Religious Violence Archives - Universal Life Church Monastery Blog

What is a Fatwa? Experts Say Salman Rushdie Attack Obscures True Meaning

August 19th, 2022

Islamic scholars are hoping to clarify the true meaning of the word fatwa, which they say has been distorted by the notorious fatwa issued against author Salman Rushdie in 1989, which calls for his death. Continue Reading »

Posted in: Political & Religious Controversy | 46 Comments »

School Apologizes for Teaching that Jews Killed Jesus

March 10th, 2021

"Jewish leaders wanted Jesus to be guilty," and the depiction of Jews as a bloodthirsty mob are not things you'd expect your child to learn at school. One mother was shocked to find out that was indeed the case. Continue Reading »

Posted in: Political & Religious Controversy | 94 Comments »

French Teen Receives Death Threats After Viral Video Mocking Islam

February 14th, 2020

A French teen is at the center of a national controversy after she criticized Islam on Instagram. For that rant, she received hundreds of death threats, begging the question: Should we be able to blaspheme with impunity? Continue Reading »

Posted in: Political & Religious Controversy | 51 Comments »

Vigilantes Flood Streets of NYC to Fight Anti-Semitism

January 6th, 2020

Following a slew of anti-Semitic attacks in and around New York City in recent weeks, a group of vigilantes known as the Guardian Angels is taking to the streets to provide protection to the Jewish community. Continue Reading »

Posted in: Political & Religious Controversy | 32 Comments »

Study: Fearing Reprisal, One-Third of Jews Publicly Hide Their Faith

October 25th, 2019

A recent survey shows that a significant portion of Jews are avoiding wearing the Star of David, skullcaps, and other religious markers in public, fearing reprisal due to increased antisemitism. Continue Reading »

Posted in: Political & Religious Controversy, Life and Death | 36 Comments »

Following Mass Shootings, Churches Arm Congregants

August 26th, 2019

After a seemingly never-ending series of violent attacks on religious institutions, some churches aren't leaving anything to chance. Meet the churches who are arming their congregants. Continue Reading »

Posted in: Christian, Life and Death | 105 Comments »

Fearing Overlap with White Supremacy, Group of Christian Leaders Renounce Christian Nationalism

August 12th, 2019

A group of influential Christian leaders recently endorsed a letter renouncing Christian nationalism. They say the link between Christian nationalism and right-wing extremism is too strong to ignore any longer. Continue Reading »

Posted in: Christian | 115 Comments »

Churches Beefing Up Security in Response to Recent Attacks

June 4th, 2019

After a flurry of violent attacks, churches are increasing security measures. But not all agree that armed guards and metal detectors are congruent with Christ. Continue Reading »

Posted in: Life and Death | 22 Comments »

‘Punish a Muslim Day’ Letters Send Panic Through U.K.

March 15th, 2018

Copies of an anonymous letter declaring April 3 “Punish a Muslim Day” have generated waves of anxiety in Muslim communities throughout the United Kingdom. The letters even include a table awarding point values for specific acts of violence against Muslims: 25 points for pulling off a woman’s head scarf, 500 for killing a Muslim person, and 1,000 for bombing a mosque. Continue Reading »

Posted in: Political & Religious Controversy | 17 Comments »

Hate Crimes Against Jews on the Rise

January 22nd, 2018

When someone mentions a hate crime, you probably picture an abhorrent act fueled by racist or homophobic sentiments. Recent data reveal that in some places, the group most likely to be the victim of a hate crime is Jews. Continue Reading »

Posted in: LGBTQ & Human Rights | 125 Comments »

The Universal Life Church Ministries proudly welcomes all who feel called to get ordained, regardless of creed. We enable all faiths; Christian, Jewish, Mormon, Muslim, Pagan, Wiccan, Atheist – and more – to join our growing non-denominational congregation. Underlying everything we do is a simple core belief: that we are all children of the same universe.