Source: Hindu American Foundation

http://www.hinduamericanfoundation.org/media_press_release_uscirf_2006.htm

On May 16, 2006 Hindu American Foundation reported, "The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) expressed support over portions of the annual report released by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) on May 3, 2006. The report, which aims to draw the U.S. government's attention to countries with systematic...

Source: BBC News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/4965580.stm

On May 16, 2006 BBC News reported, "Malaysia is considering its multi-cultural credentials after a crowd of Muslims on Sunday broke up a meeting called to defend the rights of religious minorities.

The country's leaders condemned the disturbances, but the BBC's Jonathan Kent in Kuala Lumpur says non-Muslims feel increasingly beleaguered.

'I'm becoming an alien in...

Source: Honolulu Star-Bulletin

http://starbulletin.com/2006/05/13/features/story01.html

On May 13, 2006 the Honolulu Star-Bulletin reported, "A panel representing five major religions will explore ways their teachings respond to current global issues and diversity in modern society at a symposium Wednesday. The 7 p.m. interfaith dialogue will be at the University of Hawaii Institute of Geophysics auditorium. It is free and open to the public, presented...

Source: Crosswalk

http://www.crosswalk.com/news/religiontoday/1396234.html

On May 12, 2006 Crosswalk reported, "The World Council of Churches (WCC) said it was launching a joint effort with the Vatican to shape a code of conduct on religious conversion, a Reuters news story reports. A senior WCC official said it was hoped that the intra-Christian project would spark discussion on the same issue among Muslims. 'We hope to produce a code that will ensure that...

Source: The Modesto Bee

http://www.modbee.com/local/story/12172941p-12917826c.html

On May 12, 2006 The Modesto Bee reported, "Since 2000, all ninth-graders [at Modesto City Schools] have been required to take a nine-week World Religions course on Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Sikhism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam. 'We teach the geography, history and give a description of each religion,' said Yvonne Taylor, a Johansen High School teacher. 'We provide a...

Source: Religion News Service

http://www.beliefnet.com/story/191/story_19123_1.html

On May 11, 2006 Religion News Service reported, "The House approved language on Thursday (May 11) that allows military chaplains to pray 'according to the dictates of the chaplain's own conscience' as part of a defense spending bill.

The vote comes as religious groups, church-state separationists and military officials have debated the appropriateness of sectarian prayers...

Source: The Associated Press

http://www.beliefnet.com/story/191/story_19113_1.html

On May 11, 2006 The Associated Press reported, "The long-dormant idea of teaching public school students about the literary and historic importance of the Bible is getting a fresh look this year from state legislatures and local school boards - though with political bickering and questions about what should be included.

The buzz results mostly from 'The Bible and Its...

Source: Baha'i World News Service

http://news.bahai.org/story/449

On May 11, 2006 the Baha'i World News Service reported, "Just nine years old, Eve McCowen was dwarfed by the huge piles of unwanted electronic equipment that quickly accumulated in the parking lot of the Messiah Lutheran Church on Earth Day 2006. But she was nevertheless one of the first to run up to an arriving car that needed to be unloaded as residents brought old stereos, defunct computers, and broken...

Source: BBC News

http://www.bbc.co.uk/bristol/content/articles/2006/05/10/vatican_message_feature.shtml

On May 10, 2006 BBC News reported, "A message from the Vatican calling for greater understanding between faiths has been presented to Bristol Buddhists. The message, written by English archbishop Michael Fitzgerald, was given to the Lam Rim community on the Buddhist feast of Vesakh. Vesakh (also known as Wesak and Visakha) is the...

Source: The Brunswick Beacon

http://www.brunswickbeacon.com/articles/2006/05/10/free/03-free.txt

On May 10, 2006 The Brunswick Beacon reported, "Expecting a vote on the second reading of a controversial religious materials policy, the people who crowded into the lobby of the Brunswick County Board of Education administrative offices last Thursday were surprised when the school board voted to table the decision.

Soon after shooting down board...

Source: Associated Baptist Press

http://www.abpnews.com/1010.article.print

On May 8, 2006 Associated Baptist Press reported, "A new study suggests mandatory teaching about world religions in public schools can increase teenagers' respect for religious freedom and other constitutional rights. The research, released May 8 by a Virginia-based think tank, studied 400 ninth graders who took the course in the Modesto, Calif., public schools. The district has offered the class since...

Source: Los Angeles Times

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-op-winston7may07,0,6865662.story

On May 7, 2006 the Los Angeles Times published an Op-Ed by Knight chair in media and religion at University of Southern California Diane Winston: "Sumaya Abubaker doesn't go to movies much anymore. Nor does she watch television. It's too painful for her to see Muslims stereotyped as terrorists, fanatics and fools. 'You see a scary-...

Source: The Wichita Eagle

http://www.kansas.com/mld/kansas/entertainment/14512545.htm

On May 6, 2006 The Wichita Eagle reported, "Cecile Holmes calls her new book, 'Four Women, Three Faiths: Inspiring Spiritual Journeys,' 'a hymn to diversity and interfaith acceptance.' 'I worry about the increasing polarization in the world, ever since Sept. 11, 2001,' says Holmes, 51, longtime religion editor for the Houston Chronicle, now teaching journalism at the...

Source: Brattleboro Reformer

http://www.reformer.com/headlines/ci_3787538

On May 5, 2006 Brattleboro Reformer reported, "For the seventh and eighth-graders at Hilltop Montessori School, the road to spiritual enlightenment leads to Boston. Next week, the students will visit a Buddhist monastery, a Hindu temple, a Jewish temple, a mosque, a Christian church and the shores of Walden Pond. It's all part of their year-long curriculum, which takes up this question: "what does it...

Source: The Clarion-Ledger

http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060505/FEAT04/60505008

On May 5, 2006 The Clarion-Ledger reported, "To help build support for an interfaith Habitat for Humanity house building project, local religious groups will host a 'festival of faiths' from 3:30-6:30 p.m. Saturday at Northminster Baptist Church on Ridgewood Road in Jackson. The event will feature food, music, dancing and...