Indonesian lawmakers today (Dec. 6) unanimously passed “a sweeping new criminal code that criminalizes sex outside marriage, a move that threatens human rights and could do serious damage to the Asian country’s tourism economy. The new code, which also applies to foreign residents and tourists, bans people from living together when they’re not married, bans apostasy (the renunciation of religious or political beliefs), and provides punishments for insulting the president or expressing views counter to the national ideology, CNN reports. Many countries around the world have old laws on the books that forbid gay marriage or other activities. But unanimously Read more
Islam
With travel at something of a standstill, I’m re-posting some prior blogs of mine. This one focuses on some marvellous, lesser-known places to explore in my home city. TORONTO – I walk up a flight of stairs and emerge into a wonderland. Swirling, intricately carved arches of brilliant white stone dance around my head. Soft blue lighting infuses the room with a deep glow, then turns green and yellow and soft orange. The light seeps around corners and plays onto brilliant white pillars that rise towards a series of equally stunning ceiling panels. I’m not a religious person, but the Read more
