Source: The Associated Press

http://www.fac.org/rel_liberty/publiclife/news.aspx?id=12755

On February 25, 2004 The Associated Press reported, "The Supreme Court, in a new rendering on separation of church and state, voted today to let states withhold scholarships from students studying theology, even when money is available to students studying anything else. The Court's 7-2 ruling said the state of Washington was within its rights to deny a taxpayer-funded...

Source: Christianity Today

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2004/003/18.26.html

On February 25, 2004 Christianity Today reported, "A fact-finding team of four U.S. congressmen has raised hopes among Indian Christian leaders fighting persecution. After a weeklong tour in January requested by Indian Christians, Joseph Pitts (R-Pa.) expressed shock at the persecution. We are touched by the suffering of the Christian and Muslim minorities at the hands of Hindu...

Source: Newsday

http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/movies/nyc-reli0225,0,4635957.story

On February 24, 2004 Newsday reported on the reactions by Hindus, Muslims, Jews, and Christians to Mel Gibson's "The Passion." Rajeesh Persaud, a Hindu who is seven years out of his native Guyana,notes in the article that "nobody should speak against another's religion. I would hope Mr. Mel Gibson would not make people become intolerant."Hassan Numan, a...

Source: Baptist Press News

http://www.sbcbaptistpress.org/bpnews.asp?ID=17717

On February 24, 2004 Baptist Press News reported that "a better understanding of Islam was the agenda at Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary’s annual mission conference Feb. 13-15. Hosted by The David and Faith Kim School of Intercultural Studies, the conference drew approximately 250 college students from across the West to the seminary’s northern California campus in Mill...

Source: Reuters

Source: The Anti-Defamation League

http://www.adl.org/PresRele/ChJew_31/4453_31.htm

On February 23, 2004 The Anti-Defamation League "praised the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops for rushing into print a collection of key documents relating to Catholic teaching on Jews, the death of Jesus and 'the sin of anti-Semitism' in advance of the Ash Wednesday release of Mel Gibson's controversial film 'The Passion of the Christ.'

The Bible, the Jews and the Death of...

Source: The Christian Science Monitor

http://www.csmonitor.com/2004/0223/p01s04-woiq.html

On February 23, 2004 The Christian Science Monitor ran an article on the efforts of the Anglican Church to mediate the peace process in Iraq: "The Rev. Canon Andrew White nods thoughtfully as he reads a statement by one of the sheikhs criticizing the 'embarrassing failure' of the US-led Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq and accusing the US-appointed Governing Council of being...

Source: Anti-Defamation League

http://www.adl.org/PresRele/ASUS_12/4454_12.htm

On February 23, 2004 the Anti-Defamation League reported, "On the eve of the release of Mel Gibson's controversial film "The Passion of the Christ," a poll commissioned by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has found that one in four Americans believe that Jews were responsible for the death of Jesus.

A national poll of 1,200 American adults conducted December 1-4, 2003 by The Marttila...

Source: The Star Press

http://www.thestarpress.com/articles/6/014696-9476-004.html

On February 23, 2004 The Star Press reported, "Last year's local observance of the National Day of Prayer attracted nationwide attention after it splintered into two ceremonies when the evangelical Christian leader of the main observance wouldn't allow prayers by local Jews and Muslims. This year, organizers of the multi-faith answer to the Christians-only observance beat their...

Source: The Herald-Tribune

http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20040214/NEWS/402140402/1060

On February 23, 2004 The Herald-Tribune reported, "In a move that threatens to divide the local religious community, the Venice Area Ministerial Association is considering whether to exclude Jewish, Muslim and other religious groups that do not 'declare allegiance to Jesus Christ of Nazareth.' Several conservative church...

Source: The Boston Globe

http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2004/02/22/cherishing_an_older_catholicism/

On February 22, 2004 The Boston Globe reported, "The worshipers at the St. Benedict Center are not big consumers of popular culture. Many don't own televisions. The nearest multiplex is miles away. And R-rated movies are frowned upon.

But Mel Gibson has done what MTV could not. By producing a graphic motion picture...

Source: The Christian Science Monitor

http://www.csmonitor.com/2004/0218/p03s01-ussc.html

On February 22, 2004 The Christian Science Monitor reported on the results of the radical step taken by Presbyterians in 1997 of letting laypeople baptize and serve the Lord's Supper. "Now, the Presbyterian Church, like other denominations, is watching new urban ministries blossom as a result of the policy, as fledgling ethnic communities link up with America's established churches...

Source: BBC News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3509777.stm

On February 21, 2004 the BBC News reported, "The Vatican and the Russian Orthodox Church have agreed to set up a joint working group to try to improve relations. The announcement was made simultaneously in Rome and Moscow. The most senior Vatican representative to visit Russia for four years is currently on a mission to try to mend bridges between the two churches...The Russian Orthodox believe that Pope John Paul...

Source: The Toledo Blade

http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20040221/NEWS10/102210138/-1/NEWS

On February 21, 2004 The Toledo Blade reported, "Bernie Keating grew up in the badlands of South Dakota, riding horses and running away from organized religion. He was, he says, 'a cowboy infidel' raised by 'a lukewarm Catholic father and a fallen-away Methodist mother.' His work as an engineering executive for Owens-...

Source: New York Newsday

http://www.nynewsday.com/news/local/queens/nyc-nyxmas193677544feb19,0,6404263.story?coll=nyc-topheadlines-queens

On February 20, 2004 New York Newsday reported, "A federal judge yesterday backed the city's Department of Education, ruling that the displaying of the Nativity scene, unlike Christmas trees and menorahs, is not secular and has no place in classrooms. Judge Charles Sifton in...