Religion

• Christian: Diocese of Texas Will Consecrate Female Bishop. [Houston Chronicle] The Rev. Dena Harrison will become the first female bishop in the Episcopal Church in Texas when she is consecrated. Harrison, 59, will serve as bishop suffragan, an assistant to Bishop Don Wimberly in the Houston-based Diocese of Texas. She served congregations in Austin, La Grange and Conroe before joining the diocesan staff as canon, handling administrative duties and various ministries.

• Christian: New Organization Forming for Christian Women. [Ledger Independent] A new organization seeks to unite Christian women as they aim to serve God through various means. United Women in Christ is an organization that spans churches and denominations, and county lines, to include all women, according to Elizabeth Smith, a member of Strawberry United Methodist Church in Flemingsburg.

• Christian: 'Matter of Time’ for Female Bishops. [The West Australian] Archdeacon Angela Webb believes it is only a matter of time before Perth’s Anglican community embraces female bishops — just don’t ask her to don the cassock. The Kensington rector and Curtin University visiting chaplain will put forward a motion at this weekend’s annual Perth diocese synod calling for recognition of women across the Anglican ministry as deacons, priests and, most controversially, bishops. While the motion is largely symbolic until the national Church approves, Archdeacon Webb said Perth had been the first diocese in the country to ordain female priests and there was no theological reason why they should not become bishops. A tribunal of the national Church is considering whether individual dioceses should be allowed to make their own decisions on female bishops.

• Christian: English People: 'Should God be Perceived as Male or Female?' [Sabah, Turkey] It was claimed that one of the main reasons of domestic violence is because people perceive God as male in Christian belief. According to a report prepared by England's Archbishop Dr. Rowan Williams; "Responding to Domestic Abuse", misinterpreting religion causes domestic abuse and one of the main misinterpretations is that in the English language, God is considered as a "he" which causes people to perceive God as male. Dr. Williams said: "We mention God as "he", and we call God "Lord". The Virgin Mary symbolizes the passivism of women and in matrimonies women take an oath to "obey" their husbands. For all these reasons governments are having hard times preventing domestic violence."

• Christian: ‘God Can Use Anyone': Installation of Female Pastor a 1st. [Jackson Clarion Ledger] “My mother has always instilled in her children that you can be anything," said Rev. Audrey Hall., the first woman to lead a Jackson church in this historically black denomination. "God can use anyone." Hall's congregation will formally install her as pastor Sunday. The move breaks from an entrenched tradition in the Missionary Baptist church, which typically teaches that God calls only men to lead churches. "There's a whole lot of tension for women who feel called to preach," said Shayne Lee, a Tulane University sociology professor. "It's a rough environment, even a hostile environment." No women have ever led any of the 71 churches in the Jackson District Association of Missionary Baptist churches, said the group's moderator, the Rev. Jesse Sutton Jr.

• Islam: Australian Cleric Refuses to Quit Over "Meat" Sermon. [Reuters] Australia's top Muslim cleric, suspended from preaching after describing women who do not dress modestly as "uncovered meat", rejected calls to resign on Friday, saying he would not go until the White House was cleaned out. Sheikh Taj El-Din Hamid Hilaly, the mufti of Australia's biggest mosque in Sydney, angered community and political leaders and divided Australia's 280,000 Muslims over the comments, made in a Ramadan sermon a month ago but only reported this week. Hilaly attended prayers at the Lakemba Mosque on Friday but did not give the sermon. Surrounded by dozens of supporters as he left the mosque, Hilaly said he would not resign. "After we clean the world of the White House first," he said when asked directly by reporters when he would stand down.

• Islam: Female Imams in German Mosques Get a Mixed Reception. [Deutsche Welle, Germany] Turkey's religious council has already sent 13 women to Germany to serve in mosques. There have been requests for more, even if some reject teaching from a woman. When Amina Wadud, professor of Islamic studies at the Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, led a Friday prayer for Muslims of both genders in New York last year, conservative Muslims from around the world responded with outrage and religious leaders in Egypt and Saudi Arabia even spoke of an American conspiracy. Supporting Wadud's action was a violation of god's law, said grand mufti sheikh Abdelaziz al-Sheikh. After all, she is a woman.

• Confucians: They Say, Our Women Can Be Equal Now. [Times Online, UK] Confucius would no doubt have something to say about a decision yesterday to recognize women for the first time in 2,500 years as descendants of the ancient Chinese sage. Kong Dehong, a 77th-generation descendant of the philosopher and the man in charge of the fifth update of the family tree, said the change would also bring the genealogy into the digital era. “We have to adapt to the times,” he said. Men and women are equal now. Even if a woman has to leave the family when she marries, that doesn’t change the fact that she is descended from Confucius.” Mr. Kong announced the change during a gathering of descendants of Confucius — whose name in Chinese is Kong Fuzi — from around the world in his birthplace in Qufu in Shandong province. Festivities to commemorate Confucius will culminate today with ceremonies in Qufu to mark the 2,557th birthday of the sage, whose sayings have won worldwide renown.

• Confucians: Women Win a Place on Sage's Family Tree. [The Brunei Times] Women are to be recognized for the first time as descendants of Confucius in a new family tree of the ancient Chinese philosopher. ``We have to adapt to the times,'' Xinhua news agency quoted Kong Dehong, a descendant heading the fifth update of the family tree, as saying, adding that more than 1 million descendants of Confucius will be added. ``Men and women are equal now. Even if a woman has to leave the family when she gets married to live with her husband, that doesn't change the fact that she is descended from Confucius.'' In traditional Confucian thinking, women were accorded little status, beyond being expected to serve their menfolk. Mr Kong, speaking at a festival in Confucius's hometown in Qufu in the eastern province of Shandong, said the new family tree was expected to be released in 2009, adding he estimated there to more than three million living descendants.

• Hindu: Shakti Worship Embodies Female Spirit. [NDTV.com, India] It has been nine intense days of worshipping the goddess and through her Shakti or feminine power that women especially relate with. The goddess's interpretations exert powerful influence over the lives of women in the way they are seen and the way they see themselves. "She is the ultimate meaning of whatever qualities we aspire to have as human beings, however mundane or sublime," said Aruna Sairam, renowned Carnatic vocalist. It is a concept that lies at the heart of Navratris. Shakti or feminine power is worshipped for nine days in different forms. These forms in turn influence the lives of women, each interpreting the goddess in her own way.

• Mormons: Focus of Polygamy Case Female Who Married at 14? [Tucson Citizen] The woman at the center of a criminal case involving polygamist sect leader Warren Jeffs was 14 when forced into a marriage with her first cousin, a source close to the case said. At Jeffs' direction, she was married despite her objections in 2001 to the cousin, who was older than 18, the source close to the woman told The Associated Press. The marriage was monogamous, not polygamous, the source said. "It was child abuse, plain and simple," said the source, who asked not to be identified to protect the woman's identity. Jeffs, 50, is the leader of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, a southern Utah-based church. In April, Washington County prosecutors charged Jeffs with two first-degree felony counts of rape as an accomplice for his alleged role in the marriage.

• USA: Gallup: Americans Say Country Ready for a Female President. [Editor & Publisher] Gallup reports today that a new poll finds that 6 in 10 Americans believe the country is ready to have a female president, with more than that saying they would be willing to vote for one. The view of a president coming from some other minority groups is not so favorable. Sixty-four% of Democrats said the country was ready for a woman in charge, compared with 54% of Republicans. About half of Democrats said the U.S. was ready to elect a black or a Jewish candidate, with Republicans coming in at 67% and 58% respectively on those questions.

• USA: Eleanor Roosevelt Tribute to Feature Female Elected Leaders. [Democratic Party of Wisconsin] The Democratic Party of Wisconsin announced today that several prominent female candidates and elected officials will highlight the annual Eleanor Roosevelt Tribute on Tuesday, October 17, 2006 at the Concourse Hotel in Madison. Lieutenant Governor Barbara Lawton, First Lady Jessica Doyle, Attorney General Candidate Kathleen Falk, and Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin are all special guests at the Tribute, which honors women who have demonstrated a strong commitment to Democratic causes. Congresswoman Gwen Moore has also been invited as a special guest, but has not yet confirmed.

• USA: League of Women Voters Cancels Forum. [Pittsburgh Tribune-Review] The Westmoreland County League of Women Voters has canceled a candidates' forum that was scheduled for Oct. 21, citing a lack of participation on the part of incumbents. "Several of the incumbents who were invited were not going to be able to attend," said league Secretary Harriet Ellenberger. "We felt the event would not fairly represent both Republican and Democratic candidates." Ellenberger said another reason was a lack of response from the public. The forum, billed as a "candidates' breakfast," would have cost $20 to attend at Ferrante's Lakeview Lounge in Hempfield.

• USA: Another Clinton Seduction. [New York Times] Female leaders, like Senator Hillary Clinton of the United States, are still struggling to figure out how to blend sexuality and strength in a way that will not backfire.

• USA: Prudence's Struggle Ends. [New York Times] The UN Population Fund has a maternal health program in some Cameroon hospitals that might have saved Prudence’s life, but it doesn’t operate in this region.  And it’s difficult to expand, because President George W. Bush has cut U.S. funding for the population fund – even for African programs – because of false allegations that it supports abortions in China.   That’s shameful. Two women have tried to recoup American honor by starting a group, 34 Million Friends of UNFPA, to make up the shortfall with private donations.

• USA: Become Involved in League of Women Voters. [Bethel Journal] I am writing this article for one reason. I want to urge women and men, (yes, I said men. We have several men in our organization,) to become involved in the league. It's no secret our membership is at its all-time low and I find that very frustrating. So, I've asked myself, why? Why are we dying off? Why can't we get people involved in their community? Do people not understand what the League does?

• USA: League of Women Voters May Fold. [Elmira Star-Gazette] Maureen Pugliese said a community so close to Seneca Falls -- considered the home of the women's rights movement -- should not let an organization like the League of Women Voters die. And she said it's especially important in this election season to get people thinking about their roles as citizens. "The League isn't just about women's rights," she said. "It's about voters' rights and voters' responsibilities. We want to register voters because that's your voice in the future of American history.

• England: Cameron Targets Women's Vote with 'Female Friendly' Issues. [This is London] David Cameron launched an audacious campaign to win the votes of Britain's women last night with a blunt message to his party in favor of marriage, single mothers, and gay couples. The Tory leader stole a march on Gordon Brown by presenting himself as the rightful successor to Tony Blair on a range of female-friendly social issues.

• France: Female Candidate Tipped for Presidency. [ABC Online, Australia] Late tonight in Paris, nominations will close for the politicians who want to run as the left wing opposition's candidate for President. Leading the Socialist Party's pack is a 53-year-old woman, Segolene Royal. Many believe she could become the first woman to lead France since the 16th century. Segolene Royal has been in the headlines in the Southern Hemisphere in the last few days because of allegations that her brother was a key member of the French secret squad that sank Greenpeace's ship, the Rainbow Warrior, in New Zealand in 1985. But she's already a figure of stature and controversy in France.

• Bahrain: First Female Candidate Begins Campaigning. [Monsters and Critics.com] The first of more than 20 female candidates expected to run in Bahrain's November parliamentary and municipal elections launched her campaign with a seminar on the role of local press and its relation to parliament. Fawzia Zainal, who will be running as an independent for a parliamentary seat in the Central Governorate district, is the first candidate to actively campaign since November 25 was announced as the polling date. Bahraini women, who secured suffrage rights in the last elections, voted in large numbers, but none of the female candidates were elected.

• Australia: Women Face Tough Choices. [The Australian] Democrats Senator Natasha Stott Despoja's decision to quit politics highlighted the tough choices women faced, Labor's health spokeswoman Julia Gillard said. Ms Gillard described Senator Stott Despoja as a "trail-blazer" after the former Democrats leader's announcement she would not contest the next election.  The senator, who had been both Australia's youngest female politician and party leader, said yesterday she wanted to spend more time with her family. Ms Gillard said she understood Senator Stott Despoja's decision, but said she would be missed in parliament. "The decision she's made is going to reinforce for Australian women that there are still things that are very unique about women's lives and women's choices," Ms Gillard said. Women in all occupations around the nation were facing the same work-life issues, she said.