Carolyn & Josh's Current Event

• In Yushu, China Buddhists are trying to save the lives of tiny river shrimp
• "Buddha has fought us that treating others with love and compassion is the right thing to do, no matter how tiny that life is."
• "These specks of life could very well be the reincarnated sounds of relatives or friends who perished In The earthquake.”
• Referring to an earthquake where 3,000 people died four years ago
• • This act could be a form of meditation for the Buddhists, focusing on one thing only for hours on end
  • Shows their devotion
  • http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/26/world/asia/in-scarred-chinese-tibetan-city-of-yushu-devotion-to-sanctity-of-life-even-a-tiny-river-shrimp.html?_r=0
  
  

Bita & Maria's Current Event

-“Britain's Prince Charles has called on governments around the world to do more to ensure religious freedom and urged religious leaders to promote tolerance between people of different faiths.”

-"My heart goes out to all those around the world but especially at this time in the East, whether Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist or Hindu, who are so brutally persecuted solely for the faith they profess,"

-Said in the Prince’s video message: “Christianity is under such threat in the middle east... Our future is a free society, either here in Britain and throughout the world, depends on recognizing the crucial role played by the people of faith… Giving space to to others, whatever their belief.” Then suggesting tangible causes of action that he believes that might be helpful to solve this issue.

Connection to Religion

History: defies England’s past, landmark moment for all political/religious authorities

Sacred Times: global unification of religious beliefs

Beliefs: ELE. tolerance of all individuals

Can be applied to ALL religions. Catholic, Buddhist, Islamic, etc. 

http://www.cnn.com/2014/11/05/world/europe/uk-prince-charles-religion/

Ken & Samir's Current Event

Is Israel a "Jewish and democratic" state? Or is it "the national homeland of the Jewish people?

Sparked a huge controversy, when the Israeli cabinet voted to amend the country's Basic Law to refer to the state as "the national homeland of the Jewish people."

Since Israel's founding in 1948, the Basic Law has always referred to the state as "Jewish and democratic."

Critics of the proposed bill allege that it codifies discrimination against Israeli Arabs, who comprise 20 percent of the country's population.

A version of the bill would delist Arabic as one of Israel's national languages, instead relegating it as one with a "special status," and would also reaffirm the sole right of Israel's Jewish citizens to national self-determination.

The law was passed on a vote of 14-6

Has been called out by some, and deemed a political move

Isaac Herzog, the head of Israel's left-wing Labor Party, claimed that the bill was an unnecessary, reactionary provocation.

The controversy over the bill comes at a moment of heightened tension in Israel.

There was a recent shooting of an Israeli man, which has been the latest in css-cultural violencehttp://news.yahoo.com/change-wording-sparks-huge-controversy-israel-220259906--politics.html

Andrew and Pablo's current event.

Muslims and Christians both protected each other in a circle to let the other pray.

youtube.com/watch?v=AqXfZTgOCOE

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/danpeterson/2013/08/muslims-protecting-christians-in-egypt-during-mass.html

http://tribune.com.pk/story/614333/muslims-form-human-chain-to-protect-christians-during-lahore-mass/

Zac and Kiki's current event.

• Pope Francis addresses to the Pontifical Academy of Science
• Biblical vs evolution
• “God is not a divine being or a magician, but the Creator who brought everything to life.
• No contradiction between believing in God as well the Big Bang Theory for the expansion of the Universe.

Stated by pope

Intertwining of Big Bang Theory, Evolution, and God creating human beings. Beliefs from the catholic church are now being opened up by pope.

http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2014/10/29/pope-god-is-not-a-magician/

"Pope: 'God Is Not A Magician'" CBS Philly. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Nov. 2014.

"Watch out Pope Francis: The Catholic Civil War Has Begun." The Spectator. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Nov. 2014.

Alex and Addison's Current Event.

Recently NASA has started training on Hawaiian volcanoes in order to test the viability of living on
mars. This brings up the question whether God would want us to live on Mars or if we should stay on
Earth? Or if intelligent life is found whether they would believe in God or would be considered part of the church?

http://guardianlv.com/2014/10/nasa-mission-to-mars-starts-in-hawaii/

Sanda and Jannica: Is the Internet Killing Religion?

Take a quick read on the article below and post your responses. 

Is the Internet Killing Religion?