Religion

But Hajj remains the most important pilgrimage in Islam, with all Muslims expected to carry out this journey at least once in their lives, with millions of Muslims attending annually.  This year with the ever-present threat of the coronavirus pandemic the Saudi Government is dramatically limiting the number of pilgrims coming into the country in an effort to avoid a super-spreading scenario, with so many people in such close proximity.  Saudi Arabia is currently observing over 2000 new cases of COVID-19 daily and has decided not to permit pilgrims from abroad until August.  Is Saudi Arabia right to restrict the 2020 Hajj to such a degree?  Is this decision as unprecedented as it seems in Islamic history?  Are they being needlessly cautious?  Who should get to decide who can or cannot make such an important pilgrimage?

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200727_06/

Are Saudi Arabia right to restrict the Hajj in 2020?

Islam is one of the most widely followed religions, having nearly a quarter of Earth’s inhabitants as followers, and is the world’s fastest growing faith.  What lessons can be taken from Islam and what theological or historical details make this religion so important to so many people today?

What can we learn from Islam?

During the 1st century CE until 380 CE Christianity spread from being an offshoot of the Jewish faith to the state religion of the Roman Empire.  Today Christianity has become the world’s largest religion, with 2.3 billion followers worldwide.  What facilitated the spread of this religion through the Roman Empire, causing it to transform from a persecuted minority to the official state religion, and did this lay the foundation for the major propagation of Christianity into new regions?

http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2017/04/05/christians-remain-worlds-largest-religious-group-but-they-are-declining-in-europe/

How did Christianity spread throughout the Roman Empire?

Religious groups such as the Roman Catholic Church and Scientology enjoy tax free status in many countries, while amassing multi-million dollar fortunes around the world.  Should this be allowed?

Should religious groups enjoy tax exempt status?

Many countries around the world have laws to prohibit religious groups from being involved in the governing of the country, while other countries openly govern according to a religious doctrine.  Which of these do you think is the better approach?