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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The United States Army recently decided to allow a Sikh captain/physician to wear Sikh articles of dress while on active duty.

Capt. Kamaljeet Singh Kalsi will enter active duty in the Summer 2010. Thanks to his individual appeal, he will be allowed to continue wearing his dastaar and kesh while on active duty.

Kesh what?

Baptized Sikhs are required to keep five articles of faith at all times.  These are:

1. Uncut hair (considered a part of the body, can be covered with a turban)
2. A comb (which must be used at least twice a day)
3. A bracelet (a reminder of vows)
4. A sword (for self-protection only)
5. Under shorts (a reminder of self-restraint)

Uncut hair is called kesh and dastaar is the turban used to protect it. These symbols show one’s devotion to the Sikh religion. Religious garments have deep meaning; asking someone to remove a garment could make them feel as though they are denying their religion.

Learn more about challenges to the turban and other head coverings on ReligionTranscends.com.

What’s the point?

The Army decision goes against the 1986 Army ban on “conspicuous” religious articles of faith. Sikhs will likely continue to ask for permanent change to the ban.  

The decision seems to imply that the Army is beginning to accept and understand Sikh culture. Religion Transcends encourages US institutions to continue to be open to the traditions of the world’s religions, allowing rather than banning balanced religious symbolism.

Want more Sikh news? Watch Religion Transcends for a Sikh holiday backgrounder next week.

Created by ReligionTranscends.com, 2009

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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.

Content created by ReligionTranscends.com

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Will you lose your PBS station due to religious content?

Public TV stations in the United States are not permitted to air religious programming. So on June 16, PBS (Public Broadcast System) will decide whether to remove its name from stations that broadcast religious services. If a station loses its PBS designation, it would in turn lose PBS-created shows like Sesame Street.

Areas with PBS stations in question include New Orleans; Provo, Utah; and a station in Texas; and stations in two other states.

Learn more about the debate from PBS ombudsman Michael Getler.

Copyright 2009, Religion Transcends

Filed under: Religion and Ethics, Religion and Law | 1 Comment »

Recently a woman in France accused the Church of Scientology of conning her out of $30,000. She claims the group convinced her to buy vitamins, thereby acting “illegally as a pharmacy” and conning people. Her trial against the church came to court on Monday.

If guilty, the entire sect would be shut down in France. The church is claiming it is not responsible for its members.

Watch this news video about the case on BBC News. 

Read more about Scientology on Religion Transcends.

Copyright 2009, Religion Transcends

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Gay rights are constantly being debated in America. And this month, they have taken center stage in both the legislative and religious realms.

Permission via legislation

At the beginning of the month, the Iowa Supreme Court stated that gay marriage was a right, thereby allowing same-sex marriages (not just unions) in the state. A week later, the state of Vermont voted to allow gay marriage through the legislature. Now some believe U.S. President Obama will pass a similar federal law in 2009.

To top things off, Christian Evangelical pastor Rick Warren nearly took back his support of Proposition 8. Warren, after giving the prayer at Obama’s swear-in ceremony, was criticized for supporting the California amendment banning gay marriage. He didn’t take back his support. But on Larry King Live on April 7, he denied being an activist against gay marriage.

It would seem, then, that gay rights activists have won a few battles and are winning conservative converts.

Not so fast.

Denial via religion?

It’s too early to tell whether the Lutheran denomination will allow gay clergy. At the end of March, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) decided they didn’t need a two-thirds vote to allow gay clergy. Instead, they plan to allow a majority vote in August at the church’s convention. If a majority passes the motion, then individual congregations would get to decide whether to appoint gay clergy. A two-thirds vote would have made it harder to get the motion passed. But it is yet to be seen whether a majority will support openly gay clergy.

The Presbyterian Church is making similar decisions. In March, a California commission in a Presbyterian church denied lesbian deacon Lisa Larges the right to be formally ordained as a minister – the third time she’d been denied. But by the end of May, the Presbyerian Church as a whole will have reconsidered the rules.  Currently, as with the Lutheran Church, gay clergy must agree to be celibate. This clause is being rethought and will require a vote.

On top of all this, former British prime minister Tonya Blair recently stated that the Vatican (the Catholic seat) should rethink its ideas about homosexuality to be more in line with current tolerance of homosexuality by most Catholics. Will the pope reconsider? For now, the Catholic Church is maintaining its opposition to gay marriage and homosexual acts.

A history of debate

Portions of both the Hebrew Bible, the New Testament, and Qur’anic Scriptures like the Hadith make mention of homosexual acts as an abomination. Thus, homosexuality has been under constant scrutiny for ages.

As to other Christian denominations not previously mentioned:

- The United Church of Christ first allowed ordination of gay and lesbian in the 1970s; openly gay clergy were ordained beginning in 1980. The church also endorses the blessing of same-sex unions.

-The Episcopalian Church has endorsed equal rights for the GLBT community since the mid-1970s, and it ordained gay minister Gene Robinson as a bishop. But it seems the topic is still up for debate.

-Homosexual individuals are welcomed into the United Methodist Church but may not become clergy. Clergy cannot hold civil union/gay marriage ceremonies either.

The following churches have historically condemned homosexuality:

-Southern Baptist

-Latter-Day Saints (Mormons)

-Pentecostal

-Jehovah’s Witnesses

Reform Judaism has allowed ordination of homosexual rabbis since 1990. The Orthodox branch has been historically opposed to ordination of homosexual rabbis. And the debate continues for Conservative Jews. Watch a current discussion of GLBT rights in the Jewish community online.

In most Islamic countries, homosexuality is a crime that carries punishment (especially in Saudi Arabia and Iran). Groups like Al-Fatiha are hoping to change that.

For Buddhism, monks must remain celibate. For everyone else, sex is only permitted for procreation. So technically homosexuality would be considered wrong, but the Dalai Lama  has spoken out in favor of equal rights for the GLBT community.

For Hinduism, sacred texts do not prohibit homosexuality. However, the debate continues as homosexuality is often outside the cultural teachings surrounding Hinduism.

Where do you stand on the debate of homosexuality and religion?

Copyright 2009, Religion Transcends

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In 2008, four Sikh students in Chandigarh, India, applied to medical school as Sikhs. They were denied admission because they had cut their hair; the college claimed that by cutting their hair, the students were no longer Sikhs.

In response, the students sent a petition to the high courts in India.

Many young Sikhs are cutting their hair, according to the Washington Post. In fact, the number may be as many as 75%. But for traditional Sikhs, long hair wrapped up in a turban means you are Sikh. It is a visible sign of religious affiliation and belief.

In most religions, removing headgear does not remove one’s status as a follower of that religion — unless of course one removes the headgear because they no longer follow that religion. But this could all change for Sikhs depending on how the courts respond. Their decision could mean that if a Sikh cuts his hair, he is no longer Sikh.

Read the full article for the history of decisions and violence surrounding the turban and long hair.

Other types of religious headgear

Sikhism isn’t the only religion to include mandates on headgear. Here are a few examples of others:

-Buddhist monks typically shave their heads as the Buddha did, as a sign of ascetic life. 

-Some Muslim women choose (or are subjected, depending on whom you ask and what country you’re in) to wear the hijab, a head covering intended as a display of modesty

-Some Jewish men wear yarmulkes, also known as kippahs or skull caps, as a sign of humility and a reminder of their relationships with God. Jews are not required to wear the skull cap at all times, and most do not. Many choose to wear the skull cap in public as a sign of religiosity, during holidays, or while visiting Israel.

-The habit is the traditional uniform of Catholic nuns, which includes a veil. Most nuns are no longer required to wear the habit, but many still choose to wear the veil and uniform. Learn more about the reasons for the habit on A Nun’s Life. Learn about other Catholic headgear in this Wiki article. 

What do you think? Is hair and headgear just that? Or is it a sign of something more? Do you wear religious headgear or wear your hair a certain way to reflect your beliefs?

Filed under: Religion and Law, Sikhism, Sister Julie | No Comments »

Christians living in Malaysia can now use the word “Allah” to describe God.

The allowance represents a reversal of a previous ban on use of the word by Christians. But it now comes with a condition: Christians must specify that their publications that use the word “Allah” are not intended for Muslims. Malaysian government officials worry that Christians calling God “Allah” will confuse Muslims.

Technically, “Allah” is just the Arabic word for God. But because Muslims use the word to describe God, many assume Allah is the Muslim God and not the same God of Christianity and Judaism.

The confusion would likely arise from Muslims thinking Christians were trying to convert them by using their terms. Or they would simply be tricked into thinking they are worshipping the Muslim Allah when in reality they are practicing as Christians. This is especially a concern in Malaysia where Muslims are the majority and religious tensions are high.

To complicate matters internationally, many people consider the Muslim Allah and the Christian Allah to be the same God, though different religions worship God differently or attribute different traits to God.

Who is Allah to you?

Is Allah the same God of Judaism and Christianity?  Are Allah and God different? Is it just a difference in translation? Should Malaysian officials really be worried?

Copyright 2009, Religion Transcends.

Filed under: Christianity, Islam, Religion and Law | 2 Comments »

In November, the Wyoming Department of Corrections decided to allow its Muslim inmates to time their daily meals with prayer times. 

Per the Islamic pillar of salat, Muslims are supposed to pray at five specific times each day. But in Wyoming prisons, inmates are supposed to eat within 20 minutes of being served a meal. Sometimes, this forced inmates to choose between praying and eating. Now, prisoners will be allowed to eat their meals before other prisoners in order to fit in prayers at the proper times. 

This case brings to mind a recent case in Ohio where Jewish prisoners were denied kosher meals. Learn more about that case here.

What do you think? Should prisoners always have religious rights? Or should certain rights be denied?

Copyright 2009 Religion Transcends.

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Several students at Parkway West Middle School in Chesterfield, Missouri, will be reprimanded for holding “Hit a Jew Day.”

The school held a spirit week recently, one day of which was called “Hug a Friend Day.” The students in question quickly changed the day into “Hit a Tall Person Day” which they later changed into “Hit a Jew Day.”

What do you think? Is this just a silly prank from a group of sixth graders? Or is this Anti-Semitism at work?

Filed under: Judaism, Religion and Law | No Comments »