1. Dr Mariam Al-Sohel, who claims to have qualifications in “Sex Management,” appeared on Kuwaiti channel Scope TV to sell suppositories that she claims kills worms making men gay. She said that homosexuality persists because of anal worm that feeds on semen. The academic, adds: “By the way, this is all science, so there’s nothing to be ashamed of. Of course not. It’s Prophetic medicine. It’s all in the books.”
2. The Israeli municipality in Safed has turned one of the most historical mosques in the Arab city, Al-Ahmar Mosque, into a bar and events hall. In 1948, it was occupied by the Jewish gangs and was first turned into a Jewish school then finally converted into a nightclub. Its name was changed from Al-Ahmar Mosque to Khan Al-Ahmar. Khair Tabari, secretary of Safed and Tiberias Islamic endowment, said that the mosque is now open for use for everything except prayers by Muslims.
3. The Roxy Movie Theater in Dickson, Tennessee censored the title of the movie Hellboy to Heckboy. Christians in the Bible Belt believe hell is an actual place.
4. Human Rights Watch said that the government of Saudi Arabia announced the mass execution of 37 men on April 23, 2019 in various parts of the country. At least 33 of the 37 were from the country's minority Shia community and had been convicted following unfair trials for alleged crimes, including protes-related offenses, terrorism, and espionage. Qatif 24 defendants executed on April 23 include Mujtaba al-Sweikat, whom authorities arrested on August 12, 2012, as he was trying to board a plane bound for the United States to attend
Western Michigan University, and Munir al-Adam, who Saudi activists say lost hearing in one ear following beatings by interrogators.
5. Jewish officials said an arson fire was set at the largest yeshiva in Russia just ahead of the Passover meal celebration. Swastikas were also sprayed on the seminary. No one was reported injured. While Russia has a long history of anti-Semitism, it has noticeably declined under Russian leader Vladimir Putin. He has encouraged the restoration of dozens of synagogues destroyed under communism and taken a hard-line on anti-Semitism.
6. Hundreds of tourists watched as actors dressed as Roman soldiers hammered four-inch nails through the hands and feet of a Filipino into a wooden cross for the 33rd time in a Good Friday reenactment of Jesus Christ's crucifixion. “I thought they wouldn’t be nailed but they were really nailed, and it was for me a great event to see it live,” said German tourist Johann Tenken. Devotees, including 58-year old Ruben Enaje who has performed the act 33 times, believe their
penance will wash away their sins, cure illness and lead to blessings. The Catholic Church frowns upon it, instead calling on the faithful to mark Lent with prayers and acts of charity.
7. Genesis II Church of Health and Healing has been telling members to drink bleach to cure everything from cancer to HIV to Ebola. ABC News paid to attend a seminar hosted by church founder Jim Humble and exposed the place in 2016 but the church still exists. Even the Department of Justice has gotten involved with this scheme, finding a man guilty of “selling industrial bleach as a miracle cure for numerous diseases and illnesses.”
8. Authorities in Sri Lanka have launched a massive security operation and imposed a curfew after a wave of bombs in churches and hotels in Sri Lanka killed at least 207 people and injured 450. The eight blasts, some of which officials said were suicide bomb attacks, appeared timed to cause maximum casualties among worshippers attending Easter services. The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the Easter bombings through its Amaq news agency without giving any evidence for its claim. The Sri Lankan prime minister, Ranil
Wickremesinghe, has said some bombers had travelled abroad. He said it was “possible” the bombings were a response to the Christchurch mosque attack in New Zealand, but did not reiterate the defence minister’s claim. Pregnant wife of Sri Lanka bomber detonates suicide vest during raids, killing her children and three police officers. The death toll climbed to 321 people –including 38 foreigners - as funerals were held for some of the dead.
9. The Satanic Temple is now an official temple. According to them, the IRS has recognized the group as a tax-exempt religious organization. Temple co-founder Lucien Greaves added that there was nothing hypocritical about a group that fights religion applying for the religious tax exemption. In fact, he was motivated to seek the exemption specifically after Donald Trump signed an executive order telling the Treasury Department not to go after religious institutions.
10. David Allen Turpin and Louise Anna Turpin who tortured and starved their 12 of their 13 kids were sentenced to life in prison. The reportedly “good Christian family” who held their children captive with chains and padlocks until one of them escaped and called 911, were arrested last year after their kids were found living in deplorable conditions. Then in late February the “parents” accepted a plea deal that guaranteed they spend at least 25 years in prison.
Now, a judge has ruled that the penalty for what they did will extend to the rest of their lives.“I love both of my parents so much,” a statement read in court from another daughter said. “God looks at the heart and I know he sees theirs. I’ve prayed often for them.”
