Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly is a production of THIRTEEN Productions LLC for WNET. Visit www.pbs.org/religionandethics for additional information. Show #1924 will be fed over PBS at 5:00 p.m. EST on February 12, 2016 (check local listings).
Israel Boycott Controversy – Deborah Potter reports on the BDS (boycott, divestment and sanctions) movement that is intended to pressure Israel to withdraw from the occupied territories. Some Protestant denominations who say they continue to support the state of Israel have recently decided their pension funds will no longer hold stock in companies doing business in those territories but others feel it is a misguided decision that will hamper efforts to conclude a lasting peace agreement.
Teaching Children About Religion – The U.S. has become one of the most religiously-diverse nations in history and many experts believe it is important that children learn about world religions, even at an early age. But there are not many public forums where they can learn about faith traditions other than their own. Kim Lawton visits the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, which for the last several months has featured an exhibit called “Sacred Journeys.” Lawton speaks with scholars including Prof. Raymond Williams of Wabash College who says, “You cannot build a democracy…on fear and hatred. It has to be built on knowledge and hope.”
Belief & Practice: Wudu, Islamic Washing Before Prayer – One of the pillars of Islam is that Muslims pray five times a day. Before those prayers, they are expected to perform a purification ritual called Wudu, during which they wash their face, hands, arms and feet. We visited Masjid Muhammad Mosque in Washington, D.C. where Imam Talib Shareef described the ablution practice as preparing for an “appointment before God.”
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