Civic

Orthodox Jews Face Prejudice In New Jersey Town

May 2, 2001

Source: The Record

On May 2, 2001, The Record reported that "Tenafly Mayor Ann Moscovitz and an Orthodox rabbi squared off in federal court..., each offering radically different accounts of what happened when they met last September to settle the eruv dispute." Rabbi Shmuel Goldin testified that Moscovitz said she didn't want the eruv because she didn't want more Orthodox Jews to move into the town. "Moscovitz testified that those sentiments were not her own, that she was simply relaying to Goldin the fears that some constituents had expressed to her...

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New Organization Aims to Strengthen American Muslims

May 1, 2001

Source: The American Muslim Council

On May 1, 2001, the American Muslim Council reported that it "commends the establishment of the new national organization, the Muslim Alliance in North America (MANA)...The purpose of MANA as stated in its mission statement is 'to pursue an agenda that reflects the points of view and experiences of the indigenous Muslims of North America and addresses their needs and aspirations.'" MANA is "a response to the widespread feeling that indigenous Muslims needed to be better organized."

Interfaith Campaign to Promote Ethics

May 1, 2001

Source: Los Angeles Times

On May 1, 2001, the Los Angeles Times reported on "an unusual campaign to improve local ethics [in Pacific Palisades by] posting 3,500 signs along neighborhood roads to promote community values...The stake-mounted placards bearing the words 'love,' 'courage,' 'respect,' 'integrity,' 'passion,' 'good works' and 'kindness' were being confiscated by Los Angeles street-use inspectors" because permits are required by the city for the signs to be on the public right of way. "The community values crusade was launched after Kehillat Israel...

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Supreme Court Exempts Religious Groups from Protection Laws

April 30, 2001

Source: The San Francisco Chronicle

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2001/04/30

On April 30, 2001, The San Francisco Chronicle reported that "the U.S. Supreme Court let stand today lower court rulings exempting religious organizations from local landmark protection laws." Its ruling "allows church groups to raze and replace historic buildings...A suit challenging the law was filed by a coalition of groups that...

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Lawsuit Filed over Removal of Ten Commandments from Courthouse

April 28, 2001

Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

On April 28, 2001, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported that "attorneys working pro bono [for Allegheny County, Pennsylvania] have submitted their response in U.S. District Court here to a lawsuit that Americans United for Separation of Church and State filed last month. In its lawsuit, Americans United contends that a bronze plaque displaying the Ten Commandments on the courthouse's exterior violates the First Amendment...The 83-year-old plaque, [the lawyers] say, has historical significance."

National Day of Prayer Celebrated with Christian Focus

April 28, 2001

Source: The Times-Picayune

On April 28, 2001, the New Orleans Times-Picayune reported that "the 50th observance of the National Day of Prayer will be marked... with celebrations across the country and the recitation of a special prayer written by evangelist Billy Graham...Recently, boosted by the work of an evangelical Christian ministry called the National Day of Prayer Task Force, observances have continued to expand...The work of the task force has been criticized by church-state separationists who believe the day has become focused primarily on...

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Lutheran Church Debates Whether to Join Coalition of Protestant Churches

April 27, 2001

Source: The San Diego Union-Tribune

On April 27, 2001, The San Diego Union-Tribune reported that "the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America will decide this summer whether to become an observer member of Churches Uniting in Christ, a coalition of nine Protestant churches hoping to move toward eventual full communion...As a partner, the ELCA would send a delegation to CUIC's inaugural celebration next January, work to combat racism and join dialogues on ministry."

New National Study Released: The Mosque in America

April 27, 2001

Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

On April 27, 2001, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported that "the nation's Muslim community is growing because of immigration and conversions and has...2 million members who go to a mosque at least occasionally during the year, according to a new report...Spear-headed by the Council on American-Islamic Relations, the Mosque Study of 2000 is part of a larger study of faiths in America, coordinated by the Hartford Institute of Religious Research...Muslim leaders estimate that there are 10,000 Muslims in the [Pittsburgh] area...

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Summit Builds Support for Faith-Based Initiative, Excludes Opposition

April 26, 2001

Source: The Atlanta Journal and Constitution

On April 26, 2001, The Atlanta Journal and Constitution reported that "a Republican-led summit...built momentum among religious leaders for partnerships with government, but opposition groups protested that they had been excluded...'Today's invitation-only Republican faith-based summit looks like the manipulation of religion for partisan politician gain,' said the Rev. C. Welton Gaddy, executive director of Interfaith Alliance...The summit was intended to open a dialogue on ways religious groups can tap into the...

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Minister Bars Rabbi from Giving Baccalaureate Services

April 24, 2001

Source: The Atlanta Journal and Constitution

On April 24, 2001, The Atlanta Journal and Constitution reported Bishop Lindsey Davis of the United Methodist Church's North Georgia Conference called for the Rev. Randy Mickler and Rabbi Steven Lebow to meet "face to face" to settle the issue of Mickler's barring Lebow from giving a baccalaureate address from his church pulpit.

Georgetown Muslim Prayer Room Is Vandalized

April 24, 2001

Source: The American Muslim Council

On April 24, 2001, the American Muslim Council reported that Georgetown University's Muslim prayer room was vandalized. Georgetown Muslim Student Association President Owas Balti said "that the damage to the room was more religiously significant than anything else." The Georgetown Unity Coalition is sponsoring a rally "to promote religious tolerance on campus."

Social Scientists Dispute Claim that Faith-Based Programs Are More Effective

April 24, 2001

Source: The New York Times

On April 24, 2001, The New York Times reported on Prof. Byron R. Johnson of the University of Pennsylvania, who "is among the few social scientists who have tried to measure the influence of religion on social problems...Mr. Johnson and many other social scientists say...that there is little reliable research proving the effectiveness of religious programs. They also add that there is scant evidence showing which religious programs show the best results and how they stack up against secular programs."

Jesuit School Guidelines Posted on the Web

April 22, 2001

Source: The Boston Globe

On April 22, 2001, The Boston Globe reported that "the Radio Studiorum, the detailed guidelines for Jesuit education, have been translated and posted on the [Boston College] website." The document is 400 years old, and had previously been available only in rare books sections of large libraries; now it can be found at "Radio Studiorum".

Muslim Leader to Speak at Houston Mosque

April 21, 2001

Source: The Houston Chronicle

On April 21, 2001, The Houston Chronicle reported that "Imam W. Deen Mohammed, the Muslim leader who turned from the leadership of the Nation of Islam toward orthodox Islam and a message of racial and religious harmony, will speak next week at a Houston mosque...He has encouraged African-American Muslim communities to reach out to those of other faiths and races. But he also emphasizes the need for black communities to gain economic independence and a sense of pride...Mohammed was first thrust into a leadership position in...

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Meeting in Louisiana to Discuss Faith-Based Initiative

April 21, 2001

Source: The Times-Picayune

On April 21, 2001, The Times-Picayune reported that "more than 350 religious and civic leaders from North Louisiana gathered at a Christian community center that caters to the needy, seeking answers from Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., and DiIulio, who heads the newly created White House Office of Community and Faith-Based Initiatives." The group discussed various concerns about the Faith-Based Initiative program.

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