Source: World Council of Churches

Source: The Christian Science Monitor

http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0222/p03s04-usju.html?s=hns

On February 22, 2006 The Christian Science Monitor reported, "American adherents of a Brazilian religious sect have won their battle to use hallucinogenic tea in their worship services. In a unanimous ruling with major implications for minority religious groups in America, the US Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld the right of religious organizations to claim exemption...

Source: Bangor Daily News

http://www.bangornews.com/news/templates/?a=125338

On December 17, 2005 the Bangor Daily News reported, "Ever feel tempted to consult a shaman? Or learn how to be a shaman? Interested in finding out about solstice celebrations conducted by local pagans? Wondering what Swedenborgianism is all about? Curious about the much-persecuted Baha'i Faith? Looking to find a compatible meditation group? Information on these topics and many, many more can...

Source: Yahoo! News

Wire Service: AFP

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20051124/lf_afp/afplifestyleus_051124232013

On November 24, 2005 Agence France-Presse reported, "A tribal chant rose from a thousands-strong prayer circle on San Francisco's Alcatraz Island, as Native Americans held a sunrise 'Unthanksgiving Day' ceremony. 'What we call it, is Unthanksgiving,' Bear Lincoln of the Wailikie Tribe told AFP as he waved...

Source: Baha'i World News Service

http://news.bahai.org/story.cfm?storyid=398

On November 9, 2005 the Baha'i World News Service reported, "Representatives of nine religious communities offered prayers on the International Day of Peace at a gathering organized by the Baha'i community of Tanzania. 'This is an historic day,' said keynote speaker, United Nations representative Eshila Maravanyika. Ms. Maravanyika expressed her delight at witnessing representatives of the various...

Source: UDV USA

http://www.udvusa.com/

On October 31, 2005 UDV USA reported, "On November 1st, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments in a major case, Gonzales v. O Centro Espirita Beneficente União do Vegetal, which goes to the very foundation of the free exercise of religion in the United States. For the past six years, the federal government has attempted to prohibit a small religious organization and its members from practicing their religion, which involves the use of a sacramental tea,...

Source: Herald Sun

http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,17026063%255E2862,00.html

On October 25, 2005 the Herald Sun reported, "Police are being advised to treat Muslim domestic violence cases differently out of respect for Islamic traditions and habits. Officers are also being urged to work with Muslim leaders, who will try to keep the families together. Women's groups are concerned the politically correct policing...

Source: New Zealand Police

http://www.police.govt.nz/news/release/2146.php

On October 11, 2005 the New Zealand Police press release reported, "The Police Religious Diversity Book will be launched in Christchurch on Wednesay 12 October 2005. 'A Practical Reference to Religious Diversity' covers seven major religious faiths including Maori spirituality, Buddhist Faith, Christian Faith, Hindu Faith, Islamic Faith, Jewish Faith, and the Sikh Faith. The book provides...

Source: Canada.com/The StarPhoenix

http://www.canada.com/saskatoon/starphoenix/news/local/story.html?id=d12d4178-2dc5-4902-9cf7-b5b559afebe7

On September 19, 2005 The StarPhoenix reported, "A centennial display celebrating 100 years of religion in Saskatchewan will soon be making its way to cities across the province. The 4-by-7-foot display, entitled 100 years of Faith in Saskatchewan, will be unveiled by the...

Source: SFBayView.com

http://www.sfbayview.com/082405/narcprepares082405.shtml

On August 24, 2005 SFBayView.com reported, "The National African Religion Congress (NARC) is preparing for their seventh annual international conference, which will be held Thursday, Aug. 25, through Sunday, Aug. 28, at the Hilton Garden Hotel, 1100 Arch St., Philadelphia. The planners are expecting representative from traditional African and Diaspora African-based religions to attend...

Source: BBC News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4666663.stm

On July 9, 2005 BBC News reported, "A prominent aboriginal figure in Canada has been found guilty of hate crimes, after making anti-Semitic remarks. David Ahenakew is a former leader of Canada's national native organisation, the Assembly of First Nations. Two years ago told a newspaper reporter that 'Jews were a disease that needed to be cleaned up'. Ahenakew, 71, has been fined 1000 Canadian dollars (£471...

Source: The Telegraph

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2005/06/19/nexor19.xml

On June 19, 2005 The Telegraph reported, "The nondescript red-brick block in north London barely warrants a second glance, but inside one of the flats is concealed a bizarre world barely comprehensible to most people.

This is the home of Malcolm Poussaint, a self-styled 'voodoo priest' who performs harrowing exorcism rituals on children as...

Source: BBC News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4098172.stm

On June 16, 2005 BBC News reported, "Children are being trafficked into the UK from Africa and used for human sacrifices, a confidential report for the Metropolitan Police suggests.

Children are being beaten and even murdered after being labelled as witches by pastors, the report leaked to BBC Radio 4's Today programme said.

Police face a 'wall of silence' in investigations because of fear and...

Source: The Dallas Morning News

[dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/localnews/columnists/all/stories/061505dnmetwade.d900ce4.html]

On June 15, 2005 The Dallas Morning News reported, "A Nigerian Yoruba priestess and two shamans – one an African Zulu spiritualist, the other an African-American spiritual healer – will add African and American black perspectives when more than 25 multiethnic spiritual leaders gather in Dallas this month. Hindus, Jews, Native Americans, Hare Krishnas, Catholics, Congregationalists and Wiccans...

Source: BBC News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/4608943.stm

On June 4, 2005 BBC News reported, "Hundreds of central African children living in the UK may have suffered abuse or even been killed after being accused of witchcraft, charities say. The warning follows the conviction of three people over the torture of an eight-year-old girl. Four London charities, working with people from central Africa, told BBC News this was not an...