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French Government Proposes Greater Control Over Religion

Proposed government regulations that may lead to strict controls over minority faith traditions in France have raised the ire of many religious groups.

Adopted in separate forms by the French Senate and National Assembly, the measures would establish new restrictions on proselytizing and punish religious groups that violate vague personal "liberties."

Although the efforts have drawn criticism from the Vatican and the United States government, French officials have proceeded undeterred. "In Europe, we're more likely to consider that fundamental liberties should have fixed, legal limits," said Denis Barthelemy, secretary-general of the Interministerial Mission on Combating Sects, a French government task force. "We support the right to enter a religion, but also the right to leave it, and the right for individuals who have been swindled to claim reparations."

The French government has closely followed the activities of religious minorities since the suicides of 16 members of an apocalyptic cult known as the Order of the Solar Temple in 1994.

Indian Officials Ban Meat In State Guesthouses

Several official guesthouses throughout India have become meat free for one year in honor of the founder of the Jainist religion.

Officials in Gujarat state said the decision to ban nonvegetarian meals in the state-run guesthouses, effective May 1, has been instituted to pay homage to Lord Mahavir, who founded Jainism in the sixth century B.C. "The ban has been ordered as a mark of respect to Lord Mahavir, whose 2,600th anniversary is being observed throughout the country," said H.P. Jamdar, the state's principal secretary for roads and buildings.

According to Religion News Service, the ban will go into effect throughout Gujarat, which is governed by the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party. The restriction on meat will join the existing prohibition on alcohol in guesthouses, created to honor Mohandas Gandhi, who opposed alcohol consumption.