Discussing, understanding and disseminating the “word of God” (or gods) has been the pursuit of millions upon millions of people since recorded history began, taking place all over the world.
The “Best of Penn Says: Religion” DVD, a compilation of episodes from “Penn Says,” the original web series from Crackle.com, Sony Pictures Entertainment’s online video network, is the ultimate collection of Penn Jillette’s most controversial, completely uncensored assessments. Â The DVD, now available for purchase on Amazon.com, also includes three never-before-seen episodes.
David Darmanin ("Malta Today," February 7, 2010)
Valetta, Malta - Victims of the French cult leader Alain Schmitt, who is appealing an extradition order to France, have spoken out on their horrifying experience at the hands of the Minh Vacma sect leader.
("UPI," February 7, 2010)
Salt Lake City, USA - The Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Utah has named a president to replace the imprisoned Warren Jeffs, documents indicate.
Wendell Nielsen, 69, was named to head the corporate entity and will handle the controversial church’s business dealings, The Salt Lake Tribune reported Sunday.
("Spero News," February 7, 2010)
Lahore, Pakistan - An Ahmadi Muslim leader was gunned down allegedly for seeking police protection against Muslim sectarian zealots in Ferozewala police precincts on January 5, as reported by Pakistan’s Daily Times.
The family of Muhammad Yousaf, 70, – leader of the Ahmadi community in Rachna Town, Ferozwala, Lahore – alleged that extremists killed their patriarch.
David Gestoso ("Nepal News," February 8, 2010)
Kathmandu, Nepal - Some regard it as the cutting edge in the organisation of human society. Others discard it as a sect. In a few countries it is considered a threat: its followers - mercilessly persecuted and discriminated against.
The Baha’i faith is a monotheistic religion and is considered to be the youngest of the independent religions of the world.
("Daily Times," February 8, 2010)
Karachi, Pakistan - Six Christians of the same family, who died in the blast outside the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), were laid to rest at Gora Qabristan on Saturday. They were residents of the fishermen settlement located in the coastal belt in Ibrahim Hyderi. They were Bisharat and wife Parveen, Manzoor Masih and wife Rosy along with two daughters Karol and Nirmal.
Jonathan Head ("BBC ," February 5, 2010)
Istanbul, Turkey - A Turkish teenager found dead in a hole next to her house was probably buried alive, a post-mortem examination has revealed.
Medine Memi, 16, was found in the hole in December. Large amounts of soil were in her lungs and stomach, according to a source who has seen the report.
Her father and grandfather have been arrested, but not charged.
Ferliza C. Contratista ("Manila Standard Today," February 8, 2010)
Cebu, Philippines - CEBU Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal turned 79 on Saturday—even as a controversy over which religious order should manage a popular shrine in a monastery in Sibonga continued to hound his archdiocese.
Toshi Maeda ("Reuters ," February 8, 2010)
Tokyo, Japan - He raps. He chants. And this month, Japan’s famed hip-hop loving monk, better known as MC Happiness, will tap dance on stage, in the name of Buddhism.
Kansho Tagai heads the 400-year-old Kyoouji Temple in central Tokyo, offering softly chanted prayers throughout the day amid traditional bell chimes and wafts of incense.
