Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (April 17, 2015)
Page 8A FAITH East Oregonian Friday, April 17, 2015 India’s die-hard Hindus push to ban beef NEW DELHI (AP) — Every morning just before dawn, hundreds of trucks loaded with buffaloes trun- dle into New Delhi’s sprawl- ing slaughterhouse complex where young men rush to unload the bellowing cargo. Skidding on heaps of fresh dung, they pull the animals out of the trucks, herding them for the daily auction and eventual slaughter. The work is hard and the money at the end of it, poor. But the business is big. Despite Hindu beliefs that cows are sacred — and the fact that their slaughter is banned in most of the coun- try — India is the world’s ¿IWKODUJHVW FRQVXPHU DQG second-largest exporter of beef. The meat, which in India comes from bulls and buffaloes, is widely eaten in some communities, partic- ularly by low-caste Hindus and millions of Muslims and Christians. With the victory of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party last year, hard- line Hindu groups are push- ing to expand the slaughter ban to include all types of cattle, male or female. Meat AP Photo/Saurabh Das A worker drags a buffalo after it is unloaded from a truck at Ghazipur slaughterhouse complex in New Del- hi, India. India is the worldís second-largest exporter of beef, but with the victory of Prime Minister Narendra Modiís Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party last year, the industry is facing tougher bans on slaughter. traders, many of whom have carried their trade for genera- tions, are worried about their jobs. “This is a political de- cision,” said Mohammed Aqil Qureshi, president of the Buffalo Traders Welfare Association in Ghazipur, the New Delhi neighborhood where the slaughterhouse complex is located. “They want to gratify the Hindus and harass the Muslims.” Posthumous book by Charlie Hebdo chief slams ‘Islamophobia’ PARIS (AP) — The late former editor of French week- ly Charlie Hebdo condemns “Islamophobia” as thinly disguised racism in a posthu- mously published book that was completed two days be- fore he was killed in France’s worst terror attack in years. Stephane Charbonnier, known as Charb, was one of 12 people killed by gunmen in the Jan. 7 attack against WKH3DULVRI¿FHRIWKHVDWLULFDO newspaper. The two attackers, who were apparently motivat- ed by anger over the paper’s caricatures of the Prophet Mu- KDPPDG GLHG LQ D JXQ¿JKW with police two days later. Charb’s 88-page book, whose title translates as “Let- ter to tricksters of Islamopho- bia who are playing the game of racists,” was released in France on Thursday. It crit- icizes those who exploit an- ti-Islam sentiment for their own ends. Unlike the newspaper, the book contains only words, not caricatures — Charlie Heb- do’s signature offering. Like the newspaper, known for lewd and often insensitive humor, the book takes on many sacred cows. He pillories the unquestion- ing use of the term “Islam- ophobia” by some journalists either out of laziness or com- mercial interest, and decries politicians who fan what he considers an unfair debate on national identity. In an opening poem that targets preconceived notions, Charb writes that his intended audience includes those who “think it’s written in the Quran that drawing the Prophet Mu- hammad is forbidden ... think caricaturing a jihadist in a ridiculous position insults Is- lam ... think a drawing is more dangerous than an American drone.” But Charb also condemns people who demonize Mus- lims: “If one day all Muslims in France converted to Ca- tholicism ... these foreigners or French of foreign origin would still be seen as respon- sible for all ills,” he wrote. He suggests that such atti- tudes should be characterized as “Muslim-o-phobia” — since it amounts to an irratio- nal fear of people — instead of “Islamophobia,” which would be an attitude against a religion. In what some might con- sider poignant prescience, Charb muses at one point about how “one day, just for laughs, I should publish all the threat letters that I received at Charlie Hebdo from Catholic fascists and Muslim fascists” alike. HERMISTON — A gathering of song will include the singing of hymns and Gaither songs accompanied by Louise Sundvall. The Hour of Hymns is Sunday, May 3 at 6 p.m. at New Hope Community Church, 1350 S. Highway 395, Hermiston. Everyone is welcome. For more information, call Doug Fehrenbacher at 541- 561-8327. Grace and Mercy installs new pastor HERMISTON — After being served by interns, new parish Grace and Mercy Lutheran Church installed a full-time pastor last month in Hermiston. Rev. Thomas Inch, who recently served as interim pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, was installed March 29 at the Hermiston church. He started at the church March 1. $I¿OLDWHGZLWKWKH Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, Grace and Mercy recently moved to 164 E. Main St., Hermiston. It had previously met at the Hermiston First Presbyterian Church. Worship services are each Sunday morning at 9 a.m., Sunday school follows at 10:15 a.m. In addition, Inch said mid-week services take place during Lent and other special occasions. For more information, call the church at 541-289- 4535. Church women celebrate Friendship Day MILTON-FREEWATER — The Milton-Freewater Church Women United will celebrate May Friendship Day by inviting the Walla Walla CWU ladies to a salad luncheon. The event is Friday, May 1 at noon at the First Baptist Church, 102 S. Main St., Milton-Freewater. Participants are asked to bring a salad to share; rolls and dessert will be provided. Visitors are welcome. For more information, contact Helen Richartz at helen_jack@columbiainet. com or 541-558-3969. ample. The government in Haryana state, bordering New Delhi, is considering laws making cow slaugh- ter comparable to murder. Offenders would face a life term for killing a cow or bull if the state adopts the planned legislation. Many Hindus regard the cow as the living sym- bol of their religion. Hindu welfare organizations run “gaushalas,” or cow shelters, in many cities where aban- doned cows found wander- ing the streets are given food and shelter. Feeding a cow is seen by many Hindus as a way to appease the gods and JHWRQH¶VZLVKHVIXO¿OOHG “Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna,” chanted Minu Ag- garwal, a housewife, as she fed soaked lentils and leafy greens to a cow at a New Delhi shelter. The chant means “Lord Krishna,” a popular Hindu god. As she bent down in obei- sance near the animal, a shel- ter worker touched her head with the cow’s tail — a bless- ing, Aggarwal said. Pankaj Bansal, a New Delhi businessman feeding pieces of bread to a cow nearby, praised the bans. “The cow is our mother,” he said. “The ban should be imposed all over the coun- try.” In recent decades, as mil- lions of Indians traveled abroad for study and work, tastes have slowly changed. Today, many restaurants and small eateries serve steak and kebabs made from buffalo meat. Many people who in the past would not have eaten the meat at home in deference to strictly vegetarian parents and older relatives now open- ly broil buffalo meat. Economists say a complete ban on cow slaughter could prove counterproductive as farmers would abandon their animals once they stop giv- ing milk. Worse, farmers may consider it economically impossible to keep cows al- together if they must feed the animals for the rest of their lives, said Harish Damodaran, an economic analyst. “The cow has a future only in the states that at least permit selective culling,” Da- modaran wrote in the Indian Express newspaper, bolster- LQJKLVDUJXPHQWZLWK¿JXUHV that showed farmers switch- ing to buffaloes in states that did not allow cow slaughter. Gov. Jindal vehemently defends religious objections bill BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Gov. Bobby Jin- dal on Thursday gave a full-throated defense of a divisive religious objections bill that critics say could sanction discrimination against same-sex couples in Louisiana The Republican gover- nor’s comments doubling down in support of the leg- islation came one day after computer giant IBM sent -LQGDO¶V RI¿FH D OHWWHU VLJ- naling “strong” opposition to the bill. Jindal, speaking to re- porters in a wide-ranging LQWHUYLHZ DWWHPSWHG WR ÀLS the script on opponents by describing the bill as an an- ti-discrimination measure designed to protect Chris- tians who are morally op- posed to same-sex marriage in an increasingly permis- sive society. “Religious liberty is not just about the ability to pray a couple of hours a week,” said Jindal, who has presi- dential ambitions built on an appeal to evangelical Chris- tians and social conserva- tives. “Religious liberty is about being able to live your life seven days a week ac- cording to your beliefs.” The letter from IBM — which has plans for an 800-worker facility in Baton Rouge — cuts into the busi- ness-friendly reputation Jin- dal has sought to cultivate and frequently touts. “A bill that legally pro- tects discrimination based on same-sex marriage status will create a hostile envi- ronment for our current and prospective employees, and is antithetical to our compa- ny’s values,” wrote James M. Driesse, a senior state executive for the company. Church Directory Stephane Charbonnier BRIEFLY New Hope hosts hour of hymns A beef ban would hit the poor the most, Qureshi said. “This is poor people’s food and is a key source of nutrition for millions of peo- ple,” he said. Beef is far cheaper than most meat in India, often just half the price of chicken, making it a key food for peo- ple struggling with poverty. Fears among meat traders grew last month when In- dia’s second-most-populous state, Maharashtra, extended the slaughter ban to include bulls. While buffalo was not mentioned in the new law, buffalo meat quickly dis- appeared from most of the state’s butcher shops, amid fears of communal violence if it was confused with cow meat. The ban carries a stiff punishment: Bail is not al- lowed and anyone convicted of selling or possessing beef faces a 5-year jail term and D ¿QH D KXJH VXP IRU poor Indians. Within days of the ban, the red-meat business in Mumbai, the state capital, was forced underground, leaving restaurants and eat- eries scrambling for alterna- tives. Meat traders in Maha- rashtra have challenged the ban in court, saying tens of thousands of people have lost their jobs. The state’s decision did not come as a surprise. During his election cam- paign, Modi promised a countrywide ban on cow slaughter, and that has em- boldened Hindu hardliners. Other states ruled by Mo- di’s party have promised to follow Maharashtra’s ex- s h i W o r p w i t h u s ! Adams Community Churc h Duane Geyer, Pastor 140 N. Main, Adams, OR 566-9457 Worship 9 am Grace Baptist Church 555 SW 11th, Hermiston 567-9497 Nursery provided for all services Sunday School - 9:30 AM Worship - 10:45 AM 6:00 pm Wed Prayer & Worship - 7:00 PM OPEN HEARTS – OPEN DOOR www.graceandmercylutheran.org Sunday Worship 9:00 a.m. Sunday School 10:00 a.m. (Nursery Provided) Fellowship, Refreshments & Sunday School Check Out our Facebook Page or Website for More Information 541-289-4535 Tom Inch, Pastor Grace and Mercy Lutheran Church, ELCA 164 E. Main St. / P.O. Box 1108 Hermiston, Oregon 97838 Gladys Ave & 7th Hermiston Fr. Dan Lediard, Priest. PH: 567-6672 FIRST CHURCH OF GOD FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH First Service @ 8:30am Second Service @ 10:30am “Proclaiming God’s word, growing in God’s grace” FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH Living Word Christian Center in Mission for Christ LCMC Sunday Worship Service 10:00 AM Wednesday Bible Study 7:00 PM 401 Northgate • Pendleton 278-8082 www.faithpendleton.org www.livingwordcc.com Community Presbyterian Churc h Faith Center Church Worshiping God • Loving People 14 Martin Drive, Umatilla, OR 922-3250 108 S. Main • 276-9569 Sunday School 9:30 am Sunday Worship 10:30 am Sr. Pastor, Ray O’Grady pendletonfaithcenter.org Worship: 10 AM Sunday School at 11:30 Family service 9am Sunday -Presbyterian Church (USA)- 201 SW Dorion Ave. Pendleton Service of Worship - 10:00 am Children’s Sunday School - 10:20 am Fellowship - 11:00 am www.pendletonpresbyterian.com Open Hearted...Open Minded 241 SE Second St. Pendleton (541)276-3809 www.pendletonepiscopal.org Sunday Morning Worship 9:00 a.m. Wednesday Worship Noon Wednesday Evening Prayer and Pot Luck 6:00 p.m. All Are Welcome Come meet Jesus at PENDLETON BAPTIST CHURCH 3202 S.W. Nye Avenue, Pendleton, OR 541-276-7590 Sunday Morning Worship 8:30 & 11:00 AM Sunday Bible Classes 9:45 AM Sunday Youth Group 6:00 PM Awana Kids Club Tuesdays 6:30 - 8:00 PM K - 6th Grade (Sept-May) P eace L utheran C hurch 210 NW 9th, Pendleton ELCA Join us Sundays 9:30 Sunday Worship 9:30 am am Sunday Worship 10:30 am Fellowship 11:00 am Sunday School & Adult Class Sharon Miller, Pastor ( Oregon Trail Room ) Red Lion Hotel All People Are Welcome Scripture, Tradition and Reason 712 SW 27th Pendleton 541-276-1894 www.fcogpendleton.com Bible Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9:00 AM Sunday Worship . . . . . . . . . . . 10:30 AM St. Johns Episcopal Church ~Come and be at Peace~ on 1290 KUMA noon each Sunday Seventh-Day Adventist Churc h Saturday Services Pendleton 1401 SW Goodwin Place 276-0882 Sabbath School 9:20 am Worship Service 10:45 am GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH Services Sunday School 9:45 a.m. Sunday 11:00 a.m. & 6:00 p.m. Wednesday 7:00 p.m. 2809 S.W. Goodwin Ave. • Pendleton 541-276-3031 Sunday Worship Services: 9 a.m. & 10:45 a.m. First United Methodist Churc h 352 SE 2nd St., Pendleton, O R Office 276-2616 New Pastor Dr. Jim Pierce Worship Service 9:00 AM Fellowship 10:15 AM Broadcast KUMA 11:00 AM Childcare Available Choir practice Sundays 8:30 AM BAHA’I FAITH “The Unity of All Mankind” Pendleton Baha’i Center at 1015 SE Court Place Devotions Sundays @ 11:00am; Everyone invited! (541) 276-9360 visit us at www.pendletonbahais.org 585 SW Birch, Pilot Rock, OR 97868 (541) 443-2500 prbconline.blogspot.com Sunday School: 9:30 am Worship Service: 10:45 am Wednesday Services: Kids’ Club: 6:00 pm Youth Group: 7:00 pm To share your worship times call Amanda Jacobs 541-278-2683