Source: The Christian Science Monitor

On November 22, 2000, The Christian Science Monitor reported that "as religious persecution expands around the world, according to experts, America remains a relatively rare haven of religious tolerance. Around the globe, attacks on religious freedom are "absolutely on the upswing," says the Rev. Steven Snyder, president of International Christian Concern, a Maryland-based Christian human rights group. Religious liberty is 'deteriorating,' and today only one-quarter of the world's people enjoy broad religious freedom....

Source: The Washington Post

On November 21, 2000, The Washington Post wrote: "Uh-oh. Indians on the Mall for Thanksgiving. Yep: the other guys from that 1621 banquet, front and center in the nation's capital, and all the inconvenient truths they represent. There they are, in three tepees by the Washington Monument. A family. Just a single Omaha family and some friends. You just know they're not commemorating that nice first Thanksgiving meal, when the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag Indians of Patuxet sat down together. No, they'll be commemorating that pesky...

Source: Los Angeles Times

On November 20, 2000, the Los Angeles Times reported that "In a milestone for Muslim philanthropy, an emergency appeal to save the only free medical clinic in South-Central Los Angeles netted more than $ 284,000, ensuring the facility's survival for another year, community leaders said Sunday. A fund-raiser Saturday night brought out an overflow crowd of more than 1,000 people, whose contributions will give the University Muslim Medical Assn. clinic on Florence Avenue a respite from closure while organizers seek grants and other...

Source: The New York Times

On November 19, 2000, The New York Times reported that "LONG after their military defeat in the 19th century, American Indian tribes remain a world apart. Considered separate governments, Indian reservations are exempt from most state laws, like taxes on cigarettes, and can allow gambling, even if the surrounding state bans it. Practitioners of one Indian religion can legally use peyote, a cactus containing an illegal hallucinogen. Indian burial sites are protected by a 1990 special act of Congress. Devils Tower National Monument...

Source: Los Angeles Times

On November 19, 2000, the Los Angeles Times reported that one local exhibition, "'Made in California: Art, Image and Identity, 1900-2000,' at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, traces the uninhibited history of religions, cults and spiritual beliefs that took root here during the past century. Religion is only one of many themes in the show, which focuses on art and culture. But spiritual references offer a lesson in how California artists relate to the sacred...'The most interesting thing about religion in California is that it...

Source: Los Angeles Times

On November 18, 2000, The Los Angeles Times reported that "It began as an audacious vision by a handful of idealistic Muslim medical students: move Islam out of the insular immigrant communities and take the religion's charitable ideals into the streets. Four years and 14,000 patients later, the UMMA clinic on Florence Avenue has drawn widespread attention as the only free medical clinic in South-Central Los Angeles and the nation's first major Muslim foray into health care for the poor. In this spotless clinic festooned with...

Source: The Columbus Dispatch

On November 17, 2000, the Columbus Dispatch published an article entitled, "Immigrants Give Thanks to America."

Source: The Boston Globe

On November 15, 2000, the Boston Globe reported that "A Knights of Columbus council is suing the town of Lexington for refusing to allow it to put a Nativity scene on the town's historic Battle Green. In a suit scheduled to be filed today in federal court, the Catholic religious group accuses the town of unconstitutionally limiting religious expression by preventing a creche from being placed in a public area...Jeanne Krieger, chairwoman of Lexington's Board of Selectmen, said the new regulation was passed only to preserve the...

Source: The Baltimore Sun

On November 10, 2000, The Baltimore Sun reported that "Recognizing the school system's growing diversity, the Howard County Board of Education will consider renaming religious holidays on the yearly school calendar to eliminate all nonsecular references. At last night's board meeting, school district spokeswoman Patti Caplan recommended the board move to a 'purely secular calendar' by calling holiday periods - such as Christmas, Easter, Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur - 'board-approved' holidays...But Sandra H. French, the board...

Source: St. Petersburg Times

On November 10, 2000, the St. Petersburg Times reported that "Employees have been directed to eliminate all workplace holiday displays, decorations and celebrations. That means no Christmas trees, figures of Santa Claus or any item with a 'religious holiday connotation.' The new rules, which came as a surprise to the city administrator and chief assistant city attorney, are isolated to the Police Department. And the mandate has sparked a firestorm. Officers and employees are asking: If a Christmas tree can go up in the city's...

Source: Omaha World-Herald

On November 9, 2000, the Omaha World-Herald reported that "the Papillion City Council voted unanimously Wednesday night to approve an ordinance that would regulate the holiday displays in the [city] park...The new ordinance requires residents to apply for a permit between Nov. 1 and Nov. 30. All requests must designate a Papillion resident as caretaker for the decoration, which can be displayed from Nov. 15 through Jan. 3 and fit inside a 20-foot-by-20-foot space...One of the factors prompting the council action was a letter from...

Source: New York Daily News

http://www.nydailynews.com/2000-11-07/News_and_Views/City_Beat/a-87462.asp?last6days=1

On November 7, 2000, the New York Daily News published an article entitled "Hindu Leader Receives Honor."

Source: The Seattle Times

On November 7, 2000, The Seattle Times reported that "The Kent School District recently modified its holiday-observance guidelines to become more sensitive to the growing diversity of religious and cultural beliefs in its schools. But some parents and community members are accusing the state's fourth-largest school district of turning into the Grinch who stole Christmas. The district was flooded with dozens of phone calls and e-mails last week about its new restrictions on winter holiday decorations and activities. Critics said the...

Source: New York Daily News

http://www.nydailynews.com/2000-11-06/News_and_Views/City_Beat/a-87327.asp

On November 6, 2000, the New York Daily News published an article entitled "Group Fights Spread of Mideast Hate Here."

Source: Los Angeles Times

On November 5, 2000, the Los Angeles Times reported that a 66 year old cross is the subject of debate between local citizens and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). The cross, situated in the Mojave National Preserve, was erected in honor of WWI veterans. Today, the ACLU contends that it is a violation of the 1st amendment to allow it to remain on federal land. Many local citizens, however, say that the cross is about more than religion. In fact, it serves as a meeting place for residents for Easter sunrise services,...