Christianity

Leader of Anti-Discrimination Group Calls on Churches and Synagogues

June 21, 2001

Source: The Kansas City Star

On June 21, 2001, The Kansas City Star reported that "the leader of the National Conference for Community and Justice called on churches and synagogues to quash racism, bigotry and bias" at the organization's regional conference in Kansas City...He said faith-based groups in America have gotten away from fighting social ills such as racism because they have gotten too caught up with other issues."

Mexican Migrant Workers Settle in Shenandoah

June 20, 2001

Source: The Morning Call

On June 20, 2001, The Morning Call reported that "young Mexican men eager to earn American dollars have found a home in a town whose history is closely linked with coal mining, not farming," Shenandoah, Pennsylvania. "Beginning in 1989, in large part due to the Catholic church, migrants began renting inexpensive houses once occupied by coal miners and working the farms in Schuylkill and nearby Columbia counties...The Allentown Catholic Diocese administers to their religious needs. Almost all are Catholic."

Supreme Court Permits School-Sponsored Prayer in Alabama

June 19, 2001

Source: The Houston Chronicle

On June 19, 2001, The Houston Chronicle reported that "a year after striking down student-led prayers before high school football games in Santa Fe, the U.S. Supreme Court...let stand a lower court's ruling [in Alabama] allowing such prayers." Having previously ruled that the student-led prayers violated the separation between church and state, "the justices did not explain why they chose to pass on hearing the [Alabama] case...Lawyers for the American Center for Law and Justice...hailed the action as a 'critical victory for...

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Catholicism Source of Unity, Political Ideals, for Many Latin American Immigrants

June 19, 2001

Source: The New York Times

On June 19, 2001, The New York Times reported that "it is in the United States that the consciousness of being part of a single Hispanic world -- absent in Latin America -- has been emerging as varied Hispanic peoples experience identical conflicts with American culture...Such conflicts are essentially religious." Hispanics share similar values, which can follow the Republican or Democratic policies, depending on whether these policies "have their origin in Catholic social thought."

Iowa Town Not Ready for Influx of Diverse Newcomers

June 18, 2001

Source: The Boston Globe

On June 18, 2001, The Boston Globe reported on the arrival of Brooklyn-born Hasidic Jews and immigrants from Russia, Bosnia, Ukraine, Nigeria and Mexico to Postville, Iowa. "At first, the Iowans smiled stretched out their hands. But over time, they resented what they saw as the newcomers' unfriendly ways...[Some] say Postville, which has become a real-life model of diversity, immigration, and demographic shifts, proves Iowa is not [psychologically and socially] ready for a mass immigration...Of all the newcomers...the Hasidic Jews...

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Descendants of Salem Witches Push for their Exoneration

June 17, 2001

Source: The Arizona Republic

On June 17, 2001, The Arizona Republic reported that "Massachusetts has exonerated by name 14 of the 19 men and women" who were convicted for witchcraft and hanged in Salem in 1692. The Massachusetts Legislature is considering "a bill to erase the [remaining five] of the 309-year-old convictions. Descendants [scattered from Maine to Utah] and historians...insist it's time to set the record straight: These were not witches. They were heroic Christian martyrs who refused to renounce their faith."

Indian Father Comes Around to Daughter's Interfaith Marriage

June 17, 2001

Source: St. Petersburg Times

On June 17, 2001, St. Petersburg Times reported on Dr. Kiran Patel, "a champion of Indian culture in Tampa." One of the Indian traditions that he espouses is "for Indian fathers to help arrange the marriages of their daughters to worthy Indians," but his 27-year-old daughter decided to marry an American Methodist from New Jersey. Dr. Patel opposed the marriage at first, but eventually relented.

American Indian Teaches Keetowah Faith to Others

June 17, 2001

Source: Newsday

On June 17, 2001, Newsday reported on Frank "White Eagle" Schaefer, a registered member of the Onondaga nation and holy man. "He is...deeply steeped in his culture and works to educate others of the ways of his people. Schaefer is a much revered elder among those following the Keetowah faith, which teaches reverence for family and nature and [has been] practiced in diverse forms by American Indian tribes" for centuries. Schaefer is also devoted to Catholocism. He "weaves American Indian headbands out of 12 colorful pieces of yarn,...

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Cancellation of Polish-Language Masses Ignites Protest

June 17, 2001

Source: The Record

On June 17, 2001, The Record reported that 150 people "stood outside Our Lady of Czestochowa in protest...after [their] pastor, the Rev. Thomas Iwanoski, announced the [Polish-language] Mass would be canceled at the Roman Catholic church, saying the attendance had dwindled to 55 for the service...Polish immigrants...said the cancellation is the latest indignity in an effort to remove their traditions from a church that is now catering to wealthy urban professionals...Polish families founded Our Lady of Czestochowa in 1911."

Man Single-Handedly Constructs Replica of Norwegian Stave Church

June 17, 2001

Source: Star Tribune

On June 17, 2001, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported on Guy Paulson, who "built a full-sized replica of a 13th-century stave church -- one of those uniquely Norwegian wooden structures with soaring spires, hand-carved beasts and a heavily shingled roof" -- with his own hands and his own money. "He built the church to honor his Norwegian and Christian heritage...But really, 'I just wanted to,' he said...The Hopperstad Replica Stave Church stands on...the Red River."

Woman Estranged from Family after Conversion from Catholicism to Islam

June 17, 2001

Source: The Philadelphia Inquirer

On June 17, 2001, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported on Linda Hauber, 29, who has become an observant Muslim. "Her rejection of Catholocism; the head scarf; her avoidance of church weddings and funerals...Christmas and Easter gatherings -- all have distanced her from family and old friends...The lingering estrangement arose not simply because [of] her conversion, but also because of her devout observances of Islamic convention."

Church-Affiliated Group Creates Controversy with Aid to Mexicans

June 16, 2001

Source: The Arizona Republic

On June 16, 2001, The Arizona Republic reported on "the belief-driven and politically motivated Humane Borders, a Tucson-based, non-profit group made up of church and civic groups...Humane Borders set up four water stations along the Arizona border" to help dehydrated migrants crossing the desert from Mexico into Arizona in search of work...Providing the water is a simple act of faith and conviction, but [is it] slapping U.S. authorities in the face?"

Latino Pentecostal Minister in National Spotlight

June 16, 2001

Source: Los Angeles Times

On June 16, 2001, the Los Angeles Times reported on Jesse Miranda, a Southern California Pentecostal minister. "President Bush's faith-based initiatives proposal and the rise of Latino Protestantism have pushed Miranda into the national spotlight...Miranda, 63...is winning respect for his ability to turn isolated Latino churches into a social force ...Latino Protestantism is attracting a growing number of members from Catholicism."

Orthodox Church Creates Presence in Public Policy Matters

June 16, 2001

Source: The Plain Dealer

On June 16, 2001, The Plain Dealer reported that "in a sign of a more comfortable Orthodox presence in public policy matters, religious leaders are meeting next week in Canton [Ohio] to form a North American chapter of the Holland-based international Orthodox Peace Fellowship...The first Conference of the Orthodox Peace Fellowship in North America will feature public lectures by prominent social justice voices in the Orthodox Church...In more private meetings, Orthodox activists throughout North America will talk about forming their...

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Houses of Worship Offer Relief to Flood Victims

June 16, 2001

Source: The Houston Chronicle

On June 16, 2001, The Houston Chronicle reported that "as the water from Tropical Storm Allison began to recede...a flood of donations and volunteers rushed into the fellowship hall of St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church [in Houston] to help a trained troupe of parishioners activate a shelter for the American Red Cross...This 'miracle' was repeated throughout the Houston area last week as houses of worship became sanctuaries for residents fleeing the floods...Organizations such as churches, mosques and synagogues are...

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