11) World Database of Happiness
12) World Values Survey Results

13) The picturesque city of Strasbourg has become known as the red light district of Alsace
14) An update from “This Week in the EU” (June 29 – July 6)
15) An update from “This Week in the EU” (July 6 – 12)
16) Mitterrand’s Nephew Joins Sarkozy Cabinet
17) Churches Partner With Police Against Crime
18) The Church of Scientology is facing dissolution in France
19) New Slovak Language Law Seen as Discriminatory by Hungarian Critics
20) L’Oreal Guilty of Racial Bias

by Beatriz Bistué Garcés
Accessed July 9, 2009

http://www.cafebabel.com/eng/tag/2/Soci%C3%A9t%C3%A9/

Total for May’09 = 8.9%
15-24 year-olds = 19.5%
Above 24 years = 7.5%

by Sebastien Gobert
Accessed July 9, 2009

http://www.cafebabel.com/eng/tag/2/Soci%C3%A9t%C3%A9/

“Hundreds of thousands of workers took to the streets of European capitals over the weekend as the economic crisis squeezes wages and jobs across the continent in a series of official actions led by European trade union leaders.

“Some 350,000 people marched through the streets of Berlin (100,000), Brussels (40,000), Madrid (50,000) and Prague (20,000), with smaller demonstrations elsewhere, including Birmingham (7,000) and Bucharest (5,000 – 10,000), according to figures from the European Trade Union Confederation.

“The size of these Euro-demonstrations reveals the widespread concerns for the future.”

“At this stage of the global systemic crises’ process of development, contrary to the dominant political and media stance today, the LEAP/E2020 team does not foresee any economic upsurge after summer 2009…On the contrary, because the origins of the crisis remain unaddressed, we estimate that the summer 2009 will be marked by the converging of three very destructive ‘rouge waves’, illustrating the aggravation of the crisis and entailing major upheaval by September/October 2009. As always since this crisis started, each region of the world will be affected neither at the same moment, nor in the same way. However, according to our researchers, all of them will be concerned by a significant deterioration in their situation by the end of summer 2009.”

“76% of Europeans estimate that the crisis will not be over by 2012.” (GlobalEurometre June 2009)

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/features/2009/0527/1224247489502.html

May 27, 2009

“As our lives get busier and busier there is less and less time for quiet spiritual contemplation…many of us no longer have time to drop into the local church for a moment of prayer…This, coupled with the fact that few churches open late these days, means more people are turning to the web for their spiritual fix. It’s private, open 24/7 and offers a range of services to suit every creed.

“Sacredspace.ie, the Jesuit prayer site, was set up 10 years ago…It asks you to find ‘sacred space’, 10 minutes for prayer in your day.

“Mount Argus (at Mountargusparish.ie) is one of seven Catholic churches that have signed up to Churchservices.tv which broadcasts its Masses [in Ireland]…’It means for instance, if you’re doing a funeral, that mourners abroad can participate in the service. This is of great consolation to mourners who can’t attend in person.’

“Online services offer an immediate connection for those who want to experience a sense of community in their faith, says Cliodhna Doyle, a member of St Augustine’s online congregation…It’s the sense of community that draws her in.

“‘Imagine a church with no cobwebs, leaking roof or even church building. That’s where you are right now. Welcome to St Pixel’s.’ This is the opening statement of an online church initiated by founding member, Stephen Goddard, which received sponsorship from the Methodist Church in Britain.

“… ‘From feedback there is definite evidence that people who lost interest in physically going to church have found a place for themselves online,’ explains David Webster, their internet communications co-ordinator.”

Excerpts from an article by Eekhoff Zylstra
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2009/june/5.11.html

May 20, 2009

“Under an anti-discrimination directive passed by the European Union Parliament in April, Christian churches, schools, and social services in Europe cannot limit their membership to those who share their beliefs. The directive, which the parliament passed by a 360-277 vote, must be passed unanimously by member states for it to become law.

“The directive expands anti-discrimination protection beyond employment to health care, social benefits, education, and ‘access to goods and services.’ Originally intended to protect the disabled, the proposal was expanded to include discrimination against religion and belief, age, or sexual orientation. Exemptions in the draft legislation for ‘organizations based on religion and belief’ were removed before the final vote.

“The fear of religion could be a factor leading to this legislation [EU directive, not nationally legislated], says Don Horrocks, head of public affairs for the European Evangelical Alliance, along with religious illiteracy and a secularism that sees no place for religion in the public square.

“The directive demonstrates that toleration is inadequate when compared with liberty, said Richard Land, who serves on the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom. If a government chooses only to tolerate religious expression, instead of defending it as a right, then it can just as easily choose to not tolerate it, he said.”

http://www.cafebabel.com/eng/tag/2/Soci%C3%A9t%C3%A9/2/

“With more than 20 mosques, 30 catholic churches, 13 protestant churches, 9 synagogues and 10 Buddhist temples, many believe that the creation of an Islamic theology department would solve the problem of integration. Such an establishment is not permitted in secular France; but with a local statute and the system of ‘recognised faiths’, it can be in Strasbourg.”