Table of Contents

Foreword 11

Introduction 14

Chapter 1 Religious Developments Around the World

1 Pentecostal Christianity Is Growing Throughout the World: Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life 20

2 China is Experiencing a Religious Revival Paul Webster 31

3 In New Zealand, Buddhism Is Experiencing Rapid Growth Vanessa Walker 40

4 Filipinos Seek Greater Understanding of Muslims Bernardo M. Villegas 50

5 In the United States, Efforts at Jewish-Muslim Understanding Increase Allan C. Brownfeld 56

6 Atheism Is Growing in the United States Andrew Sullivan 64

7 In Latin America. Established Religions and Sects Threaten Indigenous Cultures Diego Cevallos 70

Periodical Bibliography 78

Chapter 2 Religion, Science, and Education

1 Europe Supports Secular Education Roy W. Brown 80

2 Scottish Students Study Religion Andrew Collier 86

3 American Researchers Believe Religion: Is an Evolutionary Asset: The Independent 93

4 In Europe, Creationism Must Be Curbed Peter C. Kjærgaard 99

5 In Europe, Creationism Is Defended Daniel Steinvorth Harun Yahya 106

6 In Canada, Religious Beliefs Can Be Overridden by End-of-Life Medical Decisions Jonathan Rasenblum 112

Periodical Bibliography 118

Chapter 3 Religion and Politics

1 Religious Fundamentalism May Decline in Iran Sadegh Zibakalam 120

2 The Russian Government Restricts Religious Freedom Geraldine Fagan 126

3 Religious Freedom of Expression Is Threatened Worldwide AC Grayling 135

4 Danish Freedom of Expression Causes Global Political Unrest Global Agenda 140

5 In Israel, the Constitutional Rights of Freedom of Speech and Religion Must Be Protected Mike Decker 147

6 In Ireland, the Non-Religious Must Have a Political Voice Patsy McGarry 153

7 In Nigeria, Religion and State Should Be Separated Eze Enyeribe Onuoha 160

Periodical Bibliography 169

Chapter 4 Religion and Violence

1 Tibetan Buddhists Claim Oppression from China: His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama 171

2 China Claims the Dalai Lama Incites Violence Lu Hui 181

3 Iranian Bahá'í Suffer Persecution Jonathan Spollen 187

4 India Struggles with Violence Caused by Forced Religious Conversions Somini Sengupta 193

5 Religious Violence Still Plagues Northern Ireland David McKittrick 200

6 World Religious Leaders Work for Peace in South Asia: World Council of Churches, Christian Conference of Asia, and South Asian Councils of Churches 211

Periodical Bibliography 221

For Further Discussion 222

Organizations to Contact 224

Bibliography of Books 229

Index 233