RELIGION HEADLINES SAT 1-3-26

(SRN NEWS)  British conservatives are calling for a human rights activist to be stripped of his citizenship over past social media posts containing anti-Semitic language.  The leaders of the Conservative and Reform parties also want Allah Abed el-Fattah deported following the discovery of the tweets.  The activist has apologized for the posts while also claiming that they were taken out of context.  Critics say Abed el-Fattah used social media to urge violence against Jews and other “Zionists”.  Reform Party leader Nigel Farage described the tweets as abhorrent, saying that they are “completely opposed to our British way of life.” 

(  )  Pope Leo is adding his voice to the chorus of critics condemning Illinois for legalizing assisted suicide.  The pontiff, who is from Illinois, says he had spoken “explicitly” with Democratic Governor J.B. Pritzker and urged him not to sign the measure into law.  Leo told reporters “We were very clear about the necessity to respect the sacredness of life from the very beginning to the very end, and unfortunately, for different reasons, he decided to sign that bill.  I am very disappointed about that.”  The Pope, who grew up in Chicago, cited Catholic teaching, which calls for the defense and protection of life from conception until natural death. 

(  )  President Trump will receive the Israel Prize.  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says the honor will be awarded later this year — the first time it has ever gone to a foreign leader.  In a posting on X the Israeli Government says “This is a historic decision that expresses recognition of President Trump’s extraordinary contribution and lasting impact on the Jewish people in Israel and around the world.”  The president has been a staunch defender of Israel, even as the country came under harsh international criticism following the Hamas terrorist attack in 2023.  Mr. Trump has also worked hard to establish peace throughout the Middle East. 

(  )  Christians in India celebrated Christmas last month but it wasn’t easy.  More than 80 attacks on Christmas celebrations took place across the country, led by radical Hindu groups.  International Christian Concern reports that “In the southern state of Kerala (kuh-RALL-uh), which is generally considered safe for Christians, a group of children taking part in a Christmas carol procession was attacked.”  Radical Hindus have vowed to kill all Christians and other religious minorities in India or drive them out.  The violence has increased since a Hindu nationalist party first came to power in national elections 12 years ago.