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— Group criticizes Catholic tax edict BERLIN - A Catholic reform group in Germany criticized the country’s bishops Monday for declaring that believers who refuse to pay religious taxes won’t be able to receive the sacrament, become godparents or work in church institutions.

A century-old agreement with the state adds up to 9 percent to the income tax bill of Germany’s 25 million registered Roman Catholics, earning the church more than $5 billion annually.

The same tax applies to Protestants and Jews for their institutions.

The Catholic bishops’ decree in Germany last week declares that those opting out of the religious tax have committed a “grave lapse” and effectively left the church.

But the group We Are Church said the bishops’ decision was “the wrong signal at the wrong time.”

  • The Associated Press

Mormons dedicate new Utah temple

BRIGHAM CITY, Utah - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has dedicated its newest temple after a month long open house that drew more than 400,000 visitors.

Mormon church officials say the site dedicated Sunday in Brigham City is the 139th in the world.

The temple will serve about 40,000 people throughout northern Utah and southeastern Idaho.

Ceremonies including marriages and proxy baptisms for the dead are held at temples, which are open only to church members in good standing.

The general public was allowed to tour the temple between Aug. 18 and Sept. 15.

  • The Associated Press

Muslim who tore Bible to go on trial

CAIRO - Egyptian prosecutors say they have referred to trial a Muslim self-styled preacher who tore up an English copy of the Bible during a protest outside the U.S. Embassy in Cairo against an American anti-Islam film.

A prosecution official said Tuesday that Ahmed Mohammed Abdullah and his son have publicly shown contempt for religion. The charge is punishable by up to five years in prison.

The official said a journalist who interviewed Abdullah afterward is also referred to trial.

Abdullah said what he did, caught on camera, did not qualify as contempt.

The film, Innocence of Muslims, has enraged many Muslims for its portrayal of the Prophet Muhammad.

  • The Associated Press

Attacker must write report on Hinduism

BAY CITY, Mich. - A Michigan man whom authorities say attacked two men because he believed they were Muslims has been ordered to write a report on the history of Hinduism.

Bay County Circuit Judge Joseph Sheeran on Monday sentenced 26-year-old Delane Bell to two years of probation, with the condition he write the 10-page report.

Sheeran says the men who were attacked are Hindus and Bell needs to educate himself.

The Bangor Township man pleaded no contest in March to ethnic intimidation in the November attack. Authorities say he yelled “jihad” and “Osama bin Laden.”

Religion, Pages 12 on 09/29/2012

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