Friday, July 27, 2007
Clash of civilizations?
To me, the whole clash of civilizations theme behind the Al Qaeda conflict with the West seemed pretty bogus. But here is a story that makes you pause and think:
South Korean Evangelical Christians are rushing into Afghanistan, Iraq and many other countries to proselytize. As such, there isn't much of a comparison here: Korean Evangelicals don't go out to kill and maim non-Christians. And yet, their non-violent zealotry can't help much in a place like Afghanistan which is just trying to recover from the horrendous Taliban.
Link
South Korean Evangelical Christians are rushing into Afghanistan, Iraq and many other countries to proselytize. As such, there isn't much of a comparison here: Korean Evangelicals don't go out to kill and maim non-Christians. And yet, their non-violent zealotry can't help much in a place like Afghanistan which is just trying to recover from the horrendous Taliban.
Link
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Confused Canada
On one hand:
But on the other:
Link
Canadian immigration officials have dusted out a 10-year-old, little-known rule that asks Sikh visa applicants with last names Singh or Kaur to change them. There are too many of them, officials say, pointing to difficulties in maintaining a database with similar names.
But on the other:
After 18 months of construction and millions in fundraising efforts, a one-of-a-kind Hindu temple opened Sunday in Toronto.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper was on-hand to celebrate the official unveiling of the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir. Harper said the $40 million architectural marvel represents India’s and Canada’s embracement of spiritual and ethnic pluralism.
“Canada’s accommodation of diversity is not without precedent,” Harper said, addressing a large crowd. “There have been forerunners — and of these perhaps none is as note-worthy as India.”
Link
