Author: Jim Heintz

Source: The Associated Press

http://www.ohio.com/news/world/36738279.html

Iraq's Christians, a scant minority in this overwhelmingly Muslim country, quietly celebrated Christmas on Thursday with a present from the government, which declared it an official holiday for the first time.

But security worries overshadowed the day for many, particularly in the north where thousands of Christians have fled to escape religious attacks....

Author: Sam Dagher

Source: The New York Times

Author: Staff Writer

Source: The New York Times

Wire Service: AP

Author: Staff Writer

Source: Asia News

http://www.catholic.org/international/international_story.php?id=31230

The authorities in Orissa's communally sensitive Kandhamal district have sought more security forces from the state government, following threats of strikes and demonstrations by radical Hindu groups. “We may have violence.” For this reason we “have sought three companies of the Rapid Action Forces (RAF)...

Author: Adelle M. Banks

Source: Religion News Service

http://www.religionnews.com/index.php?/rnstext/gsuslvsu_and_so_does_the_driver_of_this_car/

In South Carolina, a district court has temporarily halted the production of state-sponsored license plates that declare "I Believe" and feature an illustration of a cross superimposed on a stained-glass window.

In Vermont, meanwhile, an appeals court is...

Author: Staff Writer

Source: IANS

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Orissas_Kandhamal_seeks_more_forces_ahead_of_Christmas/articleshow/3873237.cms

Fearing communal violence during Christmas celebrations, authorities in Orissa's communally sensitive Kandhamal district have sought more security forces from the state government.

"We may have violence. We have sought...

Author: Tom Yerace

Source: The Buddhist Channel/Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=62,7552,0,0,1,0

The Christmas tree with multicolored lights in one corner seemed out of place with the large white Buddha statue positioned along opposite wall.

But according to Bhante Pemaratana, a monk at the Buddhist temple along Route 908 in Natrona, the values and philosophies each represent have much in common....

Author: Kim Mulford

Source: The Courier Post

http://www.courierpostonline.com/article/20081221/NEWS01/812210328/1006

Claudia and David Tung are an interfaith couple who are raising their two children in the Jewish faith. The Atco family observes all the Jewish holidays and are active in the synagogue.

But in December, their holiday celebration has evolved into a blend of family traditions and decorations. The kids each...

Author: Kimi Yoshino

Source: The Los Angeles Times

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/babylonbeyond/2008/12/iraq-draft-from.html

Trying to prove just how much safer Baghdad is these days, Iraqi officials threw a party for Christians on Saturday, complete with huge event posters featuring pictures of Jesus Christ.

A skinny Santa Claus draped in an Iraqi flag also made an appearance, waving and posing for photos.
...

Author: Elizabeth Gibson

Source: The Columbus Dispatch

https://dispatch.newsbank.com/doc/news/1252F75E16E01C10?search_terms=Whitehall%2BDefending%2BManger%2BOnce%2BAgain&text=Whitehall%20Defending%20Manger%20Once%20Again&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%255B0%255D=CLDB&pdate=2008-12-19

It's becoming a holiday tradition -- secular activists...

Author: Staff Writer

Source: The Associated Press

http://www.examiner.com/a-1751428~Non_religious_group_sues_over_nativity.html

Manitowoc County and its nativity scene on the courthouse lawn is the latest target of the Freedom from Religion Foundation.

The group has filed a lawsuit asking the U.S. District Court of Eastern Wisconsin to stop the county from displaying the religious symbols on government property....

Author: Adelle M. Banks

Source: Religion News Service

http://pewforum.org/news/display.php?NewsID=17181

Megachurch pastor Rick Warren and civil rights leader Rev. Joseph Lowery will deliver the invocation and benediction, respectively, at President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration next month (Jan 20).

The roles of Warren, a best-selling author and leader of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif., and Lowery, who co-founded the Southern...

Author: Mahmud Lalo

Source: All Africa

http://allafrica.com/stories/200812170410.html

Abbas Jimoh & Ahmed Mohammed — Sultan of Sokoto Alhaji Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar and Most Reverend John Onaiyekan, both co-chairmen of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC), yesterday kicked off peace and reconci-liatory process between Mus-lim and Christian communi-ties in Plateau State following the recent crisis in Jos over local government council elections...

Author: Michael Winerip

Source: The New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/21/nyregion/long-island/21Rparenting.html?scp=2&sq=religion&st=nyt

Pam Gawley is Jewish, her husband, Steven, is Catholic, and from the time they started dating, they celebrated each other’s holidays together. Christmas and Easter, they went to his parents’ home; Rosh Hashana, Hanukkah and Passover, to her parents...

Author: Staff Writer

Source: Independent Catholic News

http://www.indcatholicnews.com/muscthl321.html

Yesterday, the XI talks between the Pontifical Council for Interfaith Dialogue and the World Islamic Call Society, based in Tripoli, Libya began at the Vatican.

A spokesman said these are the latest in a long series of meetings that have taken place in various venues and regular intervals since 1989 to now.