Outcast by religion in Israel

Outcast by religion in Israel Sometimes religion can be the reason of a family break-up. Orthodox jews in Israël, for instance, can be completely ostracised when they decide to give up the faith of their parents.

Homophobia on the rise in the Muslim world

Salon: "As recent incidents in Iraq show, in many Islamic countries, gays are ostracized, persecuted, even murdered"

BBC Newsnight: The Rise of Israel's Military Rabbis (Part 1 of 2)

BBC Newsnight: The Rise of Israel's Military Rabbis (Part 1 of 2):


"September 7, 2009 on BBC Newsnight:

Israel's army is changing. Once proudly secular, its combat units are now filling with those who believe Israel's wars are "God's wars".

Military rabbis are becoming more powerful. Trained in warfare as well as religion, new army regulations mean they are now part of a military elite.

They graduate from officer's school and operate closely with military commanders. One of their main duties is to boost soldiers' morale and drive, even on the front line.

Israeli general warns of dangers of turning war into 'jihad'

This has caused quite some controversy in Israel. Should military motivation come from men of God, or from a belief in the state of Israel and keeping it safe?"

'Weekend jihadis'

BBC: "In the villages of Afghanistan, many young men are working for the government during the week, but fighting for the Taliban at weekends."