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Issues & Experts Archive > Veil ban, churchgoing and obesity— Issues and Experts
Veil ban, churchgoing and obesity— Issues and Experts
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February 10, 2004
French public schools approve veil ban…France’s lower house of parliament has voted overwhelmingly in favor of banning students from wearing head scarves and other religious apparel in public schools. The law is expected to take effect in September. The move to prohibit religious symbols in schools doesn’t end the debate in France or elsewhere. SFU’s dean of education Paul Shaker is among those who can look at the controversial decision and its implications.
No time for day of rest…The Church of England is considering a shift away from the traditional Sunday-morning church service. The proposal points to a growing view that Sunday is no longer special or a time for church, as well as the mounting pressures of family involvements. In Canada, about 20% of Canadians regularly attend church, but experts say even that figure may be optimistic, and a recent media poll confirms numbers are well down. Donald Grayston, an Anglican priest and director of SFU’s institute for the humanities, says while people are looking to fill their spiritual needs, there is little institutional loyalty left. He can look at how churches are responding.
In search of wellness…Unlike the generation before them, baby boomers have managed to decrease their unhealthy exercise levels over the past few decades, but even though they may be exercising more, obesity has doubled, says SFU gerontology professor Andrew Wister. Wister has studied changing lifestyles of the past three decades and can talk about the paradox, and the influence of such factors as stress, diet and TV watching. He will also be part of this weekend’s annual wellness show at the Vancouver Convention and Exhibition centre, which runs from Feb. 13 – 15.
- Paul Shaker, education, 604.291.3148; paul_shaker@sfu.ca
No time for day of rest…The Church of England is considering a shift away from the traditional Sunday-morning church service. The proposal points to a growing view that Sunday is no longer special or a time for church, as well as the mounting pressures of family involvements. In Canada, about 20% of Canadians regularly attend church, but experts say even that figure may be optimistic, and a recent media poll confirms numbers are well down. Donald Grayston, an Anglican priest and director of SFU’s institute for the humanities, says while people are looking to fill their spiritual needs, there is little institutional loyalty left. He can look at how churches are responding.
- Donald Grayston, 604.291.5516; donald_grayston@sfu.ca
In search of wellness…Unlike the generation before them, baby boomers have managed to decrease their unhealthy exercise levels over the past few decades, but even though they may be exercising more, obesity has doubled, says SFU gerontology professor Andrew Wister. Wister has studied changing lifestyles of the past three decades and can talk about the paradox, and the influence of such factors as stress, diet and TV watching. He will also be part of this weekend’s annual wellness show at the Vancouver Convention and Exhibition centre, which runs from Feb. 13 – 15.
- Andrew Wister, 604.291.5044; andrew_wister@sfu.ca