Propeller.com Stories submitted by Jayson

Poor Muslims Cite Fear of Backlash After Blasts in Historic Indian City - washingtonpost.com

Jayson — Fri, 16 May 2008 09:49:50 EDT

Down dusty alleys in a neighborhood of Bangladeshi migrant workers, police detectives searched house to house Thursday for suspects in the coordinated bombings that tore through this historic city two days ago. Dozens of Bangladeshis were questioned. Police said that at least 30 have been taken into custody but that no arrests have been made.

Channel: Religion Tags: muslim poor india indian bombing

Judge won't free family of polygamist sect member

Jayson — Fri, 16 May 2008 09:47:56 EDT

A polygamist sect member who says the state has wrongly swept his three children into foster care lost an attempt Thursday to free them. Dan Jessop said he won a partial victory, though, when lawyers for Child Protective Services told a judge that CPS workers would try to place his wife, their baby and two other children together in a foster hom

Channel: Family Tags: judge polygamist foster care children

Christian couple believe court ruling goes against God's plan

Jayson — Fri, 16 May 2008 09:43:53 EDT

Besides her faith, family is at the center of Cathi Unruh's life. That is, family as defined by their understanding of God's will: a husband, a wife and their children. The El Segundo native even home-schooled her four children to more firmly root them in the family's evangelical Christian faith.

Channel: Religion Tags: christian family faith marriage God

Muslims Campaign to Reclaim 'Jihad' from Extremists

Jayson — Fri, 16 May 2008 09:26:49 EDT

The end to Ani Zonneveld's "jihad" on "jihad" came during an episode of "Desperate Housewives," when Lynette (Felicity Huffman) discovers she has cancer and throws a stone at a possum. "Look at yourself," replies her husband, Tom. "You've declared jihad on a possum."

Channel: Religion Tags: jihad muslim extremists islam

Study Explores 'Evangelical Intelligentsia'

Jayson — Fri, 16 May 2008 09:21:22 EDT

For decades, Boston University sociologist Peter Berger says, American intellectuals have looked down on evangelicals. Educated people have the notion that evangelicals are "barefoot people of Tobacco Road who, I don't know, sleep with their sisters or something," Berger says. It's time that attitude changed, he says.

Channel: Religion Tags: evangelical education american tnelligent intellectual

Muslim Nation Hosts Jewish and Christian Scholars for Interfaith Dialogue

Jayson — Fri, 16 May 2008 09:17:51 EDT

More than a dozen Jewish rabbis, including two from Israel, were in attendance this week as this conservative Muslim sheikdom opened one of the Gulf's first scholarly centers dedicated to interfaith dialogue.

Channel: Religion Tags: muslim christian jewish interfaith nation

A Look at Modern-Day Israel 2

Jayson — Fri, 16 May 2008 09:07:27 EDT

The Bible says that Jesus Christ "destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility" between Jews and Gentiles (Ephesians 2:14). Although the Middle East is rife with conflict and violence, many Jews and Arabs are converting to Christianity and striving to live in peace with one another.

Channel: Religion Tags: israel peace nation arab jews

U.S. Jews' Relationship With Israel Evolves

Jayson — Thu, 15 May 2008 20:30:22 EDT

Growing up at Congregation Olam Tikvah, Michelle Pearlstein remembers how Israel was taught at religious school: "Black and white -- you can't trust anyone, and it was a united front in support of Israel." Today, Pearlstein, 35, is the Israel specialist at the Fairfax synagogue, where she teaches what is now the mainstream approach: "

Channel: Religion Tags: israel united states nation relationship jews

Plan for Cross Shakes Columbia to Its Core Values

Jayson — Thu, 15 May 2008 20:28:07 EDT

The founders of Columbia were convinced that religion, like everything else in the planned community, should be harmonious and inclusive. So the founders opted for interfaith centers. Now, one congregation's plan to place a 16-foot cross on a new building at the town's oldest interfaith center has stirred an anxious response.

Channel: Religion Tags: cross columbia interfaith community inclusive

A Higher Law for Lending

Jayson — Thu, 15 May 2008 20:25:23 EDT

Business is up at Islamic finance firms, which don't charge interest and weren't part of the mortgage debacle.

Channel: Religion Tags: muslim finance lending mortgage islamic

7 Convicted in France On Terrorism Charges

Jayson — Thu, 15 May 2008 19:47:46 EDT

A French judge on Wednesday convicted seven men on terrorism charges for recruiting young French Muslims to fight against U.S. forces in Iraq. Prosecutors alleged that the seven -- five Frenchmen, a Moroccan and an Algerian -- helped send about a dozen French fighters to training camps linked to the insurgent group al-Qaeda in Iraq.

Channel: Religion Tags: france terrorist terrorism al qaeda iraq

Canadian polygamist sect under pressure

Jayson — Thu, 15 May 2008 19:43:35 EDT

Fluorescent lights cast a yellow-green pall on the posted student artwork. A group of seventh-grade girls giggle and whisper as they wander back to class. But instead of a smiling portrait of an elected official, Bountiful Elementary-Secondary School displays a photograph of a smiling Warren Jeffs.

Channel: Religion Tags: polygamist canadian school mormon students

Couple who won't accept homosexuality win right to foster

Jayson — Thu, 15 May 2008 19:26:27 EDT

A couple who were rejected as foster parents after they refused to condone homosexuality have won their battle to apply to be carers. Derby city council blocked an application from Eunice and Owen Johns to provide respite care for under-10s after they admitted they could never tell a child that being homosexual was acceptable.

Channel: Family Tags: homosexuality couple foster children u.k.

English-Arabic Public School Faces Harsh Critics

Jayson — Thu, 15 May 2008 19:20:35 EDT

The Khalil Gibran International Academy in Brooklyn, New York, an English-Arabic public school, provoked controversy before it even opened. Critics described it as a madrassa headed by a radical Islamist hoping to proselytize to her students.

Channel: Religion Tags: school arabic islamic international new york

A Look at Modern-Day Israel 1

Jayson — Thu, 15 May 2008 19:18:05 EDT

Many Jews and Christians say biblical prophecy was fulfilled when the nation of Israel was reborn on May 14, 1948 - some 1,900 years after the Jewish people were displaced from what the Old Testament describes as their God-given homeland. This week, Israel celebrates its 60th anniversary as a modern-day nation.

Channel: Religion Tags: israel modern nation anniversary jews

White House denies receiving letter from FLDS member

Jayson — Wed, 14 May 2008 23:25:56 EDT

The White House has not received a letter from those seeking help in the aftermath of the polygamous sect raid in Texas despite comments by an FLDS member that he gave one to "presidential staffers" at Bush's Crawford ranch. A White House official said Monday they had not received the letter.

Channel: Religion Tags: white house bush flds mormon polygamy

Teen held captive by a door-to-door sales company

Jayson — Wed, 14 May 2008 23:24:27 EDT

The Spokane Police Department is investigating a teenager's claims that she was held as a captive worker by a door-to-door sales company. The teen, who is being held in protective custody at the Juvenile Justice Center, is a runaway who thought selling magazines door-to-door across the country would be a great way to escape her problems.

Channel: Religion Tags: teen cult captive sales police

Mosque's burial refusal stirs global controversy

Jayson — Wed, 14 May 2008 23:22:21 EDT

Turning down a request last week to bury alleged cop-killer Howard Cain at the Germantown Masjid has sparked an international controversy about the burial of Muslims. And locally, during Friday prayer services, several imams denounced the killing of Sgt. Stephen Liczbinski and the bank robbery by a trio, two of whom wore Muslim women's garments.

Channel: Religion Tags: muslim burial islam controversy funeral

Burma cyclone survivors haunted by ghosts

Jayson — Wed, 14 May 2008 23:20:31 EDT

A new terror is stalking the survivors of Burma's cyclone, as villagers in the deeply superstitious country tell of being haunted by the ghosts of those who perished in the disaster. Bodies still littered the Delta's landscape on Sunday, more than a week after Cyclone Nargis struck, killing an estimated 100,000 people.

Channel: Religion Tags: burma cyclone death ghosts superstition

Records say cult killed baby because he was a 'demon'

Jayson — Wed, 14 May 2008 23:18:05 EDT

Cult members concluded Javon Thompson was a "demon" after the baby wouldn't say "amen" at mealtime and starved him to death, witnesses told homicide detectives, according to records obtained by The Examiner. "The child was abused because Javon was noncompliant with the existing rules of the 'cult.' "

Channel: Religion Tags: cult baby child death demon

Former under-age polygamous bride tells all in book

Jayson — Wed, 14 May 2008 23:14:33 EDT

Months after helping to send Warren Jeffs to prison, Elissa Wall is telling her story in a book she hopes will lead women and girls to leave his polygamous sect. Stolen Innocence debuts amid a child custody battle in Texas involving the polygamous lifestyle and marriage practices of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Channel: Religion Tags: polygamist warren jeffs mormon book women

Clearwater merchants upset over anti-Scientology protests

Jayson — Wed, 14 May 2008 23:04:21 EDT

About three dozen downtown business owners are upset with a group of anti-Scientology protesters and want the City Council to do something about them. But city leaders Tuesday said there's little they can do. "Suspending the First Amendment is something we shouldn't spend a whole lot of time on," Councilman Paul Gibson said.

Channel: Religion Tags: scientology protest business florida first amendment

House Of Yahweh: A Darker Sect Than FLDS

Jayson — Wed, 14 May 2008 23:02:46 EDT

Behind guarded, ornate gates at the end of a rural road, a self-proclaimed prophet warns his followers about the end of time and rails against a dangerous and unclean world outside their West Texas compound. The women are covered in long skirts and long-sleeve shirts. Many of the children have different mothers and share the same father.

Channel: Religion Tags: polygamist sect mormon texas prophet

Shiite Power Struggle Divides Iraqis

Jayson — Wed, 14 May 2008 22:59:47 EDT

The Shiite power struggle in Iraq is further dividing the war-torn country. Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki's American-backed crackdown on the Mahdi Army is dividing some Shiite families. There are family members who are split between loyalists to Muqtada al Sadr and the Ayatollah Hakim's Badr Brigades.

Channel: Family Tags: shiite iraq muslim war

A New Face of Judaism in a Southern Illinois Town

Jayson — Wed, 14 May 2008 22:58:15 EDT

Slightly more than 2 percent of U.S. residents describe themselves as Jewish, and the numbers are vastly smaller for Jews who are black. But more than 50 people in a small town near the southern tip of Illinois have changed the equation somewhat by converting to Judaism.

Channel: Religion Tags: judaism black convery town synagogue

The Virgin Mary's place in the Kern County sun

Jayson — Wed, 14 May 2008 22:55:55 EDT

Twenty years after a woman said the Virgin Mary appeared to her, hundreds still attend Our Lady of the Rock gatherings in the Mojave. Despite disavowal by the church, followers say they draw comfort.

Channel: Religion Tags: virgin mary sighting catholic church desert

Islamic Divorce Ruled Not Valid in Maryland

Jayson — Sat, 10 May 2008 11:50:25 EDT

After his wife of more than two decades filed for divorce in Montgomery County Circuit Court, Irfan Aleem responded in writing in 2003, and not just in court. Aleem went to the Pakistani Embassy in the District, where he executed a written document that asserted he was divorcing Farah Aleem.

Channel: Religion Tags: islam divorce law muslim maryland

Translating Your Baby's Babbles

Jayson — Sat, 10 May 2008 10:03:02 EDT

While much of what you hear from your baby is random babbling, babies this age begin to make more purposeful sounds. They're also more aware of your response, so if your son says "Dada" and Dada himself howls with delight, he's likely to say it again.

Channel: Family Tags: baby parenting babbling sounds response

Interview with Dan Zanes

Jayson — Sat, 10 May 2008 10:01:46 EDT

If you're over 25, you might remember Dan Zanes as the lead singer of the Del Fuegos in the '80s. But your kids probably know him as that funny guy with the crazy hair who sings all of their favorite songs. His latest dancealong creation is Â¡Nueva York!, a CD of toe-tappers and booty shakers completely in Spanish.

Channel: Family Tags: dan zanes interview music songs kids

Plan for a Mom-Friendly Mother's Day

Jayson — Sat, 10 May 2008 09:59:45 EDT

Even husbands with the best intentions don't always get it right on Mother's Day. They might think you want flowers, when all you truly need is a few glorious uninterrupted hours to yourself. Below, Babytalk helps you get the day you really want.

Channel: Family Tags: mothers day mom husband wife gifts

British Thieves Target Church Rooves

Jayson — Sat, 10 May 2008 09:54:02 EDT

The increase in world commodity prices has sparked an unusual crime wave in England. Thieves have been stealing the lead used as roofing material on the country's older churches. Vicars and their parishioners are outraged.

Channel: Religion Tags: british thief church roof lead

Afghan Radio Tries to Open a Closed Society

Jayson — Sat, 10 May 2008 09:52:12 EDT

Afghan journalist Barry Salaam, managing editor of a popular national news program, discusses building an independent, open media in an increasingly closed society.

Channel: Religion Tags: afgranistan journalist radio afghan news

Jewish Court Questions Conversions

Jayson — Sat, 10 May 2008 09:43:41 EDT

Hundreds - and, perhaps, thousands - of Jewish converts may soon have their status invalidated. The High Rabbinical Court in Israel has questioned the integrity of an official who oversaw their conversions. Rabbi Shaul Farber, director of the Jewish Life Information Center and Shaney Gilbert, a Jewish convert, discuss the case and its implications.

Channel: Religion Tags: jewish court conversion rabbi israel

Padre Pio, Pope Benedict: Soul Mates?

Jayson — Fri, 09 May 2008 10:33:36 EDT

In 1947, a Polish priest named Karol Wojtyla made the pilgrimage to a small town to have his confession heard by Padre Pio, the Italian monk with the stigmata wounds on his hands. It was that encounter along with his belief that a prayer by the monk had cured a friend's cancer that helps explain why Padre Pio was fast-tracked for sainthood.

Channel: Religion Tags: padre pio pope john paul II pope benedict saint soul

US Names 11 Countries of Concern Over Religious Freedom

Jayson — Fri, 09 May 2008 10:26:20 EDT

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today announced its 2008 recommendations to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on "countries of particular concern," or CPCs.

Channel: Religion Tags: freedom religious united states concern international

During U.S. Visit, Media Focused on the Shepherd and His Flock

Jayson — Fri, 09 May 2008 10:21:30 EDT

Before the pope's plane - dubbed "Shepherd One" - touched down at Andrews Air Force Base on April 15, the news media portrayed Pope Benedict XVI as a largely unknown religious figure about to introduce himself to American Catholics still recovering from the clergy sex abuse scandal.

Channel: Religion Tags: pope catholic u.s. visit american

Many new U.S. priests are in their 30s and foreign-born

Jayson — Fri, 09 May 2008 10:18:22 EDT

The age and nationality of many of the new priests to be ordained in the United States this year continues a trend of recent years as more foreign-born men in their mid-30s are entering the priesthood. The average age for this year's ordinands is 36 for diocesan priests and 39 for priests joining religious orders.

Channel: Religion Tags: priests catholic foreign united states priesthood

Faith and politics too closely mixed, evangelical leaders say

Jayson — Fri, 09 May 2008 10:15:59 EDT

Prominent evangelicals urged Christian conservatives Wednesday to support "an expansion of our concerns beyond single-issue politics," angering some leaders on the religious right who have been closely allied with the Republican Party.

Channel: Religion Tags: evangelicals christian republican politics conservative

God's Tender Care for Moms 2

Jayson — Fri, 09 May 2008 09:59:50 EDT

Author Angela Thomas recalls more of the challenges she faced when she became a divorced, single mom. Thomas recounts how she vacillated between hope and despair, and how God's grace sustained her during moments of weakness. The author of My Single Mom Life and Tender Mercy for a Mother's Soul offers encouragement to divorcees and single parents.

Channel: Family Tags: mom divorce healing heart forgiveness

God's Tender Care for Moms 1

Jayson — Fri, 09 May 2008 09:57:52 EDT

Angela Thomas' divorce left her feeling condemned and ashamed, as if others somehow blamed her for not being able to hold her marriage together. She struggled with guilt, low self-esteem and despair. Thomas describes how God helped her recover from divorce by providing for her needs and healing her broken heart.

Channel: Family Tags: mom divorce healing heart forgiveness