Author: Melissa Pamer

Source: Dailybreeze.com

http://www.dailybreeze.com/news/ci_12287014

Ester Hacken has come to consider herself part of Amir Fazalbhoy's family during the past decade, which saw the blossoming of their friendship.

Despite many occasions on which they've broken bread and shared holidays, there always remained one thorny issue dividing them: religion.

On Sunday, Hacken, an observant Jew, and Fazalbhoy, a practicing...

Author: Staff Writer

Source: Thaindian News

http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/politics/bangladesh-welcomes-us-recognition-of-its-religious-tolerance_100187256.html

The Bangladesh government has welcomed a US Congressional panel’s move to drop it from a list of countries deemed to violate the religious freedom of minorities.

The decision is a vindication of the...

Author: Dana Clark Felty

Source: The Buddhist Channel/Savannah Now

http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=61,8095,0,0,1,0

Six-year-old Cayden Somers was rolling on the floor, jumping across the room and bouncing off the walls on Sunday as his Sunday school teacher prepared her lesson in the next room.

The energy soon transferred to 5-year-old Savana Kaufman and 6-year-old Dorothy Neal who jumped from side to side giggling...

Author: Jesse Leavenworth

Source: The Hartford Courant

http://www.courant.com/community/news/ec/hc-many-faiths-0502.artmay02,0,2096209.story

Soon after Russian Jews settled here a century ago, a congressional panel on immigration set out to study the newcomers' progress and assimilation with the mostly Yankee population.

The Jewish farmers of Ellington were among the immigrant communities studied throughout...

Author: Emily Wax

Source: The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/30/AR2009043004083.html

At a trendy pub in this cosmopolitan IT capital, Hemangini Gupta, 28, and some of her girlfriends were recently relaxing with cocktails after work. A group of Hindu men later followed them outside, verbally accosting them for drinking in a public bar and for wearing jeans.

"These...

Author: Lydia Saad

Source: Gallup

http://www.gallup.com/poll/118120/Obama-Approval-High-Among-Muslims-Jews-Catholics.aspx

Gallup Poll Daily tracking during President Obama's first 100 days in office finds broad support for him among Americans affiliated with most major U.S. religions. U.S. Muslims and Jews give Obama his highest job approval ratings, at 85% and 79%, respectively. He also receives solid majority...

Author: William C. Mann

Source: The Hartford Courant

http://www.courant.com/news/nationworld/hc-religious-freedom-0501.artmay01,0,6672314.story

A congressionally backed panel said today that religious freedoms were deteriorating in Russia, Turkey and four other nations that were added to a watch list of countries where people's rights to worship as they please or not to worship at all are at risk.

The...

Author: Pamela Duque

Source: The Miami Herald

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/miami_dade/northeast/story/1026811.html

With final exams around the corner, Sundays mean study time for some high school students. But for Shira Papir and nine friends, last Sunday was a day for helping others and spending time with fellow teens from different religious backgrounds.

''Interfaith dialogue has always been something I've been...

Author: Jay Lindsay

Source: Examiner.com

Wire Service: AP

http://www.examiner.com/a-1991085~Worship_sites_seek_to_keep_the_faithful_flu_free.html

When worshippers clasp hands to "pass the peace" or share the communion cup and offering plates, religious leaders around the country want to be sure they don't also pass on swine flu.

Catholic churches in many dioceses with...

Author: Staff Writer

Source: Thaindian News

http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/politics/laws-discriminatory-to-minorities-to-be-repealed-bangladesh_100186458.html

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said that her government will repeal all laws and rules discriminatory to minority communities, including indigenous people.

“Our government believes in freedom...

Author: Staff Writer

Source: Balkan Investigative Reporting Network

http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/main/news/18555/

The two largest religious communities in Macedonia are so powerful they could breach the state’s constitutional secularism, a UN official visiting Skopje said on Wednesday.

The Macedonian Orthodox Church, MPC, and the Islamic community have a substantial influence over Macedonian politics, the special reporter on freedom...

Author: Kathryn Lohre

Source: World Faith News

http://www.wfn.org/2009/04/msg00197.html

Kathryn began her work with the Pluralism Project as a student researcher on the Women's Networks in 2000. As assistant director, she is now responsible for managing student research and the Religious Diversity News database, as well as Pluralism Project development, administration and outreach.

Kathryn received her B.A. in psychology, religion and women's studies...

Author: Staff Writer

Source: The New York Times

Wire Service: AP

Author: Scarlett Heydt

Source: ASU Web Devil

http://www.asuwebdevil.com/node/6332

Students gained exposure to four religious perspectives in an open dialogue Monday night at the Downtown campus.

A panel of five people from the Arizona Interfaith Movement gave a presentation and answered questions from ASU students.

The panelists were Arizona Interfaith Movement executive director Paul Eppinger, who acted as a facilitator; Jerry Burbach, who...

Author: Nicole Neroulias

Source: Religion News Service

http://www.religionnews.com/index.php?/rnstext/tight_economy_puts_the_squeeze_on_death_rites/

When Leonard Horowitz died at Putnam Hospital recently (April 20), the 92-year-old developmentally disabled man left behind no family, no friends, no savings and no final requests.

Nevertheless, Horowitz was buried with full Jewish rites at Staten...