We also have a list of religious intolerance news for this month. 
Sad to say, these are usually much longer lists.

2001-SEP-18: One week after: Items arising from the NYC and Pentagon terrorist bombings: News of religious tolerance has taken a back seat after what was the greatest outpouring of religious intolerance and hatred in the history of the United States. A gang of 19 extremist, radical, fundamentalist Muslims piloted four kamikaze jet liners towards the twin towers of the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and (probably) the Capitol Building. The latter flight crashed in Pennsylvania; the others hit their targets, killing about 3,000 people from over a dozen nations, and injuring a similar number. Following this terrorist attack there have been hundreds of reports of harassment and assaults on innocent Muslims, Arabs and people who look like Muslims in both the U.S. and Canada. At least two conservative Christian leaders joined in by attacking Pagans and others in the country. More details.

But there have been some positive signs arising from this disaster:

	There seems to be an increase in spirituality across the nation; people are asking questions that had never concerned them before. In the words of Tana Dineen, a reporter for the Vancouver Sun: "...they pray, light candles, sing, cry and express a unity that President George W. Bush described at last Friday's service of remembrance as a 'kinship of grief.' We have a sense of loss and a sense of community - a feeling that people actually care about each other." 11
	We can never forget the incredibly brave actions which were taken by firefighters and police officers who acted without considering the risks to themselves. Many people are now looking upon their local police officers, firefighters, and the military in a new light.
	Tana Dineen continues: "There is a mood of cooperation that is sweeping the country. Something larger than either life or death has gripped North America. In the aftermath of last week's horror, we've witnessed the rising up of some of the most precious qualities of the human spirit: strength, courage, kindness, love and endurance. It's been a long time since I've felt proud to be human, but that's what I'm feeling these days." 11
	Many Christians are reaching out to Muslims and followers of other minority religions. We see a great increase in inter-faith religious services, including a Catholic, Protestant, Muslim, Jewish service at the National Cathedral in Washington.
	When Jerry Falwell issued words of divisiveness, attacking Pagans and others for causing the tragedy, journalists, agency workers, health workers, and others were outspoken in their criticism. It is rumored that his divisive comments caused his donations from his supporters to dry up quickly. Falwell later apologized.

2001-SEP-18: Armenian court clears Jehovah's Witnesses: The Witnesses (aka Watchtower Society or WTS) became active in Armenia in 1991, after the collapse of the USSR. The Armenian constitution guarantees religious freedom. However, the legislation favors the Armenian Apostolic Church. New groups find it difficult to become registered with the government. The WTS had been charged with forcing young people to evade military service, and with recruiting new members. About 20 WTS members have refused to be drafted and have been given prison sentences. The WTS was acquitted on SEP-8. The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe expressed pleasure with the decision; they hope that a new draft law on alternative military service will be passed to prevent future prosecutions in the country. ₁₂

2001-SEP-20: Antidote to homophobic hatred: The webmasters at Straight Dope have decided to counter hate speech by Rev. Fred Phelps of Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, KS. He is responsible for the "GodHatesFags" web site. Straight Dope is collecting pledges, so that every time that Phelps updates his web site with more hatred against gays and lesbians, they will donate money to gay rights and AIDS research. ₁₃

2001-SEP-28: National Council of Churches to meet with Muslim leaders:  The National Council of Churches in Christ in the USA (NCCCUSA), has announced an agreement to meet with Muslim leaders in America on a regular basis in the wake of the September 11th, terrorist attack. The first meeting was held on SEP-26. General Secretary Bob Edgar said: "Never has interfaith understanding and cooperation been more important than it is today. The peace of our neighborhoods, and the true security of nations around the world may well turn on our capacity to build communities of respect and to bear witness together for justice and peace."