Interfaith

Nursing Home Site Becomes Home of Buddhist Temple and Community Center

June 21, 2001

Source: southofboston

http ://l edger.southofboston.com/archives/index.inn?loc=detail&doc=/2001/June/21-1170-news03.txt

On June 21, 2001, southofboston.com reported that the Resthaven Nursing Home in Braintree "was recently purchased by the Vietnamese Buddhist Community of Massachusetts. The Venerable Thich Thien Hue, a Vietnamese monk who is setting up a temple and community center at the site, hopes that residents from Braintree and beyond will soon visit to meditate and learn about Buddhism."

Four Churches in Virginia County Embody Ethnic Diversity

June 21, 2001

Source: The Washington Post

On June 21, 2001, The Washington Post reported that "four churches in Hyattsville that were once all-white have morphed into a polyglot of faith and racial togetherness[, as] Prince George's County has changed from a predominantly white county to one that is predominantly black...At First United Methodist Church...[an] African American pastor booms out sermons to pews filled with blacks, whites, Hispanics and immigrants from 38 nations. At the Redeemer Lutheran Church...the son of German immigrants... [preaches to] congregants...

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Leader of Anti-Discrimination Group Calls on Churches and Synagogues

June 21, 2001

Source: The Kansas City Star

On June 21, 2001, The Kansas City Star reported that "the leader of the National Conference for Community and Justice called on churches and synagogues to quash racism, bigotry and bias" at the organization's regional conference in Kansas City...He said faith-based groups in America have gotten away from fighting social ills such as racism because they have gotten too caught up with other issues."

Court Orders FedEx to Allow Employees to Wear Beards for Religious Reasons

June 20, 2001

Source: The Atlanta Journal and Constitution

On June 20, 2001, The Atlanta Journal and Constitution reported that "Federal Express Corp. must allow employees to wear beards for religious reasons, the U.S. District Court in Augusta has ruled. The decision came after [Muslim] Khaleed Abdul-Azeez filed a complaint through the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission claiming that the company violated his religious beliefs and the Civil Rights Act of 1964 with its policy prohibiting employees in customer-contact positions from wearing beards."

Two Scholars Advocate Teaching Religion in Public Schools

June 20, 2001

Source: The Virginian-Pilot

On June 20, 2001, The Virginian-Pilot reported that two scholars "urged...in a forum broadcast live on public radio...a model in which religion is treated with respect and taught in the curriculum" in public schools. "But we keep the government from imposing or denigrating religion," they said. Both scholars "work with the First Amendment Center at Vanderbilt University, whose focus is religious liberty...The scholars said that teaching about religion can be - and should be - included in school curriculums that are based on sound...

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Supreme Court Permits School-Sponsored Prayer in Alabama

June 19, 2001

Source: The Houston Chronicle

On June 19, 2001, The Houston Chronicle reported that "a year after striking down student-led prayers before high school football games in Santa Fe, the U.S. Supreme Court...let stand a lower court's ruling [in Alabama] allowing such prayers." Having previously ruled that the student-led prayers violated the separation between church and state, "the justices did not explain why they chose to pass on hearing the [Alabama] case...Lawyers for the American Center for Law and Justice...hailed the action as a 'critical victory for...

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Catholicism Source of Unity, Political Ideals, for Many Latin American Immigrants

June 19, 2001

Source: The New York Times

On June 19, 2001, The New York Times reported that "it is in the United States that the consciousness of being part of a single Hispanic world -- absent in Latin America -- has been emerging as varied Hispanic peoples experience identical conflicts with American culture...Such conflicts are essentially religious." Hispanics share similar values, which can follow the Republican or Democratic policies, depending on whether these policies "have their origin in Catholic social thought."

Muslim and Jewish Interfaith Group Plans to Resume Dialogue

June 19, 2001

Source: Los Angeles Times

On June 19, 2001, the Los Angeles Times reported that "southland Muslim and Jewish leaders decided...to restart a troubled interfaith dialogue group after Mideast tensions moved the Islamic side to freeze the effort last month...The group...has lost members in the last several months as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict stoked emotions and suspicions on both sides." Many, however, believe that the issues need to be squarely addressed in interfaith dialogue.

Iowa Town Not Ready for Influx of Diverse Newcomers

June 18, 2001

Source: The Boston Globe

On June 18, 2001, The Boston Globe reported on the arrival of Brooklyn-born Hasidic Jews and immigrants from Russia, Bosnia, Ukraine, Nigeria and Mexico to Postville, Iowa. "At first, the Iowans smiled stretched out their hands. But over time, they resented what they saw as the newcomers' unfriendly ways...[Some] say Postville, which has become a real-life model of diversity, immigration, and demographic shifts, proves Iowa is not [psychologically and socially] ready for a mass immigration...Of all the newcomers...the Hasidic Jews...

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Faith-Based Initiative to Be Debated in Congress

June 17, 2001

Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

On June 17, 2001, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported Bush's faith-based initiative "is about to be debated in Congress. But the outlook is stormy, and one key Republican has warned the White House that the bill faces serious constitutional and political problems...The White House and its allies are launching a major effort to mobilize political support."

Indian Father Comes Around to Daughter's Interfaith Marriage

June 17, 2001

Source: St. Petersburg Times

On June 17, 2001, St. Petersburg Times reported on Dr. Kiran Patel, "a champion of Indian culture in Tampa." One of the Indian traditions that he espouses is "for Indian fathers to help arrange the marriages of their daughters to worthy Indians," but his 27-year-old daughter decided to marry an American Methodist from New Jersey. Dr. Patel opposed the marriage at first, but eventually relented.

American Indian Teaches Keetowah Faith to Others

June 17, 2001

Source: Newsday

On June 17, 2001, Newsday reported on Frank "White Eagle" Schaefer, a registered member of the Onondaga nation and holy man. "He is...deeply steeped in his culture and works to educate others of the ways of his people. Schaefer is a much revered elder among those following the Keetowah faith, which teaches reverence for family and nature and [has been] practiced in diverse forms by American Indian tribes" for centuries. Schaefer is also devoted to Catholocism. He "weaves American Indian headbands out of 12 colorful pieces of yarn,...

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Woman Estranged from Family after Conversion from Catholicism to Islam

June 17, 2001

Source: The Philadelphia Inquirer

On June 17, 2001, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported on Linda Hauber, 29, who has become an observant Muslim. "Her rejection of Catholocism; the head scarf; her avoidance of church weddings and funerals...Christmas and Easter gatherings -- all have distanced her from family and old friends...The lingering estrangement arose not simply because [of] her conversion, but also because of her devout observances of Islamic convention."

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