Kwanzaa, the cultural and spiritual holiday for African-Americans, is being commercialized and is facing criticism by purists, according to a report in the Dallas Morning News (Dec. 27). American blacks spend as much as $700 million on Kwanzaa-related merchandise. Such mainstream retailers as Target, Pier 1, and Borders Books are competing with stores catering specifically to blacks […]

American Muslims are increasingly influencing their fellow believers in other parts of the world, reports the Los Angeles Times (Dec. 29). Although American Muslims are a small fraction of the one billion Muslims worldwide, they are wielding significant influence in business practices and economic development in their homelands “through a mushrooming number of non-profit organizations,” writes Teresa […]

Conservative Christians are banding together and intensifying their activism in the global arena, particularly on family issues in the United Nations, reports the current issue of The Public Eye (Summer/Fall), a leftist newsletter monitoring the religious right. “Frustrated with political defeats at the national level, the Christian Right is turning to the developing world as an innocent, […]

The year 2000 was not what it was prophesized to be. The Y2K crisis turned out to be a dud. Millennial and apocalyptic visions were few and far between. The most tangible millennial religious celebration was the Vatican’s Jubilee Year. While its many events may have repercussions in the years ahead — especially the massive […]

While the movement linking spirituality and health has drawn generous media coverage, philanthropic funding, and impressive research results, the health care system has yet to recognize the “faith factor” in its everyday workings. “We have to get this stuff paid for,” said Dr. Herbert Benson, pioneer of the spirituality in medicine field, referring to the […]

The conflict between Hindus and Christians over evangelism is present not only in India but also among the large Indian diaspora in the Caribbean, reports Hinduism Today (November/December, January/February, 2001 issues). Much of the interreligious violence and clamp down on religious freedom in India has stemmed from the Hindu claim that Christians are destroying local culture by […]

Southeast Asia — spanning from the Philippines to Indonesia and even Malaysia — is experiencing a Muslim revival that is challenging religious pluralism and long-standing secular laws and governments. The Washington Post (Nov. 5) reports that “In a trend that is causing increasing worry about regional stability, Islamic fundamentalists are mounting aggressive campaigns for separate states and […]

TV programs with religious, often Bible-based,  themes are scoring high ratings, reports Charisma News Service (Nov. 13). NBC began broadcasting “In the Beginning,” advertised as “From Creation to the Commandments” in November to garner big ratings for the November sweeps. The other major networks are using the same strategy. Next year, CBS will be airing “Adam & Eve” […]

Urban Christian ministries are stressing intercessory prayer meetings while using the creative arts to reach out to city-dwellers, reports the evangelical digest Current Thoughts & Trends (November). Even before new ministries are being launched, churches involved in urban outreach are holding regular prayer meetings on behalf of problems in their neighborhoods. Brian Bakke of the Uptown Baptist […]

Orthodox Judaism is facing new movements of dissent on the issue of homosexuality, according to the Jewish Week (Nov. 3). There is a new openness on the part of Orthodox Jewish gays and lesbians as they find e-mail discussion groups and new support groups catering to their needs forming in the U.S. and Israel, as well as […]