Civic

Heated Debate Again Over 'War On Christmas' Claims

December 18, 2009

Author: Kristi Keck

Source: CNN

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/12/18/war.on.christmas/index.html

Americans are in a war that pits the politically correct against Christmas carolers, some say. They say it's a battle that plays out in the halls of Congress, retail stores and public schools across the country, and it's one that's been raging for years.

Republican Rep. Henry Brown of South Carolina introduced a resolution this...

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Creche, Menorah Removed From Pa. Courthouse Lawn

December 18, 2009

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...

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Loss Of Holiday Display Sparks Backlash

December 18, 2009

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...

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Informational Billboards On Islamic Faith Are Going Up

December 15, 2009

Author: Bob Von Sternberg

Source: Star Tribune

http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/faith/79306142.html?elr=KArks7PYDiaK7DU2EPaL_V_9E7ODiUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUUr

Hoping to encourage interfaith dialogue, an Islamic organization will unveil a pair of billboards in Minneapolis this week.

The Minnesota chapter of the Islamic Circle of North America plans to unveil the billboards Friday, the eve of...

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Wiccan to Sit Out Two Christmas Songs

December 12, 2009

Author: Brenda Bernet

Source: Amarillo Globe-News

http://www.amarillo.com/stories/121209/new_news2.shtml

Fifteen-year-old Katarina Keen won't sing along to "Silent Night" or "Listen to the Stars," two Christian songs planned for her choir's upcoming Christmas concert at Borger High School. But she will sing "Jingle Bells" and "A Carol in Winter."

Katarina and her family are Wiccan.

The Borger High choirs have given a concert every...

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Courthouse Display Debate Continues; Requests Both Religious, Controversial

December 10, 2009

Author: Erika Jacobson Moore

Source: Leesburg Today

http://www.leesburg2day.com/articles/2009/12/10/news/9956displays121009.txt

As many predicted during the debate about whether holiday displays should be allowed on the grounds of the courthouse, the controversy did not end with the vote of the Board of Supervisors last Tuesday and what started as a request to place a Christmas tree on the courthouse lawn has branched out in...

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Muslim Ex-Inmates to Get Mentors On Release

December 10, 2009

Author: Catrin Nye

Source: BBC News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8403245.stm

A charity is offering one-to-one support for Muslim criminals on their release from jail in a bid to cut reoffending.

The scheme is being run by Mosaic, which runs programmes to support young Muslims living in deprived areas.

A study of Muslim prisoners found many were rejected and stigmatised by their communities on leaving custody.

About 12% of...

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Sarkozy Delivers a Mixed Message to France's Muslim Immigrants

December 9, 2009

Author: Edward Cody

Source: The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/08/AR2009120802018.html?sub=AR

Faced with swelling unease over the place of Muslim immigrants in France, President Nicolas Sarkozy called Tuesday for tolerance among native French people but warned that arriving Muslims must embrace Europe's historical values and avoid "ostentation or provocation...

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Humanists Launch a Godless Holiday Campaign

December 7, 2009

Author: Duke Helfand

Source: The Los Angeles Times

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-beliefs7-2009dec07,0,1767112.story

As the calendar goes, December tends to be a winning month for God.

Christians celebrate the birth of Christ. Jews mark the story of Hanukkah. Muslims this year will observe the start of Al-Hijra, the Islamic New Year.

And the American Humanist Assn. has decided to join the...

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Chambersburg Borough Council Decides Nativity Scene Must Be Removed From Memorial Square Fountain Area

December 3, 2009

Author: Rob Luff

Source: Public Opinion

http://www.publicopiniononline.com/ci_13854798?source=most_viewed

An atheistic and agnostic group plans to seek legal action against the Borough of Chambersburg following a decision Monday night that bans anything other than flags and flowers from adorning the Memorial Square fountain war memorial.

The unanimous decision from Chambersburg Borough Council came after Carl Silverman,...

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Approaching Holidays Prompt Atheist Campaign

December 1, 2009

Author: Ian Urbina

Source: The New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/02/us/02atheist.html?_r=1&emc=eta1

An unusual holiday message began appearing this week in the nation’s capital on the sides of buses and trains.

“No god? ... No problem!” reads the advertisement featuring the smiling faces of people wearing Santa Claus hats. “Be good for goodness’ sake.”

Over the...

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Not So Jolly: Loudoun Reins In Its Holiday Display

December 1, 2009

Author: Derek Kravitz

Source: The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/30/AR2009113003974.html

Carrying coal and wearing Christmas red, dozens of Loudoun residents stormed into a county meeting Monday night to protest a new policy barring structures, religious or otherwise, from the lawn of the century-old courthouse in Leesburg. The county's new rule, residents say...

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