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News for: July 4, 2002
Judge rejects sect member's bid to reduce murder conviction
The Associated Press
"ATTLEBORO, Massachusetts -- A judge has rejected a religious sect leader's bid to reduce his murder conviction to manslaughter for the starvation death of his infant son."
FLORIDA
Witness: Psychics led Winter Park man to kill wrong person
The Associated Press
"GAINESVILLE -- Advise from a spiritual adviser and the Miss Cleo hot line led a suspected drug dealer to murder the wrong man in retaliation for a burglary, a witness testified."
NEW YORK
Don't raze church building, religious leaders say
The Buffalo News
"Religious leaders from various denominations expressed strong opposition Tuesday to the city's plan to tear down a building occupied by the Church of Scientology to expand a downtown parking ramp."
UTAH
Sculpture Adds Fuel to Heated Debate Over Founding Fathers' Convictions
The Salt Lake Tribune
"America's Founding Fathers certainly talked about religion, but divining their actual beliefs is not easy. Even now, 226 years after the Declaration of Independence, scholars remain divided."
AUSTRALIA
Witchcraft Taking Hold In Australia
CNSNews.com
"Buoyed by census figures suggesting that witchcraft is among the fastest-growing religious tendencies in Australia, an organization representing pagans voiced support Wednesday for the scrapping of legislation outlawing witchcraft and related practices."
CANADA
Jehovah's Witness teen gets dying wish granted
Edmonton News
"CALGARY -- The Jehovah's Witness teen fighting against blood transfusions was granted a dying wish when her temporary provincial guardianship was lifted yesterday."
Dad wants daughter given a chance to live
Calgary Sun
"Yesterday was Mia's turn to have her say. Today, is her father's. And when it comes to the form his dying daughter's medical care should take, Lawrence's views are the polar opposite of those of his daughter, his estranged wife and indeed his entire faith community."
JAPAN
Man falsely branded as sarin suspect to advise police
The Japan Times
"NAGANO -- A Nagano Prefectural Assembly committee Thursday approved appointing as a public safety commissioner a man initially branded as the prime suspect in the 1994 fatal nerve-gas attack in Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture, that was later blamed on Aum Shinrikyo."
MOZAMBIQUE
Elderly 'witches' persecuted in Mozambique
BBC News
"There has been an alarming increase in accusations of witchcraft in Mozambique. These frequently lead to elderly women being kicked out of their families. There have also been reports of murders and violent attacks linked to witchcraft accusations."
