UN adopts PH resolution on int’l interfaith understanding

A Philippine-sponsored resolution seeking interfaith and intercultural understanding and cooperation around the world has been adopted by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Monday. The resolution, with Pakistan as main cosponsor, was adopted during the UNGA’s 57th plenary session on Dec. 18 and was supported by 51 member [...]

Peace in Bukidnon town driven by inter-religious dialogue – priest

Focusing on the common things among different religions can help sustain inter-religious and inter-faith dialogues, Fr. Arturo Paraiso, former parish priest of Kalilangan,  Bukidnon told church-goers in the new sub-parish of Kalasungay Sunday. He said the inter-religious dialogue helped cut the number of hostilities in the town. In his homily in the village’s only mass [...]

We are not just the Roman Catholic Republic of the Philippines

I grew up in a town that is home to people with different religions. In the middle of the town proper is the Roman Catholic parish. Behind the rundown municipal auditorium is a Protestant church. Another church of the same denomination can be found tucked in an outlying residential village. Further south of our town, [...]

Religious intolerance on the rise worldwide, says US report

Three-quarters of the world’s human population of seven billion live under strong government curbs on religion, or among serious “social hostilities” involving faith issues, find researchers. The US and UK, say the researchers, are among countries showing a worrying rise in religious discrimination. The conclusions of the project, conducted by the Pew Research Centre, an [...]

Pakistan: Church condemns ‘blasphemou​s’ film

Church leaders in Faisalabad at the weekend added their voices to those of enraged Muslims in condemning an anti-Islamic film which has sparked a wave of violence across the Muslim world. The Diocesan Commission for Interfaith Dialogue issued a statement on Saturday, expressing outrage over the controversial movie – Innocence of Muslims. “The movie has [...]

Pope urges Lebanon to set an example for co-existence

Pope Benedict urged multi-faith Lebanon on Saturday to be a model of religious peace for the Middle East, as a civil war raged in neighboring Syria, deepening sectarian divisions. “Lebanon is called, now more than ever, to be an example,” he told political and religious leaders on the second day of a visit that coincided [...]

Pope urges calm as Mideast protests spread

As violence blazed throughout the Middle East, Pope Benedict XVI urged people of all faiths Friday to seek peace and reconciliation and reject religious fundamentalism, calling it “a falsification of religion.” Angry protests over an anti-Islam film produced in the United States continued to spread across the Muslim world Friday as Benedict arrived in Lebanon [...]

Just Because You Love Jesus Doesn’t Mean You Have to Disrespect the Buddha, Dishonor Muhammad or Disregard Moses

On this 11th anniversary of 9/11, it’s a good day for us to look back and assess the damage. The damage to buildings long been accounted for, and much has been rebuilt. The damage to the economy has also been debated and estimated — and replaced by new, greater, primarily self-inflicted economic wounds. The damage [...]

Rimsha case a ‘turning point’ says adviser

The case of Rimsha Masih, the Christian girl accused under Pakistan’s blasphemy law, could mark a turning point in Islamic thought and improve relations among religious communities, said a leading authority. Paul Bhatti, adviser on minorities affairs to prime minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, said he felt “encouraged” by the fact that the majority of Pakistan’s [...]

Religion In College: How Has Your Faith Changed?

How does a college education affect one’s religious beliefs? Given that college is a period of intellectual engagement and exploration, many scholars have believed that a college education weakens one’s religious beliefs. In 1977 researchers David Caplowitz and Fred Sherrow wrote that college is “a breeding ground for apostasy.” In 1983 sociologist James Hunter claimed [...]

Church attacked with stones, urine – pastor

A leader of the Batak Society Christian Church (HKBP) of Philadelphia in West Java has urged President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to take action against religious intolerance after radical Muslims were accused of throwing stones and urine at a church congregation.

Pakistan Christians tackle post-9/11 tensions

Muslim-Christian relations in Pakistan are slowly improving after tensions spiked in recent years, said a group of Christian interfaith experts over the weekend.

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