Author: Christine Morente

Source: The Mercury News

http://www.mercurynews.com/religion/ci_9308551

Her Holiness Shinso Ito was the picture of quiet dignity as her followers cheered - and gleefully took her picture at a respectful distance.

When she walked past, they bowed - a sign of reverence for Shinnyo-en's first female leader.

The 66-year-old's task Sunday morning was to consecrate the Japanese Buddhist order's new U.S. Head Temple...

Author: The Rev. Mike Young

Source: Star Bulletin

http://starbulletin.com/2008/05/17/features/onfaith.html

On Thursday, the California Supreme Court overturned the state's ban on same-sex marriage.

I couldn't be more delighted. I've been marrying same-sex couples without benefit of legal documents for more than 30 years. I'm looking forward to the day when I can do it with marriage license in hand.

The California court held...

Author: Staff Writer

Source: The Patriot Ledger

http://www.wickedlocal.com/hull/news/x1192322062/Hull-cemetery-section-reserved-for-couples-with-Jewish-and-non-Jewish-partners

An area of land at Hull Village Cemetery with space for 50 graves will be reserved for use by mixed faith couples involving a Jewish and non-Jewish partner.

Selectmen this week voted to...

Author: Mudassir Rizwan

Source: Two Circles

http://www.twocircles.net/2008may15/innovative_approach_hindu_muslim_dialogue.html

55 year-old Syed Abdullah Tariq runs an Islamic group based in Rampur, a town in western Uttar Pradesh, that focuses on dialogue with Hindus. An engineer by training, he was one of the chief disciples of the late Maulana Shams Naved Usmani, a noted Islamic scholar who had also a deep knowledge of...

Author: Preeti Bhattacharji

Source: Council on Foreign Relations

http://www.cfr.org/publication/16272/religion_in_china.html?breadcrumb=%2F

Introduction

Religious observance in China is on the rise. According to a survey published in a state-run newspaper, 31.4 percent of Chinese adults are religious, a figure that is three times the initial government estimate. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is officially atheist...

Author: University of Southern California, Press Release

Source: Fox Business News/PR Newswire

http://www.foxbusiness.com/story/usc-makes-historic-appointment-hindu-dean-religious-life/

The University of Southern California has named religious leader and scholar Varun Soni as Dean of Religious Life, marking the first appointment of a member of the Hindu faith as primary spiritual leader of an American university...

Author: Staff Writer

Source: Hinduism Today

http://www.hinduismtoday.com/hpi/2008/5/14.shtml#3

The World Council of Religious Leaders has released the final report of the first Hindu leadership summit and meeting with Jewish leaders in Delhi last year. The report (18MB in size) can be downloaded at the URL above until May 21, 2008.

[http://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?action=batch_download&batch_id=TDJaZ281bWdlcEkwTVE9PQ]

Author: KER MUNTHIT

Source: The Houston Chronicle

Wire Service: AP

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/life/religion/5785416.html

When residents of this poor, Cambodian village need something built, they call on the Lightmans.

The Jewish-American family's latest gift: a mosque.

"We never had such a beautiful mosque in our village," said 81-year-old Leb Sen, a toothless, village elder...

Author: Jessica Ravitz

Source: The Salt Lake Tribune

http://origin.sltrib.com/faith/ci_9287123

They lined up in their scrubs, beckoned by the sound of an eagle bone whistle and the scent of burning sage and cedar. Some had scrambled down from the emergency room, others from behind desks or sterilization processors. On a small green lawn, their hands were purified with water and their work blessed by interfaith chaplains, Buddhist and Episcopal priests, a...

Author: Tom Heneghan

Source: Reuters

http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSL1319001520080516

New York's largest mosque, the Islamic Cultural Center (ICC) on East 96th Street in Manhattan, is getting applause from an unexpected quarter -- the city's influential Jewish community.

Rabbis who've spoken there call it an open and welcoming community. The Jewish Theological Seminary and the ICC are planning a joint soup...

Author: Staff Writer

Source: European News

http://europenews.dk/en/node/10155

A delegation of young Muslim leaders from Australia arrived in Jakarta early this week to explore Indonesia Islam, Democracy and Interfaith Harmony, an Australian Embassy media release has said.

"It`s important for young Australians to gain a better understanding of the role of religion in Indonesia and to share their views on how Islam contributes to diverse, democratic societies...

Author: Andrea Lorenz

Source: American-Statesman

http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/05/15/0515bastropisd.html

A mural meant to bring people together is causing a rift in the Bastrop community.

The painting in question, a student project completed in 2003, adorns a wall in the corridor leading to the Bastrop High School gym. It depicts the sometimes unpleasant history of the town, showing...

Author: Staff Writer

Source: South Asian Focus

http://www.southasianfocus.ca/community/article/48875

32 Canadian Brigade is actively looking for Sikh and Hindu priests willing to serve in the Armed Forces, Major Gillian Federico, Brigade Chaplain, told South Asian Focus.

The move is part of an overall bid to better represent the evolving demographics of Canada, and of the Armed Forces, she indicated.

Maj. Federico, who resides...

Author: Staff Writer

Source: The Peninsula