Source: U.S. Newswire

http://www.usnewswire.com/topnews/Current_Releases/0709-129.html

On July 9, 2001, U.S. Newswire reported that a "coalition of Atheist, Freethought, Secular Humanist and other nonbeliever organizations...under the banner of 'The Day That Counts' will hold a media conference...in Washington, D.C...The goal is to encourage the nation's 27,000,000 persons who define themselves as Atheists, Agnostics, Freethinker, Humanists or other...

Source: The Columbian

On June 29, 2001, The Columbian reported that "at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church [in Vancouver, Washington]...a certified Qigong instructor teaches the ancient practice of movement and meditation once a week." Qigong was created in China more than 4,000 years ago.

Source: The New York Times

On June 11, 2001, The New York Times reported that "the Volusia [Florida] County Council voted, 4 to 3, to deny [the Rev. John A.] Ferro's Dunamis Community and Outreach Ministries an exception to zoning rules to build a 130-seat church on the site" they chose. They wanted to build near the Cassadaga Spiritualist Camp, a settlement for Spiritualists. Mr. Ferro is now suing the county in federal court.

Source: Los Angeles Times

On April 20, 2001, the Los Angeles Times reported on the latest fashion trend among Southern Californian worshippers at Sunday services. "Sunday wardrobes now reflect age, ethnicity and even hobbies...Clergy do agree on one thing: Clothes styles don't matter to God. The debate is over whether clothes make, or at least help, the worshiper...Other religions [including Judaism and Islam] have seen a slight dip in fashion formality, though nothing like the eclectic fashion sense of Christian congregations."

Source: The Tennessean

http://www.tennessean.com/local/archives/01/04/03814884.shtml?Element_ID=3814884

On April 1, 2001, The Tennessean reported that the Bible Belt is now home to "Six Buddhist communities. Five Jewish congregations. Five Islamic mosques. A Baha'i center. A Hindu temple and a Hindu ashram, or teaching abode. Plus assorted Sikhs and Jains...Others exist, too." Tom Russell, a...

Source: The San Francisco Chronicle

On March 23, 2001, The San Francisco Chronicle reported on "the Eighth Annual Sufism Symposium in Fremont [California]...The symposium is being held to promote dialogue, cross-cultural understanding, interfaith education and unity among the people of the world... Sufism is an ancient religion that dates back to the prophet Mohammed and the 7th century."

Source: The Atlanta Journal and Constitution

On February 25, 2001, The Atlanta Journal and Constitution reported that "socially responsible investing...is coming into the mainstream...There are bond mutual funds as well as stock funds, funds aimed at Muslims and Mennonites, funds for animal lovers, and funds that focus on gay and lesbian rights, pro and con."

Source: Star Tribune

On February 10, 2001, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported that, among the Hmong community in the Twin Cities, some have embraced Christianity over the past 50 years, "but many have remained faithful to the traditional faith, shamanism...The Hmong are a farming people who live in mountainous ranges in Southeast Asia and southern China. Refugees began immigrating to the United States in the 1970s, after the Vietnam War ended...Today, about 11 percent of the estimated 75,000 to 80,000 Hmong in the Twin Cities are Christian, according to...

Source: The New York Times

On December 20, 2000, The New York Times reported that many Mormons are traveling to Palmyra, New York to visit the birthplace of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism, eventually led followers west. His recreated log home is one attraction in Palmyra. "A restored printing shop shows where the Book of Mormon was first published, and a visitors' center plays a recording of Christ's words in 20 languages including Hungarian, Finnish and Tahitian. A new temple overlooking the Sacred...

Source: Los Angeles Times

On June 16, 2000, the Los Angeles Times reported that city council members from Garden Grove, California have approved plans for the state's first Cao Dai church, despite the protest of residents who feel that the new religious facility will be a detriment to their neighborhood. Cao Dai, a faith begun in Vietnam in the 1920's that combines aspects of Buddhism, Christianity, Confucianism, Judaism and Taoism, has approximately 200 followers in Orange County, CA and commands about 5 million followers worldwide. The new facility...

Source: The Houston Chronicle

On October 5, 1998, The Houston Chronicle published an article announcing the grand opening of Houston's first Cao Dai temple. Cao Dai, a combination of Buddhism, Catholicism, and ancestor worship, is the third most popular religion in Vietnam and has approximately 1,000 adherents in the Houston area.