Author: Peter Steinfels

Source: The New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/19/us/19beliefs.html?emc=tnt&tntemail0=y

It comes to mind now because the Beliefs column is about to close out 20 years of appearing every other week, with occasional absences, in these pages — 486 columns, counting this one, or 482 over the strict quota of four good ones.

That student’s opinion also comes to mind because the...

Author: Staff Writer

Source: Google News

Wire Service: AP

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gh0-A7VXdEglScaadBAOJmd85SXgD9CLB38G1

Officials in northeastern Pennsylvania have removed a pair of religious holiday symbols from a public space after being threatened with legal action.

Luzerne County commissioners took down the creche (CRESH') and menorah from the...

Author: Jennifer Learn-Andes

Source: Times Leader

http://www.timesleader.com/news/Loss_of_holiday_display_sparks_backlash_12-18-2009.html

Former Luzerne County commissioner Frank Trinisewski said he will resort to legal action against the county if a Nativity scene and menorah are not returned to the courthouse lawn.

Political activist Gene Stilp is also organizing a live Nativity scene – complete...

Author: Staff Writer

Source: The New York Times

Wire Service: Reuters

http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2009/12/18/world/international-us-un-religion.html?_r=2

The U.N. General Assembly condemned defamation of religion for the fifth year running on Friday but support continued to erode for a resolution Western countries say threatens freedom of speech.

The assembly...

Author: Staff Writer

Source: Baha'i World News Service

http://news.bahai.org/story/743

The United Nations General Assembly gave its final stamp of approval today to a strongly worded resolution condemning Iran for a long list of human rights violations.

By a vote of 74 to 49, with 59 abstentions, the General Assembly confirmed an earlier vote by its Third Committee in November on a resolution that expresses "deep concern at serious ongoing and recurring human...

Author: Mirko Petricevic

Source: The Record

http://news.therecord.com/News/Local/article/646975

With Arabic script regarding the Prophet Muhammad and his son-in-law Ali hanging over each shoulder, Bob Chodos leaned forward Friday afternoon and lit a row of colourful candles seated on a tiny menorah.

Onlookers, among more than 50 people gathered in the audience, included Muslims and Christians from more than a handful of faith traditions....

Author: Dave Bryan

Source: Google News

Wire Service: AP

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ioSE4vc2Ahae2I5Bke5rh5i9_hsAD9CKOMCG0

In Indonesia, Muslim groups burn down a mosque belonging to the minority Ahmadiyya. In Singapore, the government refuses to recognize Jehovah's Witnesses. In Belgium, 68 religion-based hate crimes are reported in 2007 alone.

People...

Author: Dan Elliott

Source: Google News

Wire Service: AP

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hxguLPR5dm3gs41EB02qj7nXcLpgD9CKI9H80

The Air Force Academy says religious tolerance has improved dramatically since allegations five years ago that evangelical Christians harassed cadets who didn't share their faith. Even the school's most vocal critic agrees.

"This is...

Author: Staff Writer

Source: PR Newswire

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-pew-forum-study-measures-government-restrictions-social-hostilities-related-to-religion-in-198-countries-79448087.html

In a new report measuring infringements on religious beliefs and practices around the world, the Pew Research Center's Forum on Religion...

Author: Jill Zeman Bleed

Source: Law.com

Wire Service: AP

Author: Staff Writer

Source: Google News

Wire Service: AP

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iBsivc5w3lwu3BlDOW-WCA4b01cgD9CJ2H081

Lawyers for the Roman Catholic Church urged a court Monday to let Christians use "Allah" as a translation for God and overturn a government ban that has become a symbol of religious grievances in Muslim-majority Malaysia.

The High...

Author: Staff Writer

Source: Burnley Express

http://www.burnleyexpress.net/burnleynews/Burnley-primary-schools39-work-showcased.5908732.jp

Topics being taught in primary school religious education lessons were showcased as part of Inter-Faith week.

Work by pupils by nearly 20 primary schools in the Burnley area went on show at the Faith Centre at Burnley Campus in Barden Lane.

It was...

Author: Staff Writer

Source: Press Trust of India

http://www.ptinews.com/news/423117_PIL-for-separate-Buddhists-crematoriums

A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Bombay High Court demanding separate crematoriums in the city for followers of Buddhist religion.

The petitioner, Gautam Korde, a Buddhist in his petition has said the Buddhists are forced to use Hindu crematoriums where they are...

Author: Corneliu Rusnac

Source: Google News

Wire Service: AP

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5h5QM7rGb_P_klRNQyXOJthQfGhiAD9CJ7ENO1

Dozens of people led by an Orthodox priest smashed a menorah in Moldova's capital, using hammers and iron bars to remove the candelabra during Hanukkah, officials said.

The 1.5 meter(5-foot)-tall ceremonial candelabrum was...

Author: Staff Writer

Source: Yahoo News

Wire Service: AP

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091213/ap_on_re_eu/eu_france_anti_muslim_graffiti

Police say assailants have scrawled a Nazi slogan and hung pig feet on a mosque in southern France.

Interior Minister Brice Hortefeux has denounced the "vile and racist desecration" of the mosque in the town of Castres.

Police say the...