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• Did 'death metal' music incite murder? | Lawsuit against band, distributors could overcome First Amendment hurdle (The Washington Post)
• Slayer lawsuit thrown out | But case isn't closed (Wall of Sound)
• Slayer, label liable for murder? | Judge demands more evidence (MTV.com)
• Confirming all the simmering resentments of adolescent angst (The Scotsman, Edinburgh)

Television:

• Violence finds a niche in children's cartoons | The success of the "Pokemon" cartoon show has paved the way for more violent cartoons intended for children. (The New York Times)
• Some sponsors can't accept racy reality show | "Temptation Island" may be a ratings hit. But some advertisers are dumping it anyway because of skittishness about the show's content. (The New York Times)

Indian politician resigns after calling earthquake God's judgment
The minister of state for civil aviation and infrastructure development in the southern Indian state of Karnataka resigned from his position after a national furor over his comments that the earthquake in Gujarat was divine retribution. "The catastrophe that has befallen Gujarat is God's punishment to the people there for ill-treating Christians and minorities," he said at a televised event organized by the Christian organization Good News Society for Global Peace. "Injustice was done to our people. Churches were destroyed. For this God has punished them." He later issued a statement saying, "I regret this issue. … I am sacrificing my post to ensure that my utterances are not exploited politically or incite people." And he later told The Times of India, "My only intention was to make the people have faith in God."

More on religious freedom abroad:

• Evangelical leader fears Sharon will pass anti-missionary laws (The Jerusalem Post)
• Critics fear French cult law could turn missionaries into criminals (The Sydney Morning Herald)
• Looking for a miracle | Across Indonesia, violence against Christians is on the rise. Is it any wonder they're searching for hope in apparitions? (Time Asia)
• Conversion crusade rends Spice Islands | Hundreds of Christians, including children and pregnant women, have been forcibly circumcised as part of an Islamic campaign (The [Melbourne, Australia] Age)
• Shari'ah opposition persists as Zamfara state marks anniversary (Panafrican News Agency)
• No end to Christian-Muslim tension in Nigeria | One year on there is no sign that enthusiasm for Shari'ah law is waning (BBC)
• Tougher sanctions sought for Sudan | U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom makes its first recommendation to the new administration (Associated Press)
• Nepal: The case against jailed Norwegian missionary opens | The court proceedings in the case against the jailed Norwegian missionary Trond Berg begin on Wednesday. (The Norway Post)
• Indian Christians protest over inaction (The Times of India)

Religion and politics:

• Some religions not invited to Kentucky's interfaith prayer breakfast | Catholic and Jewish leaders complain, but organizers say there's no official invitations and that all are invited. (Associated Press)
• Kentucky governor sorry over prayer breakfast | Catholic and Jewish leaders had complained they weren't invited (Associated Press)
• Report sees vast benefit for charities in a Bush tax proposal | Plan to extend the deduction for charitable contributions to taxpayers who do not itemize could bring an additional $14.6 billion a year in donations to charity (The New York Times)

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January (Web-only) 2001, Vol. 45