Interfaith

City Council Votes to Keep Ten Commandments and Add Display

March 21, 2001

Source: The Denver Post

On March 21, 2001, The Denver Post reported that "the Grand Junction City Council [in Colorado] voted 5-2 this week to keep a granite monument depicting the Ten Commandments at city hall" and also to post a disclaimer on the commandments stating in part, "This display is not meant to support any particular religious belief." The display is intended to avoid a lawsuit. "The council also will create a cultural heritage plaza around the Ten Commandments."

Ashcroft Mentions Religion in Speech at Installation Ceremony

March 19, 2001

Source: The Kansas City Star

On March 19, 2001, The Kansas City Star reported on John Ashcroft's ceremonial installation as attorney general. "Ashcroft, who is a devout Christian, made only passing religious references in his speech" and "repeatedly called for reaching out to people of all races, religions, ethnic backgrounds and economic means."

Resolution to Controversy over Prayer at City Council Meetings Reached

March 18, 2001

Source: The Columbus Dispatch

On March 18, 2001, The Columbus Dispatch reported on "a controversy that erupted at recent meetings of the Marion City Council [in Ohio], where the Lord's Prayer is recited before every meeting...City law requires that a prayer be read." One citizen suggested a silent or nonsectarian prayer be read so as not to exclude non-Christians. "From now on, various ministers will be on hand to open the meeting with a nonsectarian prayer." Most residents nevertheless support the use of the Lord's prayer.

Interfaith Council, New Hindu Temple Respond to Religious Diversity

March 17, 2001

Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

On March 17, 2001, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported on a conference titled "'Affirming Common Values in the Midst of Religious Diversity.' Sponsored by the Milwaukee Association for Interfaith Relations, it is at the new Hindu Temple of Wisconsin in the City of Pewaukee." Anant Rambachan, a global expert on interfaith dialogue and a speaker at the conference, says that Americans now have no choice but to learn to live, work with, and understand people of other faiths. The new Hindu temple is "itself a symbol of the...

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Op-Ed Articles Respond to Bush's Faith-Based Initiative

March 17, 2001

Source: The San Diego Union-Tribune

http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/sandiego/main/advancedsearch.html

On March 17, 2001, The San Diego Union-Tribune published an editorial by Jane Eisner of the Philadelphia Enquirer, in which she wrote that, "with a great deal of sophistication and smarts, the new Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives can navigate the fault lines while upholding" the values of "tolerance, civil rights, free speech, [and] respect for the...

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Catholic Nun Teaches Tai Chi Classes

March 17, 2001

Source: The Houston Chronicle

On March 17, 2001, The Houston Chronicle reported on Sister Carletta LaCour, who teaches Tai Chi at the Christian Renewal Center in Dickinson, Texas. "Though part of the benefit of practicing the moves is physical, LaCour also emphasizes the spiritual." She sees no incongruence between Catholicism and Tai Chi.

Results of National Survey on Religion Are In

March 17, 2001

Source: The New York Times

On March 17, 2001, The New York Times reported on "a survey called 'Faith Communities Today,' which includes data on topics like finances, programs and leadership, among 41 denominations and faith groups, Protestant, Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Jewish, Muslim and Baha'i...Half of all congregations, according to the report, contain fewer than 100 adults who regularly participate." The article talks about the implication of this finding for Bush's faith-based initiatives. The survey can be found at...

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Bush Administration Responds to Criticism of Initiative from Christian Right

March 17, 2001

Source: The Boston Globe

On March 17, 2001, The Boston Globe reported that, "to repair the rift with the Christian right, White House officials privately have repudiated critical remarks that the director of the office of faith-based initiatives made about evangelicals, and have assured conservative leaders their concerns will be addressed." Some of these leaders asked for DiIulio's resignation, while others merely see him as a political liability for Bush. In a recent speech DiIulio "accused conservative Christian leaders of lacking commitment to the poor...

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New Center Celebrates Catholicism and Interfaith Dialogue

March 16, 2001

Source: The San Diego Union-Tribune

http://www.signonsandiego.com/

On March 16, 2001, The San Diego Union-Tribune reported that the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center is about to open in Washington, D.C. It "is slated to become a combination research center and interactive museum, art gallery and a bit of a presidential library." According to the cardinal who came up with the idea, the center is "designed to bring about a dialogue of cultures, to encourage ecumenical and interfaith activity...

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Survey Tracks Trends in American Congregations

March 14, 2001

Source: The Washington Post

On March 14, 2001, The Washington Post reported that "nearly two-thirds of U.S. congregations maintain strong ties to their religious denominations, debunking the widely held belief that affiliation with major religious groups has declined, according to the largest study ever of congregational behavior, which was released yesterday...The interfaith survey, 'Faith Communities in the United States Today,' involved 14,301 congregations in 41 denominations or faith groups...The survey confirms that the growth of less hierarchical,...

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Results of National Survey on Religion Are In

March 14, 2001

Source: The Atlanta Journal and Constitution

On March 14, 2001, The Atlanta Journal and Constitution reported on "the findings of Faith Communities Today, the largest survey of American religious congregations ever conducted. Among these are that "more than three in four congregations report that most or all of their regularly attending adult worshippers are white." In addition, "Changes in worship patterns...have a strong, positive association with congregational vitality, member growth, financial stability and other signs of a healthy congregation."

Census 2000 Uses Multiracial Categories, Tracks Growing Diversity

March 13, 2001

Source: Omaha World-Herald

On March 13, 2001, the Omaha World-Herald reported that, according to the Census 2000, "racial and ethnic minorities now make up about 7 percent of Iowa, compared with about 4.5 percent in 1990." The largest increase in population was among the Hispanic population. "The increase...has forced [Sioux City] to adapt. Interpreters are in demand to assist with the Spanish-speaking population. Schools have adjusted their programs."

Baltimore Mayor Seeks Support for His Faith-Based Initiative

March 13, 2001

Source: The Baltimore Sun

On March 13, 2001, The Baltimore Sun reported that Baltimore's "Mayor Martin O'Malley called on religious leaders yesterday to support his faith-based initiative, Baltimore Rising, which will connect 300 mentors in inner-city churches with 100 youths deemed most likely to kill or be killed by violent crime...Solving the crime, violence and drug addiction in the inner city 'requires a spiritual element...,' O'Malley said."

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