New Catholic, Evangelical Declaration Reaffirms Pro-Life, Traditional Marriage Agenda

This afternoon, a coalition of 149 pro-life, Catholic, evangelical and Orthodox Christian leaders signed the 4700-word Manhattan Declaration, pledging to defend their pro-life views and their opposition to same-sex marriage. (LifeNews.) The Declaration says in part:

While the whole scope of Christian moral concern, including a special concern for the poor and vulnerable, claims our attention, we are especially troubled that in our nation today the lives of the unborn, the disabled, and the elderly are severely threatened; that the institution of marriage, already buffeted by promiscuity, infidelity and divorce, is in jeopardy of being redefined to accommodate fashionable ideologies; that freedom of religion and the rights of conscience are gravely jeopardized by those who would use the instruments of coercion to compel persons of faith to compromise their deepest convictions.

.... We are Christians who have joined together across historic lines of ecclesial differences to affirm our right—and, more importantly, to embrace our obligation—to speak and act in defense of these truths.... Because we honor justice and the common good, we will not comply with any edict that purports to compel our institutions to participate in abortions, embryo-destructive research, assisted suicide and euthanasia, or any other anti-life act; nor will we bend to any rule purporting to force us to bless immoral sexual partnerships, treat them as marriages or the equivalent, or refrain from proclaiming the truth, as we know it, about morality and immorality and marriage and the family. We will fully and ungrudgingly render to Caesar what is Caesar’s. But under no circumstances will we render to Caesar what is God’s.

Today's New York Times reporting on the Declaration says that the document, written by Prison Fellowship founder Charles Colson, "is an effort to rejuvenate the political alliance of conservative Catholics and evangelicals that dominated the religious debate during the [Bush] administration.... They want to signal to the Obama administration and to Congress that they are still a formidable force that will not compromise on abortion, stem-cell research or gay marriage." [Thanks to Ira "Chip" Lupu for the lead.]

Award By Rabbinical Court Vacated Over Limit on Party's Choice of Attorney

In Kahan v. Rosner, (NY Sup. Ct., Nov. 16, 2009), a New York trial court vacated an arbitration award in a dispute between siblings over property originally owned by their father. The award was issued by a Rabbinical Court which refused to permit one of the parties to be represented by the attorney of his choice. The parties had signed a waiver providing that they would use only Rabbinical counsel acceptable to the Rabbinical court. However the state civil court held that the right to have an attorney at an arbitration proceeding is unwaivable, and the Rabbinical court had given no reason why the objecting party could not be represented by the attorney ("toayn") he had selected. [Thanks to Y.Y. Landa for the lead.]

Ban On Transfer of Funds To Iraq Does Not Infringe Charity's Free Exercise

In United States v. Islamic American Relief Agency, 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 107541 (WD MO, Nov. 18, 2009), a Missouri federal district court rejected defendants' argument that their indictment for illegally transferring funds to Iraq violates the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. Defendants were charged under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and the Iraqi Sanctions Regulations. Defendants contend that, along with IARA's donors, they "shared the common purpose of fulfilling the obligations of all Muslim's of zakat" --the duty to give charity to the destitute. The court concluded that even if the restrictions imposed a substantial burden on defendants' free exercise, the government had a compelling interest in imposing the restrictions and use the least restrictive means of accomplishing them.

Individual Congregations Seek To Intervene In Fort Worth Episcopal Diocese Case

Virtue Online reported yesterday that 47 parishes and missions of the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth (TX) have filed an Original Plea in Intervention (full text) in the lawsuit between The Episcopal Church and the break-away Diocese of Fort Worth. The intervenors seek a declaratory judgment that "in accordance with the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth, the title to the real property being occupied and subject to the control of Intervening Congregations is held by the Corporation of the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth in trust for the use and benefit of each Intervening Congregation." (See prior related posting.)

Groups Challenge Use of Church for Graduation Ceremonies

The ACLU and Americans United are threatening to file a lawsuit to stop Enfield, Connecticut high schools from holding their graduation ceremonies in Bloomfield, Connecticut's First Cathedral. (Press release.) The letter (full text) says in part:

We ... understand that when the Board first approved using the Cathedral for graduations, it was told that the religious items in the Cathedral would be covered for graduations. In fact, this never occurred; indeed, ... religious symbolism is inherent in virtually every aspect of the Cathedral, and so secularizing the facility for school events would not appear to be possible....

[T]hat the Enfield Schools may have secular reasons for using the Cathedral (such as the price or the physical amenities of the facility) does not render such use constitutional. The Establishment Clause not only prohibits conduct that has a religious purpose, but also conduct that has a religious effect, such as religious coercion, endorsement, or delegation.... Second, the placement of a disclaimer on school graduation programs cannot cure the constitutional violations. A disclaimer does nothing to prevent or remedy coercive imposition of religion upon students and family members at a graduation ceremony, as we have here.

The ACLU filed a similar objection in 2006 when the use of the Cathedral began. (See prior posting.)

Defendant Sentenced For Cyber Attack On Scientology Websites

According to a press release yesterday from the Church of Scientology, a New Jersey federal district court has sentenced Dmitriy Guzner for his part in a cyber attack on Scientology websites last January. Nineteen year old Guzner who, in May, plead guilty to one count of computer hacking, was given a sentence of 366 days in prison, 2 years probation and ordered to pay restitution of $37,500. Guzner carried out the distributed denial of service attack along with other members of the anti-Scientology group, Anonymous.

University Settles With Woman Fired For Being A Witch

In Lincoln, Nebraska, a woman, identified only as Jane Doe, has settled an employment discrimination lawsuit she filed against the University of Nebraska. The woman alleges that she was removed as director of a youth program when the University discovered that she was a witch. (See prior posting.) Yesterday's Lincoln (NE) Journal-Star reports that the Nebraska Equal Opportunity Commission had found reasonable cause to believe that religious discrimination had occurred. Plaintiff settled for $40,000, of which $10,000 will go for attorneys' fees.

Appeal Filed Seeking Acceptance of D.C. Marriage Initiative Petition

Having lost in their attempt to obtain a referendum (see prior posting), opponents of Washington, D.C.'s new law recognizing same-sex marriages performed elsewhere filed an initiative petition in September. The Marriage Initiative would provide that only a marriage between a man and a woman would be recognized in D.C. In an order issued on Tuesday, In Re: Marriage Initiative of 2009, (DC Bd. Elec. & Ethics, Nov. 17, 2009), the D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics ruled that because the initiative would violate the D.C. Human Rights Act, under D.C.'s Initiative, Referendum and Recall Procedures Act it was required to reject the initiative petition.

Yesterday, several proponents of the initiative filed suit seeking court review of the Election Board's ruling. The complaint (full text) in Jackson v. District of Columbia Board of Elections and Ethics, (DC Super. Ct., filed 11/18/2009), challenges the restriction in D.C. law that precludes using the initiative for any measure that would authorize discrimination in violation of the Human Rights Act. It also argues that the Initiative does not violate the HRA. Alliance Defense Fund issued a release announcing that the appeal had been filed.

Groups Will Portray Nativity Scene On Supreme Court Sidewalk

Two groups, Faith and Action and the Christian Defense Coalition , plan this morning to temporarily display a live Nativity Scene on the public sidewalk in front of the U.S. Supreme Court. Christian Newswire reports that the display is part of Operation Nativity and the Nativity Project which promote manager scenes on both public and private property.

Malaysia Authorities Charge Progressive Muslim Cleric

In Malaysia, Islamic authorities have charged a popular progressive Muslim preacher with conducting a religious lecture in the state of Selangor without authorization from the state's Islamic department. AP reported yesterday that Asri Zainul Abidin plead not guilty in a Sharia court. He charges selective prosecution. Abidin has criticized the country's Islamic authorities' increasingly hard line bans on behavior seen as immoral, and has said that Malaysia's senior clerics should not be followed blindly.

Deputy Proposes Change In Russia's National Anthem to Remove Reference To God

Interfax reported yesterday that a member of the Russian State Duma representing the Communist Party has introduced a bill to change one line in the Russian Federation's national anthem. Deputy Boris Kashin wants to change "You, Our one Native land, protected by God!" to "You, Our one Native land, protected by us!" An explanatory note to the proposal says that since a substantial part of the Russian population does not believe in God, the current anthem does not correspond to their beliefs.

Israel's High Court Denies Rehearing In Grant of Kosher Certification To Messianic

Arutz Sheva reported yesterday that Israel Supreme Court Chief Justice Dorit Beinisch has denied a rehearing in a case in which the court held that the Rabbinate in the city of Ashdod may not impose enhanced supervision requirements in granting a kashrut certificate (kosher certification) to a bakery owned by a Messianic Jew. The Chief Rabbinate Council were concerned that the owner, because of her beliefs, could not be trusted to keep her bakery kosher. (See prior posting.) Beinisch ruled that the question of whether the owner was trustworthy needed to be determined by civil law standards, not religious law. The director of Yad L'Achim, an Israeli group that opposes missionary activities, said he would seek a change in legislation. He continued: "Otherwise, missionaries, armed with official kashrut certifications, will be able to entice religious people into their waiting arms."

Think-Tank Charges U.S. Conservatives With Using African Clergy In LGBT Battles

Political Research Associates, a Massachusetts-based progressive think tank, yesterday released a 42-page report titled Globalizing the Culture Wars: U.S. Conservatives, African Churches and Homophobia. The report focuses primarily on developments in Uganda, Kenya and Nigeria. Here are a few excerpts from the Executive Summary:

U.S. conservatives have successfully recruited a significant number of prominent African religious leaders to a campaign seeking to restrict the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people. The flagship issue ... is the ordination of LGBT clergy by mainline Protestant denominations-- particularly the Episcopal, Presbyterian, and Methodist churches-- in the United States....

As a direct result of this campaign, homophobia is on the rise in Africa-- from increased incidents of violence to antigay legislation that carries the death penalty....

[O]ne of the main organizations promoting homophobia in both Africa and the United States over the last decade is the Institute on Religion and Democracy (IRD), a well-funded neoconservative think tank that opposed the African liberation struggles. In Africa, IRD and other U.S. conservatives present mainline denominations' commitments to human rights as imperialistic attempts to manipulate Africans into accepting homosexuality-- which they characterize as a purely western phenomenon. For IRD, this campaign is part of a long-term, deliberate, and successful strategy to weaken and split U.S. mainline denominations, block their powerful progressive social witness promoting social and economic justice, and promote political and social conservatism in the United States. Using African leaders as a wedge in the U.S. conflicts is only its latest and perhaps most effective tactic.

Additional background is also available from PRA's website. Ekklesia carries an article on PRA's new report.

EEOC Says TSA Failed To Accommodate Rastafarian's Dreadlocks

In a decision last week, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission ruled that the Transportation Security Administration violated Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act when it failed to accommodate the need of a Rastafarian baggage screener at Boston's Logan Airport to wear long hair. TSA reprimanded the employee and threatened to exclude him from promotions or dismiss him for violating TSA grooming standards. In Brissot v. Napolitano, (EEOC, Nov. 12, 2009), an Administrative Judge in an interim decision concluded that the TSA failed to make a good faith effort to find ways to permit the employee to continue to wear his long dreadlocks as required by his religious beliefs. An ACLU press release says that a hearing on the amount of damages to be awarded in the case will be held in February 2010.

Cloture Voted On Hamilton's Nomination For 7th Circuit

Yesterday, the U.S. Senate voted 70-29 to invoke cloture and thus end debate on the nomination of Indiana federal district judge David Hamilton to the U.S. 7th Circuit Court of Appeals. (See prior related posting.) As reported by the Christian Science Monitor, opponents raised a number of issues, including Hamilton's short stint after college with ACORN and a decision he wrote invalidating Indiana's informed consent abortion law that would have required two trips to a clinic to obtain an abortion. However, the greatest focus by opponents were Hamilton's two related 2005 decisions holding that the Indiana House of Representatives, in opening its sessions with sectarian prayer, violated the Establishment Clause. (See prior postings 1, 2.)

The most strident criticisms accused Hamilton of "prohibiting prayers that mention Jesus Christ in the Indiana House of Representatives, but allowing prayers that mention Allah." (Red State blog.) That charge grew out of language in Hamilton's second opinion explaining the scope of the injunction. It specifically banned sectarian prayer, including Christian prayer that uses the name of "Christ." Hamilton emphasized that the only sectarian prayers that seem to have been offered in the Indiana House were Christian ones. Non-sectarian prayer, addressing God more generically, is permitted. Hamilton wrote:

The Arabic word "Allah" is used for “God” in Arabic translations of Jewish and Christian scriptures. If those offering prayers in the Indiana House of Representatives choose to use the Arabic Allah, the Spanish Dios, the German Gott, the French Dieu, the Swedish Gud, the Greek Theos, the Hebrew Elohim, the Italian Dio, or any other language's terms in addressing the God who is the focus of the non-sectarian prayers contemplated in Marsh v. Chambers, the court sees little risk that the choice of language would advance a particular religion or disparage others. If and when the prayer practices in the Indiana House of Representatives ever seem to be advancing Islam, an appropriate party can bring the problem to the attention of this or another court.

The Senate is scheduled to take its final vote on Hamilton's nomination today.

UPDATE: On Thursday the Senate gave final approval to Hamilton's nomination by a vote of 59-39.

Appellate Court Will Consider Procedural Dispute In Ft. Worth Episcopal Diocese Case

As previously reported, the dispute between two groups, both claiming to be the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth, Texas, led to a lawsuit in the Texas courts. One of the groups is a break away group that affiliated with the more conservative Anglican Province of the Southern Cone. The other, seeking an order that it still owns the Diocese property, represents members still loyal to the The Episcopal Church (TEC). The initial issue was framed as a challenge to the right of TEC lawyers to claim to represent the Diocese of Fort Worth. (See prior posting.) After the trial judge refused to grant a motion by the break away group to disqualify the TEC attorneys, the break away group filed a petition for a writ of mandamus with the state Court of Appeals-- essentially an appeal of the trial judge's refusal to grant their motion (full text of petition and brief.) In In re Franklin Salazar, (TX Ct. App., Nov. 16, 2009), the Court of Appeals ordered trial court proceeding stayed while the appellate court considers the mandamus petition. A press release by the break away Fort Worth diocese discusses the court's latest move. [Thanks to Virtue Online for the lead.]

Student Sues School After Refusal To Permit Participation In Pro-Life Day

A Bridgeton, New Jersey high school student has sued the school board and high school officials alleging that they censored religious, pro-life speech at school on Pro-Life Day of Silent Solidarity. Yesterday the AP reported on the lawsuit in which the student alleged that school officials refused her request to participate in the nationally-sponsored day. She wanted to hand out leaflets, remain silent except when called on in class, and wear a red armband with the word "LIFE" written on it. The complaint (full text) in C.H. v. Bridgeton Board of Education, (D NJ, filed 11/13/2009), alleges that school officials told the high schooler that her request was denied because nothing religious is permitted at public schools. It claims that the school's policies and practices violate various provisions of the 1st and 14th Amendments. After the suit was filed, school superintendent Vic Gilson said that the student's request was denied because the armband would violate the school's strict dress code and because a school policy required prior approval of any literature distributed by students or staff.

Former Editor Sues Washington Times For Religious Discrimination

On Tuesday, Richard Miniter, former editorial page editor of the Washington Times filed a complaint with the EEOC charging the Times with religious discrimination against him, as well as discrimination on the basis of disability and age. According to yesterday's Washington Post, Miniter claims that he was essentially "coerced" into attending a Unification Church religious ceremony that ended with a mass wedding conducted by Rev. Sun Myung Moon. Miniter, an Episcopalian, says he was made to feel that there was no choice but to attend if he wanted to keep his job. The Washington Times is owned by the Unification Church, but is editorially independent of it. The EEOC filing follows a major shake-up of executive personnel at the Times.

British Tribunal Grants Asylum To Afghan Convert To Christianity

In NM v. Secretary of State for the Home Department [Word.doc], (Asylum & Immigration Tribunal, Nov. 13, 2009), a British immigration tribunal, in an appeal from a decision by the Home Department, granted asylum to an Afghan national who had come to Britain aboard a hijacked airliner in 2000 and subsequently converted from Islam to Christianity in Britain. The Tribunal concluded that if the appellant returned to Afghanistan and his conversion became known, he would likely face arrest and ultimately punishment before a Sharia court. The Tribunal pointed out that Christianity can only be practiced secretly in Afghanistan, and it is unlikely appellant would be able to make contact with other Christians there without placing himself in great risk. This led to the conclusion that "appellant’s return to Afghanistan would expose him to a real risk of persecution and would subject him to a real risk of inhuman or degrading treatment in violation of his rights under Article 3 of the ECHR." Today's London Daily Mail reports on the decision that it calls a "landmark case."

Supreme Court Orders Yesterday In Two Cases of Interest

Yesterday, the U.S. Supreme Court denied certiorari in McComb v. Crehan, (Docket No. 08-1566, Nov. 16, 2009) (Order List.) In the case, the 9th Circuit upheld the action of Clark County, Nevada school officials in cutting off the microphone at high school graduation ceremonies when the class valedictorian departed from her approved speech and began reading from a version that contained religious and Biblical references. (See prior posting.) Courthouse News Service reports on the Court's action. [Thanks to Scott Mange for the lead.]

Also yesterday in Holy See v. Doe, (Docket No. 09-1, Nov. 16, 2009) (Order List), the Supreme Court invited the Solicitor General to file a brief expressing the views of the United States on whether certiorari should be granted. In the case, the 9th Circuit held that the Vatican is not shielded by the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act from a respondeat superior claim against it by a victim of a priest's sexual abuse. (See prior posting.) SCOTUS Blog discusses the Court's action.

Azerbaijan Official Reports On Status of Required Re-Registration of Religious Groups

On May 31, 2009, Azerbaijan's new religion law and related amendments took effect. The law requires re-registration of all religious groups by Jan. 1, 2010. (See prior posting.) APA today published an interview with Gunduz Ismayilov, head of the Azerbaijan State Committee on Work With Religious Structures, the agency that administers the registration requirements. He said that the Committee has received registration documents from 200 religious communities so far, and expects to receive registrations from 500 before the end of the year. Azerbaijan is 96% Muslim, so most of the filings are from Islamic groups. However among the first groups reregistered were also the Baku and Caspian Eparchy of Russian Orthodox Church and Baku Mountain Jewish community. Ismayilov emphasized that the Committee will go to court to dissolve religious groups that do not re-register.

Christian Groups Continue Objections To Hate Crimes Law

Even though the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act has been signed by the President (see prior posting), some conservative Christian groups continue a campaign to challenge it. Yesterday, according to a press release from Vision America, "a coalition of concerned Christians" held a press conference outside the Justice Department featuring speakers who denounced "gay activists" and who pointed to actions in Britain under its Equality Act regulations. Leaders of the press conference presented a letter from Liberty Counsel (full text) to the Attorney General arguing that the new legislation exceeds Congress' commerce clause powers and "is already acting as a prior restraint on the speech of many concerned, law abiding, citizens." The letter requests that the Justice Department adopt special procedures for review and advance approval before initiating a prosecution against an individual or member of the clergy for speaking in a manner that incites a hate crime.

Suit Challenges Religious Activities In Tennessee County's Schools

Yesterday in federal court in Nashville, Tennessee, two former students and two families of current students filed a lawsuit challenging a pattern of religious activities in the Cheatham County (TN) school system. The suit, filed by the ACLU of Tennessee (press release), objects to
incidents involving the distribution of Gideon Bibles in classrooms, teacher-endorsed prayer at football games, school-sponsored prayer delivered by students at graduation ceremonies, the teaching of intelligent design, and the display of a cross in a high school classroom. The complaint (full text) in Doe v. Cheatham County Board of Education, (MD TN, filed 11/16/2009) alleges that school officials proselytize students in class and during extracurricular activities. The lawsuit contends that all of these activities violate the Establishment Clause as well as Art. I, Sec. 3 of the Tennessee Constitution, and asks for an injunction against continued religious activity in the schools. It also asks for an injunction barring retaliation against plaintiffs for bringing the lawsuit, and seeks nominal damages and attorneys' fees. Yesterday's Tennessean reported on the lawsuit.

44 Members of Congress Join Amicus Brief Supporting Engravings At Capitol Visitor Center

As previously reported, in July the Freedom from Religion Foundation sued in a Wisconsin federal court challenging Congress' directive to the Architect of the Capitol to engrave the motto "In God We Trust" and the Pledge of Allegiance in the Capitol Visitor Center. Last week, the American Center for Law and Justice announced that it had joined with 44 members of the U.S. House of Representatives (including Randy Forbes, chairman of the Congressional Prayer Caucus) in filing an amicus brief in the case. The brief (full text) argues that the pledge and national motto "accurately reflect the historical fact that this nation was founded upon a belief in God." Contending that neither the pledge nor the motto violates the Establishment Clause, the brief argues that "the First Amendment does not compel the redaction of all references to God just to suit atheistic preferences."

Group Challenges Indianapolis Schools' Internet Filtering Policy

The Freedom From Religion Foundation last week (press release) wrote to the Indianapolis (IN) school system (full text of letter) complaining that the Indianapolis Public Schools Internet Filtering Policy violates the First Amendment as well as regulations under the federal Children's Internet Protection Act. Among the nearly 30 categories of website that are blocked on school computers are "Alternative Spirituality/ Belief Sites." These are described as:

Sites that promote and provide information on religions such as Wicca, Witchcraft or Satanism. Occult practices, atheistic views, vodoo rituals or any form of mysticism are represented here. Includes sites that ... [instruct in the use of] spells, incantations, curses and magic powers.

FFRF contends that this policy amounts to viewpoint discrimination and a violation of the Establishment Clause because it allows access to sites offering information about Christianity and other mainstream religions, but not about atheism. [Thanks to Scott Mange for the lead.]

Obama Champions Human Rights At Town Hall Meeting In China

Over night (US time), President Obama in China held a "town hall" meeting with university students in Shanghai. (White House background posting.) The Los Angeles Times has the full text of his remarks and his exchange with students. Along with a focus on increased U.S.-Chinese cooperation, human rights concerns were prominent among the wide range of topics included in the President's opening comments. After speaking of America's own civil rights struggles, he said:

We do not seek to impose any system of government on any other nation, but we also don't believe that the principles that we stand for are unique to our nation. These freedoms of expression and worship -- of access to information and political participation -- we believe are universal rights.

They should be available to all people, including ethnic and religious minorities -- whether they are in the United States, China, or any nation. Indeed, it is that respect for universal rights that guides America's openness to other countries; our respect for different cultures; our commitment to international law; and our faith in the future.

He also mentioned religion in responding to a student's question about Afghanistan and terrorism. The President said in part:

We also have to think about what motivates young people to become terrorists, why would they become suicide bombers. And although there are obviously a lot of different reasons, including I think the perversion of religion, in thinking that somehow these kinds of violent acts are appropriate, part of what's happened in places like Pakistan and Afghanistan is these young people have no education, they have no opportunities, and so they see no way for them to move forward in life, and that leads them into thinking that this is their only option.

FOIA Appeal Filed To Get Information On Bureau of Prisons Chapel Library Project

The ACLU announced last week that it has filed a Freedom of Information Act Appeal (full text) seeking all records held by the Bureau of Prisons on their attempt in 2007 to remove various books from prison chapel libraries. (See prior posting.) The Standardized Chapel Library Project was ended by legislation later in 2007. (See prior posting.) The FOIA appeal was filed on behalf of a California graduate student who is writing a thesis on censorship of religious materials in federal prisons. His initial request resulted in only a four documents being furnished to him. The appeal asks for a broader search for relevant documents.

Rubashkin Encounters Religious Observance Problems In Jails After Trial

Last Thursday, Shalom Rubashkin, former vice-president of the Postville, Iowa Agriprocessors, Inc., a kosher meat packing plant, was convicted by a federal jury on 86 counts of financial fraud. (See prior related posting.) The trial was held in Sioux Falls, South Dakota after Rubashkin's lawyers requested a change in venue. (New York Times.) Immediately after his conviction, federal marshals took Rubashkin to the South Dakota State Penitentiary where he was held overnight. He was then transported to the Woodbury County Jail in Sioux City, Iowa. He will be transported to a jail in the Cedar Rapids, Iowa area for his bail hearing on Wednesday. (Des Moines Register 9/14.)

Chabad.info has a rather graphic account of the problems encountered by Rubashkin in maintaining his Orthodox Jewish religious observances during these moves. On the first night, South Dakota prison officials removed Rubashkin's tzitzis (fringed garment) despite Rubashkin's objections, and moved him in a wheel chair since he insisted he would not walk without wearing his tzitzis. Friday morning Federal marshals decided he could wear the tzitzis. Rubashkin's family had purchased kosher food meeting his strict standards. However, Sioux City jail officials refused to allow it in because it was not packaged correctly. Rubashkin went without food from Thursday night until Saturday evening when he got grape juice, rolls and soup mix that he ate cold. Rubashkin's family ask supporters to pray and recite psalms for him.

Recent Articles and Book of Interest

From SSRN:

• Bret Boyce, Equality and the Free Exercise of Religion, (Cleveland State Law Review, Vol. 57, p. 493, 2008).
• Gila Stopler, Rights in Immigration: The Veil as a Test Case, (October 14, 2009).
• Marci A. Hamilton, Book Review: An Imperfect Vocabulary of Religious Liberty, Review of Martha C. Nussbaum, ed., Liberty of Conscience: In Defense of America's Tradition of Religious Equality, (August 2, 2009).
• David B. Kopel & Clayton E. Cramer, The Keystone of the Second Amendment: Quakers, the Pennsylvania Constitution, and the Questionable Scholarship of Nathan Kozuskanich, (Widener Law Journal, Vol. 19, 2010).
• Michael J. Perry, Liberal Democracy and the Right to Religious Freedom, (The Review of Politics, Vol. 71, pp. 1-15, 2009).
• Richard T. Stith, Excluding Religion Excludes More than Religion, (Matters of Life and Death: Religion and Law at the Crossroad, Boston College Law School, 2008).

From SmartCILP and elsewhere:

• Christopher Hutton, Meaning, Time and the Law: Ex Post and Ex Ante Perspectives, 22 International Journal for the Semiotics of Law 279-292 (2009).
• Massimo Leone, Massimo, The Semiotic Therapy of Religious Law, 22 International Journal for the Semiotics of Law 293-306 (2009).
• The Journal of Church & State, Vol. 51, No. 1 (2009) has recently appeared.

Recent Book:

• Gary Hull (ed.), Muhammad: The "Banned" Images, (Voltaire Press, Oct. 2009), reviewed by Volokh Conspiracy.

Virginia Governor-Elect Called On To Repudiate Statements By Pat Robertson

Virginia's new Republican governor-elect, Robert F. McDonnell, is being asked to repudiate comments by his long-time supporter and friend, Rev. Pat Robertson. Last week, in response to the Fort Hood shootings, Robertson made controversial comments about Islam on his 700 Club television show. Robertson said:

Islam is a violent -- I was going to say religion, but it's not a religion. It's a political system. It's a violent political system bent on the overthrow of the governments of the world and world domination. I think we should treat it as such and treat its adherents as such, as we would members of the Communist Party or members of some fascist group.

Today's Washington Post says McDonnell attended law school at Robertson's CBN University, and served on the university's board after it changed its name to Regent University. McDonnell received $40,000 in contributions from Robertson and his family for his election campaign. Mohamed Magid, imam of a mosque in Sterling, Virginia, said that Muslims want McDonnell "to distance himself from [Robertson's] remarks of hate...."

Windsor Police Chief Apologizes For Inappropriate Search of Muslim Woman

In Canada, Windsor, Ontario police chief Gary Smith publicly apologized to the Muslim community over the embarrassment and offense to religious beliefs caused when one of his male police officers conducted a pat down search of a Muslim woman. Yesterday's Detroit Free Press reports that the incident occurred on Oct. 31 when Canadian authorities conducted a raid to arrest two men who were part of a radical Muslim group based in Dearborn, Michigan. The leader of the Dearborn group was killed in an FBI shoot out last month. The woman involved was the wife of one of those arrested by Canadian authorities.

Orthodox Jews In Jerusalem Protest Intel's Sabbath Operations

In Israel yesterday, some 2000 haredi (strictly Orthodox) Jews demonstrated outside the offices of Intel Corp. in an industrial park in Jerusalem protesting the chip maker's operation of its factory on the Sabbath. According to a report by the Jerusalem Post, protesters criticized Jerusalem Deputy Mayor Yitzhak Pindrus for not doing enough to prevent Intel from operating on Saturdays. Israeli law prohibits companies employing Jews on the Sabbath, but contains a number of exemptions. A member of the Knesset said that Intel had not obtained the required special permit from the Industry, Trade and Labor Ministry entitling it to a serious harship exemption. An Intel spokesman, however, said the company was operating in accordance with law. Intel also said that ending Saturday production could endanger the feasibility of Intel's operations in Jerusalem and Kiryat Gat. Intel employs some 6500 in the two plants.

Massachusetts Church Settles RLUIPA Lawsuit

In Lanesville, Massachusetts, a settlement between the Zoning Board of Appeals and the Orthodox Congregational Church ends a federal RLUIPA lawsuit as well as state court litigation, according to Saturday's Gloucester Daily Times. At issue is the building of a new fellowship hall next to the church's existing building. The city had denied the church a building permit because it had not provided for adequate parking, ruling that the new building was a function hall rather than a "place of worship" that is exempt from parking requirements. The settlement calls for the church to provide 31 parking spaces by parking cars in tandem and to notify parishioners of the parking plan, along with other provisions. The settlement also pays the church $10,000 in damages.

Recent Prisoner Free Exercise Cases

In Rust v. Nebraska Department of Correctional Services Religion Study Committee, 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 105793 (D NE, Nov. 12, 2009), a Nebraska federal district court rejected RLUIP and free exercise challenges by inmates who were adherents to the Theodish Belief to authorities' failure to provide them with various food and devotional items and various other claimed restrictions on their religious practice. However the court held that scheduling combined worship time for Theodish Belief and Asatru practitioners did pose a substantial burden on plaintiffs' religious exercise. The court gave defendants additional time to supplement the record regarding the state's alleged compelling interest in this schedule.

In Howard v. Epps, 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 105366 (SD MS, Oct. 30, 2009), a Mississippi federal magistrate judge permitted a Rastafarian inmate to amend his complaint to allege that the prison's grooming policy violates his First Amendment rights.

In O'Neal v. Brenes, 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 104852 (CD CA, Nov. 10, 2009), a California federal magistrate judge rejected an inmate's free exercise claim. Plaintiff alleged that he participates in the prison's vegan religious diet program and does not receive enough food. The court dismissed the claim because plaintiff failed to allege that his veganism is rooted in religious belief.

In Griffith v. Bird, 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 104469 (WD NC, Nov. 3, 2009), a North Carolina federal district court dismissed claims for both damages and an injunction by a Wiccan prisoner who claimed Wiccans were not allowed to have group religious services and that he was denied certain religious items. Corrections Department policy requires an approved volunteer to lead group religious services and vendors of religious items must go through an approval process.

In Haynes v. Sisto, 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 104532 (ED CA, Oct. 21, 2009), a California federal district court rejected a claim that authorities prevented black inmates from participating in religious activities during lockdowns. Plaintiff did not allege that he was prevented from practicing his religion.

In Flett v. Vail, 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 99765 (ED WA, Oct. 23, 2009), a Washington federal district court adopted a magistrate's recommendations (2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 104255, Aug. 24, 2009), and dismissed claims of a native American inmate that prison officials failed to mail out certain religious items that he had properly processed for mailing. The court allowed plaintiff to move ahead with a RLUIPA challenge to prison regulations that prohibited use of animal fur, claws or bones for religious ceremonies. Plaintiff wished to use an eaglebone whistle.

In Hoffman v. Hennessey, 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 103406 (ND CA, Nov. 6, 2009), a California federal district court held that a Jewish prisoner had stated a cognizable claim under the First Amendment and RLUIPA that he was denied use of a yarmulke and tallit katan. He also was permitted to proceed with a retaliation claim against the Sheriff's Department.

Indian Tribe Sues Under Treaty To Get Prosecution of Self-Help Author

Last month, three people died after spending time in a sweat lodge as part of a "Spiritual Warrior" retreat conducted by self-help author and speaker James Arthur Ray. Each participant paid over $9600 to attend the retreat at the Angel Valley Retreat Center in Sedona, Arizona. (CNN). Now, according to a report this week from Sedona.biz, members of the Lakota Sioux Tribe, upset over non-Indians appropriating Native American ceremonies, has filed a federal lawsuit demanding prosecution of James Arthur Ray. The complaint (full text) in Oglala Lakota Delegation of the Black Hills Sioux Nation Treaty Council v. United States, (D AZ, filed 11/2/2009), cites to provisions in the 1869 Treaty of Ft. Laramie that provides:

If bad men among the whites, or among other people subject to the authority of the United States, shall commit any wrong upon the person or property of the Indians, the United States will, upon proof made to the agent, and forwarded to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs at Washington city, proceed at once to cause the offender to be arrested and punished according to the laws of the United States, and also reimburse the injured person for the loss sustained.

The complaint explains that a wrong was committed on the Lakota's property because the Oinikaga sweat lodge ceremony is part of the Lakota's oral tradition which, according to the United Nations Declaration of Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Art. 31, the Lakotas have a right to maintain, control and protect.

Some Charge Anti-Semitism In Non-Renewal of Central Missouri University President

Last month the Board of Trustees of the University of Central Missouri voted 4-3 not to renew the contract of its president, Aaron Podolefsky. Now, according to yesterday's Kansas City Jewish Chronicle, some are asking whether anti-Semitism had anything to do with the Board's decision. Apparently much of the opposition to Podolefsky came from supporters of the University's athletic teams and particularly Gregg Hassler, part-owner and sports director of a local radio station that holds the contract to broadcast the University's football and basketball games. Hassler had already criticized Podolefsky's wife, an attorney, for filing a suit on behalf of six players against the local high school's girls' basketball coach charging discrimination and sexual abuse. Then the day after Podolefsky's ouster was announced, Hassler inaccurately accused him of ending a tradition of having a Christmas tree in the front yard of the President's on-campus residence. It turns out the cedar tree at issue was removed during the prior president's tenure. Those claiming anti-Semitism are pointing to the attitude reflected in Hassler's on-air remarks after the firing:

the thing that really upset me ... was, for years there was a Christmas tree lit at Selmo Park.... He stopped that. I mean I think every religion should be able to celebrate, uh, in their own way, but, I mean we do live in Warrensburg, Missouri. This is America. You know. Let’s bring that back....

Arizona Official Testifies On Loopholes In Tuition Tax Credit Law

Even though the 9th Circuit has stuck down as unconstitutional Arizona's program that grants tax credits to fund private-- mostly religious-- school scholarships (see prior posting), the state's attorney general and legislature are moving ahead on several fronts as if the program is still operational. The Arizona Republic reported yesterday that the attorney general is considering suing some of the non-profit School Tuition Organizations because they have not distributed 90% of the donations they have received, as required by the law. Assistant Attorney General Susan Myers also told a House legislative hearing on Thursday that some loopholes in the law should be closed. She urged barring donors from recommending who should receive scholarships from the funds they donate, requiring unspent funds to go to the state, setting income eligibility for scholarships, and requiring independent audits of School Tuition Organizations. Also a state legislator has asked the Internal Revenue Service to explore whether School Tuition Organizations violate the requirements of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Meanwhile the Institute for Justice says it will ask the U.S. Supreme Court to review the 9th Circuit's invalidation of the scholarship program.

Westboro Baptist Church Turns To Anti-Semitic Picketing

Friday's USA Today reports on the shift in recent months by members of the Westboro Baptist Church from picketing funerals and government buildings with anti-gay signs, to picketing of Jewish events and institutions carrying anti-Semitic signs. Since April, members of the Topeka, Kansas Church-- often family members of its founder Fred Phelps--have targeted some 200 synagogues, Jewish community centers, campus Hillel buildings and Jewish events. This week they picketed the national meeting of the Jewish Federations of North America in Washington. One of the group's signs in Washington read "God Hates Jews," and a T-shirt worn by Margie Phelps read "Jews Killed Jesus." Purporting to explain their new tactics, Margie Phelps accused Jews of "carrying the water for the homosexual agenda." Experts say this new tactic is more about getting publicity than attacking Jews per se. Most Jewish organizations that have been targeted have decided not to conduct counter-protests at the same time, though some have used the attacks to mount subsequent interfaith events stressing more positive themes.

7th Circuit En Banc Upholds Cause of Action By Condo Owners Whose Mezuzah Was Banned

In an en banc rehearing in Bloch v. Frischholz, (7th Cir., Nov. 13, 2009), an 8-judge panel held that plaintiffs, who were Jewish condominium owners, could have a claim under two provisions of the federal Fair Housing Act for action by the condominium association in reinterpreting its rules to ban residents from placing mezuzot on their outside doors. The court held that if it can be shown that defendants acted with discriminatory intent, there would be a cause of action under 42 USC §3604(b) (anti-discrimination ban) and §3617 (ban on interference with fair housing rights), even though the discrimination occurred after the purchase of the condo units. Under Section 3604(b), there would be discrimination in the conditions of purchase because plaintiffs' in purchasing agreed to abide by conditions later imposed by the condominium board. In finding that the Fair Housing Act can support a claim for post-purchase discrimination, the eight judges rejected the 2-1 decision of a three-judge panel in July 2008. (See prior posting.) Today's Chicago Sun-Times reported on the decision.

Evangelist Tony Alamo Sentenced To 175 Years On Mann Act Charges

Evangelist Tony Alamo, a self-proclaimed prophet and church leader, was sentenced by an Arkansas federal judge on Friday to 175 years in prison and $250,000 in fines on ten Mann Act counts charging him with taking young girls across state lines for sex. AP reports that a hearing is scheduled in January on whether his five victims are entitled to restitution as well. Alamo purported to marry each of the five victims while they were minors. In sentencing Alamo, Judge Harry F. Barnes told him: "Mr. Alamo, one day you will face a higher and a greater judge than me. May he have mercy on your soul." FBI and Arkansas state troopers raided Alamo's Arkansas compound last year. (See prior posting.) Prosecutors will work with federal prison officials to prevent Alamo from controlling his ministry and its businesses from prison.