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Pagan News Beagle: Fiery Tuesday, October 20

Is it okay for white Americans to practice the Day of the Dead? What impact could the TPP have on Japan's position in the globe? And how can we best oppose religious violence? It's Fiery Tuesday, our weekly take on social and political issues from around the world. All this and more for the Pagan News Beagle!

There's little doubt that when it comes to race relations in America, there's little that isn't controversial. But as we approach Halloween, one question does arise: is celebrating the Days of the Dead if you're not Mexican or Mexican-American cultural appropriation? Why or why not? We'd be interested in hearing your thoughts on the subject, witches and Pagans.

In principle, it's probably fair to say that few of us are opposed to the abstract concept of "social justice." But could the movement to improve equality and justice for all be more accessible and accepting to newcomers? That's the argument Kai Cheng Tom makes at Everyday Feminism.

International leaders recently reached an agreement and signed the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which has been in negotiation for years. There's been a lot of talk about what the TPP might or might not do for America. But what could it mean for the second-largest economy in the agreement, Japan? The English version of the Japanese newspaper The Mainichi discusses.

Recent religious-motivated violence in India by Hindus against the country's Muslim minority have prompted concerns about the future of secularism in the country. Many have turned to Prime Minister Modi, the leader of India's dominant (and "Hindu Nationalist") party for leadership in this trying time. Earlier this month he broke his silence and called on poor Hindus and Muslims to come together in unity as partners and not to fight one another as enemies.

While it's true that religion's far from the only thing which incites violence in the world, it's hard to deny that it's played at least some part in recent conflicts. Few religions around the world can truly claim that none of their members have ever committed violence in the name of their faith. So how do we stop religious violence? Can we do it without infringing religious liberties? Jonathan Sacks, writing for The Wall Street Journal, believes we can.

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Aryós Héngwis (or the more modest Héngwis for short) is a native of the Pontic-Caspian steppe, born some 5000 years ago, near the village of Dereivka. In his youth he stood out from the other snakes for his love of learning and culture, eventually coming into the service of the local reǵs before moving westward toward Europe. Most recently, Aryós Héngwis left his home to pursue a new life in America, where he has come under the employ of BBI Media as an internet watchdog (or watchsnake, if you will), ever poised to strike the unwary troll.

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