Issue 2, November-December 2017
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France 2016 International Religious Freedom Report
FRANCE 2016 INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM REPORT Executive Summary The constitution and the law protect the right of individuals to choose, change, and practice their religion. The government investigated and prosecuted numerous crimes and other actions against religious groups, including anti-Semitic and anti- Muslim violence, hate speech, and vandalism. The government continued to enforce laws prohibiting face coverings in public spaces and government buildings and the wearing of “conspicuous” religious symbols at public schools, which included a ban on headscarves and Sikh turbans. The highest administrative court rejected the city of Villeneuve-Loubet’s ban on “clothes demonstrating an obvious religious affiliation worn by swimmers on public beaches.” The ban was directed at full-body swimming suits worn by some Muslim women. ISIS claimed responsibility for a terrorist attack in Nice during the July 14 French independence day celebration that killed 84 people without regard for their religious belief. President Francois Hollande condemned the attack as an act of radical Islamic terrorism. Prime Minister (PM) Manuel Valls cautioned against scapegoating Muslims or Islam for the attack by a radical extremist group. The government extended a state of emergency until July 2017. The government condemned anti- Semitic, anti-Muslim, and anti-Catholic acts and continued efforts to promote interfaith understanding through public awareness campaigns and by encouraging dialogues in schools, among local officials, police, and citizen groups. Jehovah’s Witnesses reported 19 instances in which authorities interfered with public proselytizing by their community. There were continued reports of attacks against Christians, Jews, and Muslims. The government, as well as Muslim and Jewish groups, reported the number of anti-Semitic and anti-Muslim incidents decreased by 59 percent and 58 percent respectively from the previous year to 335 anti-Semitic acts and 189 anti-Muslim acts. -
Compassion & Social Justice
COMPASSION & SOCIAL JUSTICE Edited by Karma Lekshe Tsomo PUBLISHED BY Sakyadhita Yogyakarta, Indonesia © Copyright 2015 Karma Lekshe Tsomo No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission. No part of this book may be stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means including electronic, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the prior permission in writing of the editor. CONTENTS PREFACE ix BUDDHIST WOMEN OF INDONESIA The New Space for Peranakan Chinese Woman in Late Colonial Indonesia: Tjoa Hin Hoaij in the Historiography of Buddhism 1 Yulianti Bhikkhuni Jinakumari and the Early Indonesian Buddhist Nuns 7 Medya Silvita Ibu Parvati: An Indonesian Buddhist Pioneer 13 Heru Suherman Lim Indonesian Women’s Roles in Buddhist Education 17 Bhiksuni Zong Kai Indonesian Women and Buddhist Social Service 22 Dian Pratiwi COMPASSION & INNER TRANSFORMATION The Rearranged Roles of Buddhist Nuns in the Modern Korean Sangha: A Case Study 2 of Practicing Compassion 25 Hyo Seok Sunim Vipassana and Pain: A Case Study of Taiwanese Female Buddhists Who Practice Vipassana 29 Shiou-Ding Shi Buddhist and Living with HIV: Two Life Stories from Taiwan 34 Wei-yi Cheng Teaching Dharma in Prison 43 Robina Courtin iii INDONESIAN BUDDHIST WOMEN IN HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE Light of the Kilis: Our Javanese Bhikkhuni Foremothers 47 Bhikkhuni Tathaaloka Buddhist Women of Indonesia: Diversity and Social Justice 57 Karma Lekshe Tsomo Establishing the Bhikkhuni Sangha in Indonesia: Obstacles and -
The Davidians of Waco
THE DAVIDIANS OF WACO BY VANCE FERRELL THE STORY BEHIND THE STORY -THE DAVIDIANS OF WACO * Who was David Koresh? * Where did he come from? * How could he take control of the minds and bodies of nearly 150 people? * Why did they let him do it? IN THIS BOOK, YOU WILL FIND THE ASTOUNDING STORY OF THIS STRANGE ORGANIZATION. * How it started over 60 years ago, by a man that a European nation expelled. * The strange reason they moved to Waco in 1935. * The terrible crisis which developed from 1955 to 1962. * The blood feud between two men in the 1980s—out of which Koresh emerged as the leader. * His food and munitions preparations to withstand an attack by the world. * In detail: the astonishing events of February 28, 1993, when the Waco raid shocked America into forgetting for a day the twin towers blast of two days earlier. * Clear evidence that, from its beginning, the Shepherd's Rod/Davidians have not been connected with the Seventh-day Adventist Church. TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 - The Houteff Years - 1 ...................................... page 1 The Rod in Southern California 1929-1942 Houghton Starts the Rod ....................................... page 2 The Meetings Begin .............................................. page 3 2 - The Houteff Years - 2 ...................................... page 7 The Rod in Waco, Texas 1935-1955 Changing the Name to Davidian .......................... page 10 3 - The Rod In Waco, Texas - 3 .......................... page 12 The Florence Houteff Years 1955-1962 The 1955 Time Prophecy.....................................page 14 The 1959 Gathering ............................................ page 17 Florence Steps In—And Closes It .... page 18 4 - The Roden Years - 4 ..................................... page 25 The Branch In Riverside And Waco 1962-1983 5 - The Howell/Koresh Years - 5 ........................ -
Digital Religion
DIGITAL RELIGION DIGITAL RELIGION Based on papers read at the conference arranged by the Donner Institute for Research in Religious and Cultural History, Åbo Akademi University, Åbo/Turku, Finland, on 13–15 June 2012 Edited by Tore Ahlbäck Editorial Assistant Björn Dahla Published by the Donner Institute for Research in Religious and Cultural History Åbo/Turku, Finland Distributed by BTJ Finland Editorial secretary Maria Vasenkari Linguistic editing Sarah Bannock ISSN 0582-3226 ISBN 978-952-12-2897-1 Printed in Finland by Vammalan kirjapaino Sastamala 2013 Editorial note he theme for our symposium 2012 was ‘Digital religion’ and in our call Tfor papers we described it in the following way: ‘ “Digital Religion’ aims to explore the complex relationship between religion and digital technologies of communication. Digital religion encompasses a myriad of connections and the goal of the conference is to approach the subject from multiple perspec- tives.’ As can be seen from the conference proceedings, we did not achieve what we aimed for. The theme was too vast. We knew as much; a new field is always difficult to handle. Despite this, we still hope that the participants got some- thing out of the conference, and we also hope that the readers of the proceed- ings will benefit from them. I wish to finish this editorial note by acknowledging my colleague Björn Dahla. For many years we organised the Donner symposia and edited the conference proceedings together. I owe him my sincere gratitude. I also want to warmly thank Maria Vasenkari who, for many years, did the necessary, extensive technical work in order to follow the conference pro- ceedings through into print. -
Thecultphenomenonhowgroup
Authors: Mike Kropveld Executive Director Info-Cult Marie-Andrée Pelland Doctoral Student in Criminology Université de Montréal Translated by: Natasha DeCruz Gwendolyn Schulman Linguistic Landscapes Cover Design by: Philippe Lamoureux This book was made possible through the financial support of the Ministère des Relations avec les citoyens et de l'Immigration. However, the opinions expressed herein are those of the authors. The translation from the French version (Le phénomène des sectes: L’étude du fonctionnement des groupes ©2003) into English was made possible through the financial support of Canadian Heritage. ©Info-Cult 2006 ISBN: 2-9808258-1-6 The Cult Phenomenon: How Groups Function ii Contents Contents ....................................................................................................................... ii Preface .......................................................................................................................viii Introduction ...................................................................................................................1 Chapter 1: History of Info-Cult.......................................................................................3 Cult Project................................................................................................................3 Description.............................................................................................................3 Cult Project’s objectives.........................................................................................4 -
The Social Economic and Environmental Impacts of Trade
Journal of Modern Education Review, ISSN 2155-7993, USA March 2019, Volume 9, No. 3, pp. 161–168 Doi: 10.15341/jmer(2155-7993)/03.09.2019/002 Academic Star Publishing Company, 2019 http://www.academicstar.us Using Social Innovation to Implement Weixin Shengjiao Doctrine in Lifelong Education Li-Yueh Chen, Chen-Mei Li (Weixin Shengjiao College, Taiwan) Abstract: In the past decade, the concept of social innovation has been constantly looked at and examined by scholars, for-profit organizations, non-profit organizations as well as the government, and has been widely explored and applied. Taiwan is facing the problem of an aging population and low birth rate. It is therefore of the essence to be able to maintain harmony and stability in society. This study conducts individual case studies to explore how the new religious group, Weixin Shengjiao applies the concept of social innovation to implement its doctrine through lifelong education, and to help the government create a harmonious society. The research found that the central tenet of the Weixin Shengjiao is the fusion of I Ching and Feng Shui, with the thoughts of Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism in Chinese culture, to pass on and further promote Chinese culture in modern society. In 1994, the founder of Weixin Shengjiao, Grand Master Hun Yuan, created a lifelong education platform known as I Ching University. The university has three major foci, which implements the core essences of the Weixin Shengjiao of moral, life, environmental, filial piety and cultural education. Based on the local humanistic, social and economic features, I Ching University uses practical, current, realistic innovations for widespread distribution, in order to nurture talents and create a harmonious society. -
France Page 1 of 8
France Page 1 of 8 France International Religious Freedom Report 2006 Released by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor The constitution provides for freedom of religion, and the Government generally respected this right in practice; however, some religious groups remain concerned about legislation passed in 2001 and 2004, which provided for the dissolution of groups under certain circumstances and banned the wearing of conspicuous religious symbols by public school employees and students. A 1905 law on the separation of religion and state prohibits discrimination on the basis of faith. Government policy continued to contribute to the generally free practice of religion. A law prohibiting the wearing of conspicuous religious symbols in public schools by employees and students entered into force in September 2004. Despite significant efforts by the Government to combat anti-Semitism and an overall decline in the number of incidents, anti-Semitic attacks persisted. The Government has a stated policy of monitoring potentially "dangerous" cult activity through the Inter-ministerial Monitoring Mission against Sectarian Abuses (MIVILUDES). Some groups expressed concern that MIVILUDES publications contributed to public mistrust of minority religions, and that public statements from the new president indicated the organization would take a harder line against minority religions. The UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief issued a report indicating that the Government generally respected the right to freedom of religion or belief, but expressed concern about the application of the 1905 law, the treatment of cult groups and certain new religious movements, and the 2004 legislation regarding religious symbols in schools. The generally amicable relationship among religious groups in society contributed to freedom of religion. -
The Anatomy of Undue Influence Used by Terrorists Cults And
Ethics, Medicine and Public Health (2019) 8, 97—107 Available online at ScienceDirect www.sciencedirect.com STUDIES The anatomy of undue influence used by terrorist cults and traffickers to induce helplessness and trauma, so creating false identities Anatomie de l’influence indue utilisée par les sectes et les trafiquants terroristes pour induire l’impuissance et le traumatisme, créant ainsi de fausses identités a,∗ b S.A. Hassan (MEd, LMHC, NCC) , M.J. Shah (MA) a Freedom of Mind Resource Center Inc., 716 Beacon Street #590443, 02459 Newton, MA, USA b Dare Association, Inc., 234, Huron Avenue, Cambridge, 02138 MA, USA Received 1st August 2018; accepted 1st March 2019 KEYWORDS Summary There is a need to update the legal system to recognize the use of hypnosis and BITE model; undue influence occurring throughout the world. Extremist groups are deceptively recruiting Brainwashing; and indoctrinating people to do terrorist attacks. Human traffickers are grooming and using Coercive control; hypnosis and social influence techniques to create labor and sex slaves. In this paper, a num- Dissociative identity ber of key concepts and models will be used to more fully define DSM-5’s Dissociative Disorder disorder; 300.15: Festinger’s Cognitive Dissonance Theory, along with Robert Jay Lifton and Margaret Influence continuum; Singer’s work (1995) are the foundation of the BITE model of mind control (Hassan, 1988). Mind control; Behavior, Information, Thought, and Emotional Control are the four overlapping components Thought reform; through which destructive groups bring people to be obedient and compliant to authority. A Undue influence programmed cult identity is created through a complex social influence process. -
The Doctrines and Dogma of Weixin Shengjiao the New Religion of the World Taiwan Weixin Shengjiao
Chapter 3 The doctrines and dogma of Weixin Shengjiao The New Religion of the World Taiwan Weixin Shengjiao The sect is established by heaven and earth. The principles were established by the sages. Weixin Shengjiao learns the laws of Heaven and Earth and practices them. Ancestor Fuxi Shi Lady of the Nine Heavens) Three Chinese ancestors Chiyou Emperor Yellow Emperor Yan Emperor Gui Gu Immortal Master Wan Chan Lao Chu Grand Master Hun Yuan Eternities - 32 - Chapter 3 The doctrines and dogma of Weixin Shengjiao Ancestor Fuxi Shi makes his first draw as Heaven; second as Earth. Wuji is considered as the Primordial (earlier heaven eight guas), so it is emptiness. Then Jiutian Xuannu inherited the knowledge. Tai chi is the Manifested (later heaven eight guas). Two polarities give rise to four phenomena. Then the knowledge of Bagua was passed to Three Chinese Ancestors Yellow Emperor and Yan Emperor. The Original Bagua is the knowledge of Feng Shui, describing mountains and rivers or practicing divination. Chiyou Emperor created the Later Heaven Nine Places and Eight Guas It is three Yuan Nine Yuan . Then the successor of Sage Gui Gu Immortal Master Wan Chan Lao Chu followed. Wang Chan Lao Chu and Grand Master Hun Yuan united and passed the knowledge to modern time. That is the reason why it is difficult for people to see the mystery of I Ching Feng Shui, and now it appeared after so many disasters. Weixin Shengjiao honors Wang Chan Lao Chu and considered him as the leader of Tian-jie (the ecclesial world) while Grand Master Hun Yuan is a master in mankind’s world. -
Fiction Group 4 -1
Fool in the Mountains Canadian International School, Ng, Emily - 15 He was late. Chen Jun Lang, top freelance travel journalist dubbed the next Bob Woodward, was late. How was he supposed to know he had to reply to a dozen more messages from his boss? Downing the cold coffee with one hand and struggling on his windbreaker over his neon yellow T-shirt with the other, his feet found their way into his hiking boots. He proceeded to strap his fanny pack and slung his trusty backpack over his shoulders, locking his hotel room door behind him. He blew down the staircase to the first floor and made a beeline for the exit and threw open the door, pasting on a half apologetic, half sheepish grin— Wind gusted past him, stirring fallen leaves across the plain concrete ground. The entrance was empty. Junlang furrowed his eyebrows. His private tour guide for today’s trip to Huangshan, or Yellow Mountain, was nowhere to be seen. Whipping his phone from his fanny pack, he dialed Mr Fan. The guide picked up after seven rings. “Hello sir?” “Hi Mr Fan! Where are you right now? I can’t see you at the hotel entrance and it’s nine fifteen already. You know, if you’re not coming, I will have to ask for a refund. I’m sure you wouldn’t want that to happen, would you?” “Mr Chen —” “I prefer Woodward.” “Yes, sir. Mr Woodward, I am sincerely sorry. I cannot be your guide to Huangshan. I have a family emergency to attend to.” Junlang’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. -
Ancestor Culture Be Held in the Religious Worship Rituals by Weixin Shengjiao
Global Journal of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Vol.8, No. 5, pp.1-14, May 2020 Published by ECRTD-UK Print ISSN: 2052-6350(Print), Online ISSN: 2052-6369(Online) HOW TO PROMOTE THE ETHNIC HARMONY OF THE CHINESE THREE- ANCESTOR CULTURE BE HELD IN THE RELIGIOUS WORSHIP RITUALS BY WEIXIN SHENGJIAO Chen-Mei Li Author Affiliation, Weixin Shengjiao College Li-Yueh Chen Weixin Shengjiao College Kuo-Ching Shih Weixin Shengjiao College Ming-Hsien Wang Weixin Shengjiao College ABSTRACT: The Chinese people is a people with long and profound history. It can be dated to Kunlun civilization, Fuxishi, Nuwa and Chinese Three-Ancestor, Huangdi, Yandi, and Chiyou. I Ching lays for the philosophy of thought in Chinese ethnic culture. What were Chinese religious beliefs before Buddhism reached China? War and worship affairs have been considered magnificent in Chinese dynasties. Tracing back to the battle in Zhuolu 5,000 years ago, which was a vital page in Chinses history, have the worship rituals for the death been perfected now? This part of research is missing in the Eastern religious studies. Therefore, this study adopts the method of qualitative longitudinal research to collect the ritual texts of worshipping ancestors from 2004 to 2017 as research materials of this study. The research results show that the religious interpretation of ethnic harmony in Chinese Three-Ancestor culture expressed in the worship rituals held by Weixin Shengjiao. KEYWORDS: Gui Gu mind method, ancestor worship ceremony, centre of the cross, vertical and horizontal alliances, spiritual oration, ancestor worship ceremony, INTRODUCTION The Chinese people is a people with long and profound history. -
France Page 1 of 14
France Page 1 of 14 France BUREAU OF DEMOCRACY, HUMAN RIGHTS, AND LABOR International Religious Freedom Report 2009 October 26, 2009 The Constitution provides for freedom of religion, and other laws and policies contributed to the generally free practice of religion; however, discriminatory treatment of Jehovah's Witnesses and Scientologists remained a concern. Some religious groups voiced opposition to legislation passed in 2001 and 2004, which provides for the dissolution of groups under certain circumstances and bans the wearing of conspicuous religious symbols by public school employees and students. A 1905 law on the separation of religion and state prohibits discrimination on the basis of faith. The Government generally respected religious freedom in practice, but there continued to be concerns about the treatment of some minority religious groups. There was no change in the status of respect for religious freedom by the Government during the reporting period. A 2004 law prohibiting the wearing of conspicuous religious symbols in public schools by employees and students continued to be implemented during the reporting period. The Government has a stated policy of monitoring potentially "dangerous" cult activity through the Inter-Ministerial Monitoring Mission against Sectarian Abuses (MIVILUDES). Discrimination against Jehovah's Witnesses, Scientologists, and other groups considered dangerous sects or cults remained a concern and may have contributed to acts of vandalism against these groups. Some groups expressed concern that MIVILUDES publications contributed to public mistrust of minority religions. There were reports of societal abuses or discrimination based on religious affiliation, belief, or practice; however, prominent societal leaders took positive steps to promote religious freedom.