News

Central to Wiccans is a Reverence for Nature

December 31, 2005

Source: Austin-American Statesman

http://www.statesman.com/life/content/life/stories/other/12/31interfaith.html

On December 31, 2005 the Austin-American Statesman ran a feature article on the beleifs of Wiccans. Ellen C. Friedman, an Elder priestess with Live Oak Local Council, Covenant of the Goddess, and a participants in the Austin Area Interreligious Ministries, provides her conception of Wicca: "Like other nature-based religious paths,...

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Sarasota Mosque Plans Modified to Exclude Minarets

December 31, 2005

Source: CentreDaily.com/The Herald Today

http://www.centredaily.com/mld/centredaily/news/nation/13520947.htm

On December 31, 2005 The Herald Today reported, "Without the 85-foot minarets that caused some controversy, a new $1.5 million mosque will break ground this spring, said Hytham Bakr, a member of the board of directors of the Islamic Society of Sarasota and Bradenton. The new Islamic center... will be no more than 40 feet tall including its dome,...

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Russia Looks to Tibet to Strength Bond with Buddhism

December 31, 2005

Source: The Buddhist Channel

Wire Service: IANS

http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=1,2136,0,0,1,0

On December 31, 2005 the Indo-Asian News Service reported, "Once suppressed by the communist regime, Buddhism is again flourishing in Russia. And Moscow wants help from Nepal to embellish its bond with the religion. 'Buddhism is the fourth biggest religion in Russia after Christianity, Islam and Judaism,' says Sergey F. Kiselev...

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Muslim Immigrants Face a Tough Future

December 30, 2005

Source: International Herald Tribune

http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/12/25/news/islam8.php

On December 30, 2005 the International Herald Tribune reported, "Europe's failure to integrate a growing population of immigrants, many of them Muslims, starts desperately early: in education systems that still systematically neglect these and other disadvantaged children, trapping them in uneducated poverty and depriving them of a sense of worth and belonging. The daughters...

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Court Finds GM Prohibition of Religious Group Not Discriminatory

December 30, 2005

Source: Beliefnet

Wire Service: AP

http://www.beliefnet.com/story/182/story_18217_1.html

On December 30, 2005 the Associated Press reported, "A General Motors Corp. program that lets Hispanics, blacks or lesbians - but not Christians - organize in employee groups does not commit religious discrimination, a federal court ruled. The company's Affinity Group diversity program treats all religions equally because no groups are allowed to...

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Op/Ed: "Defending Malaysia’s Diversity"

December 30, 2005

Source: International Herald Tribune

http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/12/30/opinion/edbowring.php

On December 30, 2005 the International Herald Tribune ran an opinion piece by columnist Philip Bowring, who writes, "Natural wealth and a benign history have enabled Malaysia to prosper economically while religious/ethnic divides have grown, at least in peninsular Malaysia. (Things are different in the ethnically more diverse Borneo states). It may be hard to admit...

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Bakersfield Sikhs Urge Police to Take Action Over Hate Crime at Gurdwara

December 30, 2005

Source: KGET-TV

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10654242/

On December 30, 2005 KGET-TV reported, "Local Sikhs insist that two pig heads found outside their temple last week was a hate crime and they want police to take action. But Bakersfield Police say intent must be proven, which has so far not been established... Police officials said two adults admitted accidentally dropping the pig heads from a bag instead of properly disposing of them, while off-roading.

According to...

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Interfaith Leaders Inject Morality into Massachusetts Healthcare Debate

December 29, 2005

Source: The Boston Globe

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2005/12/29/interfaith_leaders_invoke_morality_in_healthcare_debate/

On December 29, 2005 The Boston Globe reported, "Let the politicians and lobbyists argue about copayments and premiums. The Rev. Hurmon Hamilton and Rabbi Jonah Pesner are waging their fight to expand healthcare coverage on a different, higher plane...

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