Source: Catholic League

http://www.catholicleague.org/research/decceleb.htm

On December 12, 2002 Catholic League reported that "December presents public schools with the opportunity of acknowledging the diverse religious beliefs of their students while avoiding the kind of divisiveness that some activist organizations foster by misinterpreting the constitutional mandate regarding freedom of religion. Teachers, administrators and parents should try to promote greater...

Source: The Washington Post

On December 12, 2002 The Washington Post reported that "yesterday's Supreme Court oral argument over Virginia's law banning cross-burning produced an intense discussion of whether the Constitution permits states to prohibit political symbols that strike fear in the hearts of many citizens... The court's only African American, Thomas broke his customary silence during oral argument to drive home the point that the history of cross burning as a symbol of Ku Klux Klan hatred and violence toward blacks, Jews and Catholics makes...

Source: Fox News Channel

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,72791,00.html

On December 12, 2002 the Fox News Channel reported that "members of Syracuse University's Pagan Society lighted candles in the campus chapel, while curious students signed up for a new class on witchcraft. And at the University of Arizona and Lehigh University in Pennsylvania, believers can be excused from class on Wiccan holidays... 'There is a cultural shift with college students identifying...

Source: Christian Legal Society

http://www.clsnet.org/clrfPages/advocacy/faithBased_pr.php3

On December 12, 2002 the Christian Legal Society issued a Media Release stating "the Christian Legal Society, a nationwide association of Christian lawyers, applauds the guidance President Bush issued today regarding the involvement of faith-based and community organizations in government-funded social service programs. 'America's poor and needy will benefit from the...

Source: The Associated Press

http://www.fac.org/templates/document.asp?documentID=17348

On December 11, 2002 The Associated Press reported that "New York is discriminating against Christian students by allowing Islamic and Jewish holiday symbols to be displayed in public schools while banning Nativity creches, a Catholic organization suing the city charged yesterday. 'All we're asking for the city of New York to do is to treat Catholics the same way they do Jews...

Source: National Council of Churches

http://www.ncccusa.org/news/02news100.html

On December 11, 2002 National Council of Churches reported that "a broad coalition of leaders of religious and civic organizations announced here today the launching of a movement titled 'Keep America Safe: Win Without War.' They will seek to bring the case of alternative action to stop Iraqi militarism without resorting to American militarism.  Coalition members, who include National Council of...

Source: The New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2002/12/11/nyregion/11NATI.html

On December 11, 2002 The New York Times reported that "aided by the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, a Queens family sued the city on Monday in United States District Court in Brooklyn, charging that its policy on holiday displays in schools discriminates against Roman Catholics. The policy permits what it calls secular holiday decorations, including 'Christmas trees,...

Source: Wisconsin State Journal

On December 11, 2002 Wisconsin State Journal reported that "Buddhists set up [a] display alongside those of other religious groups at the fifth annual Interfaith Awareness Week program Tuesday at the state Capitol. Other faiths participating in the noon program were Orthodox Christian, Mennonite, Unitarian Universalist, Jewish, Hindu and Muslim. The Interfaith Awareness Week program was organized by the Rev. John-Brian Paprock... a priest at Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission in Madison.

Source: The Richmond Times-Dispatch

On December 10, 2002 The Richmond Times-Dispatch reported that "seven-year-old Alana Amrose stood entranced, looking at the fruits, animals, faces, symbols and writing of the Hindu calendar - a Nakara Chaturdasi. She glowed with excitement at the Children's Museum of Richmond's 'Our Community, One World in Celebration' exhibit featuring six miniature houses decorated with symbols of holidays observed around the end or beginning of the year. The girl's first stop last week was the Diwali display, focusing on the Hindu...

Source: The Christian Science Monitor

http://www.csmonitor.com/2002/1209/p09s02-coop.html

On December 9, 2002 The Christian Science Monitor printed an editorial by Alexander Kronemer that stated, "Pat Robertson has taken issue with the president, after Mr. Bush recently reaffirmed his belief that Islam is a peaceful religion that has a welcomed place among the other faiths practiced in America... In rejecting the president's words, Pat Robertson and other Christian...

Source: Sun Journal

http://www.sunjournal.com/story.asp?slg=120602menn

On December 9, 2002 the Sun Journal reported that "it was a night for both Jews and non-Jews to celebrate the Hanukkah holiday. In the basement of Main Street’s Goff Building [in Maine], about 50 people gathered Thursday for a city-run Hanukkah party with food, toys and music. Meanwhile, at the Auburn synagogue, another 50 people gathered to dedicate the new menorah, replacing a 'mega-menorah'...

Source: Bluefield Daily Telegraph

On December 9, 2002 the Bluefield Daily Telegraph reported that "Christianity isn't the only faith in a nation that is founded on the principles of religious freedom. Religious diversity is a way of life in Four Seasons Country, but during the holidays, Christmas is in the air. 'We celebrate Christmas,' Dr. Bhasker Pujari said. 'We don't have any qualms about it.' Pujari is a Hindu. He said that Hindu philosophy encourages embracing all faiths. 'We have a saying: 'All that exists is but one,'' he said. Doris Sue Kantor and...

Source: The Daily Statesman

http://news.mywebpal.com/partners/884/public/news403974.html

On December 9, 2002 The Daily Statesman reported that "legislation proposed this week by Senate President Pro Tem Peter Kinder, R-Cape Girardeau, could strengthen Missourians' abilities to practice their faith. The bill was filed in advance of the 2003 legislative session that begins in January. It would require the state to have a compelling interest in regulating...

Source: The Boston Globe

On December 8, 2002 The Boston Globe reported that "singing songs and chanting prayers, more than 100 people from several Catholic organizations gathered for a vigil in Davis Square yesterday to protest the opening of a multimedia rock opera 'Jesus Has Two mommies...' Eric Schmider, music director and one of three producers of the opera, said the show's message, despite its provocative title, is not to mock the religious icons or offend Catholics, but to encourage discussions about people's concepts of relationship and self."

Source: Suburban Chicago News

http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/newssun/city/w07religs.htm

On December 7, 2002 the Suburban Chicago News questioned "why would a loving God permit human suffering? What is the surest path to spiritual enlightenment? How can both doubt and belief spring from the same insurmountable questions?" Then suggested that "these and other weighty matters will be broached during some thought-provoking discussions being offered by faith...