Cross

From Muslim to Pagan
“Mum, Dad, I’m not a Muslim any more.” My mother looks up sharply, bristling with annoyance. “Don’t be ridiculous, of course you are.” My father doesn’t look up, assuming this is just the latest in a long line of pronouncements about religion that began with me age 10 spending a whole summer with a black scarf on my head to demonstrate my desire to become a Catholic nun. It was a phase that he was convinced would pass, like the Baha’i boyfriend or Bhangra-based Punjabi militancy. “You’re still culturally Muslim,” he said. I know the subtext of that: believe what you like in your heart but socially don’t run around telling family and friends that you’ve renounced the faith. Read full story from guardian.co.uk

Herbalists call for legal remedy to protect traditional medicines
MEDICAL herbalists say their profession is under threat and they will no longer be able to prescribe traditional remedies such as St John’s Wort unless urgent action is taken by the UK government to regulate the sector. Read full story from news.scotsman.com
A living God cries after visiting Tawang and seeing first hand how the Chinese militia massacred the Tibetans - can India rescue Tibet from Chinese communists?
Tibetan spiritual leader, the living God Dalai lama sadly speaks about his ‘‘dharma’’, his escape from Tibet 50 years ago and the warm welcome he received in India. He came, he saw, he wept for all Tibetans. No one is there to rescue the Tibetans from the dark forces of communist China and its militia. Read full story from indiadaily.com