BBC News - Pussy Riot members jailed for two years for hooliganism: Disturbing and disappointing news. Three members of Pussy Riot --- Maria Alyokhina, 24, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, Yekaterina Samutsevich, --- have been sentenced to two years in prison for their performance.BBC News - Pussy Riot members jailed for two years for hooliganism
The headline reads "...jailed for ... hooliganism" but the judge added that their "hooliganism" "crudely undermined social order."
Scary that anyone can be jailed for political protest that conflicts with the rule of the land. Equally frightening is the fact that one can be jailed for "offending" religions. In Pussy Riot's case, their protest was seen as "hooliganism" but not just; as the judge said, "...the act had been one of blasphemy, not politics."
The women have international supporters, including musicians like Madonna and Paul McCartney. But there are plenty of religious fanatics who think justice has been served:
One, Igor Kim, told the BBC News website from Moscow: "Shouting and screaming and spreading hate in Church is unacceptable and is contrary with Christian ethics."
Hardly need to point out the obvious that sending people to prison for three years for expressing their opinions is not "Christian ethics."
Showing posts with label law. Show all posts
Showing posts with label law. Show all posts
Friday, August 17, 2012
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Lawsuit over 'Jew or not Jew' iPhone app dropped after Apple removes it worldwide - Haaretz Daily Newspaper | Israel News
Lawsuit over 'Jew or not Jew' iPhone app dropped after Apple removes it worldwide - Haaretz Daily Newspaper | Israel News
In context -- France's history with Jews, anti-Semitism, the Holocaust, etc. -- understandable outrage. On the other hand, I remember playing "Jew not a Jew" as a kid, and dh and I still play it. It was with pride: Danny Kaye, Jew. etc. The app in question was developed by a Jew. Still, offense was taken, and app removed...
In context -- France's history with Jews, anti-Semitism, the Holocaust, etc. -- understandable outrage. On the other hand, I remember playing "Jew not a Jew" as a kid, and dh and I still play it. It was with pride: Danny Kaye, Jew. etc. The app in question was developed by a Jew. Still, offense was taken, and app removed...
Monday, October 17, 2011
Vatican weighs in on cult-like group in Legion - Yahoo! News
VATICAN CITY (AP) — The Vatican has proposed giving hundreds of women who live like nuns within the troubled Legion of Christ order greater autonomy after a Holy See investigation found serious problems in their regimented communities.
The pope's delegate running the Legion, Cardinal Velasio De Paolis, said in a letter published Monday that the problems of the consecrated women of the Legion's lay branch were "many and challenging." Of particular concern is that they have no legal status in the church.
In a 2010 Associated Press expose, former consecrated women spoke of the cult-like conditions they lived in, with rules dictating nearly every minute of their day — from how they ate to what they watched on TV — all in the name of God's will.
The women described emotional and spiritual abuse they suffered if they questioned their vocation, and of how they would be cast aside if their spiritual directors no longer had any need for them.
The Vatican ordered the investigation after word of the abuses emerged during a broader Vatican probe into the Legion, a conservative order founded in Mexico in 1941 by the late Rev. Marciel Maciel.
After decades of denying allegations Maciel was a pedophile, the Legion in 2009 began admitting to his double life: that he sexually abused seminarians and had fathered at least three children with two women.
Rest here:Vatican weighs in on cult-like group in Legion - Yahoo! News
US priest who backs women's ordination detained - Yahoo! News
US priest who backs women's ordination detained
VATICAN CITY (AP) — A U.S. Catholic priest who supports ordination for women has been detained by police after marching to the Vatican to press the Holy See to lift its ban on women priests.The Rev. Roy Bourgeois and two supporters were taken away Monday in a police car after their group marched down the main boulevard leading to the Vatican and chanted outside St. Peter's Square "What do we want? Women priests!"
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Arizona church is house of prostitution, police say - CNN.com
The Goddess Temple in Phoenix, Arizona, busted for prostitution:
The alleged brothel generated tens of thousands of dollars a month, Martos told CNN.
A history of neighbor complaints, a recent Phoenix newspaper article, and the temple's website were among the factors prompting authorities to conduct the undercover investigation, Martos said.
"What's unusual is that they were trying to hide behind religion or church, and under the guise of religious freedom, they were committing acts of prostitution," Martos said.
"We certainly respect First Amendment rights. However, religious freedom does not allow for criminal acts," Martos said.
Regarding the Goddess Temple's website, he said: "What they would talk about would seem to be religion. At the same time, they were implying or intimating that they were giving sex therapy."
The website says at one point: "Sex is a holy, sacred and divine healing force at the core (of) our beings. Once we embrace this force instead of deny it, we become successful, happy and powerful manifestors."
Can't argue with their philosophy, (the Raelians would probably agree) but seemingly, they were just bull shitting the masses. Kind of like most churches. . .
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
BBC News - Child protection measures apply regardless of religious rules
Some Catholics are not happy about this: BBC News - Child protection measures apply regardless of religious rules -- new law in Ireland that mandates child abuse be reported, despite the religious position of the abuser. Cardinal Brady, who "defended the seal of the confession" and others are affronted by such laws:
Cardinal Brady stressed it was a "sacred and treasured" rite.
During his homily to worshippers at Knock shrine in County Mayo, on Sunday, the archbishop of Armagh and primate of all Ireland said: "Freedom to participate in worship and to enjoy the long-established rites of the church is so fundamental that any intrusion upon it is a challenge to the very basis of a free society" he said.
Friday, November 12, 2010
Thursday, February 5, 2009
No Worship On 'Virgin Mary Hill'
The crackdown on acknowledging appearances of the BVM in Africa: (thanks to The Daily Grail for the item.)
Keeping with Fortean tradition, the woman is twenty-three years old. Esoteric minded individuals know that twenty-three is a big time high strangeness number.
The local government, and the Church -- neither are amused:
The religious and the curious are "trouble makers" as the government refers to them. To make sure people stay away and follow both the law, and the Vatican's, pronouncement to stay away, they've put police in the area.
No worship on 'Virgin Mary' hill
By Prime Ndikumagenge
BBC News, Bujumbura
Virgin Mary image
Worshippers claim only those with a "special gift" see the apparition
Worship has been banned on a small rural hill in Burundi, where a woman claims to see the Virgin Mary on the same day of every month.
Keeping with Fortean tradition, the woman is twenty-three years old. Esoteric minded individuals know that twenty-three is a big time high strangeness number.
The local government, and the Church -- neither are amused:
"The archibishop of the northern diocese has formally advised worshippers to stop going to see Euzebie while the church investigates" - Edouard Nduwimana
Provincial governor
The religious and the curious are "trouble makers" as the government refers to them. To make sure people stay away and follow both the law, and the Vatican's, pronouncement to stay away, they've put police in the area.
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