RELIGION AND PUBLIC LIFE - October 23, 2014

 

October 23, 2014

Fact Tank
Americans of all ages divided over doctor-assisted suicide laws

Brittany Maynard, a 29-year-old woman with terminal brain cancer, has gone public with her plans to take her own life soon after her husband’s birthday on Oct. 26; she is using her story to make the case for more widespread laws allowing doctor-assisted suicide for terminally ill patients. Maynard moved to Oregon, one of five states that allow the practice, in order to obtain medication for the purpose of ending her life. A Pew Research Center survey conducted last year found that two-thirds of Americans say there are circumstances in which a patient should be allowed to die, as opposed to doctors and nurses always doing everything possible to save the life of a patient. But U.S. adults are more divided about laws that allow doctor-assisted suicide for terminally ill patients, with 47% in favor of such laws and 49% opposed.  Read More>>

Fact Tank
Diwali, Hindu festival of lights, is celebrated by more than just Hindus

This week marks Diwali, the annual Hindu festival of lights. In India and elsewhere, the joyous holiday – a major event that coincides with the new year on some calendars – is often marked by gifts of dried fruit and nuts and the lighting of fireworks, lamps and other lights. In the U.S., seven-in-ten Indian Americans say they celebrate Diwali, according to a 2012 Pew Research Center survey of Asian Americans. This includes most Indian-American Hindus (95%) and nearly half of those who are not Hindus (45%).  Read More>>

Media Mentions

As Brazilians drift away from Catholicism, Virgin Mary procession as popular as ever
Oct. 17 - Religion News Service
In an article about Cirio de Nazare, Brazil’s largest religious event, Religion News Service highlights a Pew Research report about Brazil's religion landscape and interviews Alan Cooperman, director of religion research.

In the News

'The devil is after him': Everything we know about the Ottawa shooting suspect
Oct. 23 - Buzzfeed

How Hindu-Americans are using Diwali to teach about the faith
Oct. 23 - Huffington Post

Mormon Church peels back mystery of sacred undergarments
Oct. 22 - The Washington Post *

Pope Francis plays long game to reform Catholic Church
Oct. 22 - Reuters

Waves of young Israelis find a home in the former Nazi capital
Oct. 21 - The Washington Post *

France moves to clarify the rules on full veil
Oct. 20 - The New York Times *

Voyeur case spurs rabbis to add post for women
Oct. 20 - The New York Times *

Pope Francis beatifies and earlier reformer, Paul VI
Oct. 19 - The New York Times *

Conservative cardinal who clashed with Pope Francis confirms he has been ousted
Oct. 17 - BuzzFeed

Pakistani Christian loses appeal against death sentence for blasphemy
Oct. 17 - Reuters