Posted to Religious Diversity News on July 5, 1998

Source: The Detroit News

On July 5, 1998, the Detroit News ran an article entitled
“One Nation–Under Many Gods.”

Posted to Religious Diversity News on July 5, 1998

Source: The Detroit News

On July 5, 1998 the Detroit News ran an article entitled
“Area Jews, Muslims Welcome Diversity.”

Posted to Religious Diversity News on June 27, 1998

Source: Los Angeles Times

An article in the Los Angeles Times on June 27, 1998 reported on the seventh annual American Muslim Council (AMC) convention held in Washington, D.C. “Although the council seeks to correct the mistaken stereotypes of Muslims, it is far more interested in raising political awareness within the community, Abdulhadi said. “If I can send people home so that they feel more confident to interact with their elected representatives and appointed officials, then I’ve succeeded,” he said.” Abdulhadi is the media coordinator for the AMC.

Posted to Religious Diversity News on June 27, 1998

Source: The Washington Post

On June 27, 1998, The Washington Post reported that Amish youth are not immune to the problems of drinking and drug use, as testified by the recent arrests of two young Amish men for buying cocaine and sharing it at parties. A rite of passage for youth called “rumschpringes” involves a period of relative freedom before actively chosing reentry into the church with adult responsibilites, and during this time youth may be exposed to behaviors otherwise incompatible with the Amish lifestyle. While only a minority of Amish youth participate in alcohol and drug use, it is a concern for the community.

Posted to Religious Diversity News on June 27, 1998

Source: The Washington Post

On June 27, 1998, the Washington Post ran an Associated Press article that states “When it comes to religious diversity, Los Angeles beats every city in the world, according to a report by J. Gordon Melton of the Institute for the Study of American Religion. The Santa Barbara organization found 600 distinct religious groups in Los Angeles and the rest of Southern California. The London and New York areas have about 500 religions each.”

Posted to Religious Diversity News on June 26, 1998

Source: The New York Times

On June 26, 1998, the New York Times reported on a dispute in Federal appeals court: while the Newark, NJ police force requires clean-shaven officers and seeks to dismiss officers not in compliance, two Muslim officers are pursuing the right to wear beards due to religious obligation. “As the arguments unfolded in the old Federal courthouse, the case presented many incongruities. For one, it involves two black officers who are asserting their individuality in a predominantly black city with a black political leadership while being defended by the predominantly white leadership of the Fraternal Order of Police, the officers’ union.

In addition, their case is supported by an uncommon alliance of the American Civil Liberties Union; the Anti-Defamation League, a Jewish organization, and the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, a public interest law firm that argues for wider expression of religious, and generally Christian, traditions.” The judges are now considering the case.

Posted to Religious Diversity News on June 21, 1998

Source: Orange County Register

On June 21, 1998, the Orange County Register ran an article
entitled “New Eagle Scouts are a Diverse Troop.”

Posted to Religious Diversity News on June 21, 1998

Source: Los Angeles Times

A Los Angeles Times article on June 21, 1998 reports on
the “dramatic religious transformation” the United States is
currently experiencing. Paul Griffiths, professor of philosophy of
religion at the University of Chicago, states that “more religions
are being practiced in the United States than anyplace else.” Diana
Eck, professor of comparative religion at Harvard University, asserts
that “cultural pluralism is changing America’s religious life. It is
making our spiritual tradition much richer and broader.”

Posted to Religious Diversity News on June 21, 1998

Source: Los Angeles Times

The Los Angeles Times ran a two-part article June 21-22, 1998. The first part documents the growing religious pluralism in America, new “hybrid” forms, and changes within in the Christian religion. The second part documents change and the extensive religious diversity in Los Angeles.

Posted to Religious Diversity News on June 19, 1998

Source: Chicago Tribune

On June 19, 1998, the Chicago Tribune reported that “In the fall of 1996, McNamara and other religious leaders in Palatine and the south suburb of Hazel Crest embarked on an ambitious yearlong inititative to bring 12 different faiths closer together. Under the auspices of the Chicago-based Council for a Parliament of the World’s Religions, the dozen congregations paired up and shared sacred holidays, weekly services, potluck dinners, spiritual traditions and even weddings. The 200 or so participants hoped to find common ground among the disparate religions and spur dialogue at a grass-roots level. Now, more than a year and a half later, most participants are calling the exchange program a resounding success–so much so that the council’s Metropolitan Chicago Interreligious Initiative kicked off a similar project in April in Hinsdale.