Christianity

Pope Aims to Heal Rift Between Catholic and Orthodox Churches

June 11, 2005

Source: Houston Chronicle

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/world/3221527

On June 11, 2005 the Houston Chronicle reported, "It's a goal that has eluded Christianity for nearly 1,000 years: mending the rifts between the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches. Pope Benedict XVI has already declared a 'fundamental commitment' to heal the divide and last week began an indirect round of talks with the Russian Orthodox. In spiritual terms, it's an epic invitation to...

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Update: NC Church Splits from Baptist Conventions After Controversial Sign Posted

June 11, 2005

Source: The Washington Times

Wire Service: AP

http://www.washtimes.com/national/20050610-113611-9224r.htm

On June 11, 2005 the Associated Press reported, "A church whose pastor was criticized last month for displaying a sign calling for the Koran to be 'flushed' has withdrawn from the Southern Baptist Convention. Pastor Creighton Lovelace did not immediately return calls yesterday, but in a phone message left at his church in...

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Allentown Church Converted to Mosque, Confirms Growth of Muslim Community

June 10, 2005

Source: The Morning Call

http://www.mcall.com/news/local/all-b1_5mosquejun10,0,5470599.story

On June 10, 2005 The Morning Call reported, "a longtime Allentown church is experiencing new life as an Islamic center. Built in 1889, Trinity United Church of Christ at 1109 Linden St. hosted a thriving congregation that dwindled in modern times. A nondenominational Christian ministry called New Creations Family Worship Center bought the stately brick building...

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Interreligious Meeting in Geneva Aims to Recast Dialogue as "Practice of Humility and Hope"

June 10, 2005

Source: World Council of Churches

http://www2.wcc-coe.org/pressreleasesfr.nsf/index/pu-05-20.html

On June 10, 2005 a World Council of Churches press release reported, "Representatives of the world's main faith communities have proposed reshaping the approach to global interreligious dialogue to face threats posed by the current world context more effectively. 'Recasting interreligious dialogue as a practice of humility and hope offers a way of building...

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Opinion: Anti-Hate Bill Will Promote, Not Prevent, Hatred

June 10, 2005

Source: The Guardian

http://www.guardian.co.uk/religion/Story/0,2763,1503474,00.html

On June 10, 2005 The Guardian ran an opinion piece by Polly Toynbee on the re-introduced religious hatred bill in the U.K. legislature. Toynbee writes, "This bill is not 'closing a loophole' as Labour claims, but marches right into dangerous new terrain. Here is an example: it is now illegal to describe an ethnic group as feeble-minded. But under this law I couldn't call...

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Pope Vows to Fight Anti-Semitism and Improve Jewish Ties to Church

June 9, 2005

Source: BBC News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4077134.stm

On June 9, 2005 BBC News reported, "Pope Benedict XVI has met Jewish leaders for the first time since his election, saying he wants to continue improving relations between the faiths. He said he wanted to follow on from the work of his predecessor John Paul II. He spoke of what he called historical, moral and theological problems raised by the Holocaust - when millions of Jews were killed by Nazi Germany....

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Advocacy Group Accuses Judicial Nominee of Subverting Religious Pluralism

June 9, 2005

Source: Americans United for Separation of Church and State press release

http://www.civilrights.org/issues/nominations/details.cfm?id=32172

On June 9, 2005 an Americans United for Separation of Church and State press release reported, "the Bush administration's crusade to pack the federal courts with extremists scored another victory today with the Senate's confirmation of William Pryor, said Americans United for Separation of Church and State. Quickly...

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Removal of Cross from Crematorium Hall Stirs Controversy

June 9, 2005

Source: The Telegraph

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2005/06/09/ncrem09.xml

On June 9, 2005 The Telegraph reported, "A wooden cross has been removed from the wall of a crematorium chapel 'to cater for everyone in a diverse multi-faith society.' Torbay council, in Devon, has also renamed the building a 'ceremony hall.' The Rev Anthony Macey, vicar of nearby Cockington and Chelston, discovered that the 5 ft cross had been...

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Religious Hatred Bill Reintroduced

June 9, 2005

Source: 4NI

http://www.4ni.co.uk/nationalnews.asp?id=41389

On June 9, 2005 4NI reported, "The government has published a bill aimed at protecting individuals from religious hatred. The Racial and Religious Hatred Bill, which is being reintroduced to Parliament today, would protect members of all faiths from incited hatred. The Bill would create a new offence of Incitement to Religious Hatred, which would carry a maximum penalty of seven years in jail. The government says...

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Update: Following Proposed Ban, Decision Made to Keep Bibles at Hospital Bedsides

June 9, 2005

Source: BBC News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/leicestershire/4077988.stm

On June 9, 2005 BBC News reported, "A hospitals trust criticised for reviewing the tradition of having Bibles by patients' bedsides have pledged they will remain. The University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust said it wanted to look at how to accommodate all religious texts in its hospitals. It was also concerned whether the Bibles could spread the superbug MRSA. Bible...

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Rabbi Receives Medal from Catholic Church Recognizing "Civil Courage" and Interfaith Efforts

June 9, 2005

Source: Los Angeles Times

http://www.latimes.com/features/religion/la-me-rabbi9jun09,1,6715953.story?coll=la-news-religion

On June 9, 2005 the Los Angeles Times reported, "an Orange County rabbi on Friday will receive the highest award bestowed by the Roman Catholic Church on a nonmember, in recognition of his work in bringing together Catholics and Jews. Rabbi Shelton Donnell of Temple Beth Sholom is believed to be the...

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Tulsa Zoo Exhibit Adds Creation Display Near Image of Ganesh

June 8, 2005

Source: The Associated Press

http://www.beliefnet.com/story/168/story_16811_1.html

On June 8, 2005 The Associated Press reported, "the Tulsa Zoo will add a display featuring the biblical account of creation following complaints to a city board about other displays with religious significance, including a Hindu elephant statue.

The Tulsa Park and Recreation Board voted 3-1 on Tuesday in favor of a display depicting God's creation of the world in six days and...

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