China: Reincarnation w/o Government OK “Illegal and Invalid”

From the Times:

Tibet’s living Buddhas have been banned from reincarnation without permission from China’s atheist leaders. The ban is included in new rules intended to assert Beijing’s authority over Tibet’s restive and deeply Buddhist people.

“The so-called reincarnated living Buddha without government approval is illegal and invalid,” according to the order, which comes into effect on September 1.

Cardinal Lustiger Dead at 80

Cardinal Jean-Marie Lustiger, a convert from Judaism who went on to become archbishop of Paris and a member of the L’Académie Française has died. EJP. AP.

Googling God

Mike Hayes of Busted Halo and Googling God has a new book: Googling God: The Religious Landscape of People in their 20s and 30s. Cheaper at Amazon.

The Justice Department and Civil Rights

In recent years, the Justice Department has backed away from prosecuting civil rights cases involving abuse of authority. Example: the handling of the Texas Youth Commission.

Shakespeare in Houston

Houston Press review of this year’s Houston Shakespeare Festival.