Source: BBC News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/4996708.stm

On May 19, 2006 BBC News reported, "The state governor of India's western state of Rajasthan has refused to sign a contentious religious freedom bill.

Pratibha Patil's refusal comes amid widespread criticism of the bill, which would ban people from being converted to religions against their will.

The state assembly passed the bill, which would see offenders fined or...

Source: The Catholic Register

http://www.catholic.org/international/international_story.php?id=19880

On May 17, 2006 The Catholic Register reported, "If Toronto lands the 2015 World's Fair it should grab the opportunity to put its impressive religious diversity on display, religious leaders and city officials have told The Catholic Register.

Toronto plans to make a bid to the Paris-based Bureau International des Expositions...

Source: Hindu American Foundation

http://www.hinduamericanfoundation.org/media_press_release_uscirf_2006.htm

On May 16, 2006 Hindu American Foundation reported, "The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) expressed support over portions of the annual report released by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) on May 3, 2006. The report, which aims to draw the U.S. government's attention to countries with systematic...

Source: BBC News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/4965580.stm

On May 16, 2006 BBC News reported, "Malaysia is considering its multi-cultural credentials after a crowd of Muslims on Sunday broke up a meeting called to defend the rights of religious minorities.

The country's leaders condemned the disturbances, but the BBC's Jonathan Kent in Kuala Lumpur says non-Muslims feel increasingly beleaguered.

'I'm becoming an alien in...

Source: World Council of Churches

Source: Honolulu Star-Bulletin

http://starbulletin.com/2006/05/13/features/story01.html

On May 13, 2006 the Honolulu Star-Bulletin reported, "A panel representing five major religions will explore ways their teachings respond to current global issues and diversity in modern society at a symposium Wednesday. The 7 p.m. interfaith dialogue will be at the University of Hawaii Institute of Geophysics auditorium. It is free and open to the public, presented...

Source: The Modesto Bee

https://www.modbee.com/site-services/article239247513.html

On May 12, 2006 The Modesto Bee reported, "Since 2000, all ninth-graders [at Modesto City Schools] have been required to take a nine-week World Religions course on Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Sikhism, Judaism,...

Source: Crosswalk

http://www.crosswalk.com/news/religiontoday/1396234.html

On May 12, 2006 Crosswalk reported, "The World Council of Churches (WCC) said it was launching a joint effort with the Vatican to shape a code of conduct on religious conversion, a Reuters news story reports. A senior WCC official said it was hoped that the intra-Christian project would spark discussion on the same issue among Muslims. 'We hope to produce a code that will ensure that...

Source: Baha'i World News Service

http://news.bahai.org/story/449

On May 11, 2006 the Baha'i World News Service reported, "Just nine years old, Eve McCowen was dwarfed by the huge piles of unwanted electronic equipment that quickly accumulated in the parking lot of the Messiah Lutheran Church on Earth Day 2006. But she was nevertheless one of the first to run up to an arriving car that needed to be unloaded as residents brought old stereos, defunct computers, and broken...

Source: Religion News Service

http://www.beliefnet.com/story/191/story_19123_1.html

On May 11, 2006 Religion News Service reported, "The House approved language on Thursday (May 11) that allows military chaplains to pray 'according to the dictates of the chaplain's own conscience' as part of a defense spending bill.

The vote comes as religious groups, church-state separationists and military officials have debated the appropriateness of sectarian prayers...

Source: The Associated Press

http://www.beliefnet.com/story/191/story_19113_1.html

On May 11, 2006 The Associated Press reported, "The long-dormant idea of teaching public school students about the literary and historic importance of the Bible is getting a fresh look this year from state legislatures and local school boards - though with political bickering and questions about what should be included.

The buzz results mostly from 'The Bible and Its...

Source: The Brunswick Beacon

http://www.brunswickbeacon.com/articles/2006/05/10/free/03-free.txt

On May 10, 2006 The Brunswick Beacon reported, "Expecting a vote on the second reading of a controversial religious materials policy, the people who crowded into the lobby of the Brunswick County Board of Education administrative offices last Thursday were surprised when the school board voted to table the decision.

Soon after shooting down board...

Source: BBC News

http://www.bbc.co.uk/bristol/content/articles/2006/05/10/vatican_message_feature.shtml

On May 10, 2006 BBC News reported, "A message from the Vatican calling for greater understanding between faiths has been presented to Bristol Buddhists. The message, written by English archbishop Michael Fitzgerald, was given to the Lam Rim community on the Buddhist feast of Vesakh. Vesakh (also known as Wesak and Visakha) is the...

Source: Associated Baptist Press

http://www.abpnews.com/1010.article.print

On May 8, 2006 Associated Baptist Press reported, "A new study suggests mandatory teaching about world religions in public schools can increase teenagers' respect for religious freedom and other constitutional rights. The research, released May 8 by a Virginia-based think tank, studied 400 ninth graders who took the course in the Modesto, Calif., public schools. The district has offered the class since...

Source: Los Angeles Times

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-op-winston7may07,0,6865662.story

On May 7, 2006 the Los Angeles Times published an Op-Ed by Knight chair in media and religion at University of Southern California Diane Winston: "Sumaya Abubaker doesn't go to movies much anymore. Nor does she watch television. It's too painful for her to see Muslims stereotyped as terrorists, fanatics and fools. 'You see a scary-...