Christianity

Daughter Carries on with Father's Teachings

July 28, 2001

Source: The Arizona Republic

On July 28, 2001, The Arizona Republic reported on Torkom Saraydarian. "Through his philosophy, which he called Ageless Wisdom, he drew from the teachings of the world's religions to help others fulfill their destinies. He died at age 80 in 1997...Today in Cave Creek, his daughter, Gita Saraydarian, carries on her father's legacy by publishing his books and teaching classes...'It's a blend of Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity and Sufi,'" she said.

Growing Religious Diversity in Bible Belt

July 28, 2001

Source: Messenger-Inquirer

http://www.messenger-inquirer.com/columnists/owen/3382699.htm

On July 28, 2001, the Messenger-Inquirer reported on the growing religious diversity in the Bible Belt. "About 200 Jains and about as many Sikhs live in west-central Kentucky and Tennessee now... Bowling Green has 2,000 actively practicing Muslims, mostly Bosnian immigrants... Nashville has about 24,000 Hispanics, compared to 2,700 a decade ago." Thomas Russell and...

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$2.5 Million Awarded to Man Fired for Not Working on Sabbath

July 27, 2001

Source: Intermountain Jewish News

On July 27, 2001, Intermountain Jewish News reported that the "Pueblo man who was found by a federal jury...to be a victim or religious discrimination said he hopes his legal victory will work to protect the rights of other religious minorities, especially those who -- like himself -- observe the Sabbath on Saturday instead of Sunday...[Don] Reed [the Pueblo man] is a member of a 'nondenominational' Christian group which, like Jews, marks the Sabbath from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday." Reed said "the significance of...

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Ten Facts Illustrate Atlanta's Growing Religious Diversity

July 26, 2001

Source: The Atlanta Journal and Constitution

On July 26, 2001, The Atlanta Journal and Constitution reported that "during the second half of the 20th century, metro Atlanta...became a richly diverse religious community." The article listed ten facts that exemplified the growing diversity. For example, "Hindus have several worship centers in Atlanta" and "Pagans and witches worship in their own ceremonies throughout the metro area."

Court Rules in Favor of Moment of Silence Law

July 26, 2001

Source: The Washington Post

Onn July 26, 2001, The Washington Post published a piece on the court decision to allow a moment of silence in Virginia schools. "Even the judges who this week embraced Virginia's moment of silence law agree that for it to be constitutional, it must neither encourage nor discourage religion." However, "the children who went to court to fight the moment of silence know well that some of their peers are hungry to use that minute to promote the majority faith. There are already reports statewide of teachers encouraging children to...

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Court Rules in Favor of Moment of Silence Law

July 25, 2001

Source: The Washington Post

On July 25, 2001, The Washington Post reported that "a federal appeals court yesterday upheld Virginia's moment of silence law, ruling that requiring public school children to begin each day with meditation does not violate the First Amendment's ban on state-sponsored religion. Seven families backed by the American Civil Liberties Union had challenged the 2000 law, saying it promoted religion...ACLU volunteer attorney Stuart Newberger vowed an immediate appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court."

Kentucky Court Ruling Allows Discrimination in Faith-Based Organization

July 25, 2001

Source: The New York Times

On July 25, 2001, The New York Times reported that "in a case with implications for [Bush's faith-based initiative], a federal court in Kentucky ruled against Alicia Pedreira in a lawsuit accusing the Kentucky Baptist Homes for Children of discrimination...Ms. Pedreira, a lesbian, was told she was fired...because the 'homosexual lifestyle is contrary to Kentucky Baptist Homes for Children core values.' Officials at the American Civil Liberties Union...joined her in the lawsuit...The home receives financing from Kentucky."

Dangers of Faith-Based Initiative

July 25, 2001

Source: USA TODAY

On July 25, 2001, USA TODAY published an opinion piece about Bush's faith-based initiative that worried that "most agencies and institutions that receive federal funds must endure the dependency and political pressures that come with the support...Also, let's not forget the fact that some Americans may forgo charitable giving to faith-based programs if they believe they already contribute through tax dollars."

Police Academy Replaces Prayers Graduation Ceremony

July 25, 2001

Source: Los Angeles Times

On July 25, 2001, the Los Angeles Times reported that "the city Police Commission decided Tuesday to substitute a moment of silent personal reflection for the traditional public prayer at Police Academy graduation ceremonies...The change...was prompted by last year's U.S. Supreme Court decision barring prayer at public school gatherings." The commissioner "conceded afterward that the change 'might not be very popular politically.'"

Front Page of Chicago Tribune Exemplifies Religion in America

July 25, 2001

Source: Sightings

On July 25, 2001, Sightings reported that "the front page of the Chicago Tribune Metro section for July fifth shows two pictures of religion in America that capture well its ambivalence as a public force. The first story concerns [a] Hindu leader...A woman of humble Indian birth, Amritandandamayi now touches the lives of a worldwide community...[She] hugs follower after follower, at times for eighteen straight hours...Directly below this story of religious diversity and the power of shared affection is a picture of Richard Loy,...

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Conservative Peoria Bishop Appointed to Newark Diocese

July 25, 2001

Source: The New York Times

On July 25, 2001, The New York Times reported that Bishop John J. Myers, of Peoria, Illinois, has been appointed as archbishop of Newark, New Jersey, a much larger and more diverse community than the rural one of Peoria. Bishop Myers "has become the darling of church conservatives, who see him as a bulwark against American Catholics who advocate greater flexibility...Joanne Bloom, a retired...teacher who serves on the board of the Roncalli Society, a group in Peoria that encourages discussion of church teachings, said Bishop Myers...

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Salvation Army Does Not Discriminate

July 25, 2001

Source: USA TODAY

on July 25, 2001, USA TODAY published a piece that said that "recent news coverage of the Salvation Army's support for President Bush's faith-based initiative may have obscured a fundamental point: The Salvation Army fully complies with all laws applicable to religious organizations in choosing whom we hire... We do not ask prospective employees about their sexual orientation... Last year, the Salvation Army helped 36 million Americans without regard to race, religion, sexual orientation or any other factor."

Kentucky Court Ruling Allows Discrimination in Faith-Based Organization

July 25, 2001

Source: The Boston Globe

On July 25, 2001, The Boston Globe reported on the Kentucky ruling on the Kentucky Baptist Homes for Children. "'The civil rights statutes protect religious freedom, not personal lifestyle choices,' the judge wrote." The president of the child-welfare agency said that the ruling "would allow his agency, the largest provider of services for abused and neglected children in Kentucky, to continue operating in accord with its religious principles, which include opposition to homosexuality," which he holds to be one of the ministry's...

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Faith-Based Funding Comes with Too Many Strings Attached

July 25, 2001

Source: USA TODAY

On July 25, 2001, USA TODAY published an opinion piece that said that "it appears that faith-based groups will be making a deal with the devil by signing up for federal funds...When it comes to a church's staff...each church has the right to employ those who hold to the tenets of their faith...Secular demands such as anti-discrimination regulations will bring only negative consequences."

Former High School Coach Sues Parent Group over Prayer Issue

July 25, 2001

Source: The Columbus Dispatch

On July 25, 2001, The Columbus Dispatch reported that "a former high-school football coach who led his players in prayer has filed a lawsuit against some members and supporters of a now-defunct parents group, accusing them of slander and libel. David Daubenmire...is suing supporters of Citizens Advocating Responsible Education, which...had sought his dismissal in the late 1990s. Daubenmire resigned on Jan. 6, 2000, after the American Civil Liberties Union sued him and school officials claiming the coach was leading religious...

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