The Underground -- 2 Christians released from Saudi jail after six months imprisonment |
- 2 Christians released from Saudi jail after six months imprisonment
- Cowboys and Aliens: Biggest disappointment of the summer
- Court rules on behalf of Texas prayer rally at Reliant Stadium
- Lawyer says Egyptian government stalls investigation of cathedral blast
- Faith leaders arrested in the Capitol in fight against budget cuts
- Website of the Week: About.com Urban Legends
| 2 Christians released from Saudi jail after six months imprisonment Posted: 30 Jul 2011 10:47 AM PDT
Two Indian Pentecostal Christians who were imprisoned for six months in Saudi Arabia, for alleged attempted Christian conversions, were set free recently and allowed to return to their home country. Nese Yohan, 31, and Vasantha Sekhar Vara, 28, members of the thriving house church Rejoice in the Church of the Lord in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, returned to India on July 24, after being released two weeks before by Saudi officials. Vara and Yohan, who are members of a house church with some 70 members, were arrested in January while holding a Bible study in the house church apartment, attended largely by expat Indian workers. “Saudi religious police and other police confiscated Bibles and other Christian literature as well as the church’s sound installation and instruments, such as guitars, during the [January] raid. They even broke furniture, suit cases, and painted what I believe were Koran verses on the walls,” an elder of the church told Worthy News. The two men were initially placed on a “pre-trial detention” of 45 days and were severely beaten. Then they were transferred to an infamous and overcrowded jail in Riyadh and detained for months without trial. When members of the church were allowed to see Vara and Yohan, they looked wan. An elder told Worthy News, “Our brothers’ head hair was shaved and they looked very thin.” The two men were not allowed to pray or read the Bible. Yohan was coughing and there were concerns about tuberculosis, but he was allegedly denied medical treatment. They also could not sleep well in the overcrowded cell. The elder told Worthy News that Vara and Yohan were “the only known Christians there imprisoned for their faith. The other inmates are criminals.” Vara lost his job while in prison. He was also being pressured to convert to Islam, but he refused saying, “If I have to die for my God, I will die for him here,” Worthy News reported. Their freedom on July 12 was unexpected but welcome news after a lengthy and often frustrating process of negotiations. The elder told Worthy News it was “a result of prayers. The world should know about their plight. Praise the Lord, God gives us victory.” However, an anonymous source told Worthy News that local authorities have been exerting pressure on the house church, and the homes of members of the church have also been raided. Christians believe Saudi officials are trying to intimidate them so they will not worship in private homes. False charges, false evidence “These two Christians have faced false charges and false evidence, Logan Maurer of International Christian Concern told Christian Today. “The Saudi government continues to engage in an array of severe violations of human rights as part of its repression of freedom of religion.” Saudi Arabia has been cracking down on Christians for many years. In 2004, some 28 Indian Christians were arrested for practicing their faith. In 2008, another 16 Indian workers were arrested and detained for three days. Two years later, half of them voluntarily left the country, and three were deported. Officially, Saudi Arabia’s 26 million population is 100 percent Muslim, but there are some seven million foreign workers in the country, with 1.5 of them Indian nationals, many of whom are Christian. |
| Cowboys and Aliens: Biggest disappointment of the summer Posted: 30 Jul 2011 10:42 AM PDT
Oh, I know I will take some heat for this, but I didn’t much care for Cowboys and Aliens, an adaptation of a comic book from Scott Mitchell Rosenberg. For me, it is the biggest disappointment of the summer. It had so much going for it. A great cast, a great director (Iron Man), Brian Grazer and Ron Howard are listed as producers and the great Steven Spielberg is one of the executive producers.
But oh, did it fail to deliver. It didn’t help that just before it, there was a preview for the next movie based on a board game, Battleship, but that’s another rant for another day. Set in the old west of 1873, a stranger, Jake Lonergan (Daniel Craig), wakes up to find that he has a mysterious shackle attached to one wrist and no memory of who he is. He is in the town of Absolution (really?) a town that lives in fear because of the way it is run by iron-fisted Colonel Dolarhyde (Harrison Ford). The town doesn’t care for strangers. Suddenly, they are attacked by space ships that zoom through and wrangle up many of the townsfolk including the Colonel’s son. Lonergran knows a thing or two about fighting and soon works together with the Colonel, members of the town, nearby indians, Absolution’s new bartender Doc (Sam Rockwell). When another stranger, and a woman at that, wants to join them, they agree without a fight which seems odd for the odd west who supposedly took care of the women and children. While hard to pinpoint the mistakes of this film, Cowboys and Aliens is a mess. Although not a terrible movie, it’s not great either. The choices in actors are fine but they are stuck with soan adaptation of Scott Mitchell Rosenberg’s comic bookme of the worst dialogue ever, (Young Man: I wish you had been my father.Old Man: I wish I had a son just like you). You don’t end caring for any of them except maybe Doc, the new city slicker bartender who doesn’t know how to shoot a gun. His English accent missing, Craig scowls more than speaks. Everything you like about Harrison Ford has been reduced to a grumpy old man – again. Movie cliches are rampant as well. (Horses are begin killed left and right, but don’t worry, the dog will be okay). Cowboys and Aliens has too many storylines and too many characters and never gives you a reason to care for any of them. The movie does feature a lot of action, but few surprises. It starts off well with a mystery, but as that mystery is revealed, eyes will roll. Except for some language, there isn’t much to be offended with but there isn’t any message either. There was much unintentional laughter filling the theater from where I sat but then, many still clapped with appreciation at the end. To each his own I guess. Cowboys & Aliens Stars: Daniel Craig, Harrison Ford, Olivia Wilde and Sam Rockwell Director: Jon Favreau Originally posted here. |
| Court rules on behalf of Texas prayer rally at Reliant Stadium Posted: 30 Jul 2011 10:35 AM PDT
A Houston federal court judge dismissed recently a lawsuit that was filed by a group of agnostics and atheists, which sought to prevent Gov. Rick Perry from sponsoring a prayer rally at Houston’s Reliant Stadium. Houston Judge Gray Miller dismissed the suit because he said the complainants lacked legal standing to object to Perry’s role in the event, and failed to sufficiently prove that they would suffer injury if the prayer meeting pushes through. In his decision, Miller noted that the complainants could simply decide not to attend the prayer rally if they felt bothered by it or feared that it would cause them harm. The lawsuit was filed by the Freedom From Religion Foundation, who in their complaint expressed feelings of exclusion, and for this reason, sought an injunction. Miller said in his decision, “The governor has done nothing more than invite others who are willing to do so to pray,” according to the AP. The prayer rally is scheduled for August 6, which Perry declared to be “a day of prayer and fasting for our nation,” the WSJ said. The governor said the proclamation falls within his free-speech rights. “States often issue proclamations recognizing that citizens may choose to commemorate particular events through prayer.” The FFRF said it may appeal. Kay Staley, one of the residents of Texas who is among the plaintiffs told the AP, “I think the governor needs to keep his religion out of his official duties.” She said she will attend the prayer event to protest. Perry, an evangelical Christian, compared his role in the event to President Barack Obama’s participation in the National Day of Prayer. He told the AP, “My prayer is that the courts will find that the First Amendment is still applicable to the governor no matter what they might be doing, and that what we’ve done in the state of Texas, or what we’ve done in the governor’s office is appropriate. It’s no different than what George Washington or Abraham Lincoln or President Truman or President Obama have done.” The FFRF also filed a case to prevent Obama’s participation in the National Day of Prayer, an event for people of all faiths, earlier this year. However, last April an appellate court dismissed the lawsuit saying that the FFRF failed to provide proof that the president’s proclamation of the event had caused them harm. |
| Lawyer says Egyptian government stalls investigation of cathedral blast Posted: 30 Jul 2011 10:35 AM PDT
Five months post former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak, the perpetrators of the bombing of Two Saints Church, Alexandria, last New Year’s Eve remain unknown–and the government seems to stall its investigation. The suspects who were arrested shortly after the bombing have been released, and there is a prohibition against publishing information about the bombing that continues to be in force since January, even after Mubarak stepped down the following month. On New Year’s Eve, a bomb was lobbed onto the front lawn of Two Saints Church, a landmark cathedral, while a service was ongoing. Some 25 died, and 100 were injured. (See http://theundergroundsite.com/index.php/2011/01/egyptian-coptic-church-bomb-kills-21-wounds-79-14956/). Speculation contends there may be links between the bombing of the church, and threats that were sent to the Coptic Church eight hours before the blast. Murmurs abound that the Salafists and the State Security collaborated in the bombings. “[The] majority of Copts believe … the Salafists in collaboration with State Security carried out the bombings of the Alexandria Church,” activist Edward Fahmy told AINA. Heightening suspicions that State Security was complicit is the fact that the security personnel and officers who were assigned to the church were not at their posts when the blast occurred. Joseph Malak, attorney for the Coptic cathedral, said in a press conference at the Church of St. Mark in Alexandria that they have filed a case requesting that former interior minister Habib al-Adli is questioned about the incident. They also asked in their lawsuit that reasons be disclosed as to why the suspects were released, and seek cancellation of the ban on publication about the bomb blast, which had been imposed since January. The lawsuit also seeks to require that the investigations are completed by the Ministers of Justice and Interior, and that the perpetrators are sentenced as quickly as possible. Malak said in the press conference that the lawsuit names the president of the Council of Ministers, the Attorney General and the Interior Minister. It demands the reopening of the case. For some time, a long list of affidavits had been submitted to these government officials, and relatives of the victims have expressed willingness to testify. However, the government has not responded. In the press conference which took place at the church’s Egyptian Center for Development Studies and Human Rights last Sunday, Malak said, “We will demand the Attorney General to take determined action to complete the investigation into the case and to speed up detection of the perpetrators and bring them to trial,” AINA reported. Appeal to media Also present at the press conference was the pastor of Two Saints Church, Father Makkar Fawzi, who appealed to media for help. “You are our last resort, we have talked with many officials without any answer.” Rev. Abraham Emil of St. Mark Church said at the press conference that the government of Egypt has the capability to find the perpetrators, adding that the families of the victims are Egyptians, too. “They have the same rights as victims of the Revolution.” |
| Faith leaders arrested in the Capitol in fight against budget cuts Posted: 29 Jul 2011 10:36 AM PDT
Eleven leaders of different faith groups were arrested recently in the Capitol Rotunda, where they staged a prayer sit-in protesting congressional budget cuts. The 11 leaders of Jewish and Christian faiths joined hands and knelt down on the floor of the Capitol Rotunda, prayed and sang spiritual hymns recently. The group prayed that the Obama administration, the Senate and the House make certain that they do not “balance the budget on the backs of the poor,” The Hill reported. Others surrounded the group in support and said “Amen,” a witness told The Hill. Capitol Police warned the group to stop praying, but they were ignored. The Capitol Police then cleared the area of tourists and media, and arrested the faith group for demonstrating inside the building. The room was open to the public again at about 1:30 p.m. Those arrested included Rev. Jennifer Butler, executive director of Faith in Public Life, Jim Winkler, general secretary, General Board of Church and Society, United Methodist Church; and Rabbi Arthur Waskow, Shalom Center, Philadelphia, who was in a wheelchair but was lifted out of it when he was arrested. In a statement, the interfaith group said it is “frustrated that their pleas to the administration and Congress to protect funding for the nation’s most vulnerable are being ignored.” Congress is paralyzed “Congress is paralyzed,” Rev. Michael Livingston, former president of the National Council of the Churches of Christ (USA) said in a statement, blaming this on “toxic partisan politics.” Livingston said in the statement, “Our elected officials are protecting corporations and wealthy individuals while shredding the safety net for millions of the most vulnerable people in our nation and abroad. Our faith won’t allow us to passively watch this travesty unfold.” Last July 26, two bishops, namely Bishop Howard J. Hubbard of Albany, N.Y. and Bishop Stephen E. Blaire of Stockton, Calif., in a statement said, “A just framework for future budgets cannot rely on disproportionate cuts in essential services to poor persons. It requires shared sacrifice by all, including raising adequate revenues, eliminating unnecessary military and other spending, and addressing the long-term costs of health insurance and retirement programs fairly,” NCR reported. A letter was also sent last July 27 addressed to House Speaker John Boehner, from a group of Catholic priests, religious and lay people. The letter said, “You can heed the consistent moral calls from Catholic leaders who have urged lawmakers to decrease our debt fairly and protect the most vulnerable, or you can yield to growing political pressure from Tea Party Republicans willing to accept catastrophic default for the first time in our nation’s history,” NCR reported. The letter continued, “This is a stark choice between responsible leadership that serves the common good and narrow ideology that makes tax cuts for the wealthy our most sacred national priority. … Now is the time to seek a compromise that reflects the Catholic values of solidarity with the most vulnerable and prudential judgment,” NCR reported. |
| Website of the Week: About.com Urban Legends Posted: 29 Jul 2011 10:36 AM PDT
Did you know that Charlie Sheen is dead? Did you know that there are rapists luring victims with crying children? Did you know that some McDonald’s restaurants are charging African Americans a $1.50 transaction fee? Of course not – they’re all false. And yet, thousands (okay, I’m taking a guess here) are duped every day with a new urban legend. The three mentioned above are just some of the newest hitting email boxes just this month. Americans are getting smarter and less urban legends are circulating than the beginning days of email and the Internet, but some sound so convincing that it would be a crime not to pass it on to our loved ones. And then there’s the evil stepchild of the urban legend – the chain letter. You know, the ones that tell a heart-felt story and that you’ll be blessed if you pass it on or will be cursed if you don’t. Where do you go to find answers to give to your Aunt Hilda when she’s trying to warn you that President Obama is the antichrist? I suggest About.com Urban Legends. David Emery is an avid chronicler of urban legends and popular culture and has written for About.com since 1997. He says, “On this site we’ll debunk, deconstruct, and, wherever possible, simply revel in the strangest, scariest, funniest, most popular tall tales, rumors, and hoaxes people see fit to share, both online and off. I’m pleased to have you join me in what promises to be a constantly entertaining, ever-enlightening exploration of the urban legends and folklore of the digital age.” You can browse the site for hoaxes by just about any topic. Some are funny, some are disturbing and some will keep you from spreading false rumors about certain preachers. Some strange things are actually true and Emery gives evidence for each. You can even test your own urban legend knowledge. And once you do, you can forward this to Aunt Hilda. Originally posted here. |
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