Latest news with #non-Christian
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
An AP reporter explored religion in Utah. She was surprised by what she found
This article was first published in the State of Faith newsletter. Sign up to receive the newsletter in your inbox each Monday night. One of the reasons I loved starting my religion reporting career in Utah is that Utah is full of faith-related surprises. Yes, it's fair to associate the state with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but you can't stop there. Its religious character is complex, and includes vibrant non-Christian faith communities, as well as plenty of religious 'nones.' Deepa Bharath, a reporter with The Associated Press' Global Religion Team, recently put a spotlight on Utah's religious diversity with two stories about interfaith engagement. One was about Latter-day Saints who access physical and spiritual health benefits by practicing yoga and the other was about the Hindu temple in Spanish Fork, Utah, that's breaking down barriers between different faith groups. 'The temple (Shri Shri Radha Krishna Temple) is surrounded by Latter-day Saints, and a lot of people going to practice yoga there are LDS,' said Bharath, who is based in Los Angeles. After seeing her stories, I called Bharath to learn more about what she uncovered during her reporting trip and how to lean in to your faith-related curiosity. This conversation has been edited for length and clarity. Kelsey Dallas: How did you end up on a reporting trip in Utah? Deepa Bharath: Jessie (Wardarski — a visual journalist on AP's Global Religion Team) and I realized we would both be in Salt Lake at the same time for an awards ceremony. We decided we had to do some stories, so I started looking into ideas. I found so many, but Latter-day Saints doing yoga kind of popped out because of my own background. I think I was uniquely positioned to write this story because of my knowledge of yoga and its origins. I started with the LDS people and they led me to the Hindu temple in Spanish Fork. It was really interesting. I didn't quite expect to find that amount of diversity. KD: So your research and trip changed some of your preconceived notions about religion in Utah? DB: Yes, I was surprised. I was surprised that there was this temple in an area that is overwhelmingly LDS and even more surprised at how accepting the community was. The LDS yoga practitioners I met with have deep knowledge of the concepts behind yoga and link it to their religion. And Phil McLemore, who was one of my main interviews, has icons in his house of different Hindu deities. I didn't expect to see that. And there were other types of interfaith engagement going on. Kids in the area visit the temple to volunteer and, in the process of serving, learn about this other culture. KD: How does the Hindu temple in Utah compare to other temples in the U.S.? DB: It's pretty unusual because Hindu temples are usually located where there is a large Hindu community or Indian community. You see them in Los Angeles, New Jersey and several cities in Texas. And this temple also stands out because it's a Hare Krishna Temple. Each temple under the ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) is unique because it's run by a different person. KD: What advice do you have for non-journalists who'd like to learn more about the religious communities in their neighborhood or in the places they visit? DB: What I do is, if I see something interesting, a sign or building that's interesting, I just walk in — without trespassing. I just follow my natural curiosity. I've always been drawn to anything that looks cultural or religious. I walk in and ask questions. Ask questions about what catches your eye in your neighborhood. That's a great way to get to know your neighbors. It's a great way to expand your mind and heart. The 5 biggest Supreme Court decisions to watch for this month A Christian baker was sued for not serving a lesbian couple. The Supreme Court may hear her case Why the Justice Department just sued a small Idaho town Can Pope Leo remain a U.S. citizen? Will he? The Supreme Court just rejected a religion case. At least 2 of the justices aren't happy about it I've been reading through lawsuits somewhat regularly for the past decade, but Thursday was the first time I noticed the phrase 'Prayer for relief.' After doing some digging, I learned that this is a common phrase in civil procedures. It refers to the part of a legal complaint where the people filing the lawsuit list the 'damages or remedies' they're seeking, per Cornell's Legal Information Institute. 'Prayer for relief is also called demand for relief,' Cornell's article explained. In the Justice Department's religious freedom lawsuit against Troy, Idaho — a case I covered last week — the prayer for relief section includes requests for a ruling saying that Troy leaders violated the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act, as well as that the church seeking to meet in the town's downtown district should have its request granted. The Trump administration is coming to the defense of schools being pressured to stop using Native American mascots, according to The New York Times. I really loved The New York Times' coverage of the wedding of one of the internet's favorite couples. My friend, Holly Meyer, dove into the world of Sacred Harp singing in her latest story for The Associated Press. Sacred Harp groups bring together people from a variety of religious backgrounds, including people of no faith and people from non-Christian traditions. 'There's no other experience to me that feels as elevating,' one singer told Holly, 'like you're just escaping the world for a little while.' Last week, I stumbled on coverage of a fascinating situation at Harvard: A professor known for her research on honesty and ethical behavior has lost her job — for being dishonest. Also last week, Chris Del Conte, Texas' athletic director, shared a relatable explanation for not wanting Texas football to play a Sunday night game: He said, 'I just said no to Sunday. I gotta go to church.'
The Citizen
4 days ago
- General
- The Citizen
Community gathers in spirit for Africa Day
Well-known Mohlakeng pastor Buyi Zulu gave a spiritual, uplifting and motivational sermon at Mohlakeng St Paul's Anglican Church recently to commemorate Mother's Day and Africa Day activities. Pastor Buyi comes from a charismatic Christian background but was previously part of a more mainstream Anglican church that followed the ideals of the late Emeritus Archbishop Desmond Tutu, particularly his all-embracing approach, which promotes tolerance across both Christian and non-Christian faiths. Being Christian does not mean one must detach from their African identity. We must still find our sense of morality and behaviour through our shared humanity,' she said. In her address, she told women that they play an important role. 'God had a purpose when He created women. Creation could not be perfect without a woman. When women have a partnership with God, all will be good, things will happen.' She called on women in all spheres and dimensions, particularly in Mohlakeng, to go on their knees and pray for the youth, the abuse of drugs and recent criminal activities. According to Buyi, in the township, certain members of the community have been targets of robbery incidents in their households. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Letters to the Editor: Trump's Memorial Day speech was 'cowardice cloaked in bluster'
To the editor: On Memorial Day — a solemn occasion to honor those who gave their lives defending our country — President Trump delivered not a tribute, but a tirade ('Trump honors fallen troops at Arlington, calling them 'America's best and bravest,'' May 26). His message, laced with hostility toward judges, immigrants and political opponents, was not a remembrance of sacrifice but a desecration of it. Rather than offering respect to the fallen, Trump used the moment to attack the institutions and ideals for which they died: the rule of law, democratic principles and equal justice. He referred to fellow Americans as 'scum' and 'monsters,' mocked due process and continued his dehumanizing rhetoric toward immigrants — many of whom serve and sacrifice in our armed forces. This is not leadership. It is cowardice cloaked in bluster. A man who once evaded military service now insults those who serve, undermines the judiciary and praises autocrats. His words dishonor the memory of our nation's heroes and the values they swore to protect. Memorial Day belongs to them, not to Trump's grievances. We remember the fallen. We honor their sacrifice. And we reject the hate that seeks to divide the country they died to preserve. Stephen Downing, Los AngelesThis writer is a retired Los Angeles Police Department deputy chief of police. .. To the editor: Gee, I'm sure glad there weren't any 'suckers' and 'losers' (as Trump once called fallen soldiers) among them. Mary Rouse, Los Angeles .. To the editor: When Trump railed against diversity, equity and inclusion, he was in effect telling any nonwhite, nonmale, non-Christian and nonstraight newly minted officers that they do not belong in the armed forces. His attack on the very idea of a diverse military undermines cohesion, morale and the chain of command. Ever since President Truman desegregated the military in 1948, our military has become one of the most diverse institutions in the nation — more diverse than the American population itself. That is a strength, not a weakness. To suggest otherwise is to sow division and weaken our national defense. At some point in his rambling about trophy wives and yachts, Trump promised a new 'golden age' for the military. But his vision is a military purged of difference, loyal to him and not to the Constitution. This vision is wrong, and it is dangerous. The White House has recently removed official transcripts of Trump's speeches from its website, rewriting history in real time. Instead, it has a Memorial Day statement without all the embarrassing parts of his speech. But we heard it. We saw it. And if we care about the military, democracy and the Constitution, we should speak up. Marilyn J. Green, Malibu This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Times
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
Letters to the Editor: Trump's Memorial Day speech was ‘cowardice cloaked in bluster'
To the editor: On Memorial Day — a solemn occasion to honor those who gave their lives defending our country — President Trump delivered not a tribute, but a tirade ('Trump honors fallen troops at Arlington, calling them 'America's best and bravest,'' May 26). His message, laced with hostility toward judges, immigrants and political opponents, was not a remembrance of sacrifice but a desecration of it. Rather than offering respect to the fallen, Trump used the moment to attack the institutions and ideals for which they died: the rule of law, democratic principles and equal justice. He referred to fellow Americans as 'scum' and 'monsters,' mocked due process and continued his dehumanizing rhetoric toward immigrants — many of whom serve and sacrifice in our armed forces. This is not leadership. It is cowardice cloaked in bluster. A man who once evaded military service now insults those who serve, undermines the judiciary and praises autocrats. His words dishonor the memory of our nation's heroes and the values they swore to protect. Memorial Day belongs to them, not to Trump's grievances. We remember the fallen. We honor their sacrifice. And we reject the hate that seeks to divide the country they died to preserve. Stephen Downing, Los AngelesThis writer is a retired Los Angeles Police Department deputy chief of police. .. To the editor: Gee, I'm sure glad there weren't any 'suckers' and 'losers' (as Trump once called fallen soldiers) among them. Mary Rouse, Los Angeles .. To the editor: When Trump railed against diversity, equity and inclusion, he was in effect telling any nonwhite, nonmale, non-Christian and nonstraight newly minted officers that they do not belong in the armed forces. His attack on the very idea of a diverse military undermines cohesion, morale and the chain of command. Ever since President Truman desegregated the military in 1948, our military has become one of the most diverse institutions in the nation — more diverse than the American population itself. That is a strength, not a weakness. To suggest otherwise is to sow division and weaken our national defense. At some point in his rambling about trophy wives and yachts, Trump promised a new 'golden age' for the military. But his vision is a military purged of difference, loyal to him and not to the Constitution. This vision is wrong, and it is dangerous. The White House has recently removed official transcripts of Trump's speeches from its website, rewriting history in real time. Instead, it has a Memorial Day statement without all the embarrassing parts of his speech. But we heard it. We saw it. And if we care about the military, democracy and the Constitution, we should speak up. Marilyn J. Green, Malibu
Japan Forward
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Japan Forward
The New Pope and Why the World is Enthralled With Him
このページを 日本語 で読む Pope Francis passed away on April 21, and his successor, Pope Leo XIV, has now ascended to the papacy. In the weeks leading up to the May 18 inauguration, I followed this historic transition closely, drawing on my years of research into the papacy and its long lineage. Remarkably, even in Japan, a predominantly non-Christian nation with just 410,000 Catholics, representing a mere 0.03% of the global Catholic population, the conclave drew widespread interest. Media outlets across the world, including those in Muslim-majority countries, provided detailed coverage of the event. On April 20, during Easter celebrations, Pope Francis made a surprise appearance on the balcony of St Peter's Basilica, stunning the faithful. He passed away early the next morning. In that final, unexpected moment, he drew on every last reserve of strength to offer himself fully to the people, an act that epitomized the lifelong devotion expected of God's representative on earth. There was little time for mourning before a wave of interview requests came flooding in. Alongside serious news programs, even entertainment talk shows reached out with a barrage of questions: "Where does the word 'conclave' come from?' "Who's the frontrunner for the papacy?' "What do the cardinals eat?' This spike in public curiosity was no doubt fueled by Conclave , a film still showing in Japanese theaters. Set in a sealed chamber cut off from the outside world, it dramatizes the political maneuvering behind the selection of a new pope — fiction that quickly became reality. Pope Francis attends the weekly general audience in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican, June 5, 2024. (©Reuters/Yara Nardi) When the official start date of the conclave, May 7, was announced, I promptly canceled my planned trip to the United States and rerouted to the Vatican, the heart of the Roman Catholic Church. I attended the memorial Mass for Pope Francis and had the rare chance to witness, from inside St Peter's Basilica, the procession of cardinals participating in the conclave. Each time a cardinal from a particular country entered, the faithful from that nation erupted in applause. At a separate Mass, I was fortunate enough to briefly speak with Japanese Cardinal Isao Kikuchi. As the conclave approached, preparations intensified. Every day, cardinals gathered behind the basilica in the Synod Hall for discussions that lasted hours. The square outside was thick with anticipation. Global media and paparazzi waited eagerly, zooming in on even the smallest gestures. If a conservative cardinal was spotted walking beside another, headlines exploded with speculation. Pundits wondered aloud if it signaled secret talks or a brewing counteroffensive against Francis's reformers. On the first day of the conclave, a single round of voting ended in deadlock. Black smoke rose from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, signaling that no pope had been chosen. Still, the crowd of faithful and journalists held their ground. By the second day, their numbers had only grown. Once again, the morning vote yielded black smoke. Some drifted away for lunch, but as the afternoon session approached, St Peter's Square quickly filled again. Then, just as the tension began to dissipate, a sudden shift: white smoke began to rise. A new pope had been elected. The square exploded with cheers and emotion. Most were convinced they would see Cardinal Parolin of Italy, the clear favorite, step onto the balcony. Instead, it was Cardinal Prevost of the United States who emerged. The unexpected outcome prompted scattered boos from disappointed Italian worshippers. But hearts quickly turned as the new pope stepped forward and spoke his first words: "Peace be with you.' He vowed to reshape the Catholic Church into a bridge for dialogue, an institution of connection rather than division. With decades of experience in the Peruvian Church and strong backing from Latin American nations like Argentina and Brazil, a chorus erupted from the "cheering squad from the other side of the world.' Cries of "Leo! Leo! Leo!' echoed through the square, transforming it into something more akin to a jubilant football stadium than a solemn religious site. Cardinal Parolin, widely viewed as the frontrunner and known for his closeness to China, had entered the conclave with 40 votes. He later gained another 30 from supporters of Cardinal Tagle of the Philippines, putting him over 70. However, he still fell shy of the 89 needed for the two-thirds majority. In the final rounds, momentum shifted. Parolin's backers, along with African cardinals, many from former French colonies who shared cultural ties with Prevost, and the Latin American bloc, threw their support behind Cardinal Prevost. He ultimately secured over 100 votes, sealing his election as the new pope. Given that Pope Leo XIV hails from the US, speculation quickly surfaced about potential influence from President Donald Trump. However, Cardinals Burke and Dolan, reportedly Trump's preferred candidates, were ultimately not selected. Former Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso, who was baptized with the Christian name Francis, attended the inauguration. He is said to have had conversations with US Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio during the event. Vance had sharply criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in February. However, at the Vatican, the two met again following the new pope's inaugural mass. A photo of Vance and Zelenskyy smiling together was later posted on social media, hinting at a potential thaw. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy (right) and his wife Olena (center) meet with Pope Leo XIV (left) at the Vatican. May 18 (©Reuters) Vance had also previously clashed with the pope. However, he signaled a willingness to work with the new pontiff to help end the Russia-Ukraine war, even though they remain at odds over immigration policy, a key concern for the Vatican. The Vatican, under the leadership of the pope, has been the world's smallest sovereign state and a symbol of permanent neutrality since 1929. Throughout modern history, it has often served as a quiet but influential mediator in international political disputes. Amid a world growing ever more unstable, starting with the renewed tariff wars under a second Trump administration, many are now turning to the newly elected pope as a potential beacon of reason and stability. This may help explain the extraordinary global attention surrounding this papal election. It is an interest that reaches far beyond matters of faith. (Read the article in Japanese .) Author: Saho Matsumoto, Professor, College of International Relations, Nihon University. このページを 日本語 で読む
