Christianity

Lawyer Challenges Use of Secret Evidence to Fight Terrorism

March 9, 2001

Source: The Boston Globe

On March 9, 2001, The Boston Globe reported on civil-rights lawyer Juliette Kayyem, who is executive director of a project on counterterrorism and domestic preparedness at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government. She is waging what seems "like a one-woman war within the Justice Department against the use of secret evidence... Acting on secret evidence, US officials now seize, detain, and deport foreigners suspected of terrorist activities." The National Commission on Terrorism, the congressionally appointed panel she sits on, "...

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Bush Administration Responds to Criticism of Initiative from Christian Right

March 8, 2001

Source: The Washington Post

On March 8, 2001, The Washington Post reported that John DiIulio "lashed out at critics on the religious right who oppose President Bush's plan to provide government funds to religious charities, deepening a rare rift between the new administration and once-loyal social conservatives...Many religious conservatives have criticized the Bush 'faith-based initiative' because they believe government interference would compromise churches' spirituality."

Bush Administration Responds to Criticism of Initiative from Christian Right

March 8, 2001

Source: The San Francisco Chronicle

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2001/03/08/MN220744.DTL

On March 8, 2001, The San Francisco Chronicle reported that "John DiIulio, the director of the new White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, made his plea for Christian support at the National Association of Evangelicals convention in Dallas." In response to opposition toward the initiative...

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Organization Creates Friendships that Cross Different Religions

March 7, 2001

Source: The Kansas City Star

On March 7, 2001, The Kansas City Star reported on the founder of HateBusters, an organization that arranged the first of a monthly series of visits by Christians to the houses of worship of three other major religions in Kansas City, the Hindu Temple, Beth Shalom Synagogue and the Islamic Center." The purpose of the trips, said the founder, is to ask, "How are we all as people of faith like each other, and how can we become neighbors?"

Religious Clubs Proliferate in Orange County High Schools

March 5, 2001

Source: Los Angeles Times

On March 5, 2001, the Los Angeles Times reported that, "while religious clubs still are being challenged in the courts across the nation,...outside the South, Orange County may be the epicenter of a growing national phenomenon of religious groups on high school campuses." To preserve the line between church and state, many school districts do not allow adults to approach students about forming religious organizations. A student leader of one of these groups, however, said "the focus is not so much on converting students as on...

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Valedictorian Loses Appeal to Give Religious Graduation Speech

March 5, 2001

Source: The Atlanta Journal and Constitution

On March 5, 2001, The Atlanta Journal and Constitution reported that "a California high school valedictorian who was barred from giving a graduation speech in which he planned to ask the audience to 'accept God's love' and live by 'Jesus' example' lost a Supreme Court appeal today... The proposed speech was 'a religious sermon' and allowing it as part of the graduation ceremony 'would amount to government sponsorship of, and coercion to participate in, particular religious practices,' the appeals court said."

Latinos Disturbed by Vietnamese Name of New Church

March 4, 2001

Source: Los Angeles Times

On March 4, 2001, the Los Angeles Times reported on ground-blessing ceremonies for a new church, the first in Southern California given a Vietnamese name: Our Lady of La Vang. The new church replaces Our Lady of Lourdes. "The name...has been praised by leaders of Orange County's large Vietnamese Catholic community [the second-largest ethnic community behind Latinos in the Diocese of Orange]. But it has stirred controversy within Our Lady of Lourdes' mostly Latino congregation...In 2000, an average of 23,500 parishioners attended...

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Lutheran-Funded Charity Example of Bush's Vision of Faith-Based Charities

March 4, 2001

Source: The Atlanta Journal and Constitution

On March 4, 2001, The Atlanta Journal and Constitution reported on the Community Family Life Services center, sponsored by First Trinity Lutheran Church in Washington, D.C. As a typical faith-based charity, the center offers insights into [Bush's] contention "that faith-based groups are more innovative, nimble and successful than government in meeting the needs of people living in poverty... It also provides reassurance about...fears that faith-based groups might try to convert people seeking assistance, or...

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New Church Located at Heart of the Mall of America

March 4, 2001

Source: Star Tribune

On March 4, 2001, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported that "the Playhouse Theater in Camp Snoopy in the heart of the Mall of America is...going to be the home of the River Church," which is affiliated with the Baptist General Conference. "The church is allowed to have hosts in the mall to help direct people to the Camp Snoopy sanctuary. But the hosts are not to evangelize...Still, [the Rev. Chris] Reinertson said he hopes that people who have come to the mall to shop will happen upon the church in the 500-seat theater at Camp Snoopy...

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Florida Congregations Celebrate Lent

March 3, 2001

Source: St. Petersburg Times

http://www.sptimes.com/News/030301/NorthPinellas/A_season_of_spiritual.shtml

On March 3, 2001, the St. Petersburg Times reported that "many denominations are observing Lent... Traditionally, Lent is an opportunity for people to publicly repent and acknowledge their sinfulness...Historically, the celebration of Lent has been associated with the Catholic tradition, but Protestant denominations including Lutherans,...

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Greek Orthodox Community Makes Plans to Build Complex

March 3, 2001

Source: The Denver Post

On March 3, 2001, The Denver Post reported that "Denver's Greek Orthodox community will build a 'Hill of Orthodoxy' next to its existing cathedral in Glendale. [It] will include diocesan offices, a chapel for the bishop and apartments for visiting dignitaries. Eventually, the community may build a retirement center and an amphitheater...There are six Greek Orthodox parishes in Colorado with a total membership of about 10,000." The Rev. Costas Pavlakos said "the 'Hill of Orthodoxy' could meet the needs of many people, 'like a...

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Supreme Court Hearing on Christian Group Gathering After School

March 1, 2001

Source: The Boston Globe

On March 1, 2001, The Boston Globe reported that the US Supreme Court is hearing a case on "whether a public school may bar a Christian children's group from gathering after class when it allows other outside groups to meet on its premises." The justices inquired as to whether there had been favoritism to other groups, why religious groups could not use the building when it was open for public use, and what the principle of neutrality toward religion would mean in this situation. A decision is expected at the end of June.

Supreme Court Case Could Support Bush's Faith-Based Initiative

March 1, 2001

Source: Los Angeles Times

On March 1, 2001, the Los Angeles Times reported that "the Supreme Court took up the question Wednesday of whether an evangelical Christian group has a constitutional right to meet for prayer and Bible study in a public elementary school at the end of the day...Most of the justices sided with the Christian group and against school officials during the oral argument." A ruling in favor of the Good News Club, an evangelical Christian group with 4,622 chapters nationwide, "could give an important boost to President Bush's 'faith-based...

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Kansas City Interfaith Council Passes Resolution on Public Prayer

February 28, 2001

Source: The Kansas City Star

On February 28, 2001, The Kansas City Star reported that, in response to the prayers invoking the name of Jesus Christ and President Bush's inauguration, "the Kansas City Interfaith Council adopted a resolution last month suggesting that 'those who offer prayers on civic occasions in which all citizens are entitled to participate be mindful and respectful of the religious diversity within our nation and prepare their utterances so as to recognize our heritage of religious freedom.'" The article reported that "public prayer is...

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Dayton Residents Celebrate Ash Wednesday

February 28, 2001

Source: Dayton Daily News

On February 28, 2001, the Dayton Daily News reported on Dayton Christians who were celebrating Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of the penitential 40 days of Lent leading to Easter.

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