Christianity

Muslim and Christian Dialogue in the Midwest

December 31, 2003

Source: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

http://www.nccbuscc.org/comm/archives/2003/03-250.htm

On December 31, 2003 the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops reported, "The Mid-Atlantic Dialogue of Catholics and Muslims, sponsored by the Islamic Society of North America, Plainfield, Indiana, and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), Washington, DC, has finished a sixty-five page study resulting from discussion over an eight-year...

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Locals Mix Traditions in Hawaii

December 30, 2003

Source: The Honolulu Advertiser

http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2003/Dec/25/ln/ln01a.html

On December 30, 2003 The Honolulu Advertiser reported that "many families in Hawai'i are mixing traditions this Christmas Day. Interfaith marriage is rising across the United States, and Americans nationwide are celebrating increasingly diverse holidays. Although exact data is hard to come by because the U.S. Census is forbidden to ask questions about...

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Fans Rally as Football Player Fined for Wearing a Cross

December 29, 2003

Source: Beliefnet

http://www.beliefnet.com/story/137/story_13787_1.html

On December 29, 2003 Beliefnet reported on a controversial call by the National Football League, which fined Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Jon Kitna $5,000 for a cap emblazoned with a cross symbolizing his devotion to Jesus. "The NFL told the Bengals Kitna was in violation of a rule requiring all merchandise worn by players or other team personnel to be approved and licensed by the football...

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Americans Increasingly Mix and Match Religions

December 27, 2003

Source: Los Angeles Times

http://www.latimes.com/features/religion/la-me-beliefs27dec27,1,4445205.story?coll=la-news-religion

On December 27, 2003 the Los Angeles Times reported, "A recent Barna poll found that significant numbers of Americans embrace beliefs that are 'logically contradictory,' blending different faith views to create unorthodox religious viewpoints. 'Mix and match spirituality, I call it,' said...

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Muslims Have Mixed Views and Practices Regarding Christmas

December 27, 2003

Source: The Daily Star

http://www.dailystar.com.lb/features/24_12_03_a.asp

On December 27, 2003 The Daily Star ran a story on Muslims in Lebanon viewed and embraced or rejected Christmas traditions: "Wandering about the overwhelmingly Muslim southern suburbs of Beirut during the lead-up to Christmas, Ramadan decorations were still up in the streets and in shop windows. However, in the shop window of the Karout Grand Supermarket in the suburb of Haret Hreik, there was a...

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Archbishop of Canterbury Urges Religions to "Stand Together" Against Secular Society

December 26, 2003

Source: The Scotsman

http://www.news.scotsman.com/uk.cfm?id=1410182003

On December 26, 2003 The Scotsman reported, "An ecumenical message from the Archbishop of Canterbury has urged Christians, Jews and Muslims to stand together against an increasingly secular society. Dr. Rowan Williams, speaking at Canterbury Cathedral, told of fears over religion, noting what he described as 'sniggering' in the media over the Prime Minister, Tony Blair’s, faith. He said: 'It isn...

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Interfaith Council Calls for Middle East Peace

December 26, 2003

Source: The Dallas Morning News

http://www.dallasnews.com/religion/opinion/stories/122703dnrelguestcolumn.13f09.html

On December 26, 2003 The Dallas Morning News published an editorial by Marzuq Abdul Jaami on the American Clergy Leadership Conference and the Interreligious and International Federation for World Peace, organizations that are working to establish an interfaith council at the United Nations and focus religious efforts...

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Dallas Hosts New Multi-Faith Radio Show

December 26, 2003

Source: The Dallas Morning News

http://www.dallasnews.com/religion/stories/122703dnrelconnect.ed78.html

On December 26, 2003 The Dallas Morning News published a profile on Mike Ghouse, the host of Dallas' new "The Multi-Faith Radio Program," weekdays at 6 a.m. on KBIS-AM (1150) and KYNG-AM (950). Each day, Gouse "interviews a guest from a local religious community, with the goal of helping his listeners learn to 'cherish and respect every which way...

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Christians Host "Open House" During Christmas Services

December 25, 2003

Source: The New Straits Times

http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Friday/Frontpage/20031226072221/Article/

On December 25, 2003 The New Straits Times reported, "True to the tradition of Malaysians who hold open house during festivals, the Yuletide cheer was felt not only by Christians of all denominations, but also others in our multi-ethnic society. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi took time off to join the open house...

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Clergy Leadership Network Formed

December 25, 2003

Source: The Centre Daily Times

http://www.centredaily.com/mld/centredaily/news/7571701.htm

On December 25, 2003 The Centre Daily Times reported on the Clergy Leadership Network, a new organization that hopes to mobilize thousands of moderate and liberal religious leaders before the Nov. 2 election to vote Democratic. The group "will focus on issues such as peace, justice, poverty, civil rights, health care and housing. It will steer clear of abortion and gay...

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Kurdish Christians Celebrate Christmas

December 25, 2003

Source: KurdishMedia News

http://www.kurdmedia.com/news.asp?id=4557

On December 25, 2003 KurdishMedia News reported, "Kurdish Christians filled the streets Thursday and held midnight mass without fear, unlike their counterparts hundreds of kilometres to the south in Baghdad...Baghdad’s churches canceled Christmas Eve midnight mass, citing fears of violence in the capital where insurgents launched a series of Christmas Day rocket and bomb attacks. Churches in the capital...

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Lieberman Calls for Greater Role of Religion in Public Life

December 24, 2003

Source: The Portsmouth Herald

http://www.seacoastonline.com/news/12242003/news/67089.htm

On December 24, 2003 The Portsmouth Herald reported that U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman visited the Seacoast Community Church to help serve meals to homeless people and others in need. He made Tuesday’s visit to the church to meet with voters and "to reflect on the role faith plays in the lives of ordinary citizens and the U.S. government. During a brief speech before...

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Christians, Jews, and Christmas

December 24, 2003

Source: San Antonio Express-News

On December 24, 2003 San Antonio Express-News reported that "for a third consecutive year, [members of Wellspring Presbyterian Church in Texas] will use Congregation Agudus Achim, a synagogue, for their Christmas Eve service... Father David Garcia, rector of San Fernando Cathedral, believes... Jews, Muslims and Christians have a common bond in their belief in Abraham, and he sees many opportunities for those of different faiths to interact."

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