In Brief

Religious Leaders Call For U.S. Talks With Iran

Citing deep concern about the direction the U.S. government has taken in the Middle East, religious leaders are urging "the media and Congress to take a stand now" and prevent a possible preemptive attack on Iran.

Evangelical Christian, Jewish and Muslim leaders held a telephone conference with reporters Tuesday to highlight their appeal for the United States to engage in direct negotiations with Iran.

Organizers also released a statement on their Web site ( http://www.wordsnotwar.org) signed by more than 100 religious leaders and clerics urging diplomacy with Iran.

"We take the threat of nuclear weapons very seriously," said the Rev. Jim Wallis, founder of Sojourners/Call to Renewal, a social justice group in Washington. But "we don't believe there is a military solution."

-- Religion News Service

House Bill Would Deny Fees In Church-State Cases

The U.S. House has passed legislation that would cut off financial awards for successful lawsuits against religious displays on government property.

The bill would deny the awarding of attorney's fees or monetary damages to a party that wins a court case based on separation of church and state.

Backers of the legislation said local and state governments often give in to demands to remove religious displays for fear of incurring costly attorney's fees.

Opponents called the legislation a waste of time by Republicans who are anxious to shore up their conservative base before Election Day.