Civic

State Dept. Highlights Religious Freedom Violations

March 12, 2010

Author: Adelle M. Banks

Source: Beliefnet/Religion News Service

http://blog.beliefnet.com/news/2010/03/state-dept-highlights-religiou.php

The State Department issued its annual human rights report Thursday (March 11), noting religious freedom violations in countries ranging from China to Iraq to Saudi Arabia.

The report on 194 countries called 2009 "a year in which ethnic, racial, and religious tensions led to violent...

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Camberley Mosque Plan Rejected By Council

March 11, 2010

Author: Staff Writer

Source: BBC News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/surrey/8561342.stm

Controversial plans to build a mosque in Camberley have been thrown out by councillors at a heated meeting.

The local Bengali Association's bid to knock down a listed building and build a domed mosque was rejected by Surrey Heath Borough Council.

Local historians and residents had argued the town's heritage must be protected...

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American Canyon Marks Hindu Festival Of Color, Spring

March 9, 2010

Author: Kerana Todorov

Source: Napa Valley Register

http://www.napavalleyregister.com/news/local/article_2e417c84-2b3d-11df-a8c1-001cc4c03286.html

Dusting each other with colored powders to celebrate an ancient holiday from across the world, dozens of people gathered in American Canyon Sunday for the Holi Festival, a Hindu rite that marks the arrival of spring.

With greetings of “Happy Holi!,...

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Faith-Based Panel Submits Recommendations As Some Issues Remain Unsolved

March 9, 2010

Author: Adelle M. Banks

Source: The Pew Forum/Religion News Service

http://pewforum.org/news/display.php?NewsID=19801

A White House advisory council on Tuesday (March 9) submitted 164 pages of recommendations on ways the federal government can better partner with faith-based groups in tackling a host of social problems, from poverty to improving interfaith relations.

Still, some of the thorniest issues surrounding public-private...

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Witches Brew Up a Ball At Benicia Clocktower

March 7, 2010

Author: Lanz Christian Bañes

Source: Vallejo Times Herald

http://www.timesheraldonline.com/news/ci_14628847

For Gared Nickas, good fortune is in the cards -- literally.

"She told me this one can fill up," said the 7 year old from Sonoma as he pointed to a mini Tarot card with a single large cup.

The good tidings were hard earned, as Gared was one of a dozen or so children scrambling to find them hidden in plastic eggs Saturday at the...

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Organization Meeting Set to Explain Pre-Christian Pagan Religion

March 6, 2010

Author: Mary Garrigan

Source: Rapid City Journal

http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/lifestyles/article_a891c09c-29ae-11df-b729-001cc4c002e0.html

If the only thing you know about the Asatru religion is that a convicted killer lost his legal bid for a plastic sword so he could practice it at the South Dakota State Penitentiary, then Harold Chant has an invitation for you.

Chant, of Rapid City, is hosting...

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Tzu Chi Buddhists Spread Goodwill From Highland Heights Church

March 6, 2010

Author: Jeff Piorkowski

Source: Sun Messenger

http://blog.cleveland.com/sunmessenger/2010/03/tzu_chi_buddhists_spread_goodw.html

The year was 1966 when a young Taiwanese woman practicing Buddhism taught compassion and the serving of others in that Far East country.

Before long, she had acquired a group of 30 housewives as followers. Without means to fully serve those around her, that woman, Dharma Master Cheng...

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Double, Double Fun And Bubbles

March 5, 2010

Author: Rich Freedman

Source: Vallejo Times Herald

http://www.timesheraldonline.com/ci_14518130

Nobody's getting burned at the stake. No one's flying around the Benicia Clocktower on a broom. And there won't likely be a curse cast on anyone questioning the admission charge.

Dispelling myths is one purpose of Saturday's 2nd Annual Witches' Ball sponsored by The Pagan Alliance.

"It would be easier to put on Pagan events in Berkeley or San...

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Muslim Group Says Police Detained 7 Praying Men

March 5, 2010

Author: Oskar Garcia

Source: Yahoo News

Wire Service: AP

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100306/ap_on_re_us/us_henderson_police_muslims

The nation's largest Muslim advocacy organization filed a complaint with police in a Las Vegas suburb, saying seven Muslim men from southern California were detained and told they were acting suspiciously while praying in a shopping center parking lot.

The...

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Christians, Muslims Agree to Pursue Peace

March 4, 2010

Author: Adelle M. Banks

Source: Beliefnet/Religion News Service

http://blog.beliefnet.com/news/2010/03/christians-muslims-agree-to-pu.php

Christian and Muslim leaders from the U.S., the Vatican and the Middle East have issued a "plan of action" to address religious freedom and peace-building after a three-day summit at Washington National Cathedral.

The group's two-page statement committed to working with government and...

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