The report states that Government rhetoric and actions created a threatening atmosphere for nearly all non-Shia religious groups, most notably for Bahais, as well as for Sufi Muslims, evangelical Christians, Jews, and Shia groups not sharing the government's official religious views. Bahai and Christian groups reported arbitrary arrests, prolonged detentions, and confiscation of property. Government-controlled broadcast and print media continued negative campaigns against religious minorities, particularly Bahais. All religious minorities suffered varying degrees of officially sanctioned discrimination, particularly in the areas of employment, education, and housing. Bahais continued to experience expulsions from, or denial of admission to, universities.

This report was compiled by the U.S. Department of State for 2012. The study found that the government increased its targeting and surveillance of members of faith groups it deemed a "threat," including members of the country's Sunni majority. This occurred concurrently with the escalation of the civil conflict that resulted in the regime killing 35,000 civilians between the start of the uprising in 2011 and year's end. Such targeting included killing, detention, and harassment. There were credible reports that the regime targeted citizens based on religious affiliation in mixed neighborhoods in Homs and rural Aleppo. The government outlawed groups it claimed were "Muslim extremist groups," as well as Jehovah's Witnesses. It continued to monitor the activities of all religious groups and to discourage proselytizing, which it deemed a threat to relations among and within different faiths.

The great scholar of Islam directly confronts the events of September 11th and the reasons behind Islamic terrorism in the modern world - a Sunday Times bestseller. President Bush has made it clear that we are engaged in a war against terrorism. But for Osama bin Laden and his followers this is religious war, a war for Islam against infidels, especially the United States, the greatest power in the world of the infidels. In this book Bernard Lewis shows us where the anger and frustration have come from, and the extent to which almost the entire Muslim world is affected by poverty and tyranny. He looks at the influence of extreme Wahhabist doctrines in the Saudi kingdom, where custodianship of Islam's holy places and the revenues of oil have given worldwide impact to what would otherwise have been an extremist fringe in a marginal country. He looks at American double standards, which have long caused Muslim anger, and tells us the real meaning of `Islamic fundamentalism', `jihad' and `fatwa', and why the peoples of the Middle East are conscious of history in a way most Americans find difficult to understand.

Bernard Piffy, private detective, was hired by the boys at Joe's Bar and Grille and Gun Club to track down the notorious Dallas cabdriver, Yaser Abdel Said, who had murdered his daughers, Sarah and Amina Said, in a fit of Islamic rage and had then fled the country for parts unknown. Piffy was not a hard-boiled private eye; no one would mistake him for Mike Hammer or Shell Scott but he had been a three-time Junior Calf-Roping Champion, had won dozens of Skeet-Shooting Championships before he was twelve years old and had been a close-combat instructor in the Marine Corps. He had wrestled alligators and had once beat Mike Hammer in arm-wrestling. He went to Dallas and on a dark and stormy night he met Ka'b bin al-Ashraf who told Piffy he could take him to the soul of Yaser Abdel Said. It was the beginning of an incredible adventure. Ka'b had been dead for 1,400 years, murdered by Mohammad bin Muslama on orders from the Prophet (Bukhari 5-369). The trail would lead to England--to the Birmingham Central Mosque; to Abu Hamza al-Masri; to Archbishop Rowan Williams; to Inspector Jean-Jacques Rousseau; to assorted jinns, Jihadists, monsters and leprechauns and to a ten-year-old Muslim girl that would become the apple of a ten-year-old Junior Calf-Roping Champion's eye.

A book written to promote thought in God. There are many who would say that their religion is correct. while simply ignoring the violence of the past. Why can they simply state that they are right based on one book. More Over how can they make god so small. These are my travels through faith. This is my memoirs and how I dealt with my faith in God over that of religion. For those who would just read the superficial they will only get a very small view of what tis actually being stated in this book. In the broadest sense of this book I am promoting women's civil rights. For the greatest offenders in the world of women's rights are religious based. There will be those who want to state that this is an Atheist book. It is not plain and simple.

This book begins with a description of what it was like to grow up Catholic in the middle part of the 20th century. It then follows the author's journey as a teacher in Catholic Education and describes the different way that modern Catholic children are being educated. It traces her growth into a personal spirituality, which leads her to question many of the Catholic Church's teachings, especially those to do with sexual and reproductive matters. Finally, it asks Catholic women to take on the responsibility of changing the Catholic Church themselves. It is a nostalgic, educational, stimulating and challenging read by a wife, a mother, a teacher and somebody who has thought deeply about spirituality.

Its publication now in pamphlet form is due to its delivery at Harper's Ferry, W. Va., on Decoration day, 1881, and to the fact that the proceeds from the sale of it are to be used toward the endowment of a John Brown Professorship in Storer College, Harper's Ferry-an institution mainly devoted to the education of colored youth. That such an address could be delivered at such a place, at such a time, is strikingly significant, and illustrates the rapid, vast and wonderful changes through which the American people have been passing since 1859. Twenty years ago Frederick Douglass and others were mobbed in the city of Boston, and. driven from Tremont Temple for uttering sentiments concerning. John Brown similar to those contained in this address. Yet now he goes freely to the very spot where John Brown committed the offense which caused all Virginia to clamor for his life, and without reserve or qualification, commends him as a hero and martyr in the cause of liberty.

In this volume, Maleak and Jaeqwan stumble upon a tent revival where they learn for the first time that "same sex" relationships are considered inappropriate from a religious perspective. Maleak shows anger as he refuses to blindly accept the demise of his family who demonstrate nothing but love for all. Understanding that people have different beliefs, the adults decide to meet a spiritual guru to address the matter. While gaining information about religion and spirituality, one of the adults shocks everyone with a surprising request. Read on to learn what happened with Maleak, Jaeqwan and the surprise request. Maleak Goes to Church is the third book of the "My Mom's a Stud" series created and written by Sonorra McMath. The series was designed to address adult topics from a child's perspective. It is designed for anyone seeking a non-threatening way to facilitate discussions surrounding civil rights challenges including racism, sexual harassment, bullying, oppression, and hate crimes. The series was specifically created for those seeking a better understanding of the LGBTQ community. The writing segment is a great start for anyone interested in becoming an author. Improving upon writing skills, exercising creativity, and increasing knowledge and acceptance of others also increases a sense of self-worth. Open dialogue is important and encouraged. Develop the story line using the words and cultural experiences of those involved. Share your knowledge, write a segment, or assist in whatever way that is most comfortable for you, your family, or your client/group. Send your completed version of the workbook to the Sonorra with an additional fee, and she will create an edited version of the book. Your name will show as a co-author of the book, and your friends will be able to purchase the book directly from the distributor (see details inside). These books are well received by male and female children and adults from all backgrounds and cultures. Enjoy your experience.

The belief that a supreme power guides and embraces humanity has existed since primeval times. How that power is seen has been one of the greatest divisions between peoples and nations. Whether called God or by any other name, how that power is perceived is the theme that makes this work memorable.

Much of the confusion is caused by the Chinese government, which deceives journalists and foreign missionaries with promises of religious freedom that are never kept.

The truth is, the house churches of China are growing at a phenomenal rate. Never in the history of the world have so many people in such a short time left one belief system for another without a hostile revolution. Lives in China are being transformed daily by the gospel of Jesus Christ and the display of His miraculous power.

The Underground Church demystifies the Chinese house church movement, with real-life examples and personal testimonies from Chinese Christians. The movement's unique characteristics both good and bad are addressed, as well as how they have led to the church's astonishing growth.

Be amazed at what God is doing in China

Wrestling In Deep Waters is a book for all people. This book depicts the history of religious tolerance and growth. In the exploration of which we are as people, this book, Wrestling In Deep Waters, dramatizes the struggle we-as humans-have had. Even now many are having to struggle in the continued progress of living. This book, Wrestling In Deep Waters, is a book of encouragement. God in this book wants us to hold on to the power he has given us. God wants us to see that it is his power that helps us with our wrestles in these "old deep waters." This Book, Wrestling In Deep Waters, is a great book for those of us that are "saved" embracing the benefits of God's saving grace. And, finally, Wrestling In Deep Waters as a great book wants to help the "unsaved" to know salvation; whereas, they can decide for themselves if they want to be "saved," resting in the loving arms of a gentle Savior.

Margaret Murray was an anthropologist who upset the comfortable consensus of her day with the idea that Western Europe did not convert 'en masse' to Christianity. Using contemporary accounts she was able to show that, while European rulers and nobles were successfully targeted by Christian missionaries, the majority of the population held tenaciously to the Old Religion. These far older beliefs centred upon the worship of Cernunnos, the figure of a male, horned god. The result was centuries of conflict between Christianity and 'Paganism' in which the adherents of the Cross gradually gained the ascendant. And following the general principle that 'the God of the old religion becomes the Devil of the new', the Christian 'Evil One' was given the characteristics of the pagan deity - horns and all. Those who stubbornly held to the Old Ways were seen as devil-worshippers, witches, followers of the left-hand path who fully deserved the stake and death by purging fire. Margaret Murray gives a convincing account of this God of the witches, and shows how many famous characters in European history - among them William Rufus, Joan of Arc and Thomas a Beckett - must be counted as members of The Old Religion. A book for all those interested in the roots of Wicca and neo-paganism.

'PTSD, A Lesser Known Kind: Surviving Religious Dogma, ' 2013 (formerly titled 'PTSD of a Lesser Known Kind: An Allegory, ' 2011), re-titled its new name in the spring of 2013, is a very unusual and complex hybrid of fiction and nonfiction. Coming from a violent, loveless upbringing, Alan, aka Tokee, took to interstate hitchhiking and train-hopping at an early age. Every city, every town, every village he came upon, deep within his soul there was this tantalizing expectation that maybe this is the place or maybe that is the place where he can finally fit, where he can finally feel the security of true parental love. Oh did he long for that frustratingly elusive love. Ironically, it was that hunger for love which made the young traveler so vulnerable. As the unloved inner child incessantly groaned in screaming silence for love and found it not, Alan, as he was called for most his life, reverted to the thing he had always turned to as a child when violated by his parents, by his uncle and thereafter by sadistic attendants in an institution for boys, namely FANTASY. Truly, fantasy had become Alan's sole refuge, his unfailing source of comfort, his safe haven from the strange cruelness he had known. The insecure 19-year-old hobo then surrendered to the greatest fantasy of all, Christianity. It was a fantasy readymade with a father, virgin mother, supernatural son---the whole fam'. At last Now he had found his place Now Alan had found what he yearned for all his life, family acceptance, and infinitely more, loving parental figures from another world who loved him unconditionally. Yet there is no such thing as 'unconditional love' in the elaborate illusion that is Christianity. Quite the contrary, it is based upon very specific, very conditional demands which absolutely must be met if one is to continue finding family acceptance with "God." When Alan began to recognize that conditional love is not love at all---i. e. "do this or else "---he became overwhelmed with hurt and rebellion. And the more the lies of Christianity became exposed, the angrier he got. This went on till an implosive, irreconcilable end came. The tumultuousness of that severing also resulted in Alan's suffering a form of PTSD, A Lesser Known Kind. This is the fictional lead of this tale. The nonfictional side, roughly half of this book, is the animated polemic against Christianity by the author. And that, rest assured, speaks in no uncertain terms for itself.

This novel is historical fiction. It's setting is the Spanish Inquisition and Spain's reconquest from the Arabs. Described are Spain's monarchs efforts to create a country of pure blood and one faith (Catholicism). To this end non Christians were expelled and their wealth retained. Spain became an elitist society, self-segregated and closed minded religion. Casiano, a Christian knight and Perla, a Converso Jewess are fictional. They are subjected to the cruelties of self-serving Church and Kings. Perla is arrested for heresy but is rescued from the stake by Casiano. They escape to live in freedom, away from Church and Crown.