Author: Sameer B. Yacoub

Source: The Associated Press

http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/national_world/stories/2009/01/18/iraq_ap_0118.ART_ART_01-18-09_A11_EMCIQLU.html?sid=101

The Christian owner of a car-repair shop was killed execution-style in Mosul, police said yesterday, raising concern about the possibility of new attacks against the religious minority in the northern...

Author: Christine Anne Piesyk

Source: Clarksville Online

http://www.clarksvilleonline.com/2009/01/17/christian-cross-does-not-represent-all-deceased-vets-ua-tells-federal-appeal-court/

The Christian cross is not an appropriate symbol to memorialize deceased veterans of many different faith perspectives and should not be displayed on government property, Americans United for...

Author: Graham Keeley

Source: The Times Online

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article5526785.ece

The ongoing row between the Catholic Church and the Spanish Government has erupted again after a judge banned the crucifix from a primary school.

The ruling came after parents won a three-year legal battle with the local authorities over a crucifix in Macias Picavea school in Valladolid, northern Spain.

...

Author: Sam Lister

Source: Belfast Telegraph

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/dup-man-urges-religious-fightback-against-no-god-campaign-14140238.html

Christian groups have been urged by a senior DUP politician to launch a counter-strike to the “There is Probably No God” bus advertising campaign.

Gregory Campbell wants alternative...

Author: Joe Moszczynski

Source: Religion News Service

http://pewforum.org/news/display.php?NewsID=17345

For nearly 60 years, the town council here started its meetings by reciting the Lord's Prayer. Council members felt the passage gave them guidance and inspiration.

That tradition ended recently after the council's attorney advised members they should heed a request by a resident, an avowed atheist, to stop the practice.

Doug...

Author: Julia Duin

Source: The Washington Times

http://washingtontimes.com/news/2009/jan/15/faithful-to-celebrate-obama-with-traditional-dance/

A variety of religions will be whooping it up this weekend at something unique in terms of inaugural festivities: religiously oriented balls.

The African American Church Inaugural Ball will have several bishops in attendance. A Masonic ball is scheduled...

Author: Bruce Tomaso

Source: The Dallas Morning News

http://religionblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2009/01/italian-rabbis-withdraw-from-i.html

Italy's rabbis announced they were pulling out of the Italian Catholic Church's annual celebration of Judaism, saying Pope Benedict XVI's actions were turning back 50 years of interfaith progress.

Speaking for the assembly of Italian rabbis, Elia Enrico Richetti, the...

Author: Joe Sterling

Source: CNN

http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/12/24/iraq.christians/index.html

It's a bittersweet Christmas season for Joseph Kassab, who grew up in Iraq under Saddam Hussein's Baathist regime and now lives in Detroit, Michigan. Tempering the season's joy is his concern for fellow Iraqi Christians, who have endured killings, displacement and daily intimidation.

Christians in Iraq face a "bleak future...

Author: Javier C. Hernandez

Source: The New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/14/education/14nativity.html?_r=1&emc=tnt&tntemail1=y

In public schools, it is known as the December Dilemma — the delicate balancing of menorahs, Christmas trees, stars and crescents along hallways and in front offices. The New York City Department of Education has long granted such symbols a public place during the holiday...

Author: Matt Campbell

Source: The Kanas City Star

https://www.kansascity.com/site-services/article239247513.html

David Engle said he felt a chill down his spine Sunday on a visit with his family to the Kansas City Zoo.

He could hardly believe it when he saw...

Author: Aman Ali

Source: The Journal News

http://lohud.com/article/20090112/NEWS02/901120330/-1/newsfront

The local interfaith community came together yesterday to share perspectives on the crisis in the Gaza Strip.

"People really need to talk about this conflict," said Anees Shaikh, communications director for the Upper Westchester Muslim Society in Thornwood. "We see a need for people to say what they want to say in an...

Author: Staff Writer

Source: The Associated Press

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/11/AR2009011101465.html

The Rev. Sharon Watkins, pastor of a Protestant denomination with about 700,000 members in the United States and Canada, will deliver the sermon at the National Prayer Service that caps the inauguration activities of Barack Obama.

Watkins will be the first woman to give the...

Author: Rev. Peg Chemberlin

Source: The Star Tribune

http://www.startribune.com/yourvoices/37397179.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUdcOy9cP3DieyckcUsI

The National Council of Churches reports that on Jan. 9, “leaders of three faiths that trace their origins back to a common ancestor -- the Patriarch Abraham -- joined their hearts and pens today to form a...

Author: Duke Helfand

Source: Irish Times/The Los Angeles Times

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/world/2009/0109/1231454443296.html

Ever-adaptable American capitalism is pioneering new products to bring religion to those in a big hurry, writes Duke Helfand in Los Angeles

So you're racing through another jam-packed day, late picking up the children from football practice because you got stuck at the office. Then you pay...

Author: Julia Torres-Barden

Source: Midlothian Exchange

http://www.midlothianexchange.com/index.php/news/article/faith-based-communities-gather-for-prayer-for-peace-service/18167/

President of the Virginia Muslim Coalition for Public Affairs Imad Damaj, called his faith brothers, Rev. R. Charles Grant at Bon Air Presbyterian Church and Rabbi Ben Romer of Congregation Or Ami, to...