Source: Orlando Sentinel

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/orange/orl-orreligion1206feb12,0,995971.story?coll=orl-news-headlines-orange

On February 12, 2006 the Orlando Sentinel reported, "When it comes to promoting religious understanding, the Rev. Diana Reed Jackson believes that verbal dialogue alone falls short. Participation in a religious ritual or spiritual discipline is a more holistic...

Source: SanLuisObispo.com / Chicago Tribune

http://www.sanluisobispo.com/mld/sanluisobispo/news/nation/13141662.htm

On November 18, 2005 the Chicago Tribune reported, "In Chicago and elsewhere, religious scholars as well as followers see Lukumi [the tradition also known as Santeria] growing not only among longtime devotees of Cuban and Puerto Rican descent, but also among African-Americans, Mexicans and white Midwesterners.

[Many] young...

Source: The Johnson County Sun

Source: SFBayView.com

http://www.sfbayview.com/082405/narcprepares082405.shtml

On August 24, 2005 SFBayView.com reported, "The National African Religion Congress (NARC) is preparing for their seventh annual international conference, which will be held Thursday, Aug. 25, through Sunday, Aug. 28, at the Hilton Garden Hotel, 1100 Arch St., Philadelphia. The planners are expecting representative from traditional African and Diaspora African-based religions to attend...

Source: Knox News

Wire Service: AP

[reg.knoxnews.com/kns/web/registrationForm?from=www.knoxnews.com/kns/national/article/0,1406,KNS_350_3966222,00.html]

On July 31, 2005 the Associated Press reported, "Sherman Iron Shield used to sneak his son behind some elevators at St. Alexius Medical Center so he could burn sacred herbs to chase away evil spirits without setting off the hospital's fire alarms and sprinklers... Now he and other members of the region's large American Indian population...

Source: Orlando Sentinel

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/orl-locsantos25072505jul25,0,1377309.story?coll=orl-news-headlines

On July 25, 2005 the Orlando Sentinel reported, "[Rigoberto] Zamora [a Santeria high priest] has been busy since his wife set up his Santeria Web site at babalaozamora.com about a year ago. Through the Web site, Zamora says, he has unveiled the faith's perceived shroud of mystery. For $40,...

Source: Bradenton Herald

http://www.bradenton.com/mld/bradenton/news/local/11528571.htm

On April 30, 2005 the Bradenton Herald reported, "in Voodoo, Santeria and other faiths with African roots, many practitioners sprinkle the silvery liquid on the floor, carry it with them in pouches, burn it in candles and pour it into bath water. While these practices are intended to bring luck or success in love, federal health officials said they could be making people...

Source: The Day

Source: The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A40058-2004Dec31.html

On January 1, 2005 The Washington Post reported, "Candomble, a religion once banned in Brazil, [is] now emerging into public acceptance while overcoming fierce and even violent competition. Brought to Brazil by African slaves, religions such as Candomble, Tambor de Mina, Batuque and Umbanda long had to be practiced in secret. The deities were disguised as...

Source: The Boston Globe

On October 21, 2004 The Boston Globe reported on the Santeria temple at the home of Santero Steve Quintana, "Quintana is the godfather of Santeria in Greater Boston...   In their quest to reconnect with their indigenous roots here, many immigrants have turned to Quintana as a spiritual resource, whether they hail from Puerto Rico, Cuba, Brazil, or Cape Verde. To his followers, Quintana is a healer, a mentor, a liaison to the saints... Quintana works to bring the religion out of its closet. He also wants to dispel misconceptions...

Source: Independent Press Association

http://www.indypressny.org/article.php3?ArticleID=1732

On September 2, 2004 Independent Press Association reported, "many [local NYC residents] are followers of la Regla de Ocha (the Rule of Ocha), the most widely-known of these religions that are often referred to as 'primitive.' Regla de Ocha is essentially the Cuban version of Santería, [a syncretistic religion of Caribbean origin]. Certain people follow La 21...

Source: Times Union

Source: Religion...

Source: Sun-Sentinel

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-cvodou22apr22,0,4591280.story?coll=sfla-news-broward

On April 22, 2004 the Sun-Sentinel reported, "The exclusion of Vodou practitioners in plans to uplift Haiti will keep the country in a chaotic state, a Vodou priest said Wednesday. Max Beauvoir, 68, of the Temple of Yehwe in Mariani, Haiti, said politicians, humanitarian organizations, and...

Source: The Associated Press

http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/news/41504-stealingbodies.html

On April 15, 2004 The Associated Press reported, "A 61-year-old woman accused of being a high priestess in the Palo Mayombe religion is charged with directing followers to steal human remains from Newark cemeteries for use in the sect's rituals. Miriam Mirabal's trial began Wednesday in Superior Court in Newark. The Cuban immigrant is charged in a seven-count indictment with...