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In related news, Australia's Foreign Minister says the country's government is doing all it can to free the prisoners, who were arrested August 5 on charges of promoting Christianity—but the government can't do much. "There are a lot of things we're doing to try and do," Alexander Downer told Radio Australia. "But obviously the circumstances are extremely difficult. That is really a statement to the obvious with the war going on." Friends and relatives of the Australian Shelter Now workers have in recent days asked the government to put more pressure on the Taliban. Meanwhile, a ray of hope from an unlikely source: Seif el-Islam Gaddafi, the second son of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, says he'll intercede on behalf of the prisoners.

Attorney General John Ashcroft:

• Ashcroft sounds a religious theme | "God's plan" speech at a luncheon sponsored by the Catholic Lawyers Guild was a reminder that the attorney general is also a deeply religious man (The Boston Globe)
• A life of faith | Attorney General John Ashcroft was born to a family full of spirit (The Washington Post)

Politics & religion:

• Osama bin Falwell | Reverend Jerry can't leave gays alone (The Village Voice)
• The holy alliance | Britain's three main political parties are now led by two and a half Catholics. Is this a sign of the times? (The Guardian, London)

Crime:

• Dark history eludes church's eyes | Man and woman in molestation case already had notorious records of abuse (The Denver Post)
• Man held in religious hate crimes | Muslim fundamentalist is believed to have attacked statues of the Virgin Mary (The Los Angeles Times)
• Church attacked | Racial abuse hurled at vicar (Channel 4, London)

Radio:

• Religious divide | I have lost count of the number of times I have heard liberal Christians argue that there is no conflict between being gay and being Christian. Yet is it not strange that they have the freedom to profess their views but not those who think the opposite? (Paul Donovan, The Sunday Times)
• Keeping faith in Salem's appeal | Religious broadcaster tries to build on program base (CBS Marketwatch)
• Another slant on talk radio | Salem lineup offers diverse approach to Christianity (CBS Marketwatch)

Other stories off interest:

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November (Web-only) 2001, Vol. 45