Hillary Clinton goes to church

Hillary Clinton was in Lake Forest, CA attending attending church and she made an impression. The always charming Clinton swayed as the choir sang "Jesus Loves Me," and stood as she joined the congregation singing "Tell me the story of Jesus." The press was seated up in the balcony and was unable to hear Clinton sing, or watch her enter or leave the service. Bonnie Campbell, the owner of the church, served in the Clinton administration as Head of the Violence Against Women's office at the Department of Justice, invited the Senator to come this Sunday morning. Clinton is a Methodist but attends church in other denominations as she travels. She has attended church three times in Iowa - including in Davenport, Decorah, and Des Moines.

Infamous teddy bear

The innocent teacher whose class named a teddy bear "Mohammad" is being sentenced to jail for naming the bear after the prophet. She is also being threatened by hundreds of Muslim's in the country that they will execute her. Gillian Gibbons went on trial Thursday on charges of inciting religious hatred by letting her students name a teddy bear Mohammad, a crime punishable by up to 40 lashes and six months in jail. The devastating part is that this teacher was unaware that what she was doing was culturally incorrect and now she is going to be punished because the country is so religious.

Why was president George W. Bush elected again?

What I will never understand is how this country elected Bush after he failed horrible in his first term. The fact that he won shows how religiously based this country is. They will vote for a "faith" based man even if he is not getting the job done instead of someone that can get the job done but is not that religious. Why do moral issues and religion have to do with policy making and decision making? Nothing. A president should not have to use religion in making crucial decisions.

Islam in the middle east

Religion plays a marjor role in the middle east for many of its citizens. Most countries in the middle east run their state with religious laws. A Country such as Saudi Arabia that strictly follows Islam is a good example. But could this be the reason that the middle east is having difficulty becoming democratized. I think so. The religious presence is so strong in many of the countries in the middle east that it doesnt allow for any other form of government to take place, even if the other form is better. Countries such as Iran that also have a strong religious presence in the government repress their people. Many citizens in these countries would like to see religion and state seperated. Who knows what religion will not play a role in middle eastern politics, but when it does maybe there can be a chance for democracy to be established and grow.

Giuliani on immigration

Rudy Giuliani, when asked about what he learned from visiting the border near Mission, Texas, Giuliani said he was reminded about what could be accomplished. Seeing the equipment in place at the border town, Giuliani said, " I can kind of look at what needs to be done with the photographic equipment, the motion detection equipment, the heat seeking equipment, a borderstat system like my compstat system." "I'm not gonna tell you it's easy to do -- it's not," Giuliani added. "But it is certainly is well within the bounds of the technology that now exists in the world, for us to end illegal immigration on this portion of the border. This would not be hard to do in that sense. It would be… it would take a long time, it would take a big expenditure of time and money, but its possible." Lets see how effective he can be.

Hillary Clinton does great in debate

Two weeks after a rocky presidential debate performance where she appeared at times both defensive and evasive, the New York senator came into Thursday's Democratic forum poised, confident and ready to rumble. She challenged her competitors and questioned their histories. And after days of torturous contortions on whether she supported granting driver's licenses for illegal immigrants, Clinton was able to stand by and watch as Obama was tripped up on the issue this time. "To the degree she might have been stumbling in the last debate, she regained her footing tonight," Democratic strategist Garry South said. "It was a very impressive performance by Hillary Clinton. She showed she could battle back criticism very well."

Will the religious right accept Giuliani

Rudy Giuliani is a republican candidate and is conservative but is he religious enough for the right. The right is infamous for choosing extremely religious and conservative candidates to represent them but is Giuliani good enough. Some believe hes not. Some on the right don't think he has what it takes. He is a strong hopeful, but he also has some weak points. The right does not think that he is sync with their moral issues. They think is moral beliefs are to liberal from what the right is use to. Will Rudy Giuliani win the right over?

Evangelicals and televangelist growing in this country

The Evangelicals are a large part of America. Their ever growing and there seems to be no end. The evangelical movement has been going on all the way dating back from Billy Graham days. More and more famous evangelicals started to pop up and now the televangelist world is a multi billion dollar business. What these people do is sick, they use the ill, hopeless, and poor to funnel in money to their phony causes. They hurt millions of lives all in the name of God. These evangelicals conduct their lives with very little taxes to pay on the millions that they earn yearly because its for a "charitable" cause. How these people think they are doing God's work baffles me. Innocent naive people buy into these evangelicals and televangelist. They listen to what they say and support the cause that they support. Thats why politicians know they need to gain support from these evangelicals. Evangelicals are growing in America and there seems to be no stop.

Oprah backs Barack Obama

Oprah is supporting Barack Obama for president. The presidential hopeful is getting much love from the richest women alive. Oprah has power over a vast majority of her audience that watches her daily. Through her media outlet and her money she has boosted Barack Obama's image for many unsure democrats. Oprah isn't the only celebrity endorsing Barack Obama he also has the support of George Clooney and many other famous faces. With all these famous figures backing him will it give him the edge he needs to win and pull through? He is hoping so. Oprah's support is extremely crucial to his campaign. She pulls in a lot of support by just bringing up his name and having him on her show.

Why religion is such a popular topic in the media

Religion for decades has been a highly popular issue in the media. The reason for this is because religion is a highly controversial topic. It pushes buttons and involves people in news stories. Religion is an extremely personal issue and when there a highly publicized stories about it draws in ratings. It is covered because it is a hot topic and always will be. People are extremely passionate about their faith, therefore it will always bring in the ratings. Faith is a universal topic and the media will continue to cover it.

Christian strength in America

Christianity is a large part of America. In a country where more then half of the people vote for a president because of his religion and beliefs thats say something about how strong religion is. America is a highly Christian country and it effects policy making. A majority of the congressman are Christian. In the United States church and state are supposed to be separated but thats not the case. When will we finally have a state where religion plays no part in policy making and who gets elected to office.

Equal job opportunities for gays and lesbians

The House on Wednesday approved the first federal ban on job discrimination against gays, lesbians and bisexuals. Passage of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act came despite protests from some gay rights supporters that the bill does not protect transgender workers. That term covers transsexuals, cross-dressers and others whose outward appearance does not match their gender at birth. The measure would make it illegal for employers to make decisions about hiring, firing, promoting or paying an employee based on sexual orientation. It would exempt churches and the military.

Ann Coulter mouths off

Ann Coulter starts again with her rude antics.
Her recent comments on Donny Deutsch's cable show might have generated a useful conversation instead a lot of name-calling and Scripture quoting. Here is what happened: Coulter and Deutsch were bantering about Israel and Iran, when Coulter used the phrase that has gotten so much attention. Christians, she said, "just want Jews to be perfected." "Wow, you didn't really say that, did you?" asked Deutsch. "Yes, that's what Christianity is," Coulter answered. Later in the program, Deutsch called Coulter "anti-Semitic," and in the days that followed, the Anti-Defamation League condemned Coulter's statement and the National Jewish Democratic Council called on news organizations to quit inviting Coulter on their programs.

The Pope speaks to Muslim leaders

Pope Benedict has accepted an unprecedented call by Muslim scholars for dialogue between Christians and Islam, inviting them for meetings in Vatican City, the Vatican said on Thursday. Some 138 Muslim scholars wrote to the German-born Pontiff and other Christian leaders last month, saying "the very survival of the world itself" may be depend on dialogue.

The Pontiff, who as head of the Catholic Church represents more than half of the world's two billion Christians, praised the scholars' "call for a common commitment to promoting peace." "Without ignoring or downplaying our differences as Christians and Muslims, we can and therefore should look to what unites us, namely the belief in one God," the Vatican wrote in a message signed by Vatican Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone.

More problems in Myanmar

Barnabas Ki Ning fled military-ruled Myanmar to relatively prosperous Malaysia, but found life is not a lot rosier. The 29-year-old teacher from Myanmar's ethnic Chin minority can't find a job, is denied refugee status and forced to squat in a crowded two-bedroom flat in Kuala Lumpur. "We are struggling here. I have no proper income and have to rely on others for rent and food," said Ki Ning, who faces jail in a country which regards him as an illegal immigrant.

Myanmar tragedy

The tragedy that is going on in Myanmar is devastating. Thousands of monks are being killed because they are in opposition of their government. The Buddhist monks are having peaceful demonstrations against the rise in the cost of petrol in the Myanmar. Through their religion these Buddhist monks have gathered thousands into the streets make this protest one of the largest in the country. The citizens are outraged at the behavior that the government is conducting on these monks. Myanmar holds a large number of Buddhist, the country is heavily involved in religion. Buddhism plays are large role in peoples everyday lives in Myanmar. The tragedy is still continuing and some monks have been killed in the process.

Gay rights in America

Gay rights in America are being threatened every day. In a country like America where we are supposed to be progressive we have fallen short in issuing gay Americans the same rights that other Americans have. There should be no problem for gays to get married, but the conservatives and religious people in this country do not believe they should. No one should have the right to tell someone who they can love and who they cant. The conservatives of the country claim that marriage should be between and man and a women. But who are they to judge what is wrong and right. Gays getting married does not effect anyone else's life or does it hurt anyone. Why this country does not allow people that love each other to get married is a question that still baffles many.

Abortion in the 21st century

Abortion is still a hot topic and debate issue. The landmark case of Roe vs. Wade, which came to a conclusion over thirty years ago is still gaining much attention. It is ridiculous that there still is a debate over this topic. Women should have the right to do what they please with their own bodies. A politician or any other person has no right to tell someone what they can and cant do with their body. The conservative republican party is still pushing this issue and they want to reverse what progression the United States has made on this issue.

Women leaving the polygamist lifestyle

By the time Carolyn Jessop was 18 years old, she had been coerced into an arranged marriage with a stranger who was 32 years older. Merrill Jessop already had three wives when he and Carolyn got married, but their relationship wasn't uncommon because she was part of the Fundamentalist Church of Latter Day Saints, a cult run by recently convicted Warren Jeffs.
Jessop, who was born and raised in the group, escaped with her eight children after 17 years of marriage. She then became the first woman ever granted full custody of her children in a contested suit involving the FLDS.

Hate crimes are on the rise

Hate crime incidents in the United States rose last year by nearly 8 percent, the FBI reported Monday, as racial prejudice continued to account for more than half the reported instances.
Police across the nation reported 7,722 criminal incidents in 2006 targeting victims or property as a result of bias against a particular race, religion, sexual orientation, ethnic or national origin or physical or mental disability. That was up 7.8 percent from the 7,163 incidents reported in 2005. "The FBI report confirms what we have been saying for many months about the severe increase in hate crimes," said the Rev. Al Sharpton, who organized Friday's march. "What is not reported, however, is the lack of prosecution and serious investigation by the Justice Department to counter this increase in hate crimes." Sharpton called for Attorney General Michael Mukasey to meet with members of the Congressional Black Caucus and civil rights leaders to discuss this matter.

When did Church and State become fused together in America?

When did America allow the Church and state to become fused. One of the most powerful key elements now in a presidential candidate is his or her religion. President Bush proves how religious America really is. With so many votes flowing his way because of his religious views and beliefs it goes to show how powerful and present religion is in the United States. Religion is supposed to be kept separate from government decision making and policy formation. Religion is almost always present in debates between candidates. But why, in a progressive country like this one why should religion play a role on how a president runs and directs a country.

Saudi Arabia is running its country with ancient law

Saudi Arabia is one of the few countries that completely enforces ancient Islamic law in everyday life for its Citizens. Criminal cases are tried under Sharia courts in the country. These courts exercise authority over the entire population including foreigners (regardless of religion). Cases involving small penalties are tried in Shari'a summary courts. More serious crimes are adjudicated in Shari'a courts of common pleas. Courts of appeal handle appeals from Shari'a courts. Forms of punishment they enforce on those sentenced are public executions and amputations for such crimes as shop lifting. There is absolutely no tolerance for homosexuality, murder, adultery, and robbery. Saudi Arabia's laws are so cruel that they break many human rights violations everyday.

Giulliani the second Bush

Could Rudy Giulliani be the second Bush. Maybe so. With his harsh tactics and goals and his conservative views points he echoes a lot of what President Bush believes in. Giulliani's right wing policies are extremely similar to Bush's as well. They have similar views on the war in Iraq. But can this country handle another Bush? I highly doubt so. The last thing that this country needs is someone like Giulliani that is a regressive person only looking out for republican and personal gains. A country like the United States which is constantly improving and moving forward should not be slowed down by someone like Giulliani.

Gay's in Iran

To be gay in means a life of fear in Iran. Shortly before win in his country's presidential election in 2005, Iranian authorities hanged two teenagers officially charged with raping a 13-year-old boy—but whom gay activists say were executed for their sexual orientation. Life for Iranian gays has not improved since then. Even though Iran's senior religious figures have made statements calling for the whipping or killing of homosexuals, the country's authorities continue to deny that they prosecute gays. Against this backdrop it's hardly surprising that the community is outraged over Ahmadinejad's glib comment to his Columbia audience this week that "in Iran we don't have homosexuals like in your country."

The Pope wants world religions to promote peace

Pope Benedict told religious leaders, including Christians, Jews and Muslims, on Sunday that faith must never be allowed to become a vehicle of hatred. The Pope spoke forcefully against invoking the name of God in any religion "to justify evil and violence." "Faced with a world lacerated by conflict, where violence is still justified in the name of God, it is important to reiterate that religions must never become a vehicle of hatred," the Pontiff said. "On the contrary, religions can and should offer precious resources to build a humanity of peace, because they speak of peace at the heart of man." The Pope addressed scholars and religious leaders attending a three-day inter-faith gathering in the southern Italian port city of Naples. The conference is called "For a World Without Violence: Religions and Cultures in Dialogue." Less than two weeks ago more than 130 Muslim scholars called for peace and understanding between Islam and Christianity, and said the world's survival could be at stake. "With respect for the differences between different religions, we are all called to work for peace and an effective effort to promote reconciliation between peoples," the Pope said.

Using religion to not vaccinate your children

Sabrina Rahim doesn't practice any particular faith, but she had no problem signing a letter declaring that because of her deeply held religious beliefs, her 4-year-old son should be exempt from the vaccinations required to enter preschool. She is among a small but growing number of parents around the country who are claiming religious exemptions to avoid vaccinating their children when the real reason may be skepticism of the shots or concern they can cause other illnesses. Some of these parents say they are being forced to lie because of the way the vaccination laws are written in their states. An Associated Press examination of states' vaccination records and data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that many states are seeing increases in the rate of religious exemptions claimed for kindergartners.

Jesus in a chocolate sculpture

A life-size chocolate sculpture of a naked Jesus will finally be displayed in New York starting in late October, seven months after an outcry by Roman Catholics forced a different gallery to cancel its exhibition. Chocolate Jesus will be joined by sculptures of several fully clothed saints, but the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights said it will not protest because, unlike before, there are no plans to put the "anatomically correct" Jesus in public view during Holy Week. Proposition gallery in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood will present "Chocolate Saints ... Sweet Jesus," an exhibition timed to coincide with All Saints' Day on November 1. Protests, including a call to boycott the affiliated Roger Smith Hotel, forced the gallery to scrap the showing. "We still don't approve but the conditions have changed," said Kiera McCaffrey, spokeswoman for the Catholic organization.

Bill Maher, what a cool guy

Bill Maher, the host of "Real Time With Bill Maher", is one of the most liberal "anchorman" on media today. In my opinion he is one of the most honest people in media today. He covers every topic from religion to celebrity drama with a sense of sarcasm. His political satire has become famous and he creates much publicity for his opinions.

Why does religion play such a large role in the presidency?

Religion from the beginning of the United States presidency has played a major role and still does. In a country like America that is one of the most developed countries in the world you would think that the citizens would not care what religion their leader is. America is a country where religion and the state should not mix but it does. This country is supposed to be always progressing but one thing we have not progressed in is this issue of not electing or even acknowledging candidates for presidency that are not Christian. This country even has an issue with allowing a Catholic to become president. So if a Catholic has difficulty becoming president I cant even imagine how difficult it could be for a Muslim or Jewish candidate. When Joe Lieberman ran for vice president along side presidential candidate Al Gore, he surprisingly did well. But Presidential candidate Mitt Romney, that is a Mormon is having a difficult time gaining acceptance from the general audience. When religion not play a key role in the presidency?

Catholic Church scandal

The Catholic Church scandal is one of the most disgusting incidents that has ever happened in my opinion. What is even more disgusting is that many people in power are refusing to believe that these incidents have happened. The amount of lives that these priest have destroyed is horrific, but people like police and district attorneys had a difficult time prosecuting this "loved" priest that were holy figures in their communities. What makes me sick is that people like priest are supposed to be trusted and they ruined that trust and crushed many lives by their sick actions that were taken against these poor innocent children.

Bono "We can end world hunger in our lifetime"

The lead singer of U2, Bono has been actively pursuing his passion of helping many people in war torn Africa. Since 1986 he has been one of the most active people humanitarians in the region. He has gathered much publicity to the area and has created the ONE foundation that has raised awareness of the issue and gathered many other famous people in positions of power that can help end the hell that is going on in Africa. through his activism and fame he has generated much money for countries such as war torn Sudan that is going through the first genocide of the 21st century. With religion being a main issue in Sudan's destruction, the help of countries like the United States and the United Kingdom can turn the problem around. The reason I wrote about Bono is because I personally love U2 and Bono, he is an amazing musician and an amazing human.

Clinton and Obama, heating up

Barack Obama was criticizing Hillary Clinton for her vote in support of a resolution calling an Iranian group of terrorist organization, saying it exhibited the flawed judgment she used during the vote to authorize the Iraq war five years. His resolution, which declared the Iranian Revolutionary Guard a terrorist organization, could be used by President Bush as a "blank check" that he interprets as authorization to take military action against Iran, Obama said. "We know in the past that the president has used some of the flimsiest excuses to try to move his agenda regardless of what Congress says," Obama told CNN's Wolf Blitzer. When Clinton was asked by an audience member why she voted for the resolution she replied, "The premise of the question is wrong," and went on to argue that the measure calls for the terrorist label so that sanctions can be imposed.

Iranian women going against the regime

Women in Iran are going against their degrading regime. More and more women in Iran are rising against the government and its ridiculous expectations from the women in the country. Why should women have to walk around covered from head to toe and not be able to show their hair? The women in Iran do not enjoy the what they have to go through on a daily basis. If they want to leave their house to go to the grocery store they need to make sure that they are covered. Human rights in Iran need to be acknowledged and not pushed under the rug. They perform tons of human rights violations daily and the women of Iran are trying to stand up against it.

Turkey, religion and politics mix

Turkey is a country where almost there entire populations is Muslim, so you can imagine how much religion can play a role politics. So can democracy survive in Turkey. The European Union is looking into inducting Turkey, but they are hesitant because they are not sure about how Turkey conducts itself politically. Turkey is flourishing economically averaging around 7 percent GDP growth rate for the past five years, Turkey is flooding the world with exports produced by its people. But the problem is that many of Turkeys conservative Muslim citizens do not like the progression that Turkey is making because they believe that the country is trying to become westernized. Will Turkey grow and become inducted into the European Union?

Ann Coulter helps the conservative cause

Ann Coulter might be one of the most conservative and purely insane people ever. She constantly makes remarks against people that are not Christian, White , and conservative. She generates much publicity for the conservative wing. With her insane remarks about conservative issues and her rude comments on liberal ideals she gains much attention in the media. Stations like Fox News and CNN bring her on their networks because she produces high ratings with her crude remarks against anyone that is different then her and her beliefs she just proves how insanely biased she sounds. Even if its negative publicity, Ann Coulter gets the conservative cause noticed in media.

Barack Obama, is America ready for him?

With a name like Barack Obama, which is a Muslim name does he stand a chance in the presidential run? I mean we are still in the same America that voted for one of the most right winged presidents, George W. Bush. In a country like America that tends not to be open to candidates that are not Christian does a African American man with a Muslim background stand in chance in the upcoming elections? President Kennedy had a difficult time running and when he won he became the first Catholic president. Even though Barack Obama is a Christian his Muslim name and skin color might have a strong effect on his presidential bid. A situation like this shows how closely knit politics and religion are.

Pat Robertson the devil

Pat Robertson for years has been a mastermind in the televangelist movement. He gained so much more that he even decided to run for president in 1988. With his right wing ideals and beliefs he is taking steps back and trying to brainwash an entire society. He is the founder of Christian Broadcasting Network making him a big power player in this evangelical movement. Hes made millions of dollars off using his religion to lure in people of the same faith as him. He uses the ill, poor, and hopeless to gain his money and with his Broadcasting networking their is no end to the empire he is developing for himself

Mitt Romney the coward

Mitt Romney is a successful business man, family man, and great Mormon. But one thing that is for sure is that Mitt Romney is playing down his religion during is campaign for presidency. The truth is that Mitt Romney was a bishop or lay pastor, at his church in Belmont, Mass. After that, he served nine years as stake president overseeing about a dozen Boston area parishes. The sad thing is that Romney has had to be more cautious about his religion in how he discusses his faith. The public has weird notions towards the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Polls repeatedly continue to show that a large portion of the electorate, about 27 percent, Newsweek discovered would not vote for a Mormon for the president of the United States. Romney is extremely aware of this fact and has been down playing his religion since day one on his campaign trail. He uses his religion when it helps him gain support and million dollars worth of donations from his fellow Mormons, but when he realizes that his religion makes him the black sheep of the presidential hopefuls he completely downplays his roots.

Warren Jeffs sentenced

Warren Jeffs, leader of the polygamist sect has been sentence to jail as an acompliance to a rape, after forcing a 14 year old girl to marry her cousin. Warren Jeffs was on the FBI's most wanted list and now a court in Utah has sentenced him to five years in prison. Warren Jeffs is a self-proclaimed prophet was sentenced because he was found guilty for pressuring a young girl into having sex against her will. He was the leader of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, but they had split from the Mormon Church. At one point Warren Jeffs had 70 wives. Sick people like Warren Jeffs corrupt the lives of many young impressionable women, who's parents do not have an sense of respect for their children. Polygamist are a group of people who hardly are educated and proceed their lives in complete denial of what is happening to their women. A man that has had 70 wives is not a man that should be a leader of any group.

Introduction

This is my first quarter at UCI. My name is Jasmine and I am a political science major. I am taking this class because I am interested in the correlation between religion, politics and media. I have lived in Irvine my entire life. I have never blogged before so I don't know where to start. I will be blogging almost every day so I hope you all like by blogs.