Free Republic

New government guidelines claim to “guarantee religious freedom”. But, apart from the odd new element, they reconfirm minute control over people, places and activities. Rome (AsiaNews) – With a highly detailed list of 48 rules and norms, the government of China has published new regulations on religious personnel, place and activities that will come into effect on March 1, 2005. The new guidelines, which appeared in Xinhua last December 18, replace the 1994 regulations for the administration of religious places. The first chapter affirms the state’s commitment to “guaranteeing religious freedom and harmony between religions and in society”. The text...

Lord of the Rings swept the Oscars showing Hollywood's hypocrisy. Many leftists have been critical of "The Passion of the Christ." Yet they have been silent on J.R.R. Tolkien's epic, even though he was a conservative Roman Catholic like Mel Gibson and filled his books with religious themes and references. Many are on the big screen as well, but maybe most people don't notice, being victims of the public education system. Of course, LOTR has made billions of dollars, so Hollywood is quiet. However, "The Passion of the Christ" broke all sorts of records at the box office, so I’m...