Britain has passed legislation that allows gay couples in the country to be joined in a civil union. A civil union is slightly different than marraige, but it does grant rights to gay couples. A good step towards equality at the very least.
Tolerance
16 Days of Activism
We’re in the midst of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence. A campaign that began in 1991, the 16 Days is held annually between November 25 (International Day Against Violence Against Women) and December 10 (International Human Rights Day). The period also incorporates World AIDS Day and the memorial anniversary of the Montreal Massacre on December 6. This year’s 16 Days theme is “For the health of women, for the health of the world: no more violence.”
The link provided above is a fabulous webpage that is well-worth exploring. Particular resources that stand out include, in PDF form, “Suggested Actions: 16 ideas for 16 days” as well as links that will provide you with more resources on both violence against women and on HIV/AIDS.
Take some time to explore these resources and learn how you can participate during the 16 Days, and also help educate people on these important issues.
Vatican Rejects “Intelligent Design Theory”
Fox Australia is reporting that the Vatican has declared evolution to be compatible with the bible. In a clear attack on fundamentalism and so-called “intelligent design”, a spokesperson for the pope said that the if one interprets the bible correctly, they will find plenty of room for Darwin’s famous theory.
Previously: Vatican respects science.
Vatican Says Yes to Science
The Vatican has urged the faithful followers of Catholicism to respect science. Cardinal Paul Poupard warns that religion risks becoming “fundamentalism” if scientific reason is ignored.
In a similar vein, Copernicus’ body has been found.
Female Firefighters in Iran
Iran has something that is unique for the Middle East: the only all-female firefighter squad.
From The Christian Science Monitor:
“Not every rescue requires a feminine touch. But in the Islamic Republic, which tolerates little public mixing of the genders, the 11 women here are breaking new ground and creating a model for cities across the country. They also represent a strain of pragmatic progressivism in Iran that is rarely matched elsewhere in the region.”