Source: The Grand Rapids Press

http://www.mlive.com/news/grpress/index.ssf?/base/news-13/1079176706312040.xml

On March 13, 2004 The Grand Rapids Press reported, "Beverly Walker is no preacher, but the Chicago city administrator sounded like one as she issued a faith-fired challenge to nearly 250 West Michigan clergy and civic leaders. With schools crumbling, literacy lagging and prisons filling up, people of faith should use prayer as a...

Source: The Associated Press

http://newsobserver.com/nc24hour/ncnews/story/3411782p-3032544c.html

On March 12, 2004 The Associated Press reported, " A district court judge has asked local officials to remove religious references, including oaths that end "so help me God" and a traditional blessing for the state and court, in courtrooms when he presides. Judge James M. Honeycutt said in a letter that the court system is seeing an increasing number of...

Source: The State

Wire Service: AP

http://www.firstamendmentcenter.org/analysis.aspx?id=12856

On March 11, 2004 the Associated Press reported, "Does it matter whether the Pledge of Allegiance proclaims that the indivisible American republic is 'under God'? In a political sense, the answer is certainly yes. The attorneys general of all 50 states, the Bush administration and many members of Congress joined briefs backing the current...

Source: The Sikh News Network

Source: AllAfrica.com

http://allafrica.com/stories/printable/200403100018.html

On March 10, 2004 AllAfrica.com posted an article from The Monitor on "the changing face of Kampala's beggars." The Monitor conducted an informal survey of beggars on the streets of the town, and reported, "Of 69 beggars interviewed, 28 of them said they came from war-torn northern Uganda. Without any gainful activity to engage in due to the 17-year-old insurgency, most...

Source: Indo-Link

http://www.indolink.com/displayArticleS.php?id=031004024120

On March 10, 2004 Indo-Link reported, "Aggrieved by the Seattle authorities decision to deny them a 'marriage' license and declare them as ‘Hindu couple’, two Non Resident Indians, who openly admit they are lesbians, have decided to mount a legal challenge against it. The duo -- Vegavahini Subramaniam and Vaijayanthimala Nagarajan -- who go by the names of 'Vega' and 'Mala...

Source: The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A44442-2004Mar9.html

On March 10, 2004 The Washington Post reported, "The federal government gave more than $1.1 billion in competitive grants to religious organizations in fiscal 2003 as President Bush's efforts to support religious charities led to dramatic increases in such grants by key agencies, White House officials said yesterday. Although the partial figures released by...

Source: Americans United for Separation of Church and State

Source: The Boston Globe

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2004/03/08/church_groups_rally_on_gay_marriage/

On March 8, 2004 The Boston Globe reported, "Religious groups on opposing sides of the gay marriage debate held prayer services to rally supporters and promote their causes yesterday on the last Sunday before the Legislature reconvenes to try to resolve an issue that has focused the nation's...

Source: The Rocky Mountain News

http://rockymountainnews.com/drmn/local/article/0,1299,DRMN_15_2712256,00.html

On March 8, 2004 The Rocky Mountain News reported, "The stranger in the crocheted skull cap reached out to shake Rabbi Daniel Cohen's hand Sunday in a doorway to the BMH-BJ Congregation synagogue. 'I'm a Muslim,' the man said. 'And I'm outraged.' Cohen smiled and thanked the visitor, one of more than 350 people who turned out - many...

Source: The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A35056-2004Mar5.html

On March 6, 2004 The Washington Post reported, "Episcopalians who do not want their church to split over the consecration of a gay bishop plan this month to establish a nationwide alliance of clergy and laity who stand for moderation, tolerance and inclusion, leaders of the movement said yesterday. Representatives of 11 regional Episcopal groups that go by...

Source: The Kansas City Star

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascitystar/living/religion/8116032.htm

On March 6, 2004 The Kansas City Star reported, "Broadway Baptist Church wants to join the national debate on gay marriage by arranging 'A Day of Holy Unions' for same-sex couples free of charge March 27. In making the announcement, the church stated the action is being taken 'in celebration and solidarity with our friends in San Francisco, Oregon...

Source: The Star Tribune

http://www.startribune.com/stories/484/4645885.html

On March 5, 2004 The Star Tribune reported that "in states such as Michigan with a large Islamic population, [Arab-Americans] are hoping to exert a significant influence on the 2004 presidential race. Most are motivated by their desire to oust President Bush, whom they have turned against with a vengeance since 9/11... Bush, who narrowly lost Michigan in 2000, has made the state one of his...

Source: The Washington Post

http://www.washtimes.com/national/20040303-100528-7067r.htm

On March 4, 2004 The Washington Post reported, "President Bush yesterday said it was 'essential' that the government reinforce the 'vital work that faith-based organizations can do,' but tried to quell fears of liberals and civil libertarians that church and state would get too cozy. Mr. Bush attended the White House Conference of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives at the...

Source: The Boston Globe

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2004/03/04/board_considers_adding_menorah_to_town_display/

On March 4, 2004 The Boston Globe reported, "Even with spring approaching, controversy continues over a holiday display outside Middleborough Town Hall.

The First Unitarian Universalist Society has for two years been trying to get more secular elements...