Christianity

Allentown Church Converted to Mosque, Confirms Growth of Muslim Community

June 10, 2005

Source: The Morning Call

http://www.mcall.com/news/local/all-b1_5mosquejun10,0,5470599.story

On June 10, 2005 The Morning Call reported, "a longtime Allentown church is experiencing new life as an Islamic center. Built in 1889, Trinity United Church of Christ at 1109 Linden St. hosted a thriving congregation that dwindled in modern times. A nondenominational Christian ministry called New Creations Family Worship Center bought the stately brick building...

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Pope Vows to Fight Anti-Semitism and Improve Jewish Ties to Church

June 9, 2005

Source: BBC News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4077134.stm

On June 9, 2005 BBC News reported, "Pope Benedict XVI has met Jewish leaders for the first time since his election, saying he wants to continue improving relations between the faiths. He said he wanted to follow on from the work of his predecessor John Paul II. He spoke of what he called historical, moral and theological problems raised by the Holocaust - when millions of Jews were killed by Nazi Germany....

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Advocacy Group Accuses Judicial Nominee of Subverting Religious Pluralism

June 9, 2005

Source: Americans United for Separation of Church and State press release

http://www.civilrights.org/issues/nominations/details.cfm?id=32172

On June 9, 2005 an Americans United for Separation of Church and State press release reported, "the Bush administration's crusade to pack the federal courts with extremists scored another victory today with the Senate's confirmation of William Pryor, said Americans United for Separation of Church and State. Quickly...

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Rabbi Receives Medal from Catholic Church Recognizing "Civil Courage" and Interfaith Efforts

June 9, 2005

Source: Los Angeles Times

http://www.latimes.com/features/religion/la-me-rabbi9jun09,1,6715953.story?coll=la-news-religion

On June 9, 2005 the Los Angeles Times reported, "an Orange County rabbi on Friday will receive the highest award bestowed by the Roman Catholic Church on a nonmember, in recognition of his work in bringing together Catholics and Jews. Rabbi Shelton Donnell of Temple Beth Sholom is believed to be the...

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Removal of Cross from Crematorium Hall Stirs Controversy

June 9, 2005

Source: The Telegraph

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2005/06/09/ncrem09.xml

On June 9, 2005 The Telegraph reported, "A wooden cross has been removed from the wall of a crematorium chapel 'to cater for everyone in a diverse multi-faith society.' Torbay council, in Devon, has also renamed the building a 'ceremony hall.' The Rev Anthony Macey, vicar of nearby Cockington and Chelston, discovered that the 5 ft cross had been...

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Religious Hatred Bill Reintroduced

June 9, 2005

Source: 4NI

http://www.4ni.co.uk/nationalnews.asp?id=41389

On June 9, 2005 4NI reported, "The government has published a bill aimed at protecting individuals from religious hatred. The Racial and Religious Hatred Bill, which is being reintroduced to Parliament today, would protect members of all faiths from incited hatred. The Bill would create a new offence of Incitement to Religious Hatred, which would carry a maximum penalty of seven years in jail. The government says...

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Update: Following Proposed Ban, Decision Made to Keep Bibles at Hospital Bedsides

June 9, 2005

Source: BBC News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/leicestershire/4077988.stm

On June 9, 2005 BBC News reported, "A hospitals trust criticised for reviewing the tradition of having Bibles by patients' bedsides have pledged they will remain. The University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust said it wanted to look at how to accommodate all religious texts in its hospitals. It was also concerned whether the Bibles could spread the superbug MRSA. Bible...

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New Dialogue Aims to Repair Christian-Jewish Relations

June 8, 2005

Source: The Christian Science Monitor

http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0608/p15s01-lire.html?s=hns

On June 8, 2005 The Christian Science Monitor reported, "In the post-9/11 world, where religion infuses events with more intensity, the demands on interfaith dialogue are rising. For American Jews and mainline Christians who have worked during the past year to renew a dormant national dialogue, the stakes are especially high. They are seeking to come to terms with major...

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Tulsa Zoo Exhibit Adds Creation Display Near Image of Ganesh

June 8, 2005

Source: The Associated Press

http://www.beliefnet.com/story/168/story_16811_1.html

On June 8, 2005 The Associated Press reported, "the Tulsa Zoo will add a display featuring the biblical account of creation following complaints to a city board about other displays with religious significance, including a Hindu elephant statue.

The Tulsa Park and Recreation Board voted 3-1 on Tuesday in favor of a display depicting God's creation of the world in six days and...

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Orange County Public School Graduation Moved from Megachurch After Complaints

June 8, 2005

Source: Los Angeles Times

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/state/la-me-saddleback8jun08,1,2612556.story?coll=la-news-state

On June 8, 2005 the Los Angeles Times reported, "two Orange County public schools canceled this month's graduation ceremonies at a Lake Forest church after complaints they were violating the constitutional principle of the separation of church and state. Marc Lipoff, a senior at Northwood High School...

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Persecution of Christians Denied by Saudi Officials, Citing Islamic Tolerance

June 7, 2005

Source: Yahoo! News

Wire Service: AP

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050608/ap_on_re_mi_ea/saudi_christians

On June 7, 2005 the Associated Press reported, "A Saudi official denied allegations that the kingdom has arrested and tortured Christians, saying such actions run counter to Islamic tolerance. The remarks to the official Saudi Press Agency came in response to reports in Iranian papers of recent arrests. The official,...

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At the National Cathedral, an Interfaith Event Calls for the End of Hunger

June 7, 2005

Source: National Council of Churches News Service

http://www.ncccusa.org/news/050608EndHunger.html

On June 7, 2005 the National Council of Churches News Service reported, "With fervor and conviction, religious leaders from Jewish, Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, Muslim, Sikh and Buddhist traditions, urged more than 1,000 participants in yesterday’s first Interfaith Convocation on Hunger at the Washington National Cathedral to advocate for the end of hunger in the...

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WCC Conference Aimed at Translating Interreligious Dialogue into Action

June 6, 2005

Source: The Christian Post

http://www.christianpost.com/article/church/2107/section/translating.inter-religious.dialogue.into.action/1.htm

On June 6, 2005 The Christian Post reported, "Representatives from the major faith communities will gather in Geneva, Switzerland this week for a Critical Moment Conference that will address the difficulties facing interreligious relations in the globalized world....

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