Civic

Woman Forbidden to Carve Hopi Figures at Museum

July 18, 2001

Source: The Arizona Republic

On July 18, 2001, The Arizona Republic reported on Hopi carver Debbie Drye, who works at the Heard Museum. "The Hopi Cultural Preservation Office objected [to demonstrations by her of her work], insisting that a woman carver should not demonstrate at a Native American museum. And [museum] officials...have agreed to use a substitute demonstrator...The Hopi Cultural Preservation Office maintains it's an issue of religion."

Churches Help to Spread Utility Bill Discounts to Poor

July 17, 2001

Source: Los Angeles Times

On July 17, 2001, the Los Angeles Times reported that "Southern California Edison has enlisted the help of an unlikely ally--churches--to sign up thousands of low-income customers for hefty discounts on rising utility bills...Pastors, priests and church volunteers have become Edison's most effective tool in telling the poor about a state-mandated program that offers 20% off electric bills."

Centrist Democratic Leadership Council Discusses Faith and Politics

July 17, 2001

Source: The Washington Post

On July 17, 2001, The Washington Post reported that "leaders of the centrist Democratic Leadership Council (DLC) criticized their party here today for often appearing hostile toward people with strong religious beliefs." They also "challenged President Bush to live up to the centrist rhetoric of his campaign, accusing the president of lurching so far to the right that bipartisan consensus is virtually impossible...The DLC conference is devoted to a discussion of values and how Democrats can regain the trust of more Americans on...

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Pagans Convey Concerns about Faith-Based Legislation to Congress

July 17, 2001

Source: Lady Liberty League

On July 17, 2001, the Lady Liberty League issued a press release reporting that "Pagans of many paths from around the USA concerned about HR 7 have joined the growing numbers of American citizens calling and emailing their concerns to US Congressional representatives on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. Some info is online at Wren's Nest at the Witches Voice website: http://www.witchvox.net/xwrensnest.html...HR 7 is of special concern to Pagans because one of the most widely cited...

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Report Finds Anti-Semitism at Minnesota University

July 17, 2001

Source: Star Tribune

On July 17, 2001, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported that "a 'strong perception' of anti-Semitism exists at St. Cloud State University, which seems unwilling or unable to deal with it, according to a report...To conduct the study, the university hired the Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas...'Many' suggested that campus problems might reflect 'a larger environment of discrimination' in the St. Cloud area, the report said." The report can be found on the web at...

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Outdoor Religious Services Bring Together People of Different Faiths

July 17, 2001

Source: Newsday

On July 17, 2001, Newsday reported that the "Montauk Community Presbyterian Church, which is hosting a series of sunrise and sunset worship services this month in the Montauk [New York] area...on local beaches and in parks," which bring together members of different churches and cultures. The hosts include Protestant ministers, a Catholic priest and a rabbi... Montauk's religious leaders are trying to break down the walls between churches."

46 Groups Sign Letter Protesting Faith-Based Legislation

July 16, 2001

Source: Americans United for the Separation of Church and State

http://www.au.org/press/pr71601.htm

On July 16, 2001, the Americans United for Separation of Church and State issued a press release reporting that "nearly four dozen religious, labor and public policy organizations have sent a joint letter to the U.S. House of Representatives urging members to vote against the Community Solutions Act (H.R. 7), a bill advancing President George W. Bush's 'faith-based initiative.'...Signers...

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New Jersey General Assembly Honors Indo-American Association President

July 16, 2001

Source: News India Times

http://www.newsindia-times.com/community09.htm

News India Times reported that "the New Jersey General Assembly has honored Purushottam Karra, founder and president of the Indo-American Senior Citizens Association of NJ, with a resolution...Karra...was recently appointed to the New Jersey Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Commission...He was honored with a citation...The...

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Muslim Leaders Protest Muslim Student's Expulsion from White House

July 16, 2001

Source: Newsweek

On July 16, 2001, Newsweek reported on Abdullah Al-Arian, the Arab-American student who was expelled from the White House. "Al-Arian had registered Democratic, but he was so encouraged by Bush's outreach to the Arab community that he voted for him and took a job this summer as a congressional intern...But his optimism faded his first week in Washington, D.C. [when he] was ejected from a White House annex by a security guard, on an erroneous tip that the student had terrorist connections."

Salvation Army's Position on Gays Stirs Controversy

July 15, 2001

Source: The Washington Post

On July 15, 2001, The Washington Post reported on the Salvation Army's appeal to the White House for protection from state and local laws prohibiting discrimination against gay employees. "As a church, the Army is intolerant of sin, but at the same time, it chooses to engage with the secular world through its charitable and social work...Last week's controversy stemmed from disclosure of...a 'firm commitment' from the White House to shield government-funded religious groups from state laws barring discrimination against gay...

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Lansing Area Muslims Form Chapter of American Muslim Council

July 15, 2001

Source: Lansing State Journal

http://www.lsjxtra.com/news/010715MUSLIM.15.html

On July 15, 2001, the Lansing State Journal reported that Muslims in the Lansing area "formed a chapter of the American Muslim Council this year. They hope to translate their growing numbers into political clout and social change. The Islamic Center...is planning a $5.5 million expansion project. The center serves Muslims throughout Greater Lansing...One of the main goals of the Lansing chapter...

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Wal-Mart Sues Church Members Outside Its Doors

July 14, 2001

Source: The Houston Chronicle

On July 14, 2001, The Houston Chronicle reported that "Wal-Mart is suing a Riverside, Calif., church that set up tables to seek donations in front of its stores, saying the church has failed to abide by the [store's] policies... Since January, Wal-Mart has filed 10 suits in several counties against the 1,000-member Missionary Church of the Disciples of Jesus Christ, seeking to keep church members away from its doors."

Religious Leaders Ask Congregations to Pool Tax Refunds

July 14, 2001

Source: The Washington Post

On July 14, 2001, The Washington Post reported that "at the annual meeting of the Baltimore-Washington Conference of the United Methodist Church...the finance chairman of [the] congregation...called on the area's 200,000 United Methodists to donate" to their churches the "advance payment'" check they will receive as part of the $ 1.35 trillion tax cut President Bush has just signed into law. "The Union of American Hebrew Congregations, which represents 1.5 million Reform Jews, also sees the potential of pooling rebates for...

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Judge Rules in Favor of Couple Holding Prayer Meeting

July 14, 2001

Source: The Houston Chronicle

On July 14, 2001, The Houston Chronicle reported that "a federal judge said last week New Milford, Conn., officials violated a couple's religious freedoms by limiting the number of people who could attend prayer meetings at their home." The couple had violated zoning rules by inviting too many people, but asserted "their constitutional rights to freedom of religion and peaceful assembly."

Islamic Group Speaks About Political Issues at Cleveland Convention

July 14, 2001

Source: Los Angeles Times

On July 14, 2001, Los Angeles Times reported that "the Islamic Circle of North America focused on the plight of Muslims in war-torn countries and political activism in the United States during its recent annual convention" in Cleveland's Public Square .

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