Source: The New York Times

On August 7, 2001, The New York Times published a letter to the editor that said, "I was very pleased to see the... front-page photograph of President Bush and members of his cabinet in prayer at the beginning of a meeting...This attitude shows the intelligence of people who know that the help of God is necessary for solving the most important problems of the world."

Source: The New York Times

On August 7, 2001, The New York Times published a letter to the editor about a photograph of the cabinet at prayer before a meeting, which said the photograph removes "any remaining doubt that this administration has no qualms about eliminating the separation of church and state. The photo also strongly indicates that this administration has no qualms about coercing others into religious displays...We can assume the values the administration will be emphasizing are not tolerance, diversity, open-mindedness."

Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch

On August 6, 2001, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that "all kinds of people have come into the workplace from such far-flung countries as Somalia, Bosnia, Pakistan, Malaysia and India, bringing their religious beliefs with them. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 requires that they be accommodated, if reasonably possible...For example, observant Jews can be expected to leave work early on Fridays...to celebrate the Sabbath." Some employers are more accomodating than others.

Source: deseretnews.com

On August 4, 2001, deseretnews.com reported that "to make sure everyone is taken care of, Olympic organizers have chosen 40 spiritual advisers to be on call during the 17 days of competition [at the 2002 Winter Games]. Their duties will range from hosting regular worship services at the Olympic Village to being available for any athlete, any time...The chaplains ...come from nearly every sect imaginable...There are Catholic priests, a Jewish rabbi, an Islamic imam and Protestant ministers from several denominations. [A chaplain]...

Source: The Pioneer Press

On August 4, 2001, The Pioneer Press reported on the speaking tour of a swami from Andra Pradesh, India. "Swamiji Bhagavan Sri Viswayogi Viswamji Maharaj will make public and private appearances" in the Twin Cities for five days. "What he says -- that all religions are the same -- is important," said one of the local Hindus who organized the tour. "More and more (swamiss) are coming to the United States because of the affluence of the Indian-Hindu community," said the production manager of Hinduism Today. "Many swamis...

Source: deseretnews.com

August 4, 2001, deseretnews.com reported that "a cross-section of Utah clergy hold basically the same views about the LDS Church as their California counterparts, and nearly half say they are 'very knowledgeable' about Latter-day Saints. Yet the majority believes members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are misguided in their faith. The attitudes are reflected in the results of a recently released survey conducted by the Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research (FAIR), a group of Latter-day Saint scholars...

Source: The Boston Globe

On August 4, 2001, The Boston Globe interviewed the Rev. Robert W. Bullock, a Catholic priest who "has spent many o his 72 years thinking about Judaism...He has become a voice on the impact of the Holocaust on Catholocism and Christianity." He wrote that "the problem is not in the classroom; it is in the church." In the interview he explained that "primarily [these problems] arise in the lectionary...[For example,] there is the problematic depction of Jews as the mob crying out for the death of Jesus."

Source: The Boston Globe

On August 3, 2001, The Boston Globe reported that Republican Senator Jeff Sessions of Alabama "scolded Judiciary Committee chairman Patrick Leahy, Democrat of Vermont, for leaving out 'so help me God' when swearing in nominees and others who testify in front of his panel." The Constitution does not require an oath invoking God's name. "Sessions said that traditionally the reference to God has been included and he is considering an effort to make the language part of Senate rules."

Source: The Boston Globe

On August 3, 2001, The Boston Globe reported that "cabinet secretaries could convert $47 billion worth of social spending into vouchers, giving participants in...[social service] programs the chance to shop around for religious or secular services, under legislation approved by the House. The provision [is] part of a bill that would open 10 government programs up to religious groups...Unlike groups that receive direct funding, [groups that receive money through vouchers] could include religious instruction or prayer and...

Source: The Columbus Dispatch

On August 3, 2001, The Columbus Dispatch reported on the religious diversity of Columbus, Ohio. "Columbus Chinese Christian Church gives its 550 members a choice of three services -- one in mandarin Chinese, one in Cantonese and one in English...The Rev. John Kirby, senior pastor at Maize Road Baptist Church for 19 years, said he has seen the neighborhood transform as new residents have moved in, bringing their religions with them. His congregation of 600 now includes several Vietnamese members...Kirby thinks the religious...

Source: The Arizona Republic

On July 28, 2001, The Arizona Republic reported on Torkom Saraydarian. "Through his philosophy, which he called Ageless Wisdom, he drew from the teachings of the world's religions to help others fulfill their destinies. He died at age 80 in 1997...Today in Cave Creek, his daughter, Gita Saraydarian, carries on her father's legacy by publishing his books and teaching classes...'It's a blend of Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity and Sufi,'" she said.

Source: The Buffalo News

On July 28, 2001, The Buffalo News published an opinion piece that said that "if President Bush's 'faith based' initiative is passed, I think the role of the church in society will become greatly distorted to the detriment of everyone involved...Religious groups will be forced to compete for funds, while the government decides which religions to recognize under the law. The church will become 'a servant of the state.'"

Source: Messenger-Inquirer

http://www.messenger-inquirer.com/columnists/owen/3382699.htm

On July 28, 2001, the Messenger-Inquirer reported on the growing religious diversity in the Bible Belt. "About 200 Jains and about as many Sikhs live in west-central Kentucky and Tennessee now... Bowling Green has 2,000 actively practicing Muslims, mostly Bosnian immigrants... Nashville has about 24,000 Hispanics, compared to 2,700 a decade ago." Thomas Russell and...

Source: The Atlanta Journal and Constitution

On July 27, 2001, The Atlanta Journal and Constitution reported that "despite predictions of a quiet death in the Senate,... Bush's [faith-based] initiative...is gaining traction among key Democratic senators...[Sen. Joe] Lieberman pointed out that Democrats have supported charitable choice in the past and that Democratic Vice President Al Gore proposed expanding it last year when he was running for president."

Source: The New York Times

On July 27, 2001, The New York Times reported that "in Missouri, residential schools and homes for troubled youths are exempt from virtually all state regulation if they are run by religious organizations...When it comes to exempting religious institutions from state laws and regulations, Missouri is not alone. Some states grant exemptions to religious academies or boarding homes; others allow day care centers run by religious groups to operate without licenses. Increasingly, legal experts say, religious organizations have been...