Religious minorities suffer in Iraq mess

The recent suicide bombings againgst the Yazidi secti in Iraq have brought to the fore the insecurity of many minority religious groups in the country. These minority religions make up less than 3% of the total population, and this figure is dwindling as many of them leave the country, hoping to avoid being targeted or simply get caught up in intra-Islam fighting.

One of the more interesting minority groups which are fleeing the country is the Sabean Mandaeans, a group that follows the teachings of John the Baptist. Their number has gone from 25,000 in 2003 to 5,000 in 2007. For more information on this group, check out their Wikipedia article.

Source - http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/world/wire/sns-ap-iraq-religious-minorities,0,3688910.story

Creationism - Islam style

The Christian Science Monitor has an interesting article on an Islamic group called the 'Foundation for Scientific Research', which promotes its own brand of creationism in Turkey and Europe, and is now aiming to reach America and other countries. It has publications in many languages including a popular, glossy book called the 'Atlas of Creation', which it has recently sent to scientists, journalists and professionals.

Its main difference from American-style Young Earth Creationism is that it teaches the earth is millions of years old. They theorise that fossils from millions of years ago show that animals are similar to the ones we have now, therefore evolution does not occur.

U.N. HRC passes resolution against religious defamation

This news article comments on a resolution that has just been pushed through the United Nations Human Rights Council that promotes a global prohibition on the defamation of religion. It was supported mainly by Islamic nations as a response to the "Danish Mohammed cartoons" controversy.

It mentions only Islam and no other religions, and has already begun to draw alot of criticism from other human rights organisations as well as Japan, Canada, South Korea and many European nations.

Thursday Babylon Blog Watch

A weekly round-up of what religious blogs are talking about.

Jewish
The Velveteen Rabbi announces that the Jewish Theological Seminary is going to begin ordaining gay and lesbian rabbis.

Catholic
Open Book reports on the Pope's analysis of Europe on the 50th anniversary of the formation of what would become the European Union. Pope Benedict XVI comments that Europe is falling into a "remarkable form of apostasy".

Muslim
Austrolabe discusses the Australian National Imams Council's decision to allow the Mufti of Australia, Sheikh Taj, to continue in his position, after he has been the focal point of Muslim controvery in the country, receiving much criticism after comparing Australian women to "uncovered meat."