Religious Diversity/Politics and Economics/Crossno, Barry

Progressive spiritual activism conference gets under way

Tallahassee.com/Tallahassee/FL/USA/20-Jul-05/Knight Ridder

Pioneer Press/Minneapolis/MN/USA/20-Jul-05/Knight Ridder

San Luis Obispo Tribune/San Luis Obispo/CA/USA/20-Jul-05/Knight Ridder

Charlotte Observer/Charlotte/NC/USA/20-Jul-05/Knight Ridder

Grand Forks Herald/Grand Forks/ND/USA/20-Jul-05/Knight Ridder

Kansas City Star/Kansas City/MO/USA/20-Jul-05/Knight Ridder

Macon Telegraph/Macon/GA/USA/20-Jul-05/Knight Ridder

Centre Daily Times/State College/PA/USA/20-Jul-05/Knight Ridder

Monterey County Herald/Monterey/CA/USA/20-Jul-05/Knight Ridder

Duluth News Tribune/Duluth/MN/USA/20-Jul-05/Knight Ridder

Kentucky.com/Lexington/KY/USA/20-Jul-05/Knight Ridder

Bradenton Herald/Bradenton/FL/USA/20-Jul-05/Knight Ridder

Biloxi Sun Herald/Biloxi/MS/USA/20-Jul-05/Knight Ridder

Myrtle Beach Sun News/Myrtle Beach/SC/USA/20-Jul-05/Knight Ridder

Columbus Ledger-Enquirer/Columbus/GA/USA/20-Jul-05/Knight Ridder

… Barry Crossno of Taos, N.M., finds some progressive ideals to be in line with his Quaker faith. The challenge, the 35-year-old said, will be to put the ideals into motion.

"I think the next step is putting together a really tight-knit organization that's media-savvy and that has fund-raising prowess and that can dig deep into the broader culture."

A diversity of attire, from denim shorts to pastoral robes, accompanied the diversity of faith traditions. Rabbi Michael Lerner, the conference's primary organizer, adopted Western attire, entering the conference with a brown cowboy hat that he later traded for a yarmulke.

Other clothing choices revealed spiritual and political stripes, with T-shirts advocating for peace and others critical of the Bush administration. A cluster of informational booths urged political action, touted progressive programs or offered bumper stickers and pins. A chair masseuse appeared to be doing brisk business.

The conference's common ground, promoting an interfaith alliance, could be found in the coffee grounds. The Fort Bragg-based Thanksgiving Coffee Company dispensed free cups of java from a Ugandan cooperative, comprising some 400 Jewish, Muslim and Christian farmers.

Some criticize the conference as a grab for Democratic votes. Karen Hanretty, spokeswoman for the California Republican Party, views it as elitist. ...