Author: Kelly Jasper

Source: The Augusta Chronicle

http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2009/10/03/rel_550410.shtml

Theoretically, there are two types of witches.

"There are those of us who live in the broom closet and then there are those of us who" are more visible, said Joe Zuchowski, a Wiccan high priest.

A festival, he figures, just might help that.

In actuality, there are several varieties of pagans, a few of...

Author: Emily Mathieu

Source: The Toronto Star

http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/704839

Hindus across the GTA longing to follow ancient tradition may soon be able to immerse the ashes of their loved ones in a stream close to home.

"We have selected a location in one of our parks that has a stream running through it. This would allow for scattering on water and a pleasant venue to accommodate people," said Pickering Mayor David Ryan. "My...

Author: Jesse James Deconto

Source: The News...

Author: Ben Neary

Source: CBS

http://cbs4denver.com/wireapnewswy/Tribal.courts.will.2.1224716.html

A federal judge has agreed to let a tribal court handle the prosecution of a Northern Arapaho man who shot a bald eagle four years ago for use in his tribe's Sun Dance.

Winslow Friday, now in his mid-20s, has acknowledged he killed a bald eagle without a permit on the Wind River Indian Reservation in central Wyoming in...

Author: Denis D. Gray

Source: The Charleston Gazette

Wire Service: AP

http://wvgazette.com/ap/ApInternational/200909300055

Adherents of the world's major religions urged political leaders, businessmen and individuals Wednesday to renounce short-term gains and greed, telling a U.N. climate conference in Bangkok that reversing global warming is a moral duty.

Meanwhile, the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization...

Author: Ryan Curtis

Source: The Maneater Student Newspaper

http://www.themaneater.com/stories/2009/9/29/columbia-celebrates-pagan-pride-day/

Chanting in a spirit circle as part of their opening ceremony, attendants of the Mid-Missouri Pagan Pride Day summoned the directions, the god and the goddess Sunday.

Outdoor rituals like this are typical of Paganism, a religion based on respect for the earth. These rituals...

Author: Staff Writer

Source: Syracuse.com

Wire Service: AP

Author: Adelle Banks

Source: Religion News Service

http://www.religionnews.com/index.php?/rnstext/supreme_court_to_consider_fate_of_mojave_cross/

Does an offended observer who drives by a cross-shaped war memorial in the middle of the desert have a right to call for its removal?

And can that 7-foot cross stand without violating the constitution’s prohibition of government establishment of...

Author: Julie Bosman and Kareem Fahim

Source: The New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/29/nyregion/29elect.html?_r=1&emc=tnt&tntemail0=y

City Councilman John C. Liu had a few harsh words on Monday for his opponent in Tuesday’s comptroller race, Councilman David Yassky. Mr. Liu, surrounded by cheering supporters, criticized Mr. Yassky for an advertisement that began running last week, and...

Author: Oralandar Brand-Williams

Source: The Detroit News

http://www.detnews.com/article/20090928/LIFESTYLE04/909280383/1041/LIFESTYLE04/Area-religious-leaders-question-billboards

A series of controversial billboards recently erected throughout Metro Detroit is drawing curious stares and criticism from the faith community.

The seven billboards read "Imagine No Religion" or...

Author: Lori Stahl

Source: The Dallas Morning News

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/religion/stories/092709dnmetislamforum.3d2da17.html

On Saturday, the Islamic Center of Irving hosted a forum on the faith's contributions to world history. Next month it will have an open house called "Meet Your Muslim Neighbor."

After a week of alarming headlines, it's easy to see why such outreach...

Author: Adeel Iqbal

Source: American Muslim Voice

http://www.amuslimvoice.org/index.html

Old friends and new friends from all around the San Francisco Bay Area’s diverse communities came together for an Eid-ul-Fitr dinner celebration with American Muslim Voice this weekend.

"As always, you have fed my spirit even as you have fed (overfed?) my body," wrote Derrick Kikuchi of Daly City s Reach and Teach in the guestbook that floated around the room...

Author: Staff Writer

Source: The Sikh Coalition

http://www.sikhcoalition.org/advisories/NJ_State_Standards.htm

The New Jersey State Board of Education (NJBOE) voted to adopt a statewide curriculum standard that includes Sikhism last week.  The adoption also marks the first time the Coalition has worked with the community to persuade a state to adopt curriculum standards that include Sikhism. 

The Sikh Coalition commends...

Author: Staff Writer

Source: BBC News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/leeds/hi/people_and_places/religion_and_ethics/newsid_8269000/8269749.stm

According to the 2001 census, there are approximately 8,000 Sikhs in Leeds, and that number is rising.

From small beginnings, Sikhism has grown and there are now seven gurudwaras (meaning "the doorway to the Guru) in the city.

Each gurudwara (...