Source: Zenit

http ://w ww.zenit.org/english/visualizza.phtml?sid=48120

On January 28, 2004 Zenit reported, "In the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan, Christians are forbidden to celebrate or pray in public and priests are denied visas to enter, says a bishop in neighboring India. Bishop Stephen Lepcha, whose Diocese of Darjeeling includes the kingdom, explained that Buddhism is the official religion of Bhutan, and every other form of religion and mission is prohibited. Until a few years ago, Christians who had emigrated there...

Source: The Star

http://thestaronline.com/news/story.asp?file=/2004/1/27/latest/15704Cath

On January 27, 2004 The Star ran an Associated Press article that reported, "Arsonists firebombed a Roman Catholic church near the Sri Lankan capital in the third attack on a Christian place of worship in this predominantly Buddhist country in two weeks, officials said Tuesday. Nearly 20 unidentified men attacked the church late Monday in the village of...

Source: Bangkok Post

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/26Jan2004_news09.html

On January 26, 2004 the Bangkok Post reported, "Religious organisations in the South have issued a joint statement condemning the cold-blooded killings of a Buddhist monk and a novice in the province, which threatened to trigger secular violence. The statement issued by the Buddhist, Islamic, Christian and Sikh organisations outlined a demand for the authorities to find the killers and mete out...

Source: Hindustan Times

http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_547837,00410008.htm

On January 26, 2004 the Hindustan Times reported, "Sri Lanka is now witnessing the beginnings of a revivalist movement, the third in the last 100 years. Political circles here are abuzz with talk of the arrival of politico-cultural nationalism akin to Hindutva in neighbouring India. It is being described as Jathika Chinthanaya or National Consciousness, based on the island's 2,500...

Source: Bangkok Post

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/25Jan2004_news10.html

On January 25, 2004 the Bangkok Post reported, "Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has called for patience among people in the South, saying certain elements were trying to create religious conflict. Speaking on his weekly radio show, Mr. Thaksin said he had received a report on knife attacks that killed two monks and seriously wounded another yesterday morning. 'Please be patient. Don't take...

Source: The Press of Atlantic City

http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/lifestyle/012404J24OLDCHURCHES.html

On January 24, 2004 The Press of Atlantic City reported on the diverse history of religious migration to Southern New Jersey. The article traces the migration of Quakers, Baptists and "Separatists" from the Church of England in the late 17th century, Welsh Baptists, Presbyterians, African-American Christians, Catholics, Jews, and the...

Source: Los Angeles Times

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-beliefs24jan24,1,5715458.story?coll=la-headlines-california

On January 24, 2004 the Los Angeles Times published a profile on Steven Wass, a formerly troubled man who found freedom through Buddhism. "Today, Wass is known as Gen-la Samden Gyatso, a 'realized' Buddhist teacher, who is deputy spiritual director of the New Kadampa Tradition, which describes...

Source: International Campaign for Tibet

http://www.savetibet.org/News/News.cfm?ID=2272&c=6

On January 23, 2004 International Campaign for Tibet website posted a press release from the Canadian Tibetan Association of Ontario that reported, "Thousands of Buddhists from across North America and other parts of the world are gathering in Toronto this spring to participate in one of the Buddhist faith’s most important teachings and initiation conducted by His...

Source: San Antonio News 9

http://news9sanantonio.com/content/top_stories/default.asp?ArID=8513

On January 22, 2004 San Antonio News 9 reported on local celebrations of the Vietnamese New Year. Celebrations were held in the Bao Quang temple in North San Antonio, where the faithful ended the new year with a chant and a prayer. The temple is where Vietnamese Buddhist believers pray for a better year in health and prosperity."

Source: The Dallas Morning News

http ://w ww.dallasnews.com/s/dws/dn/religion/stories/010304dnrelcalendar.7706.html

On January 22, 2004 The Dallas Morning News published an interfaith calendar marking the most important holidays of the world's major religions.

Source: Yahoo! News

Source: Wichita Eagle

http://www.kansas.com/mld/kansas/7765731.htm

On January 22, 2004 the Wichita Eagle reported on local celebrations of the Vietnamese New Year. Special religious services will be held at the Phap Hoa Buddhist Temple and the Church of the Magdalen. About 6,860 Vietnamese live in Wichita, making up 2 percent of the population, according to 2000 census figures. They are the largest group among the Asian population in Wichita.

Source: Kansas.com

http://www.kansas.com/mld/kansas/living/7729787.htm

On January 17, 2004 Kansas.com reported that the Vietnamese New Year will be celebrated in Wichita by at least two congregations this week with events open to the public. The Phap Hoa Buddhist Temple will have an event to "welcome the ancestry spirits" on Wednesday. The Vietnamese Roman Catholics will also take part in a special Mass at the Church of the Magdalen.

Source: The Sun Herald

http://www.sunherald.com/mld/sunherald/7722724.htm

On January 16, 2004 The Sun Herald reported, "The Year 4701 is the Year of the Monkey, and for millions of Asians around the world, it will begin on Thursday. Koreans, Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese and other Asians living in South Mississippi will celebrate privately and with special services at Vietnamese Christian churches and the Buddhist temple on Biloxi's Point Cadet. Throughout the day,...

Source: Redland Daily Facts

http ://w ww.redlandsdailyfacts.com/Stories/0,1413,209~22484~1893532,00.html

On January 15, 2004 Redland Daily Facts reported that "a local observance of World Religion Day is scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 18. The program will include representatives from major world religions, including Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, Islam and the Baha'i faith. 'The aim of World Religion Day is to foster the establishment of interfaith understanding and harmony by emphasizing the common...