Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Inc.

http://www.rferl.org/nca/features/2003/12/16122003165720.asp

On December 16, 2003 Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Inc. reported, "In Kosovo this year, thousands of Muslim Kosovar Albanians will again be attending midnight Mass along with their Christian neighbors...[Dom Nosh Gjolaj, a priest at St. Ndou Roman Catholic Church] says he does not know how or precisely when the custom of interfaith visitation began in...

Source: Beliefnet

http://www.beliefnet.com/story/136/story_13673_1.html

On December 15, 2003 Beliefnet published an editorial by Jerry Falwell on the "December Dilemma" that plagues educators and organizations deciding on how to legally celebrate the holiday season in a pluralistic society. Falwell writes that Christmas has become "a dirty word" for groups such as the American Civil Liberties Union and Americans United for Separation of Church and State, who "...

Source: Zenit News Agency

http://www.zenit.org/english/visualizza.phtml?sid=46236

On December 15, 2003 Zenit News Agency reported, "John Paul II urged Sudan's bishops and Catholic faithful to make their contribution and respond to their country's urgent social needs. The Pope encouraged the Church's growth in the war-torn country when he received the Sudanese Catholic bishops in audience today, at the end of their five-yearly visit to Rome...'A tentative opening on...

Source: Cleveland Jewish News

http://www.clevelandjewishnews.com/articles/2003/12/22/news/israel/rparty1215.txt

On December 14, 2003 Cleveland Jewish News reported, "Thousands of Jews and Arabs fill the winding stone alleyways of a Haifa neighborhood sampling latkes, roasted chestnuts and pastries dripping in honey at a coexistence festival to mark the holidays of Chanukah, Christmas and Ramadan...Now in its 10th year, The Festival of...

Source: Zenit News Agency

http://www.zenit.org/english/visualizza.phtml?sid=46168

On December 14, 2003 Zenit News Agency released the text of an address Pope John Paul II delivered to Walter Woon, the new ambassador of Singapore, on the occasion of Woon's visit to the Vatican: "The time I spent in Singapore allowed me the opportunity to experience at first hand a culture shaped by the influence of so many different ethnic and religious groups, which have for years...

Source: The Times of India

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/cms.dll/xml/uncomp/articleshow?msid=357370

On December 14, 2003 The Times of India reported, "Perhaps for the first time, Christmas will be celebrated inside a temple and that too with bhajans, kirtans and sufi songs. It may not be Yuletide spirit exactly, but the message of peace and joy will come alive at Maatrimandir, near Deshapriya Park in south Kolkata on Sunday. This unique...

Source: New Straits Times

http://www.mmail.com.my/Current_News/NST/Saturday/Columns/20031213081425/Article/

On December 13, 2003 the New Straits Times ran a column by Rizal Andalas, arguing that the propsed ban of "conspicious" religious symbols in France's public schools constitutes a violation of freedom of religion. Andalas writes, "[T]he proposed ban, while largely understandable when seen through the prism of French historical...

Source: The Telegraph

Source: The Boston Globe

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2003/12/01/in_lawmaker_poll_few_back_limiting_marriage/

On December 12, 2003 The Boston Globe reported, "The state Senate president and the House majority leader, responding to a Globe survey of Massachusetts legislators, say they would vote against a proposed constitutional amendment that would ban same-sex marriage and civil...

Source: The Minnesota Daily

http://www.daily.umn.edu/articles/2003/12/12/7872

On December 12, 2003 The Minnesota Daily reported on the diverse ways Minnesota students will spend the holiday season. While Christian students prepare for Christmas, Hindus, Jews, pagans and students of other religions will also take part in activities during the holidays. Hindu students will celebrate Sankranti, a festival that traditionally marks the end of southern Asia’s harvest. 40...

Source: The Herald

http://www.heraldonline.com/local/story/3124008p-2828730c.html

On December 12, 2003 The Herald reported, "Gov. Mark Sanford has bestowed the state's official blessings on Parrotheads, the martial arts, poultry and former President Ronald Reagan, so his refusal to issue a proclamation celebrating the state's religious diversity mystified a University of South Carolina professor. At a public forum earlier this week, Dr. Carl Evans, chairman...

Source: United Press International

http://www.upi.com/view.cfm?StoryID=20031211-032204-3206r

On December 11, 2003 United Press International reported, "Muslim headscarves, Jewish skullcaps and large crosses are to be banned from French public schools, according to a report presented to President Jacques Chirac Thursday. More 'discreet' religious symbols, such as small crosses, Muslim Hands of Fatima and Stars of David should be allowed, a 20-member committee...

Source: USA Today

http://www.usatoday.com/life/2003-12-12-home-chapels_x.htm

On December 11, 2003 USA Today reported on the increasing number of American homes that include altars or private chapels for worship. "Carving out a spiritual space in the home, whether it be a separate room or a quiet corner, is increasingly common, says Peg Streep, author of Altars Made Easy and Spiritual Gardening. Why the change? Eastern culture, which 'doesn't distinguish between...

Source: Cybercast News Service

http://www.CNSnews.com/ViewForeignBureaus.asp?Page=\ForeignBureaus\archive\200312\FOR20031211a.html

On December 11, 2003 Cybercast News Service reported, "As Christmas approaches, Christians in Indonesia's Sulawesi province are worried that despite an influx of troops and police, the deteriorating security situation of the last two months may worsen. Christian campaigners working in the area...