Civic

Religious Freedom Restoration Act Protects Church's Use of Hallucinogenic Tea

November 15, 2004

Source: The First Amendment Center Press

Wire Service: AP

http://www.fac.org/rel_liberty/publiclife/news.aspx?id=14374

On November 15, 2004 the Associated Press reported, "a federal appeals court on Nov. 12 upheld a lower court's ruling that temporarily stops the government from preventing a New Mexico church from using a hallucinogenic tea. The U.S. attorney general, the Drug Enforcement Administration and other government...

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Removal of Cross From LA Seal Draws Outrage

November 15, 2004

Source: The Washington Post

http://www.washtimes.com/national/20041115-122215-2330r.htm

On November 15, 2004 The Washington Post reported, "a group of outraged Angelenos is gathering signatures to restore a tiny cross to the county seal after the board of supervisors recently voted to remove it. The Committee to Support the Los Angeles County Seal is aiming to collect 341,212 signatures by March 1, which would force the board to enact an ordinance protecting the...

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Muslims Find New Opportunities for Donations

November 15, 2004

Source: The New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/11/15/giving/15GOOD.html

On November 15, 2004 The New York Times reported, "the crackdown on Islamic charities since Sept. 11 has led to a shift in giving by Muslims in America: far more of their donations are going close to home, instead of overseas. Groups that have become vocal advocates for Muslim civil liberties have seen big increases, but the change has been felt by smaller groups as well... The Council on...

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Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy on ‘Values’

November 14, 2004

Source: The Virginian-Pilot

http://home.hamptonroads.com/stories/story.cfm?story=78071&ran=12970

On November 14, 2004 The Virginian-Pilot reported, "emboldened by the news that 22 percent of presidential voters put 'moral values' atop their election agenda, the Rev. Jerry Falwell announced last week that he’s returning to action. Having prematurely retired his 20th-century political action group, the Moral Majority, the Lynchburg preacher trotted...

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Muslim Girl in Oklahoma Public School OK'd to Wear Headscarf

November 12, 2004

Source: Dallas Morning News

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/religion/stories/111304dntexheadscarf.9d9e.html

On November 12, 2004 Dallas Morning News reported, "a little more than a year after she was suspended for wearing a Muslim head scarf to school, Nashala Hearn now goes to school wearing it. And few people seem to notice, said Nashala, a 12-year-old student at the Seventh and Eighth Grade Center. Nashala can...

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ADL Brings Attention to Hate Crimes Law

November 11, 2004

Source: ADL Press Release

http://www.adl.org/PresRele/HatCr_51/4579_51.htm

On November 11, 2004 ADL Press Release reported, "responding to the release of the FBI's annual crime report today, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) called upon lawmakers to expand efforts to enact hate crime legislation and to develop positive programs to address hate motivated violence in America. The annual FBI crime report documented almost 7,500 hate crimes reported by law enforcement agencies...

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"Ramadan Fast-a-thon" in AZ

November 11, 2004

Source: Arizona Daily Wildcat

http://wildcat.arizona.edu/papers/98/48/01_3.html

On November 11, 2004 Arizona Daily Wildcat reported, "more than 300 non-Muslim students gave up food and water yesterday, in an effort to raise money for the poor and gain insight into the Islamic religion. Organized by the Muslim Student Association, the Ramadan Fast-a-thon invited non-Muslim students to fast for 12 hours from sunrise to sunset yesterday. For each of students who participated...

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‘Operation Bubbe’ to Gather Jewish Vote in FL

November 11, 2004

Source: Chicago Tribune

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-0410290315oct29,1,5394604.story

On November 11, 2004 Chicago Tribune reported, "with ever-present memories of hanging chads and miscast ballots--symbols of Florida's role in the disputed 2000 presidential election--both parties are bringing in heavyweights for what again is a too-close-to-call race in Florida. Bush backers appearing in South Florida include former...

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Palos Heights Mosque Case Delayed

November 10, 2004

Source: Daily Southtown

http://www.dailysouthtown.com/southtown/yrtwn/south/105syt2.htm

On November 10, 2004 Daily Southtown reported, "a federal judge has pushed back the planned trial date for the civil rights lawsuit filed against Palos Heights by a Muslim group that wanted to build a mosque in the city four years ago. U.S. District Judge James Zagel vacated the Nov. 15 trial date for the $6.2 million lawsuit. A new date has not been set, but attorney...

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Escondido Temple Approved

November 10, 2004

Source: North Carolina Times

http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2004/10/14/news/inland/23_26_0010_13_04.txt

On November 10, 2004 North Carolina Times reported, "the City Council reversed itself and voted Wednesday to allow a Tibetan Buddhist center on a cul-de-sac, after praising both neighbors and the developer for stopping a months-long fight and finding a compromise. The council voted 3-2, with council members Ed Gallo and Marie Waldron...

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Cat Stevens Awarded "Man for Peace" Prize By Nobel Laureates

November 10, 2004

Source: CBS News

Wire Service: AP

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/11/10/entertainment/main654876.shtml

On November 10, 2004 the Associated Press reported, "Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev honored the singer once known as Cat Stevens with a peace prize on Wednesday, praising him for charity work and for standing by his convictions despite personal hardships. Yusuf Islam was awarded the 'Man for Peace'...

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Global Grandmothers' Council Discusses How to "Save the Earth"

November 8, 2004

Source: AlterNet

http://www.alternet.org/story/20423/

On November 8, 2004 AlterNet reported, "On October 11, 13 grandmothers from around all the world – the Arctic Circle, North, South, and Central America, Africa, and Asia, arrived at Tibet House's Menla Mountain retreat in Phoenicia, New York for the first Global Grandmothers' Council. They came to discuss the fate of the earth, and how to revive the traditions, rituals and medicines that can save it. Their teachings represent...

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At U of Wisconsin-Eau Claire No Religion in Community Service

November 7, 2004

Source: Duluth News Triune

Wire Service: AP

http://www.duluthsuperior.com/mld/duluthsuperior/news/politics/10123598.htm

On November 7, 2004 Associated Press reported, "a proposed policy at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire would prohibit students from practicing religion for their required community service. Students are required to complete 30 hours of volunteer work to graduate, but the new policy would...

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Democrats Need to Reconsider Their Notion of "Moral Values"

November 6, 2004

Source: Beliefnet

http://www.beliefnet.com/story/155/story_15586.html

On November 6, 2004 Beliefnet reported, "Having lost the Presidential election in part because of the 21% of the voters who told exit pollsters their chief concern was 'moral values,' Democrats are now trying to figure out how to 'get religion'... It's ... clear that 'values voters' -- including many Catholics who voted for Gore last time but Bush this time -- helped drive the President's re-election...

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