Christianity

Coptic Pope Goes Into Retreat to Draw Attention to Egyptian Christians' Grievances

December 20, 2004

Source: BBC News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4110861.stm

On December 20, 2004 the BBC News reported, "The top Coptic cleric has withdrawn to a desert monastery to draw attention to grievances among Egyptian Christians. Pope Shenouda III went into retreat at Anba Bishoy monastery in Wadi Natrun on 8 December, but his whereabouts were initially kept secret. Tensions flared during the last three weeks over fears that Christians were being forced to convert...

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Alabama Judge Wears Robe Embroidered with Ten Commandments

December 20, 2004

Source: Beliefnet

Wire Service: RNS

http://www.beliefnet.com/story/158/story_15812_1.html

On December 20, 2004 Beliefnet/RNS reported, "a rural Alabama judge began wearing a robe embroidered with the Ten Commandments to court this week, in his own way echoing the statement made by the state Supreme Court chief justice ousted over a Ten Commandments display. Covington County Presiding Circuit Court Judge Ashley McKathan said he ordered...

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Prince Charles Pushes for End to Muslim Death Penalty for Converts to Other Faiths

December 18, 2004

Source: The Muslim News

http://www.muslimnews.co.uk/news/news.php?article=8555

On December 18, 2004 The Muslim News reported, "The Prince of Wales is brokering efforts to end the Muslim death penalty on converts to other faiths, The Telegraph has learned. He held a private summit of Christian and Muslim leaders at Clarence House this month to explore the centuries-old Islamic law under which apostates face persecution and even death. His intervention follows...

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Islamic-Christian Conference Says Egyptians Should Be Treated Equal Regardless of Religion

December 18, 2004

Source: Arabic News

http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/041218/2004121835.html

On December 18, 2004 Arabic News reported, "The Islamic-Christian conference wrapped up Friday in Ain Al Sukhna with a call of rejecting distinction between the Egyptian people on the basis of race or religion. The three-day conference concluded that the three monotheistic religions should be respected, stressing Islam's longstanding principle that there was no compulsion...

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Conservative Christians Bolster "Christmas Cause"

December 15, 2004

Source: The Boston Globe

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2004/12/15/for_conservatives_merry_christmas_becomes_a_cause/

On December 15, 2004 The Boston Globe reported, "emboldened by their Election Day successes, some Christian conservatives around the country are trying to put more Christ into Christmas this season. In Terrebonne Parish, La., an organization is petitioning to add 'Merry Christmas' to the...

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Some Religious Leaders Press to Add Poverty to the "Moral Values" Debate

December 14, 2004

Source: The San Francisco Chronicle

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2004/12/12/MNGN9AAPGT1.DTL

On December 14, 2004 The San Francisco Chronicle reported, "Kim Bobo has spent the last 30 years trying to get people of faith to see the connection between their Bibles and the federal budget, to see 'moral value' in tax policies that would bridge the widening gulf between rich and poor. Instead, she sees conservative Christian...

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ACLU to Sue over Creationism in PA School Curriculum

December 14, 2004

Source: Beliefnet

Wire Service: AP

http://www.beliefnet.com/story/158/story_15804_1.html

On December 14, 2004 Beliefnet reported, "eight families have filed a lawsuit against a school district that is requiring students to learn about alternatives to the theory of evolution, claiming the curriculum violates the separation of church and state. The ACLU and Americans United for Separation of Church and State said the lawsuit is the first...

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Teachers Reject City Hall's Christmas Gifts for Students Due to Ban on Religious Symbols

December 13, 2004

Source: The Houston Chronicle

Wire Service: AP

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/world/2945358

On December 13, 2004 the Associated Press reported, "They arrived as they do every December: gaily wrapped gifts destined for children at a kindergarten in rural northern France. But this year, teachers unwrapped a few, took a look and sent all 1,300 packages back to City Hall. The presents were innocent, but strictly speaking,...

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Inmates Earn Religious Degrees Thanks to Faith-Based Initiative

December 12, 2004

Source: The Washington Times

http://www.washtimes.com/national/20041211-114119-9201r.htm

On December 12, 2004 The Washington Times reported, "Anthony Murphy is one of 53 inmates at the state prison in Bullock County who received a diploma or degree from the faith-based curriculum available at the south Alabama lockup. He earned his master's in Christian education, while fellow scholar Roy McCaig, serving a 15-year sentence for rape, earned his doctorate in...

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Lutheran TV Series "Davey & Goliath" Revived for Christmas Special to Teach Religious Diversity

December 12, 2004

Source: The Miami Herald

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/entertainment/10401302.htm

On December 12, 2004 The Miami Herald reported, "after a nearly 30-year hiatus, Davey Hansen and his faithful dog Goliath are back to teach values to a new generation of young people. The Lutheran church is reviving the 1960s-era animated series for a holiday special, 'Davey...

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Pope Supports Nativity Scenes as Signs of Culture, Art, and Faith

December 12, 2004

Source: Asia News

http://www.asianews.it/view.php?l=en&art=2098

On December 12, 2004 Asia News reported, "For John Paul II, the crèche still matters. Speaking before the Angelus, the Pope said that the scene of the Nativity of Jesus was not only 'part of our culture and art but also a sign of faith in God who, in Bethlehem, "made his dwelling among us" (John 1:14).' Boys and girls attended the traditional blessing in St Peter’s Square of the statue of the ‘...

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Balkan Leaders Agree Dialogue Only Way to Prevent Return of Ethnic Violence

December 10, 2004

Source: The State

Wire Service: AP

http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/news/world/10386076.htm

On December 10, 2004 the Associated Press reported, "Balkan leaders on Friday agreed that strengthening regional dialogue was the only way to prevent the return of ethnic violence that wracked the region in the 1990s. Closing a two-day summit on ethnic and religious tolerance, the presidents of Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria,...

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