Civic

Update: Pagan Family Sues Union County School

February 22, 2003

Source: St. Petersburg Times

On February 22, 2003 the St. Petersburg Times reported that "a pagan couple have sued school officials in Union County, Tenn., after they claimed their daughter was harassed for not playing the Virgin Mary in a school play... Greg and Sarajane Tracy say the school district promoted religion, denied their daughter's right to free exercise of her own religion and failed to protect her from verbal and physical abuse... The parents said their daughter, India, was reprimanded for not wanting to play the Virgin Mary in a school play,...

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The Jusan Prison Outreach Program in Arkansas

February 22, 2003

Source: The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

On February 22, 2003 The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported that "in January 1993, [Anna] Cox, as then-president of the Ecumenical Buddhist Society of Little Rock, didn't know what to expect when she received a letter from a Buddhist inmate from Rogers seeking help with his meditations. She had no idea her communications with [convicted murder Frankie] Parker would head her life in new directions and spawn an international prison outreach program... The Jusan Project (named in memory William Frank Parker, whose Buddhist...

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Religious Freedom Restoration Act Failed to Pass in Kansas

February 22, 2003

Source: The Associated Press

http://www.fac.org/templates/document.asp?documentID=17590

On February 22, 2003 The Associated Press reported that "a proposed Religious Freedom Restoration Act failed... to win House approval amid doubts it was necessary and worries it would stick state and local agencies with big legal bills... The measure would make it easier for individuals and groups to prevail in court when they challenge state or local actions restricting...

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"From Heart to Heart" to Introduce Interfaith Community Members

February 22, 2003

Source: The Register-Guard

http://www.registerguard.com/news/2003/02/22/c17.rel.trimintro.0222.html

On February 22, 2003 The Register-Guard reported that "through a rotation of local columnists, 'From Heart to Heart' will offer an understanding of the faith traditions involved in the activities of Two Rivers Interfaith Ministries [OR]... Each week, members of different religious groups will introduce themselves and explain their practices, their...

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Court Upholds Right of Sikh Attorney to Wear Turban While Visiting Client

February 21, 2003

Source: India Abroad

On February 21, 2003 the reported that "the Federal Bureau of Prisons has upheld the right of attorney Ravinder Singh Bhalla, as a Sikh, to wear his turban while visiting his client. He would not be subjected to a search of his turban as he enters the jail. 'What I asked [from the prison authorities] wasn't anything not sanctioned by the American Constitution,' he said. 'I wanted the freedom to practice my religion like any other American.' He also added that he is not against searching a turban if the authorities had reasonable reason...

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Baltimore Interfaith Organization to Fund Community Development

February 21, 2003

Source: The Baltimore Sun

http://www.sunspot.net/news/local/bal-md.fund21feb21,0,7364070.story?coll=bal%2Dlocal%2Dheadlines

On February 21, 2003 The Baltimore Sun reported that "a coalition of religious groups has started an interfaith community development fund that will lend money to developers who build businesses, housing and community centers in needy neighborhoods throughout the region... The nonprofit Faith Fund has...

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Divided Opinions Over Practice of Yoga in Aspen Schools

February 21, 2003

Source: India Abroad

On February 21, 2003 India Abroad reported that residents of Aspen are expressing differing opinions concerning the teaching of yoga in Aspen public schools. "Teaching yoga in public schools not only violates the Constitution, says pastor Steven Woodrow of the First Baptist Church, it also draws young children unwittingly towards Hinduism... As for the contention of Aspen Elementary School principal Barb Pitchford who argues yoga helps children concentrate better and improves physique, Woodrow asks: 'How about teaching them Pilates or...

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Interfaith Group Lobbies for Memorial Chapel of Plattsburgh, NY

February 21, 2003

Source: Press Republican

http://www.pressrepublican.com/Archive/2003/02_2003/022120038.htm

On February 21, 2003 the Press Republican reported that "built in 1932 by P.J. Murtagh of Plattsburgh, the old-brick and slate-roof [World War I Memorial Chapel] is online to receive overdue attention... In December 2001, City of Plattsburgh Mayor Daniel Stewart appeared before the Interfaith Council of Plattsburgh and Clinton County to lobby for the chapel’s...

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Interfaith Memorial for Daniel Pearl

February 21, 2003

Source: The Associated Press

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/state/20030221-0043-ca-pearlanniversary.html

On February 21, 2003 The Associated Press reported that "in an interfaith memorial service marking the anniversary of his death, slain Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl was remembered as a man whose quest for the truth and faith in humanity would defeat his killers' goals and bring people of diverse beliefs together in a battle...

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A Sikh Boy's Experience of Being Bullied

February 21, 2003

Source: AsianWeek

On February 21, 2003 AsianWeek reported that "a cursory review of Parteek Singh’s life in America does fit the dream sequence laid out in his parents’ minds. A love for basketball, reading books, performing well in school and tight family ties made up Parteek’s seemingly happy life. The family went to community and religious events in the town of Renton, Wash., where there is a gurdwara to which Sikh Americans come from all over the state... Parteek’s internal life revealed another reality altogether. He kept a...

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Episcopal Divinity School Creates Peace Pins for Iraqi Children

February 20, 2003

Source: Episcopal Divinity School

http://www.episdivschool.org/whatsnew/peace%20pins.htm

On February 20, 2003 the Episcopal Divinity School issued a press release stating that "announced today the school's call to conscience action in response to the growing crisis between the United States and Iraq.  EDS has created a series of peace pins on which the name of an Iraqi child and a dove is printed. These pins are designed as a visible reminder of the human cost...

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Controversy Over Prison Grooming Policy in Virginia

February 20, 2003

Source: The Associated Press

On February 20, 2003 The Associated Press reported that "a prison grooming policy is being challenged by six inmates — three Rastafarians and three Muslims — who claim the rules violate a federal law that protects religious freedom... Inmate grooming policies have been challenged in courts and found to be constitutional, said Kent Willis, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia... But Wednesday's lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court, alleges the state Department of Corrections is violating the...

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Denver Public Buildings Required to Post "In God We Trust" Plaques

February 20, 2003

Source: The Denver Post

On February 20, 2003 The Denver Post reported that "a bill requiring public buildings in the state, including  classrooms, to post donated plaques bearing the national motto 'In  God we trust' passed the House on Wednesday morning by a vote of  36-28... Several Democratic lawmakers, including Rep. Fran Coleman of  Denver, spoke out against the bill, saying it violates the  country's founding principles... 'I absolutely believe in the separation of church and state,' she  said. 'It's the very thing our country was founded on. Now we'...

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Religious Groups Speak Out Against War with Iraq: Feb. 2003

February 20, 2003

Source: The Hartford Courant

On February 20, 2003 The Hartford Courant reported that "Minister Naeem Muhammad, spiritual leader of the Muhammad Mosque No. 14 in Hartford, is wondering where all the peacemakers have gone. Why aren't more people speaking out against the prospect of war in Iraq? he asks... 'There's been a great silence in the Christian religious community. There's also been a great silence in the Muslim community,' Muhammad said... As if he heard the words of Muhammad, the Rev. Stephen J. Sidorak said Christians, as well as religious leaders...

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Everything "Zen"

February 19, 2003

Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

On February 19, 2003 the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette printed an editorial by Caroline Abels that stated, "the Buddha probably wouldn't drive an Infiniti Q45. And he probably wouldn't stay in the snazzy W Times Square hotel in New York, which boasts a sleek style the Buddha might dig but charges up to $459 a night. I also wonder whether he'd hang out with Jim Carrey. Or play the bass like Ray Brown. And would he consider cat litter an embodiment of the religion he inspired? I wonder about these things (smiling as widely as...

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