A global society makes fair reporting on world religions vastly important

[rug]

Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Ruth Eglash

(WNN/CGN) Jerusalem, ISRAEL, WESTERN ASIA: It’s an issue that affects people’s lives across the world everyday yet most media institutions do not dedicate much time, resources or manpower to covering religion. That was the assessment of some 25 journalists from six continents and 23 countries who gathered in March 2013 in Bellagio, Italy to lay down the foundations of an international association aimed not only at boosting the prominence and professionalism of religion reporting but also to emphasize the need for responsible journalism that can unite instead of divide people.

Despite some of the obvious differences – linguistic, nationalistic, religious and political – between those that gathered in Italy from 20-24 March, the International Association of Religion Journalists (IARJ) was officially launched.

“We are living in a global society and our understanding internationally of religion is weak. With this association, journalists now have contacts in various countries and can work together”, commented US journalist David Briggs, a Pulitzer Prize nominee and the main driving force behind the initiative.

Briggs, who was elected as the association’s Executive Director during the meeting’s closing session, has been trying for the better part of the last eight years to establish a global association similar to the Religion Newswriters Association in the United States, which aims to promote high-quality media coverage of religion.

http://womennewsnetwork.net/2013/05/13/global-society-world-religions/

[dimbear]

1. Here is a religious news service reporting on an important question: do angels pray in

Aramaic?

http://jstandard.com/content/item/do_the_angels_pray_in_aramaic/27247

Note the article is very fair minded, presenting both sides of the argument.

[rug]

2. That's an advice column not news.

Unless you consider this news.

http://old.richarddawkins.net/letters/converts

[dimbear]

3. While what you cite is heartwarming, what I cite is a report on a disputation.

A smaller one than the correct and proper succession to Prophet Muhammad, but a disputation nevertheless. It's currently the topline link at PaleoJudaica.
It's never easy to tell just what may be key in the religious arena.

[rug]

4. What, you don't think the quest for freedom is important, if not key?

Dear Richard Dawkins, before I knew you through internet and books...I wasn't sure about what I want to believe. I always doubt about religion/god but I was alone and I don't have anyone to talk with about it. It changed when I knew about you through videos on the internet and I read your books. I started to participates with atheist groups on facebooks and other forum and it really change my life. Because of you, now I am free. FREEDOM.

thank you Richard Dawkins. Millions of thank you.

[struggle4progress]

5. Two men made a wager ... that whoever will succeed in making Hillel angry

would receive four hundred Zuz

Whereupon one said: I will make him angry.

It was just Sabbath Eve, and Hillel was washing his hair

The man went to Hillel's house and at the door shouted: Is Hillel in? Is Hillel in?

Hillel dressed himself ... and said: My son, what wishest thou?

The man answered: I wish to ask you a question

You may ask it, my son

Why are the heads of Babylonians round?

You have asked a great question, my son, answered Hillel. Because the midwives of the Babylonians are not very experienced

The man waited an hour and came back and shouted: Is Hillel in? Is Hillel in?

Hillel dressed again and went out to him: What wishest thou, my son?

I wish to ask a question, he said.

Ask, my son, ask

Why are the eyes of the Tadmorenes inflamed?

Thou hast asked a great question. Because they live in sandy places

The man waited another hour, went back and again shouted: Is Hillel in? Is Hillel in?

Hillel dressed again and went out to him. What wishest thou, my son?

I have a question to ask

Ask, my son, ask

Why are the feet of the Africans broad?

Thou hast asked a great question, my son, answered Hillel. Because they live in watery marshes

Then the man said, I have many questions to ask of you, but fear that you will become angry

Whereupon Hillel adjusted his robes and sat down near him and said: Ask all the questions thou hast to ask

Then the man said: Art thou the Hillel that is Prince of Israel? If it is thee, then there should be no more men like thee in Israel

Why? asked Hillel

Because I lost four hundred Zuz through thee

Said Hillel, Be careful of thy temper

http://www.sacred-texts.com/jud/bata/bata05.htm

[dimbear]

7. I love those rabbinical stories. I wish more Christians knew them.

Contrapuntal.

[struggle4progress]

6. ... A student once asked Martin Luther, “What was God doing before He created the world?”

Luther responded, “He went into the woods and cut rods with which to punish good-for-nothing questioners!” ...
http://frankviola.org/2012/10/02/beforetheworldbegan/