Wolrd Religion

In today's religion news roundup: Lady Gaga as a theologian, the rise of the Jedi religion, and Christian occupiers of Wall Street. Also: Orthodox Jewish ambulance service Hatzolah in need of female EMTs. The Russian Orthodox Church asserts its role in civil society.

Plus, a polygamous follower of the Pagan religion Odinism has won her bid to remain in England on the basis of her human right to family life.

 

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As his followers mail out thousands of copies of apocalyptic "revelations from God" purportedly authored by imprisoned polygamous sect leader Warren Jeffs, former members say he is setting out increasingly extreme rules for his people.

Several former FLDS members say the new requirements implemented by leaders loyal to Jeffs reach deep into followers' personal lives.

 

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It appears that imprisoned cult leader Warren Jeffs is using his life sentence to sharpen his creative writing skills.

For the fourth time this year he has issued a set of revelations which he represents as coming directly from Jesus Christ.

 

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A fact-finding mission to India's Kashmir Valley found that Muslim leaders' increasingly shrill opposition to conversions has instilled fear among the Christian minority, which has been threatened as Christmas nears.

Christians in Srinagar, the summer capital of India's northern-most state of Jammu and Kashmir, are "really scared," said Dr. John Dayal, a member of the National Integration Council and part of the fact-finding team.

 

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