Author: Daniel E. Slotnik

Source: The New York Times

http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/01/07/atheists-attend-mayors-interfaith-breakfast-for-the-first-time/

Six newcomers to Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg’s annual interfaith breakfast stood out in the crowd of more than 400 religious leaders draped in vestments varying from turban to cassock. But the coterie did not draw...

Source: The Kansas City Star

Wire Service: AP

http://www.kansascity.com/news/breaking_news/story/1670238.html

A federal judge in Kansas dismissed a lawsuit Thursday by an atheist soldier who claimed his rights were violated because he had to attend events where prayers were said while stationed at Fort Riley.

U.S. District Judge Kathryn Vratil ruled Army Spc. Dustin Chalker failed to exhaust all other alternatives before he...

Author: Tamara Lush

Source: Yahoo News

Wire Service: AP

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100107/ap_en_tv/us_tiger_woods_buddhism

Fox News analyst Brit Hume upset many Buddhists when he suggested last weekend that Tiger Woods turn to Jesus to deal with his sins.

In the past Woods credited his mother and her Thai Buddhism with giving him the focus needed on the golf...

Author: Staff Writer

Source: United Press International

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/Special/2010/01/07/Copt-killings-heighten-Christian-alarm/UPI-81551262891300/

Drive-by Muslim gunmen killed seven Christians near Luxor as they left a midnight mass for the Coptic Christmas Wednesday night.

Days earlier, Christians across northern Iraq were attacked by Muslim zealots over the...

Author: Saleh al Shaibany

Source: The National

http://www.thenational.ae/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100107/FOREIGN/701069854/1011

As another Christmas season winds down, Christians in Oman say they enjoy tolerance and a number of privileges in this deeply conservative Muslim society and that the country’s ruler has made a point of supporting the diverse community.

“We are lucky that His Majesty...

Author: Salvador Hernandez

Source: The Orange County Register

http://www.ocregister.com/news/display-226852-hate-islamic.html

The Council on American-Islamic Relations denounced two incidents of what it called "anti-Islam hate" after a Quran was found burned in a mosque parking lot and a Muslim component of a holiday display was defaced, both on New Year's Day.

Munira Syeda, spokeswoman for CAIR, said that although the two...

Author: Staff Writer

Source: Worldwide Faith News

http://www.wfn.org/2010/01/msg00009.html

Religion Communicators Congress to address changes in technology, society and the place of religion in society.  More than 1,000 communications professionals from different from different faiths, different countries, and different areas of faith communication will gather under the theme "Embracing Change: Communicating Faith in Today's World" April 7-10, 2010 at...

Author: Staff Writer

Source: The Canadian Press/Google News

Wire Service: AP

http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5iCiajeQeoEwcGGTlkvqD89S_JxxA

A small but growing South Asian and Middle Eastern punk rock movement is attracting children of Muslim and Hindu immigrants and sparking new bands across America.

Bands like The Kominas (kuh-MEE'-nahs), based...

Author: Christine Rook

Source: Lansing State Journal

http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/article/20100102/NEWS01/1020328

In a world fraught with anger and conflict and violence, there were thoughts of peace on the first day of this new year.

Greater Lansing residents gathered to hope for a better future, offering prayers at places such as the Bharatiya Temple of Lansing in Haslett and at Cristo Rey Church in Lansing.

...

Author: Lacey Steele

Source: WBKO News

http://www.wbko.com/news/headlines/80517882.html

It was a joyous occasion Saturday in Bowling Green as a new Buddhist temple opens in the community.

For about three years, many refugees have sought a temple, and now they finally have one.

“It's a Burmese tradition, Burmese culture,” said the Venerable Ashin of New York with the International Burmese Monks Organization.

In Bowling Green, there...

Author: Staff Writer

Source: USA TODAY

Wire Service: AP

http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2009-12-31-swastika-wisconsin_N.htm

Black swastikas were found spray-painted on a Jewish temple and Methodist church in Oshkosh, and police say they're still looking for suspects.

The damage was discovered on Christmas Eve at B'Nai Israel Congregation and Algoma Methodist Church.

Author: Staff Writer

Source: BBC News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8435975.stm

A court in Malaysia has ruled that Christians have a constitutional right to use the word Allah to refer to God.

The High Court said a government ban on non-Muslims using the word was unconstitutional.

The court was ruling on a lawsuit filed by the Herald, a publication of the Catholic Church in Malaysia, in 2007.

The authorities had...

Author: Staff Writer

Source: Indian Express

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/give-protection-to-muslim-woman-hindu-husband-hc/561888/

The Madurai bench of the Madras High Court has directed the Sivaganga District police to provide protection to a Muslim woman and her Hindu husband, who reportedly received threats after their recent marriage.

When the case came up for hearing on Wednesday, the couple...

Author: Staff Writer

Source: The Siasat Daily

http://www.siasat.com/english/news/muslims-take-hindu-names-work

With access to jobs in the lucrative diamond industry closed to them, many Muslims in Hindu-majority India change their names and assuming Hindu ones just to get a chance.

"We would not get a job if we are known to be Muslims," Allarakha Khan, a Muslim worker who uses a Hindu name, told.

"We have been doing this...

Author: Staff Writer

Source: Thaindian News

http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/uncategorized/hindus-join-muharram-processions-in-orissa_100295712.html

Demonstrating communal harmony, hundreds of Hindus Monday joined Muslims’ Muharram processions in Orissa as part of their years-long tradition.

The Hindus joined the processions at several places to mourn the martyrdom of Imam...