Christianity

Update: Ten Commandments Monument in Alabama Judicial Building

July 2, 2003

Source: The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A60386-2003Jul1.html

On July 2, 2003 The Washington Post reported that "a federal appeals court yesterday declared the 2 1/2-ton Ten Commandments monument in the rotunda of the Alabama Supreme Court to be unconstitutional and compared its champion -- Chief Justice Roy S. Moore -- to the defiant, segregation-era Southern governors George C. Wallace and Ross Barnett... The unanimous...

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Muslim Center and Neighbors Debate over Zoning Permit

July 2, 2003

Source: Chicago Tribune

http://www.chicagotribune.com/archives

On July 2, 2003 the Chicago Tribune reported that "neighbors have been complaining for four months about traffic and parking problems caused by Friday afternoon prayers at the... Muslim Educational Center [IL]. In April, when center officials presented plans to add a mosque and more parking to their property... neighbors successfully lobbied the Village Board to reject the expansion... Now some Morton Grove residents are...

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High School Students Participate in Interfaith Training Program

July 2, 2003

Source: Religion News Service

[religionnews.com/press02/PR070203.html]

On July 2, 2003 the Religion News Service reported that "fifty Christian, Muslim, and Jewish high school students from the Middle East, South Africa, Northern Ireland and the United States committed to building understanding between peoples of different faiths are spending two weeks together in a groundbreaking leadership-training program... The students, ages 16-18, are participants in the Face to Face/Faith to Faith program, co-sponsored by Auburn...

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Baptists and Pluralism from one Historian's Point of View

June 30, 2003

Source: Baptist Standard

http://www.baptiststandard.com/postnuke/index.php?module=htmlpages&func=display&pid=290

On June 30, 2003 the Baptist Standard reported that "Baptists bog down in theological 'quicksand' as they try to relate to people of other religions, church historian Bill Leonard reported... They’ve got 'one foot set in Jesus-ism and the other in pluralism,' Leonard said in a breakout session held during the...

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The Yuba-Sutter Abrahamic Interfaith Dialogue Program

June 29, 2003

Source: Appeal-Democrat

On June 29, 2003 the Appeal-Democrat reported that Ali "Jensen, of Santa Cruz [CA], converted to Islam about 26 years ago after exploring transcendental meditation and Zen Buddhism, he said. According to Islamic teachings, he prays five times a day and fasts for an entire month, among other things... Jensen was speaking at the second Yuba-Sutter Abrahamic Interfaith Dialogue Program, a group involving Christian, Jewish and Muslim members... Coordinators stressed mutual understanding and peace as goals for the dialogue. They also...

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Muslim Lawyer Seeks Virginia General Assembly Seat

June 28, 2003

Source: The Washington Times

http://www.washingtontimes.com/metro/20030628-104406-5307r.htm

On June 28, 2003 The Washington Times reported that "a Republican immigration lawyer from Falls Church is seeking to become the first Muslim to be elected to the Virginia General Assembly... Kamal Nawash, 33, a Palestinian Arab born in Bethlehem, says he is running for state Senate because he believes he can foster understanding between Muslims, including Arabs, and...

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Author Claims Anti-Catholic Sentiments on the Rise in U.S.

June 28, 2003

Source: Zenit

http://www.zenit.org/

On June 28, 2003 Zenit reported that "anti-Catholicism is enjoying a renewed lease on life in the United States. So says Philip Jenkins in his latest book, The New Anti-Catholicism: The Last Acceptable Prejudice (Oxford University Press)... A professor of history and religious studies at Pennsylvania State University, Jenkins starts off by explaining that he left the Catholic Church, and since the late 1980s has belonged to the Episcopal Church. 'I have no...

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Ten Commandments Plaque to Stay on Chester County Courthouse

June 27, 2003

Source: The Express-Times

http://www.nj.com/news/expresstimes/pa/index.ssf?/base/news-6/1056704664167180.xml

On June 27, 2003 The Express-Times reported that a "Ten Commandments plaque that has hung for 83 years on the facade of the Chester County [PA] courthouse does not constitute an official endorsement of religion, and may remain there for the sake of historical preservation, a federal appeals court ruled Thursday... Northampton County...

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Muslim Converts in Chiapas, Mexico

June 27, 2003

Source: Knight Ridder

http://www.bayarea.com/mld/mercurynews/news/6182920.htm

On June 27, 2003 Knight Ridder reported that Juan "Gómez, 26, a former Protestant who became a Muslim in 1996, is learning the language as a convert to Islam. He embodies a religious phenomenon in Chiapas [Mexico], where one-quarter of the 3.9 million people are poor Maya peasants who practice myriad religions, often blending ancient rituals with Roman Catholicism... The religious conquest...

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Teacher's Aide Reinstated after being Sent Home for Wearing Cross

June 26, 2003

Source: Post-Gazette

http://www.post-gazette.com/localnews/20030626crossrulingr5.asp

On June 26, 2003 the Post-Gazette reported that "Indiana County teacher's aide Brenda Nichol, suspended for wearing a cross in school, won the first round in her federal court battle yesterday when a judge said her employer must reinstate her... In granting a request for a preliminary injunction, U.S. District Judge Arthur J. Schwab said Nichol, 43, of Glen Campbell, must be...

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Catholic Diversity Evident in Educational Offerings

June 24, 2003

Source: The Syndey Morning Herald

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/06/23/1056220542342.html

On June 24, 2003 The Syndey Morning Herald reported that "one in four Australians is a Catholic, but within this dominant religion there are schools to suit every sub-set of believer. Where Catholic schools once divided between rich schools run by religious orders and the cheaper "systemic" school, Sydney now has schools for Maronite, Melkite and Armenian Catholics...

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Diverse Catholic Schools Signal "Growing Religious Pluralism" in New South Wales

June 24, 2003

Source: Sydney Morning Herald

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/06/23/1056220542342.html

On June 24, 2003 the Sydney Morning Herald reported that "The Maronites (Lebanese Catholics), Melkites (mainly Syrians who follow the Byzantine rite) and Armenian Catholics join other ethno-religious schools for Islamic, Jewish, Greek and Coptic Orthodox students in Sydney's diverse educational offerings. Brian Croke, executive director of the Catholic Education...

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Interfaith Group Supports Muslims in Building a Mosque

June 24, 2003

Source: Marshfield News Herald

http://www.wisinfo.com/newsherald/mnhlocal/278100915729824.shtml

On June 24, 2003 Marshfield News Herald reported that "members of the Christian, Jewish and Muslim faiths who have joined together to advocate for tolerance of different cultures, races and religions say they are backing an effort by Muslims in Marshfield to build a mosque to serve north central Wisconsin... Members of Marshfield Social Justice, which was formed...

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Spirituality in Black America

June 24, 2003

Source: Newsday

http://www.nynewsday.com/entertainment/local/newyork/ny-p2tube3343440jun24,0,6928585.story

On June 24, 2003 Newsday reported on "Spirituality in Black America, a six-hour PBS series explores religion from slavery to the present... This is the larger story told in 'This Far by Faith,' in effect a 'prequel' to 'Eyes on the Prize,' Henry Hampton's acclaimed history of the civil rights movement, which first aired...

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