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Greetings World of Faith readers,  

This week, we look at the growing influence of Israel's ultra-Orthodox Jewish community and why schools run by the U.S. military are adding a course centered on Western civilization and Christianity. Also, a Swiss tourist was sentenced to jail under Indonesia's new criminal code for insulting Bali’s sacred Day of Silence.

Ultra-Orthodox Jews cross a street in the Mea Shearim neighborhood of Jerusalem. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

ISRAEL'S ULTRA-ORTHODOX

In Israel, military service debate spotlights ultra-Orthodox Jews' growing clout 

Ultra-Orthodox Jewish families are an unmissable facet of Israeli life, and their community is growing both in size and in political clout. This shift in influence is highlighted in the contentious debate over a proposal to change the military draft exemption for ultra-Orthodox Jewish men. The issue continues to spark protests as the country approaches three years of war and national elections in which ultra-Orthodox parties are expected to be kingmakers. Read more.  

Key points:

• At the core of ultra-Orthodox doctrine is the belief that studying scripture — and teaching it to family and community — is the highest duty, above working or joining the armed forces even in wartime. 

   

• The military draft exemption was originally for a few hundred scholars. In later decades, it was broadened by conservative governments to everyone who wanted to engage in Torah learning full-time. 

   

• The ultra-Orthodox have grown rapidly, outpacing other Israelis. One expert estimates they will be about 25% of the country's population by 2050, and about 40% of the potential army draft.   

RELATED COVERAGE ➤

• Israel’s parliament approves laws to enshrine exemption of ultra-Orthodox men from military service 

• Ultra-Orthodox protesters block roads and trains across Israel over military draft 

• Netanyahu’s coalition alliances with religious parties put his reelection at risk 

CLASSICAL EDUCATION

AP Exclusive: US military base schools put new emphasis on Western civilization and Christianity  

The Department of Defense is introducing a course centered on Western civilization and Christianity in the schools it operates for military families, part of an effort by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to redirect the education system toward patriotic values and classical learning. Conservatives have eyed the schools — which, unlike most public schools, are run by the federal government — as a testing ground for reshaping education. Read more.

Key points:

• The Department of Defense Education Activity operates about 160 schools across 11 countries and educates roughly 70,000 students who are children of active-duty military or civilian service members.  

   

• Historians and educators who reviewed excerpts of the course text told The Associated Press it depicts points throughout history in misleading ways, representing Western civilization and Christianity as one and the same and casting Islam as a threat to both. 

   

• The Pentagon said it “remains committed to providing all of its military-connected students with the best possible education and opportunities.” It did not respond directly to a series of questions about the textbook and the broader push for classical learning. 

RELATED COVERAGE ➤

• Pete Hegseth’s Christian rhetoric draws renewed scrutiny after the US goes to war with Iran 

• Trump looks to repurpose federal money to expand school choice programs 
  

• State justice will step down to lead the University of Florida’s classical education center 

NEW CRIMINAL CODE

Swiss tourist sentenced to a year in jail for insulting Bali’s sacred Day of Silence 

A court on the Indonesian resort island of Bali sentenced a Swiss tourist to one year in prison for insulting a sacred Balinese Hindu observance. The man was found guilty of violating Indonesia’s new criminal code by posting social media messages about the Day of Silence, when people are required to stay home and are urged to remain silent and meditate. Read more.  

Key points:

• The Day of Silence, locally known as Nyepi, usually falls in March. For a day, the island’s world-famous beaches and streets are empty of people except for special patrols meant to ensure silence is observed. The airport in Bali, a predominantly Hindu island in Muslim-majority Indonesia, shuts down and the internet is switched off.   

   

• The restrictions apply to everyone regardless of religion or nationality. The court determined that the Swiss tourist posted the messages after staff at the villa where he was staying informed him of the restrictions.  

   

• During his trial, the tourist said he had never intended to insult the Hindu holiday or the Balinese people. He said he made the posts while hungry and frustrated that he could not obtain food during the shutdown. He said he had not fully understood the extent of the restrictions.