Source: Los Angeles Times

On December 8, 2000, The Los Angeles Times reported that "an Islamic holiday display now shares a patch of grass in Mission Viejo with Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus, marking what Muslim leaders say is the first time in California that the holy month of Ramadan has received equal billing with Christmas on public space. The small billboard shows a photograph of the Kaaba--the central shrine of Islam in Mecca, Saudi Arabia--with a message: 'Season's Greetings.' A caption under the photo reads 'The First House of Worship on Earth.'...

Source: Chicago Sun-Times

On December 7, 2000, the Chicago Sun-Times reported that "recalling this summer's mosque controversy in Palos Heights, a United Methodist bishop said ethnic bias is partly behind Long Grove residents' fight against a Korean church's plan to move into their community. Traffic and property values are the big reasons that residents oppose the Good Shepherd Church's plan, Bishop C. Joseph Sprague said Wednesday. At the same time, 'I have to wonder if the fact that this is a Korean congregation has anything to do with the kind of...

Source: The Boston Globe

On December 7, 2000, The Boston Globe reported that "a federal judge ruled yesterday that Lexington selectmen aren't violating anyone's rights by refusing to allow the Knights of Columbus to display a creche on the town's historic Battle Green during the Christmas season. In a 12-page ruling, US District Judge Nancy Gertner concluded that a new town ordinance that bans unattended structures from being placed on the common for more than eight hours was designed 'primarily to protect the historic and aesthetic qualities of the...

Source: Los Angeles Times

On December 6, 2000, the Los Angeles Times reported that "whether they want it or not, most residents of San Juan Capistrano will receive an early Christmas gift in the mail next week--an 83-minute movie on the life of Jesus. San Juan Capistrano residents will be among the 1.1-million households in 10 cities across the U.S. who will get the 'Jesus' video this holiday season from local churches and Christian leaders. The campaign is run by the San Bernardino-based Jesus Video Project, a ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ. In...

Source: Los Angeles Times

On December 4, 2000, the Los Angeles Times reported that "with its Moorish domes and bell towers, the splendid Mission San Carlos Borromeo in Carmel is the jewel of the California mission system. The small cell where Father Junipero Serra lived and worked has been meticulously preserved. When he died on Aug. 28, 1784, the remains of California's apostle were buried at the foot of the main altar. Now, however, a displaced tribe of Indians is trying to stake a claim in what Serra called the 'Garden of God,' south of San Francisco....

Source: Los Angeles Times

On December 3, 2000, the Los Angeles Times reported that "Biola University in La Mirada is set to hold the region's first major town hall meeting on the crisis Monday with Jews, Muslims and Christians. The Christian university's forum--expected to draw 3,000 people under the eyes of extra security guards--will attempt to move beyond finger-pointing to discuss concrete peacekeeping ideas. It reflects what organizers say is the small beginning of a return to dialogue, two months after the outbreak of violence that froze the peace...

Source: The Atlanta Journal and Constitution

On December 2, 2000, The Atlanta Journal and Constitution reported that "it is Sunday morning at Atlanta Friends Meeting House on Howard Street in Decatur. The Friends, better known as Quakers, gather here each week for their special form of worship, a comfortable togetherness interrupted only if the Spirit moves someone to talk. Some weeks no one speaks at all. As churches across the country begin the almost constant activity of Advent and Christmas from musical programs to pageants to parties, the Quaker...

Source: Los Angeles Times

On December 2, 2000, the Los Angeles Times reported that " with solemnity and joyous expectation, Christians across the Southland and around the world usher in the season of Advent on Sunday. The four-week season preceding Christmas is traditionally a time of introspection, anticipation and preparation for the coming of the child of Bethlehem. This is especially true in churches with a tradition of formal liturgical worship, among them the Roman Catholic, Episcopal and Lutheran churches. But Advent is not typically observed by many...

Source: New York Daily News

http://www.nydailynews.com/2000-11-30/News_and_Views/City_Beat/a-90436.asp

On November 30, 2000, The Daily News (New York) published an article entitled, "Seek A Day For Virgin of Guadelupe"

Source: The Boston Herald

On November 29, 2000, The Boston Herald published an article entitled, "Lexington Knights Go To Court in Battle For Creche on Green"

Source: The Denver Rocky Mountain News

On November 28, 2000, The Denver Rocky Mountain News reported that "Ramadan began Monday for the 1.1 billion followers of Islam - 15,000 of whom who live in Colorado. But Ramadan has another side - after dusk. That's when Muslims break each day's fast with a feast. The Jodehs decided to end the first day of Ramadan with four special friends, all members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 'The first night of Ramadan is special, and the tradition is to invite your most dear family and friends. I can't...

Source: St. Petersburg Times

On November 26, 2000, the St. Petersburg Times reported that "it was 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 4, when a city code enforcement inspector observed the clear violation of city law at 1444 Gulf-to-Bay Blvd. 'A person in front was standing with his head bowed while speaking,' city code inspector R. Hall noted, 'the group (was) standing and appearing to sing.' The Church of Hope was again conducting services to spread the word of God to the city's homeless, and contrary to city code, church was in session on a parcel of less than 20,...

Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch

On November 26, 2000, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that "what was likely the largest, most diverse group of African refugees ever to congregate in St. Louis met Saturday for food, song and dance at St. Pius V Catholic Church. The event was organized by the African Refugee Service, a 3-month-old agency that attempts to support people fleeing violence and persecution in African countries. The vast majority of the 175 people who attended the Thanksgiving-themed event have come through enormous stress, said one of the...

Source: Los Angeles Times

On November 23, 2000, the Los Angeles Times reported that "Worshipers at St. Philip Benizi Catholic Church often shudder during the early morning Masses delivered by Father Ignatius M. Kissel. The message of God's love is inspiring, but it's the biting chill in the air that gets to them the most these days. 'It's cold,' said Dorothy Flowers, a 20-year member of the parish, 'particularly when it's 42 degrees outside. I don't know how long we can stand it.'The Fullerton church lost its sanctuary in August, when someone intentionally...

Source: The Christian Science Monitor

On November 22, 2000, The Christian Science Monitor reported that "as religious persecution expands around the world, according to experts, America remains a relatively rare haven of religious tolerance. Around the globe, attacks on religious freedom are "absolutely on the upswing," says the Rev. Steven Snyder, president of International Christian Concern, a Maryland-based Christian human rights group. Religious liberty is 'deteriorating,' and today only one-quarter of the world's people enjoy broad religious freedom....