Author: Staff Writer

Source: Google News

Wire Service: AP

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hElFS86oCxzHGTzgPbDw4qMom_AAD9CP5TTG0

Mesaba Airlines, a subsidiary of Delta Air Lines Inc., has to pay $130,000 in a settlement involving a religious discrimination lawsuit.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed a lawsuit in September 2008, claiming...

Author: Michael Hastings

Source: The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/22/AR2009122203537.html

Christians in Iraq are preparing for a muted holiday season, with one bishop in the southern city of Basra calling for a ban on public festivities while other congregations across the country have canceled services and cautioned worshipers to keep their celebrations...

Author: Timothy Williams

Source: The New York Times

Author: Staff Writer

Source: The Times Leader

Wire Service: AP

http://www.timesleader.com/news/ap?articleID=3460377

Santa, a snowman, an elf and other secular figures have joined a nativity scene at a northeastern Pennsylvania courthouse, resolving a controversy over the display of religious holiday symbols in a public space.

Luzerne County commissioners had removed the creche (CRESH') and menorah from the...

Author: Francis X. Rocca

Source: The Pew Forum/Religion News Service

http://pewforum.org/news/display.php?NewsID=19330

Jewish leaders warned of new strains in Catholic-Jewish relations after Pope Benedict XVI moved his controversial wartime predecessor, Pope Pius XII, one step closer to possible sainthood.

Benedict signed a decree on Saturday (Dec. 19) recognizing Pius' "heroic virtues" and declaring him "venerable." That new status makes...

Author: Derek Moore

Source: The Press Democrat

http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091221/NEWS/912219968?Title=Ban-on-angels-stars-on-county-Christmas-trees

Sonoma County's top official on Monday ordered the removal of stars, angels and other religious symbols from Christmas trees in county buildings after a complaint that the decorations violate constitutional protections.

...

Author: Michael Paulson

Source: The Boston Globe

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/12/20/brushed_by_the_spirit/

The altar at Grace Chapel is all decked out for Christmas. A pair of star-topped evergreens frame the poinsettia-filled stage, and artificial swag, laced with white lights, is strung along the walls and the balcony.

On the stage are the usual elements of worship here...

Author: Staff Writer

Source: BBC News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/video_and_audio/8423027.stm

The head of the Greek Orthodox Church has warned the country's new socialist government that it faces a major battle over removing religious symbols from schools.

Author: Steven Lee Myers

Source: The New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/19/world/middleeast/19monastery.html?_r=1&emc=tnt&tntemail0=y

When the 101st Airborne Division captured this base back in 2003, an American tank blasted the turret off a T-72 tank, catapulting it into the side of St. Elijah’s Monastery.

The force buckled a wall of mortar and stone that had stood for more than 1,...

Author: Staff Writer

Source: Google News

Wire Service: AP

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gh0-A7VXdEglScaadBAOJmd85SXgD9CLB38G1

Officials in northeastern Pennsylvania have removed a pair of religious holiday symbols from a public space after being threatened with legal action.

Luzerne County commissioners took down the creche (CRESH') and menorah from the...

Author: Kristi Keck

Source: CNN

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/12/18/war.on.christmas/index.html

Americans are in a war that pits the politically correct against Christmas carolers, some say. They say it's a battle that plays out in the halls of Congress, retail stores and public schools across the country, and it's one that's been raging for years.

Republican Rep. Henry Brown of South Carolina introduced a resolution this...

Author: Jennifer Learn-Andes

Source: Times Leader

http://www.timesleader.com/news/Loss_of_holiday_display_sparks_backlash_12-18-2009.html

Former Luzerne County commissioner Frank Trinisewski said he will resort to legal action against the county if a Nativity scene and menorah are not returned to the courthouse lawn.

Political activist Gene Stilp is also organizing a live Nativity scene – complete...

Source: UPI

http://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2009/12/16/Lawsuits-wont-stop-jail-Christmas-tunes/UPI-53031261005396/

Authorities in Arizona's Maricopa County said lawsuits filed to prevent Christmas music from being played in jails will not stop the tradition this year.

The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office said Monday that Sheriff Joe Arpaio's tradition of having Christmas and other holiday tunes played all day in all of...

Author: John Hilliard

Source: Wicked Local Newton

http://www.wickedlocal.com/newton/news/x1145288200/Newton-South-officials-cave-in-to-students-refusal-to-study-Bible-as-literature

Newton South High School officials dropped a requirement to read excerpts from the Bible for one student last month, after he refused to read the Biblical passages as a literature assignment...

Author: Dan Elliott

Source: Google News

Wire Service: AP

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hxguLPR5dm3gs41EB02qj7nXcLpgD9CKI9H80

The Air Force Academy says religious tolerance has improved dramatically since allegations five years ago that evangelical Christians harassed cadets who didn't share their faith. Even the school's most vocal critic agrees.

"This is...