religion
What is the difference between a revolution and a coup d’etat?
In the midst of the popular revolts which have seen the fall of dictatorships across the Arab world, almost 31 years have passed since the events of '23-F', an attempted coup d’état against the Spanish government on 23 February 1981
religion, democratisation, violence, revolution, politics, army, spain
Turkey: army and Kurdish 'toxins' flushed
For more than a month now a new broom has been sweeping clean the streets of Istanbul – as well as the country's football and armed forces. But who’s wielding the broom? What ‘rubbish’ are they trying to get rid of? ‘Turkey eats dirt’ is cafebabel.com's response to the summer ‘dust up’ by the Turkish authorities. Read the second of three articles in a series on the shake-up of the nation, about an army which resigns
religion, discrimination, turkey, religion and democracy, recep tayyip erdogan, politics, society
Holy wow!
Are you more a Sacre bleu! or a Gosh-Golly-Goodness squealer? Do you Mamma Mia! or prefer a bit of Jesus Christ in that equation? Blasphemy and the art of exasperation are part and parcel of the phrase of the week, as seen through cafebabel.com's six official tongues
Pope Benedict XVI in Madrid: Habemus (50 million euros worth of) controversy
There were two opposing faces to world youth day 2011, which was celebrated in Madrid between 18 and 21 August. Crowds of enthusiastic young people dressed in yellow sang in various cities whilst the highest authority within the catholic church was visiting. Why did this year’s event spark anger amongst a large sector of the population?
religion, youth, madrid, crise économique, spain, society, pope benedict xvi
Pigs can fly or the pope is green
Does Benedict XVI really have green fingers? He’s been branded the ‘green pope’ for his advocacy of global environmental protection for years – but is it merited?
religion, italy, green cities, energy, environmental protection, green europe on the ground, rome
Pope Benedict on TV on 22 April: church in crisis?
5pm on Good Friday or 22 April 2011. That's when the pope will make an appearance on Rai 1, the most popular television channel in Italy. The revolution in the catholic church follows suit from pope John Paul II. Television is a powerful means of communication where matters of faith and religion can be discussed; Joseph Ratzinger is taking it one step further by not only participating in the programme, but being open to questions
religion, papa benedetto xvi, chiesa, josef ratzinger, media, catholicism, television
Satan Scientologist Claus is coming to town
This year we're not even going to say the word. But we'll talk about every freaky thing else. Did you hear about the Assemblies of God, the world's sixth largest Christian denomination, pointing out that 'Santa' is an anagram of 'Satan'? From the metaphysical battle between spiritualists and exorcists in Spain to the open arms of the branches of Scientology in Brussels via the Virgin who, well, appears in Ireland. You may say it's science fiction, but some prefer to call it truth. That's what we've prepared for as we wish you a happy end to this ... 25 December
- Read the special edition Satan Scientologist Claus is coming to town
- From Hogwarts, Narnia and Mordor to the European Union
- Salvador Martín: 'Paranormal will be normal as soon as we rid ourselves of prejudices'
- Orwell, Bradbury, K. Dick fantasies are our realities
- Brussels: 'There are many more scientologists than we think'
- 'She’s angry' in Ireland: Virgin Mary makes Youtube debut
- Spain’s Satan lovers
Hannukah fun-ukah
Christmas markets, singing angels, hectic shopping and chocolate Santas. Traditional jews don’t have any of that Christ-plus-hype. They celebrate Hannukah instead and down oil rather than sweets
World's tallest jesus and crossing out secularism in Poland
Every country has its own vision of secularism.In late November, a 51-metre Jesus Christ statue was erected in western Poland, 14 metres taller than its colleague in Rio de Janeiro. Though privately funded, the Polish state is still looking for that perfect balance between sacrum and profanum in the public domain - takes its various crossings with the cross
religion, warsaw, secularity, jaroslaw kaczynski, civil society, poland, religion and democracy
Knecht Ruprecht and his motley crew of Christmas meanies
Santa Claus is coming to town...and so what? Europe’s christmas traditions don’t always bring nice surprises
religion, italy, tower of babel, christmas, germany, children, translation
Berlin: Eid al-Adha is our christmas
It's early in the morning. Kreuzberg lays silent in the drizzling rain under the grey sky of Berlin. It is a November day like every other - and special for the more than 4 million muslims in Germany
Press review pope Benedict XVI: condom statements
In an interview, pope Benedict XVI accepted the use of condoms in individual cases to prevent infection with HIV. Critics have welcomed this concession but doubt that it signals a fundamental change of direction for the catholic church
religion, religion and democracy, euweek, vatican, society, pope benedict xvi
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I: ‘Young people in Europe feel unsafe’
He speaks seven languages, he’s down with the green cause and he’s the leader of the global orthodox movement which in Europe exists in the east, north and the Mediterranean, but he resides in Istanbul. Interview with the spiritual leader of 300 million worldwide. cafebabel.com in Athens and Istanbul meet the man
Building a mosque in Warsaw: is it all trouble and strife?
Muslims in Poland go back several centuries, beginning with the arrival of tatar settlers in the eastern reaches of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. The muslim community in Poland has only recently begun attracting attention, with the building of a mosque financed by a Saudi sponsor in the Warsaw district of Ochota. Not everyone is happy
religion, identity, racism, immigration, warsaw, catholicism, populism
Sorry, we’re women: inside Istanbul’s modern-traditional Blue Mosque
Guards make sure that everyone picks up a carrier bag and takes their shoes off before placing even a toe onto the carpeted steps of the Blue Mosque. We’re three German, British and Polish tourists who have come prepared with headscarves, but inside we see lots of bare-headed female tourists
Spain ‘aggressively secular’ according to Pope
On his two-day trip to Spain Benedict XVI drew parallels to the situation in the 1930s. Spanish, Belgian and Dutch commentators are divided on his comments - vilifying or justified? Press review
religion, vatican, press review, spain, society, pope benedict xvi
Islam for beginners: first stop Istanbul
Hanging out on the streets of Turkey’s European capital can be an exotic experience for those who haven’t had too much contact with islamic culture. University lecturer and islamic history expert Anas Eryarsoy takes us though everything we wanted to know, but were too afraid to ask
religion, best of cafebabel.com, turkey, burqa, stamboul, islamophobia, islam
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