Christianity

President Speaks on Need for Interreligious Harmony and Peace

December 22, 2003

Source: AllAfrica Global Media

http://allafrica.com/stories/200312220483.html

On December 22, 2003 AllAfrica Global Media reported, "President Olusegun Obasanjo has expressed the need for inter-religious harmony and peace among the various religious believers in the country. He spoke at the N100 million fund raising ceremony of Owu at the weekend, where over N20 million was realised for the development of the Mosque still under construction. According to the President,...

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A New Religious Landscape in Lehigh Valley, PA

December 22, 2003

Source: The Morning Call

http://www.mcall.com/news/local/all-a1_5religionsdec22,0,2875692.story?coll=all-newslocal-hed

On December 22, 2003 The Morning Call reported on the increased religious diversity in Lehigh Valley, noting that practitioners of India's four major faiths — Hinduism, Jain, Sikh and Buddhism all share a temple in Hanover Township, Northampton County. The shared use of sacred space is "an amazingly successful...

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In Long Island, Muslims, Jews and Christians Share Sacred Space

December 21, 2003

Source: The New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/12/21/nyregion/21LONG.html

On December 21, 2003 The New York Times reported on Protestant churches on Long Island that have opened their doors to Jewish congregations. The Times notes that "for Protestant congregations burdened with high costs of maintaining churches, renting out space - to other faiths, or, more commonly, to other Protestant denominations - has become crucial to making ends meet... But the...

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Archbishop of Canterbury Condemns Detention of British Muslims, French Legislation on Religious Symbols

December 21, 2003

Source: IslamOnline.net

http://www.islam-online.net/English/News/2003-12/21/article05.shtml

On December 21, 2003 IslamOnline.net reported, "Canterbury Archbishop lambasted Sunday, December 21, the detention without trial of British Muslims inside the kingdom and in Guantanamo as well as the mooted ban on hijab in French public schools...The leader of the worldwide Anglican Church, who maintains improving dialogue with Islam as a top priority, warned that...

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New Law Mandates All Catholic Public School Students Take Catholic Dogma Class

December 20, 2003

Source: The New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/12/21/international/europe/21RELI.html

On December 20, 2003 The New York Times reported, "While President Jacques Chirac of France has called for a ban on religious symbols in public schools, the conservative administration of the Spanish prime minister, José María Aznar, who favors a mention of Christianity in a future European constitution, has passed a law to strengthen the presence of the Roman...

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Christians and Non-Christians Reflect on Christmas Traditions

December 19, 2003

Source: Maclean's

http://www.macleans.ca/topstories/life/article.jsp?content=20031222_71973_71973

On December 19, 2003 Maclean's ran a feature section on how different faiths celebrate or recognize Christmas in Canada. Stories included an article from a woman reflecting on her attempt to explain what Santa Claus has to do with the birth of Jesus ("my six-year-old daughter is still trying to sort out some relationship issues. To wit: if Santa...

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Although Catholics Still Large Majority, Religious Diversity Growing

December 19, 2003

Source: The Dallas Morning News

http://www.dallasnews.com/religion/stories/122003dnrelguadalajara.2715.html

On December 19, 2003 The Dallas Morning News ran an article on the changing religious demographics of Mexico. The article reported, "In the last 10 years, the number of Mexicans who consider themselves Catholics has fallen from 89 percent to about 81 percent. The number who consider themselves Protestants rose from about 4 percent to about...

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Akron Interfaith Group Promotes Tolerance

December 18, 2003

Source: Akron Leader

http://www.akron.com/20031218/FPAGE/spread.htm

On December 18, 2003 the Akron Leader reported on the Akron Area Interfaith Council (AAIC), an organization of leaders and lay people representing 20 houses of worship that promotes understanding and religious tolerance.Christians from Unitarian Universalist, Greek Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Episcopalian and Baptist churches are represented, as are members of Islamic, Jewish and Buddhist houses...

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Palm Beach Women Sue Over Nativity Scene

December 18, 2003

Source: The Associated Press

http://www.fac.org/rel_liberty/publiclife/news.aspx?id=12368

On December 18, 2003 The Associated Press reported, "Two women are seeking a federal court order to overrule a town's refusal to allow a Nativity scene to be displayed alongside a Christmas tree and menorah in a town park. Maureen Donnell and Fern deNarvaez filed a lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in West Palm Beach, arguing the town's policy violates their rights to...

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School Board Director Says OK to Recognize Christmas in Schools

December 17, 2003

Source: The Brampton Guardian

http://www.thebramptonguardian.com/br/news/story/1569699p-1843317c.html

On December 17, 2003 The Brampton Guardian reported, "Local public schools are being encouraged to recognize Christmas and other religious holidays without fear of being politically incorrect. In a recent letter to all principals, Peel District School Board Education Director Jim Grieve gave the board's blessing to recognize and celebrate the...

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Building Bridges of Understanding: An Interfaith Curriculum of the California Council of Churches (2003)

In 2002 the California Council of Churches made a decision to respond to the episodes of violence and mistaken identity that followed 9/11. Their chosen response was a curriculum study guide on six of the world’s religions, which was funded by The California Endowment, Presbyterian Church (USA) Peacemaking Program, United Methodist Church Peace and Justice Program, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Reconciliation Fund and Southern California Ecumenical Council.

Building Bridges of Understanding focuses on six major faith traditions found in California, and was designed...

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