas
-Hinduism: Vasant Panchami (to come)

Other holidays this winter:
-Islam: Hijra (December 18)
-Wicca: Winter Solstice (December 21)
-Shinto: Gantan-sai (January 1)
-Baha’i: World Religion Day (January 17)
-Buddhism/Confucianism: Chinese New Year (February 14)

Created by Religion Transcends, 2009

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So much for peace-making.

On November 29, the Swiss government voted to impose a national ban on construction of minarets. In Islam, minarets are the prayer towers located at mosques – the place where the muezzin makes the call to prayer (or adhan, heard here). The ban will now be added to the Switzerland Constitution.

The government claims the vote was not intended as a rejection of the Muslim community. But it sure sounds like one. And it’s a little surprising, given that the United Nations has an office in Geneva, Switzerland, and the Swiss seem to put forth a face of religious understanding.

This type of ban is different from now-typical lawsuits against religious regalia/fixtures in the American public square. The minaret is located atop the mosque – private property in many countries. Granted, a government can regulate how you build (check out this story about a cross in San Antonio). But when it comes to common religious architecture, it’s like telling a group that they cannot create a worship space the way it has been done for centuries. Imagine the government telling a church it cannot have stained glass windows. Or telling a synagogue that it cannot have an ark.

It’s certainly a bit invasive, very intolerant. Indonesia calls it “ignorant.” Here’s hoping they reverse the ban soon and allow everyone to freely express their religious beliefs…especially in the privacy of their own houses of worship.

Created by Religion Transcends, 2009

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Can we be a pluralistic society when it comes to…the holiday stamp?

That’s what Tracy Simmons of USA Today wants to know.

Simmons recently published an article about the typical holiday stamp – the secular kind that include things like Santa, snowmen, etc.

Of course, Simmons notes that the U.S. Postal Service offers a Christmas stamp along with Hanukkah and Kwanzaa stamps. The government has also developed an Eid stamp (to celebrate Islam’s Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha holidays).

The Eid stamp controversy

Apparently a forward has been making its way around the Internet recently, claiming that the Eid stamp was developed after 9/11 and therefore celebrates Muslim terrorist attacks. The e-mail claims that the stamp is a threat to Americans.

The original e-mail can be traced to Mayor Johnny Piper of Clarksville, TN. What the mayor didn’t realize is that the stamp was actually developed by the Bush administration ten days prior to 9/11/01. Its intentions were the same as the Christmas and Hanukkah stamps — to give Americans a way to celebrate their religions, not to promote terrorism.

What about Buddha?

Simmons asks, should the government also develop a Buddhist stamp and a Hindu stamp? It probably comes down to supply and demand. If there is a demand for the stamps, the government will be more likely to develop those stamps that will sell. But in principle, a government that produces stamps for one religion ought to produce stamps for all religions – or leave religion out of postage altogether. What do you think?

Created by ReligionTranscends.com, 2009

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A recent survey from the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life asked Americans whether they believe in Heaven and Hell. While 74% believe in Heaven, just 59% said they believe in Hell.

In 1999, the late Pope John Paul II said Hell is simply separation from God. Other Christians believe Hell is a physical place where you are punished in a sea of fire. Read some of the arguments in USA Today.

Here are some New Testament Bible verses about Hell:

But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell. – Matthew 5:22 (NIV)

Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. – Matthew 10:28 (NIV)

But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him – Luke 12:5 (NIV)

Here are some surahs from the Qur’an:

In order that Allah may separate the impure from the pure, put the impure, one on another, heap them together, and cast them into Hell. They will be the ones to have lost. –8:37

Take not, with Allah, another object of worship, lest thou shouldst be thrown into Hell — 17:39

It is he whom Allah guides, that is on true Guidance; but he whom He leaves astray – for such wilt thou find no protector besides Him. On the Day of Judgment We shall gather, them together, prone on their faces, blind, dumb, and deaf: their abode will be Hell: every time it shows abatement, We shall increase from them the fierceness of the Fire. – 17:97

Your turn:

Do you believe in Hell? What do you think Hell is? And why do you suppose many Americans no longer believe in the concept? Too scary? They like to think of everyone going to Heaven?

Created by ReligionTranscends.com, 2009

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Today is Lailat al Miraj for Muslims – learn more about the holiday on ReligionTranscends.com.

And stay tuned to Religion Transcends for more holiday explanations and religion news updates. Follow us on Twitter @religionblogger.

Created by ReligionTranscends.com, 2009

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A resolution is on the table in New York City calling for NYC schools to adopt two religious holidays:

-Eid Ul-Fitr (the end of Ramadan)

-Eid Ul-Adha (which celebrates Abraham/Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son for God)

The NYC Council passed the resolution last week, which would seem to give two breaks to the 12% of NYC school kids who are Muslim. But the city’s Mayor Bloomberg is speaking out agains tthe measure. He doesn’t want to further shorten the schoolyear, which already includes time out for Jewish and Christian holidays. As of now it is unclear whether the resolution will be formally passed.

According to the New York Times, the holiday resolution has already been adopted by some school districts in New Jersey and Michigan.

What do you think? Should Bloomberg let Muslim kids have those two days off? Stay tuned for updates…

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The Islamic Society of North America is an association of and for Muslims in North America. The group draws something like 30,000 Muslims together every year at its annual convention.

This past weekend at the annual event, Evangelical Christian Pastor Rick Warren spoke, along with Conservative and Reform Judaism representatives who have recently formed partnerships with the society.

This marks a turning point for the organization. According to USA Today, Christian and Jewish groups have stayed away from the convention in the past, speaking out against hostility and violence committed by Muslims against their followers.

But the group has denounced terrorism and seeks two states for Israel – one for Jews, one for Muslims. The Islamic Society saw their convention as a chance to reach out and make peace.

Still, Warren’s appearance at the event may seem controversial to some…though it wouldn’t be the first controversial thing he’s ever done.

The Associated Press reports that Warren addressed the controversy in his speech:

“It’s easier to be an extremist of any kind because then you only have one group of people mad at you,” he said. “But if you actually try to build relationships — like invite an evangelical pastor to your gathering – you’ll get criticized for it. So will I.”

Warren urged Muslims and Christians to work together to tackle major world problems and to speak out against stereotyping of religious groups.

In other news…

Muslim and Christian relations haven’t been all sunny this week. In Pakistan, Muslims reportedly attacked 110 Christian homes.

Are you hopeful about the future of Muslim-Christian relations?

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Beginning Sunday, the Uighurs in Urumqi (in Xinjiang province, China) marched about workplace discrimination. Peacefully. But the march quickly turned violent as Uighurs clashed with the Han.

Lost yet? Here’s some background.

Han: The Han Chinese are ethnic Chinese who make up the majority ethnic population in China.

Uighurs: Uighurs are an ethnic group of mostly Muslims who can trace their lineage to Turkey. They consider Xinjiang their homeland.

The province of Xinjiang was liberated from Chinese military/administrative rule in 1949, yet the autonomous region is still within the borders of China. Clashes with the Chinese government seem, thus, likely and unsurprising. China has accused the Uighurs of seeking independence for Xinjiang and have often called them terrorists. Others say the Uighurs are just peaceful Muslims who are being wrongly accused.

But Uighurs aren’t the only ones living in Xinjiang. Though Muslim Uighurs are the indigenous ethnic majority in Xinjiang, the Han Chinese have migrated into Urumqi, Xinjiang’s capital city. So now the Han are the ethnic majority in Urumqi, in the midst of a province largely populated by Uighurs.

Last month, Uighur factory workers clashed with Han Chinese and two Uighurs died. The Chinese government is now accusing the Uighurs of instigating riots with the Han in Urumqi in response to last month’s incident. This week’s riots resulted in 156 people killed, more than 1,000 reportedly injured, and 200 buildings/260 vehicles damaged. The Chinese government knocked out all Uighur communication outlets including Facebook and Twitter, so the Uighur story is hardly being heard.

Did the Chinese cause the brutal riots by breaking up a peaceful protest? Or did the Uighurs really start randomly rioting, pulling people out of cars and beating them? Without information from both sides, it’s hard to make an informed opinion.

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In May, we noted that PBS might remove its name from several U.S. television stations that were airing religious broadcasting. (Public stations aren’t permitted to air religious programming.)

UPDATE: In June, the PBS national board voted to ban any new religious programming from PBS stations. Stations that are currently violating the rule by airing religious programming may continue to air that religious programming. (There were only 6 stations in question.)

In March, we noted that Elected Episcopal Bishop Kevin Thew Forrester (of the Northern Michigan diocese) practices Zen meditation and is lay-ordinated in Buddhism. He has not, however, taken Buddhist vows nor does he consider himself a Buddhist. He claims to simply borrow practices from Zen Buddhism to guide his Christian meditation on God. But many Episcopalians were trying to prevent Forrester from becoming fully ordained as bishop.

UPDATE: In June, leaders of the Episcopal Church did, indeed, deny consecration to Forrester. Thus, though he was elected bishop, leaders did not confirm his leadership. He will not be a bishop. According to Christianity Today, this is the first time since the 1930s that someone’s election as bishop has been vetoed by denominational leaders of any Christian denomination.

Ann Holmes Redding was also defrocked by the Episcopal Church (and did not recant) for changing her beliefs to Islam.

Bookmark Religion Transcends today to keep finding religion news and updates of past stories. And watch us on Twitter (@religionblogger) for more quick news bites.

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Pope Benedict XVI is in the Middle East this week. He was supposed to talk about peace and reconciliation. SUPPOSED to…

The Nazi issue

But then, according to CNN, “the pope’s spokesman issued an unsolicited denial that Benedict XVI had ever been a member of the Hitler Youth, only to have to retract that denial within a couple of hours.”

The pope had, indeed, been involuntarily enrolled in Hitler Youth while growing up in Germany. When the issue first came up 10 years ago, the pope claimed he had never actively participated in the group and is anti-Nazi.

But just talking about his enrollment stirred up the public.

Then today, the pope refocused on the peace process, particularly surrounding unrest in the West Bank.

The West Bank issue

The West Bank is an area between Jerusalem and Jordan. Jordan controlled the region for about 2000 years. In 1967, Israel captured it and still maintains a military presence there. Here’s a map.

Palestinians have control of a small portion of the territory, ceded to them by Jordan. Either way, a majority of inhabitants in the West Bank are Palestinians. And many of them want an independent state — separate from Israeli control/occupation.

In 2002, Israel built a wall between Jerusalem and Bethlehem (city of Jesus’ birth, in the West Bank). Israel used it for protection against bombings and raids. Palestinians saw it as an illegal wall keeping them out of Jerusalem.

Today, the pope said that wall could be torn down – if Israelis and Palestinians would tear down the walls in their hearts. His speech seemed to throw a line to Palestinians who want to see the wall go. But it also seems to serve as a reminder that the wall can only be removed if peaceful negotiations supercede violence.

So what do you think? Is the pope for or against Israel? Palestine? Neither? Is he on the side of peace?

Copyright 2009, Religion Transcends

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