By Ashly McGlone Religion News Service WASHINGTON (RNS) A federal religious freedom watchdog panel on Wednesday (July 30) asked President Bush to use his trip to the Beijing Olympics next month to speak publicly against abuses of religious freedom and human rights in China. The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, joined by the Congressional…

By Nicole Neroulias Religion News Service (RNS) Nine faith leaders have banded together to urge Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain to present a 10-year plan to combat poverty when speaking at their national nominating conventions. The interfaith coalition — led by Rabbi Steve Gutow, executive director of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, and…

McClatchy-Tribune Information Services In the seclusion of nightfall just days before her wedding, Leah Kahn stepped into the soothing lukewarm waters of a mikvah, drew in a deep breath and plunged into her new life. After seven dunks in the ritual bath, the bride-to-be had symbolically washed away her identity as a single woman in…

United Press International Canterbury, England – A plan before the Lambeth Conference in England would ban consecration of gay bishops and blessings of same-sex relationships in the Anglican Communion. The proposal for a forum to be headed by Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams would also bar Anglican bishops from intervening outside their own provinces, The…

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