Christianity

Symbol of Faith, Symbol of Controversy

February 8, 2007

Source: The Roanoke Times

http://www.roanoke.com/editorials/wb/wb/xp-103573

The decision by the College of William and Mary's president to remove a cross from the college's historic Wren Chapel sent an appropriate message of inclusiveness to the campus community.

At a college with increasing religious diversity, Gene Nichol was correct in his step to make the chapel more welcoming to students of all faiths. The centuries-old chapel, which had no cross until the one...

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Some William and Mary College Alumni Hold Back Donations After Cross Removal

February 5, 2007

Source: Fox News

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,250340,00.html

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. - Some College of William and Mary alumni are holding back donations until an 18-inch cross that was removed from the campus' Wren Chapel altar after more than 60 years is permanently restored.

Campus President Gene Nichol ordered the cross removed in October to make the chapel more welcoming to students of all faiths.

Nichol told the Board of Visitors in November that...

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Conservative Author, Religion Professor Debate Cross Removal

February 1, 2007

Source: The Dallas Morning News

Wire Service: AP

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/religion/stories/020207dnrelcross.1a66617.html

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. - A plain, 18-inch brass cross filled a 120-seat chapel Thursday night at the College of William and Mary, not for a worship service but for a debate on whether it belongs on the altar.

Conservative author Dinesh D'Souza came to campus...

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Stripped of Religion, Yoga Enters Public Schools

January 28, 2007

Source: The Dallas Morning News

Wire Service: AP

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/religion/stories/012907dnlifeyoga.6971e3.html

SAN FRANCISCO - In Tara Guber's ideal world, American children would meditate in the lotus position and chant in Sanskrit before taking stressful standardized tests.

But when she asked a public elementary school in Aspen, Colo., to teach yoga in 2002,...

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Q&A with Diana Eck: A Look at Charlotte's Diverse Religious Scene

January 23, 2007

Author: Tim Funk

Source: The Charlotte Observer

http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/living/16501833.htm

As director of Harvard University's Pluralism Project, Diana Eck is the leading authority on America's changing religious landscape. She'll be in Charlotte next week in connection with "Families of Abraham," a photo exhibit at the Levine Museum of the New South that spotlights local Jewish, Christian and Muslim families. Eck, author of "A...

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New Zealand Census Says Church is Doing Okay

January 22, 2007

Author: John McNeil

Source: Journal Chretien

http://www.spcm.org/Journal/spip.php?article5862

CHRISTCHURCH, NZ — A closer look at figures from the latest Census shows that over the past two decades the Christian faith has not been haemorrhaging adherents to the extent commonly believed.

It is true that Christians represent a smaller proportion of the total population, but rather than being caused by flight from the churches it has...

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"Blue Laws Should be Repealed Once and for All," a Commentary by Alex Crawford

January 19, 2007

Author: Alex Crawford

Source: Independent Mail

http://www.independentmail.com/news/2007/jan/18/blue-laws-should-be-repealed-once-and-all/

My wife and I have lived in Anderson County for two years, and I must say the council members’ decision to repeal, then reinstate the blue laws ranks as the most ridiculous decision I have seen in many years. Imposing Christian beliefs onto everyone in this county is an...

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Spain Cathedral Shuns Muslim Plea

December 28, 2006

Source: BBC News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6213665.stm

The Roman Catholic bishop of Cordoba in southern Spain has rejected an appeal from Muslims for the right to pray in the city's cathedral, a former mosque.

Juan Jose Asenjo rejected the request made by Spain's Islamic Board in a letter to the Pope.

It had asked that the cathedral become an ecumenical temple where believers from all faiths could worship.

The bishop said such a move would...

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Navy Chaplain Provides Diverse Array of Religious Services During Holiday Season

December 28, 2006

Source: Blackanthem Military News

http://www.blackanthem.com/News/military_2005122802.html

On December 28, 2006 Blackanthem Military News reported, "December is a month of celebration for multiple faiths, making the holiday season an extra busy time for chaplains in Iraq. Between Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and the Islamic Hajj, Navy Capt. Vince Arnold, 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward) group chaplain, knows the importance of providing for all service members...

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Indonesian Police Guarding Churches

December 24, 2006

Author: Ali Kotarumalos

Source: The Philadelphia Inquirer

Wire Service: AP

http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/news/world/16309385.htm

JAKARTA, Indonesia - Tens of thousands of police deployed at churches across Indonesia Sunday amid warnings by Western nations that Islamic militants may be plotting Christmas bombings.

Indonesian officials downplayed the alerts, which have become something of a tradition...

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Court Rules in Favor of Australian Pastors, Accused of Vilifying Islam

December 15, 2006

Source: Indian Catholic

http://www.theindiancatholic.com/newsread.asp?nid=5117

Sydney - The Supreme Court of Victoria in Australia upheld the appeal of two Australian pastors who could have faced jail time for publicly comparing Christianity with Islam.

The court ruled in favor of Daniel Scot and Danny Nalliah, who were previously found to have “vilified Islam” with their public comments by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

...

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