Opinion
The church’s challenges are global: four lessons I learned in New Zealand
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Secularizing societies. Weakening churches. Ideological divisions. Harried pastors. Comparing the Christian situation in the US and New Zealand.
Beliefs
Pope Francis’ environment encyclical: game-changer or dead letter?
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(RNS) Pope Francis’ landmark document on protecting the environment and battling climate change is finally out after months of anticipation — and anxiety — that in the history of encyclicals is probably rivaled only by Pope Paul VI’s 1968 letter banning artificial birth control. But will it have an effect? Here are four challenges Francis faces going forward.
Opinion
History of Iran-US relations in 15 minutes
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Listen to this talk (with stunning images) about the history of Iran and US-Iranian relations over the last century.
Opinion
Remembering Edward: 10 years after Said
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Today we pause to recall the loss of Edward Said, a giant intellectual presence who passed away 10 years ago today. He remained committed that there is something ultimately redemptive about a face-to-face encounter of human beings with one another, and remained a steadfast voice of opposition to Empire.
Opinion
America, nuclear bombs, and drones
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The lessons of Hiroshima and Nagasaki should haunt us to remain ever vigilant against the catastrophic and devastating nature of violence. That includes today’s ongoing Drone Wars.
Opinion
Rouhani takes over the Iranian presidency
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Hassan Rouhani takes over the office of the Presidency in Iran, and utilizes the power of social media in dealing with Iranians, Israel, and United States.
Opinion
Hunger Strikes and Forced Feeding Inside Guantanamo Bay
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The Guardian has published a harrowing video. This video depicts what it’s like to be one of the over a hundred prisoners inside Guantanamo Bay on hunger strikes who are being forcibly fed to keep them alive. The rapper/actor Mos Def (who now goes by Yasiin Bey) agreed to have these tubes inserted down his nose, and have it be video-taped to publicize the experience of the Guantanamo prisoners. He describes the unbearable pain of this experience.
Opinion
Beyond the Berlin Wall: “Mr. Obama: Tear Down All These Walls.”
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President Obama poetically stated: “No wall can stand against the yearning of justice,”
Yes indeed!
Mr. President, tear down all these walls.
Mr. President, tear down the segregation wall in Palestine/Israel.
Mr. President, tear down the wall along the American-Mexico border.
Mr. President, tear down these walls.
rns-ee-migration
Palestine Vote at the United Nations–and why the United States is on the “Wrong Side of a Worldwide Revolution of Values” (MLK)
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In looking at the final tally of votes for Palestine at the UN (138 for, 9 against, and 41 abstaining), I realize that on this issue, the United States (and Canada) are on the wrong side of a worldwide revolution of values, as Dr. King taught us.