Source: The Boston Globe

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2005/02/22/burning_of_cross_probed_as_hate_crime?mode=PF

On February 22, 2005 The New York Times reported, "in what police are terming a hate crime, an 8-foot wooden cross was set ablaze yesterday on the steps of Holy Family Church in Duxbury. The cross had been slanted against the Roman Catholic Church, doused in gasoline, and...

Source: Beliefnet.com/Religion News Service

http://www.beliefnet.com/story/161/story_16131_1.html

On February 22, 2005 the Religion News Service reported, "The World Council of Churches has urged its 347 member denominations to give 'serious consideration' to pulling investments out of Israel in protest of what it sees as mistreatment of Palestinians. In calling for church-sponsored 'economic pressure,' the WCC on Monday (Feb. 21) gave strong support for last year's...

Source: swissinfo

Source: Reuters

Source: The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A42529-2005Feb21.html

On February 21, 2005 The Washington Post reported, "a Senate committee spent two hours Monday debating what Virginia's founders intended when they wrote about religious freedom two centuries ago before soundly rejecting a proposal to expand on their words. The Senate Courts of Justice Committee voted 10 to 5 to reject a proposed constitutional amendment that...

Source: Yahoo! News

Wire Service: AFP

Source: The Shelby Star

http://www.shelbystar.com/portal/ASP/article.asp?ID=14263

On February 18, 2005 The Shelby Star reported, "a year after school officials approved the posting of the words 'In God We Trust' in every Cleveland County classroom, Shelby resident Tony Izzi started working to get the mottoes added in Gaston County. So far, Izzi and some Gaston residents have received approval from the Gaston County school board and Superintendent Ed Sadler, and...

Source: The Church of England Newspaper

http://www.churchnewspaper.com/news.php?read=on&number_key=5756&title=The%20Passion%20recut

On February 18, 2005 The Church of England Newspaper reported, "Most movie makers add reels of extra footage to the 'director’s cut' of their cherished films. Not Mel Gibson. The actor-turned-director has chopped five to six minutes from his 2004 hit The Passion of the Christ. The result is 'The...

Source: Associated Press

http://www.centredaily.com/mld/centredaily/news/politics/10906834.htm

On February 17, 2005 the Associated Press reported, "the debate over whether a school district should require students to hear a statement about 'intelligent design' is spilling over into this year's school board election. Two Dover Area School District board members who have resigned in protest of the policy say they plan to circulate nominating petitions...

Source: Northern Star

http://www.star.niu.edu/articles/?id=5435

On February 17, 2005 the Northern Star reported, "in its discussion panel Wednesday night, the Muslim Student Association sought to build bridges between Islamic and Christian faiths. The panel, titled 'Building Bridges Between Neighbors,' addressed a need for education and unity of faiths to coincide with Muslim Awareness Week. Keynote speakers included Rita Root, reverend for the Federated Church of Sycamore, and...

Source: Yahoo! News

Wire Service: Reuters

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/050216/325/fcmli.html

On February 16, 2005 Reuters reported, "The Church of England has taken the first tentative steps towards ordaining women bishops but the historic move could still take up to four years. Women breaking through the 'stained glass ceiling' may prove to be as divisive as the ordination of gay priests, so the church is adopting a very cautious approach....

Source: The Washington Times

http://washingtontimes.com/metro/20050215-105714-2958r.htm

On February 16, 2005 The Washington Times reported, "lawmakers want to amend the state constitution to open schools and other public places to prayer and other religious activities. Delegate Charles W. Carrico Sr. said the amendment is needed because there is a growing effort to silence Christians... He noted his amendment does not require people to participate in prayer, and...

Source: The Times of India/Press Trust of India

http://www1.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1020962.cms

On February 15, 2005 the Press Trust of India reported, "The National Commission for Minorities (NCM) on Monday said there was 'abnormally high' growth of Christian population in the North-East and this could be due to illegal Bangladeshi Muslim migrants reporting themselves as Christians. NCM chairman S Tarlochan Singh said that scientific...

Source: CNN News

Wire Service: AP

http://www.cnn.com/2005/EDUCATION/02/15/school.bible.class.ap/index.html

On February 15, 2005 CNN News/AP reported, "public elementary schools will continue to allow Bible classes during class time while the local school board conducts a one-year review to determine if criticism of the practice by some parents is valid. Several hundred people attended the school board meeting Monday,...

Source: Chico Enterprise-Record

http://www.chicoer.com/Stories/0,1413,135~25088~2712227,00.html

On February 15, 2005 the Chico Enterprise-Record reported, "anyone with an interest is welcome to share a meal and learn about three religions Sunday at Chico's Celebration of Abraham. The event will be from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at Faith Lutheran Church. Participants will hear brief talks on Judaism, Christianity and Islam along with selections from sacred music and...