Rapid Reading Summary – Short reports with links
Rabbis condemn attacks on Israel’s Christian sites
Jewish Chronicle – Leading rabbis have condemned the recent attacks on Christian sites in Jerusalem, calling the graffiti “un-Jewish and something that pains us all.”
Vandals in Jerusalem spray painted “Death to Christians” and “We’ll crucify you” on the Baptist Church in Jerusalem and similar hate graffiti on a Greek Orthodox monastery in the city. The culprits are believed to be extremist settlers, who have also targeted Muslim sites and Israeli military equipment. The Conference of European Rabbis said it was “deeply concerned by recent attacks on Christian sites”.
http://www.thejc.com/news/israel-news/64295/rabbis-condemn-attacks-israels-christian-sites
Will Dead Sea become next Eilat?
Jewish Chronicle – Israelis have been invited to decide whether their half of the Dead Sea shore should be redeveloped in keeping with its natural beauty or as a full-on, money-spinning concrete jungle. Floating hotels, health spas and sprawling seaside malls are some of the more radical proposals put forward by the Ministry of Tourism, which wants citizens to help it decide how to spend a NIS 720 million investment pot recently approved by the Cabinet.
The sum represents the lion’s share of a NIS 833 million fund to be invested in “environmental” tourism on the Dead Sea, which is not seen as being at odds with commercial development.
http://www.thejc.com/news/israel-news/64401/will-dead-sea-become-next-eilat
Major Bible exhibition opens at Vatican
Christian Today – Some of the rarest Bibles and recordings of Scripture have gone on display at the Vatican today. “Verbum Domini” is an impressive collection of 150 biblical antiquities that span thousands of years and draw from the Roman Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox Christian and Jewish traditions.
http://www.christiantoday.com/article/major.bible.exhibition.opens.at.vatican/29413.htm
Churches in Africa becoming HIV competent
Christian Today – More churches in Africa are well informed about HIV are welcoming HIV positive people and are fighting against HIV and AIDS in Africa and beyond. The Ecumenical HIV and AIDS Initiative in Africa (EHAIA) has recently documented the impact it has achieved since 2002. While commemorating its 10th anniversary this year, EHAIA reflects on how churches have become “HIV-competent”, meaning they are well informed about HIV, are welcoming HIV positive people and are fighting against HIV and AIDS in Africa and beyond. Thousands of church leaders have been trained by EHAIA staff. Ten theological institutions in Central Africa alone incorporated HIV into their curricula due to EHAIA supported initiatives. Several books with theological perspectives on HIV and gender were written by EHAIA staff in the last ten years and are used widely around the world.
http://www.christiantoday.com/article/churches.in.africa.becoming.hiv.competent/29419.htm
Dutch religious broadcaster condenses Bible into 20 minutes of film
Religion News Blog — A Dutch religious broadcaster has condensed the books of into 20 minutes worth of film. The makers believe this a good way to introduce today’s digital generation to the message of the Bible. Not everyone agrees.
http://www.religionnewsblog.com/26604/dutch-religious-broadcaster-condenses-bible-into-20-minutes-of-film
In Japan, Shinto followers prepare to mark disaster anniversary
ENI – Shinto priests throughout Japan are preparing to hold commemoration ceremonies on 11 March to mark the one-year anniversary of the earthquake and tsunami that devastated the northeastern coast, attendees were told at a program at Georgetown University.
http://www.eni.ch/featured/article.php?id=5502
Quake-hit cathedral to come down
BBC – Officials confirm Christchurch cathedral is to be demolished after the 2011 earthquake left it beyond repair, despite protests from conservationists.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-17229242
Pope appeals to Twitter generation
Christianity Today – In its latest move to embrace social media and the age of digital technology, the Vatican has announced a new Twitter account to share the Pope’s messages. The Pontifical Council for Social Communications denies that the move is a technological gimmick that will “dumb down” the Church’s message.
http://www.christiantoday.com/article/pope.appeals.to.twitter.generation/29399.htm
Head of Islamic organization deplores killings in Afghanistan
ENI – The head of the 57-nation Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on 27 February condemned as “deplorable” a recent spate of violence and killings in Afghanistan, sparked in reaction to the burning of copies of the Quran by members of the U.S. military.
http://www.eni.ch/featured/article.php?id=5495