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Warren\u003C\/a\u003E,\u003C\/i\u003E\u0026nbsp;(5th Cir., Feb. 10, 2021), the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed for lack of standing a suit by a secular humanist organization challenging as an Establishment Clause violation Texas law that refuses to allow secular celebrants to conduct marriage ceremonies. The court held that plaintiffs are asking for relief that does not remedy their injury in full, explaining:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cblockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe appellants are seeking relief that would essentially compel ... [the] Dallas County Clerk, to record marriages conducted by secular celebrants such as themselves. However, even if such relief were hypothetically granted, it would not fully redress the injuries for which the appellants bring suit. Here, the appellants’ injuries relate to the barrier to legally solemnize marriages. But even if they prevail in this litigation, relief would be incomplete because the appellants would still be subject to criminal prosecution. In other words, the barrier to legally solemnizing marriages would nevertheless remain.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/12206391\/posts\/default\/5216656018926111651"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/12206391\/posts\/default\/5216656018926111651"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/religionclause.blogspot.com\/2021\/02\/humanist-organization-lacks-standing-to.html","title":"Humanist Organization Lacks Standing To Challenge Texas Ban On Secular Marriage Celebrants"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Howard Friedman"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/14382656960754783109"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-v5bWCnmUtK8\/XKQZQzKGGPI\/AAAAAAAAAhQ\/3zJ80aLPerQqnh90B9GWdW9BdlsBGubHgCK4BGAYYCw\/s113\/130813-175600.jpg"}}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12206391.post-5481752193308695910"},"published":{"$t":"2021-02-14T12:38:00.000-05:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2021-02-14T12:38:10.387-05:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Abortion"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Free speech"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Oregon"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"No Injunction Against Sound Ordinance Because City Disclaims Enforcement Pending Revision"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cp\u003EIn \u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/cases.justia.com\/federal\/district-courts\/oregon\/ordce\/1:2020cv00484\/151801\/50\/0.pdf?ts=1613233049\"\u003EAbolish Abortion Oregon v. City of Grants Pass\u003C\/a\u003E,\u003C\/i\u003E\u0026nbsp;(D OR, Feb. 12, 2021), an Oregon federal district court refused to issue a preliminary injunction against enforcement of the city's Sound Ordinance sought by an organization of Christian evangelists and anti-abortion advocates. Plaintiffs contended that enforcement violates their free speech and free exercise rights. The city, however, has conceded that the current Sound Ordinance is probably unconstitutional and says it is revising the Ordinance. It has also said it will not enforce the Ordinance during the revision process.\u003C\/p\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/12206391\/posts\/default\/5481752193308695910"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/12206391\/posts\/default\/5481752193308695910"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/religionclause.blogspot.com\/2021\/02\/no-injunction-against-sound-ordinance.html","title":"No Injunction Against Sound Ordinance Because City Disclaims Enforcement Pending Revision"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Howard Friedman"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/14382656960754783109"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-v5bWCnmUtK8\/XKQZQzKGGPI\/AAAAAAAAAhQ\/3zJ80aLPerQqnh90B9GWdW9BdlsBGubHgCK4BGAYYCw\/s113\/130813-175600.jpg"}}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12206391.post-5399322908600714185"},"published":{"$t":"2021-02-12T15:04:00.000-05:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2021-02-12T15:04:08.772-05:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Church services"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"COVID-19"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Jewish"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Quebec"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Court Says Quebec Worship Limits Apply To Capacity for Each Room"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.canadianlawyermag.com\/practice-areas\/litigation\/quebec-superior-court-rules-in-favour-of-hasidic-jewish-community-on-limits-to-religious-gatherings\/337776\"\u003ECanadian Lawyer\u003C\/a\u003E reports on a decision interpreting Quebec's COVID-19 limits on indoor worship services:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cblockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECurrent restrictions on indoor religious gatherings in Montreal means that a maximum of 10 people may congregate in each room of a house of worship, as long as each has a separate entrance or access to the street, the Quebec Superior Court of Justice has ruled in interpreting public health regulations during COVID-19.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cblockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESuperior Court Justice Chantal Masse’s decision on Feb. 5 ended the legal battle of the Quebec Council of Hasidic Jews and several Jewish congregations, which successfully argued the 10-person limit \u003Ci\u003Eper synagogue\u003C\/i\u003E was unacceptable and violated freedom of religion....\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/12206391\/posts\/default\/5399322908600714185"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/12206391\/posts\/default\/5399322908600714185"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/religionclause.blogspot.com\/2021\/02\/court-says-quebec-worship-limits-apply.html","title":"Court Says Quebec Worship Limits Apply To Capacity for Each Room"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Howard Friedman"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/14382656960754783109"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-v5bWCnmUtK8\/XKQZQzKGGPI\/AAAAAAAAAhQ\/3zJ80aLPerQqnh90B9GWdW9BdlsBGubHgCK4BGAYYCw\/s113\/130813-175600.jpg"}}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12206391.post-4866980208284720044"},"published":{"$t":"2021-02-12T12:26:00.000-05:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2021-02-12T12:26:03.058-05:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Alabama"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Capital punishment"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"US Supreme Court"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Supreme Court Allows Execution Only If Clergy of Choice Allowed In Execution Chamber"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cp\u003EAs reported by \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.scotusblog.com\/2021\/02\/court-wont-allow-alabama-execution-without-a-pastor\/\"\u003ESCOTUSblog\u003C\/a\u003E, in a jigsaw puzzle-like set of opinions and orders the U.S. Supreme Court last night just before midnight Eastern Time allowed Alabama to move ahead with the execution of convicted murderer Willie Smith-- but only if the state allowed him to have the Pastor of his choice with him in the execution chamber. In \u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.supremecourt.gov\/opinions\/20pdf\/20a128_e1pf.pdf#page=1\"\u003EDunn v. Smith\u003C\/a\u003E,\u003C\/i\u003E\u0026nbsp;(US Sup. Ct., Feb. 11, 2021), a majority of the Court refused to lift an injunction issued the day before by the 11th Circuit (see \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/religionclause.blogspot.com\/2021\/02\/11th-circuit-pastor-should-be-allowed.html\"\u003Eprior posting\u003C\/a\u003E) holding that Alabama's exclusion of all clergy from the execution chamber violates RLUIPA. The order refusing to vacate the 11th Circuit's injunction was unsigned. However Justice Kagan wrote a concurring opinion, joined by Justices Breyer, Sotomayor and Barrett, saying that RLUIPA \"sets a high bar for Alabama to clear.\" They added:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cblockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPrison security is, of course, a compelling state interest. But past practice, in Alabama and elsewhere, shows that a prison may ensure security without barring all clergy members from the execution chamber. Until two years ago, Alabama required the presence of a prison chaplain at an inmate’s side. (It gave up the practice only when this Court barred States from providing spiritual advisors of just one faith.) Still more relevant, other jurisdictions have allowed clergy members with no connection to the government to attend an inmate’s execution....\u0026nbsp;, dissenting from denial of application to vacate injunction). Nowhere, as far as I can tell, has the presence of a clergy member (whether state-appointed or independent) disturbed an execution.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003EJustice Kavanaugh, in an opinion joined by Chief Justice Roberts, dissented, saying in part:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cblockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBecause the State’s policy is non-discriminatory and, in my view, serves the State’s compelling interests in ensuring the safety, security, and solemnity of the execution room, I would have granted the State’s application to vacate the injunction.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003EJustice Thomas indicated (without joining the dissenting opinion) that he would have vacated the 11th Circuit's injunction.\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;Neither Justice Alito or Gorsuch indicated how they voted, but at least one of them would have had to agree with the 11th Circuit for the majority vote which the Court's unsigned Order commanded.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut this did not end the matter because there was also another outstanding stay of execution in the case which the 11th Circuit had granted on Feb. 10 in order to consider a different challenge to the execution. The Supreme Court yesterday vacated that stay (\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.supremecourt.gov\/orders\/courtorders\/021121zr_8m58.pdf\"\u003EOrder List\u003C\/a\u003E) so that the execution, with the Pastor present, could move ahead.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs reported by \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.scotusblog.com\/2021\/02\/court-wont-allow-alabama-execution-without-a-pastor\/\"\u003ESCOTUSblog\u003C\/a\u003E, in the end the execution was not carried out because the execution warrant expired a midnight Central Time, only one hour after the Supreme Court orders were handed down.\u003C\/p\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/12206391\/posts\/default\/4866980208284720044"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/12206391\/posts\/default\/4866980208284720044"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/religionclause.blogspot.com\/2021\/02\/supreme-court-allows-execution-only-if.html","title":"Supreme Court Allows Execution Only If Clergy of Choice Allowed In Execution Chamber"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Howard Friedman"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/14382656960754783109"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-v5bWCnmUtK8\/XKQZQzKGGPI\/AAAAAAAAAhQ\/3zJ80aLPerQqnh90B9GWdW9BdlsBGubHgCK4BGAYYCw\/s113\/130813-175600.jpg"}}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12206391.post-856225523263718704"},"published":{"$t":"2021-02-12T07:05:00.001-05:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2021-02-12T07:05:02.832-05:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"High School Soccer Rules Changed To Allow Religious Headwear"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cp\u003EThe National Federation of State High School Associations \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.nfhs.org\/articles\/religious-headwear-permitted-without-state-association-approval-in-high-school-soccer\/\"\u003Eannounced\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;yesterday that it has amended it Soccer Rules Book to allow players to wear religious headwear without prior approval by the respective state association.\u003C\/p\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/12206391\/posts\/default\/856225523263718704"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/12206391\/posts\/default\/856225523263718704"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/religionclause.blogspot.com\/2021\/02\/high-school-soccer-rules-changed-to.html","title":"High School Soccer Rules Changed To Allow Religious Headwear"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Howard Friedman"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/14382656960754783109"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-v5bWCnmUtK8\/XKQZQzKGGPI\/AAAAAAAAAhQ\/3zJ80aLPerQqnh90B9GWdW9BdlsBGubHgCK4BGAYYCw\/s113\/130813-175600.jpg"}}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12206391.post-5158580656709275120"},"published":{"$t":"2021-02-12T07:00:00.001-05:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2021-02-12T07:00:07.772-05:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Alabama"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Capital punishment"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"RLUIPA"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"11th Circuit: Pastor Should Be Allowed In Execution Chamber"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cp\u003EIn \u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/media.ca11.uscourts.gov\/opinions\/unpub\/files\/202110348.pdf\"\u003ESmith v. Commissioner, Alabama Department of Corrections\u003C\/a\u003E,\u003C\/i\u003E\u0026nbsp;(11t Cir., Feb. 10, 2021), the U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, in a 2-1 decision, reversed an Alabama district court's denial of an injunction to an inmate seeking to have his pastor present in the execution chamber with him. Prison rules allow only members of the execution team and certain medical personnel to be present. Focusing on RLUIPA, the majority said in part:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cblockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAlthough it correctly found Smith had a sincere belief that Pastor Wiley should be present in the execution chamber, the court erred by finding Smith’s exercise of that belief was not substantially burdened simply because Smith expressed a “preference” rather than prove his belief was fundamental to his religion. The court also improperly relied on alternative ways that Smith could practice his religion, including that Smith can visit and pray with Pastor Wiley leading up to his execution and Pastor Wiley can observe the execution from the viewing room.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe majority went on to conclude that while the state has a compelling interest in prison security, its policy is not the least restrictive means of achieving that interest.\u0026nbsp; It could, as does the federal prison system, require the prisoner to designate his spiritual advisor as soon as an execution date is set so that the state can conduct a background check.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EJudge Jordan dissented, saying in part:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cblockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhether the district court got RLUIPA’s least restrictive means requirement right or wrong, I do not believe that its decision constitutes an abuse of discretion.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/12206391\/posts\/default\/5158580656709275120"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/12206391\/posts\/default\/5158580656709275120"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/religionclause.blogspot.com\/2021\/02\/11th-circuit-pastor-should-be-allowed.html","title":"11th Circuit: Pastor Should Be Allowed In Execution Chamber"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Howard Friedman"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/14382656960754783109"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-v5bWCnmUtK8\/XKQZQzKGGPI\/AAAAAAAAAhQ\/3zJ80aLPerQqnh90B9GWdW9BdlsBGubHgCK4BGAYYCw\/s113\/130813-175600.jpg"}}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12206391.post-7594515349520146891"},"published":{"$t":"2021-02-11T07:00:00.001-05:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2021-02-11T07:00:01.896-05:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Bankruptcy"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Catholic"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Minnesota"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Sex abuse claims"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Minnesota Diocese Settles Clergy Sex-Abuse Claims In Bankruptcy Reorganization"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cp\u003EAccording to \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/wxow.com\/2021\/02\/10\/diocese-of-winona-rochester-settles-clergy-sex-abuse-claims-for-21-5-million\/\"\u003EWXOW News\u003C\/a\u003E, the Catholic Diocese of Winona-Rochester, Minnesota which filed for bankruptcy reorganization in 2018 has agreed with its creditors' committee to settle clergy sex-abuse claims from 145 claimants for $21.5 million. The diocese also issued an apology to victims. The settlement must still be approved by the court in the final plan of reorganization.\u003C\/p\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/12206391\/posts\/default\/7594515349520146891"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/12206391\/posts\/default\/7594515349520146891"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/religionclause.blogspot.com\/2021\/02\/minnesota-diocese-settles-clergy-sex.html","title":"Minnesota Diocese Settles Clergy Sex-Abuse Claims In Bankruptcy Reorganization"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Howard Friedman"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/14382656960754783109"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-v5bWCnmUtK8\/XKQZQzKGGPI\/AAAAAAAAAhQ\/3zJ80aLPerQqnh90B9GWdW9BdlsBGubHgCK4BGAYYCw\/s113\/130813-175600.jpg"}}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12206391.post-2050229300251148970"},"published":{"$t":"2021-02-10T07:15:00.000-05:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2021-02-10T07:15:09.480-05:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Church services"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"COVID-19"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"New York"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"New York COVID-19 Restrictions On Houses of Worship Enjoined"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cp\u003EIn a case \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/religionclause.blogspot.com\/2020\/12\/2nd-circuit-invalidates-new-yorks-fixed.html\"\u003Eon remand from the 2nd Circuit\u003C\/a\u003E, a New York federal district court (without opposition from the state) has issued an injunction against New York state's COVID-19 restrictions on houses of worship.\u0026nbsp; The court in \u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/becketnewsite.s3.amazonaws.com\/Injunction-Agudath-Israel.pdf\"\u003EAgudath Israel of America v. Cuom\u003C\/a\u003Eo,\u003C\/i\u003E\u0026nbsp;(ED NY, Feb. 9, 2021) said in part:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cblockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn light of the decisions by the Supreme Court, \u003Ci\u003ERoman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn, N.Y. v. Cuomo ...\u003C\/i\u003E\u0026nbsp;and the Second Circuit, \u003Ci\u003EAgudath Israel of Am. v. Cuomo ...\u003C\/i\u003E, specifically finding that “both the fixed capacity and percentage capacity limits on houses of worship” in\u0026nbsp; the red and orange zones “are subject to strict scrutiny,” ... Defendant has agreed to an injunction against enforcement of the 25% and 33% capacity limits in red and orange zones, respectively.... Subsequently, Defendant’s counsel has represented in status conferences that before the end of February 2021 EO 202.68 will be amended to remove houses of worship.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cblockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor the foregoing reasons, the court grants a permanent injunction against enforcement of EO 202.68’s 25% capacity or maximum of 10-people, and 33% capacity or maximum of 25-people limitations on houses of worship, respectively in red and orange zones.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBecket issued a\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.becketlaw.org\/media\/judge-blocks-cuomos-covid-restrictions-after-he-begs\/\"\u003E press release\u003C\/a\u003E announcing the decision.\u003C\/p\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/12206391\/posts\/default\/2050229300251148970"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/12206391\/posts\/default\/2050229300251148970"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/religionclause.blogspot.com\/2021\/02\/new-york-covid-19-restrictions-on.html","title":"New York COVID-19 Restrictions On Houses of Worship Enjoined"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Howard Friedman"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/14382656960754783109"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-v5bWCnmUtK8\/XKQZQzKGGPI\/AAAAAAAAAhQ\/3zJ80aLPerQqnh90B9GWdW9BdlsBGubHgCK4BGAYYCw\/s113\/130813-175600.jpg"}}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12206391.post-4090909632512245173"},"published":{"$t":"2021-02-10T07:10:00.001-05:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2021-02-10T07:10:04.226-05:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Catholic"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Hostile work environment"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Ministerial exception"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"7th Circuit En Banc Hears Arguments In Ministerial Exception Case"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cp\u003EThe full U.S. 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, sitting \u003Ci\u003Een banc,\u003C\/i\u003E yesterday heard oral arguments in\u0026nbsp;\u003Ci\u003EDemkovich v. St. Andrew the Apostle Parish.\u003C\/i\u003E\u0026nbsp;(\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/media.ca7.uscourts.gov\/sound\/external\/ds.19-2142.19-2142_02_09_2021.mp3\"\u003EAudio of full oral arguments\u003C\/a\u003E.) In the case, a 3-judge panel of the 7th Circuit held by a 2-1 vote that the ministerial exception doctrine does not bar hostile work environment claims brought by a ministerial employee where no tangible employment action was taken.\u0026nbsp; In the case, the music director of a Catholic church alleged that his supervisor harassed an humiliated him about his sexual orientation, as well as his weight and his medical issues. (See \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/religionclause.blogspot.com\/2020\/09\/7th-circuit-ministerial-exception-does.html\"\u003Eprior posting\u003C\/a\u003E.)\u0026nbsp; \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.becketlaw.org\/case\/demkovich-v-st-andrew-apostle-parish\/\"\u003EBecket\u003C\/a\u003E has more on the case.\u003C\/p\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/12206391\/posts\/default\/4090909632512245173"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/12206391\/posts\/default\/4090909632512245173"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/religionclause.blogspot.com\/2021\/02\/7th-circuit-en-banc-hears-arguments-in.html","title":"7th Circuit En Banc Hears Arguments In Ministerial Exception Case"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Howard Friedman"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/14382656960754783109"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-v5bWCnmUtK8\/XKQZQzKGGPI\/AAAAAAAAAhQ\/3zJ80aLPerQqnh90B9GWdW9BdlsBGubHgCK4BGAYYCw\/s113\/130813-175600.jpg"}}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12206391.post-7107389559752750111"},"published":{"$t":"2021-02-10T07:05:00.001-05:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2021-02-10T07:05:07.485-05:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Jewish"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"New York"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Religious discrimination"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Jewish Camps Sue County Claiming Discrimination"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cp\u003ESuit was filed last week in a New York federal district court by an Orthodox Jewish organization that operates two summer camps in the Catskill Mountains. The complaint (\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.scribd.com\/document\/493801059\/Oorah-Federal-Complaint-vs-Schoharie-County-Over-Orthodox-Camp#from_embed\"\u003Efull text\u003C\/a\u003E) in \u003Ci\u003EOorah, Inc. v. Schoharie County, N.Y., \u003C\/i\u003E(ND NY, filed 2\/5\/2021), alleges in part:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cblockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003E2. Over the past decade, Oorah has time and again been subjected to official action discriminating against it on the basis of its Orthodox Jewish character by Defendants. The goal\u0026nbsp;of these arbitrary and discriminatory actions has been to thwart the operation of Oorah’s religious programs and to deter Oorah’s staff, volunteers and participants from the practice of their Jewish faith. Oorah has repeatedly been forced to obtain relief against Schoharie County in the state courts in order to allow it to operate its religious facilities.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cblockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003E3. This hostility rose to a crescendo in 2020, when Defendants... exploited the COVID-19 pandemic to shut down Oorah’s operations completely in an illegal,\u0026nbsp; premeditated, arbitrary and discriminatory manner.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.theyeshivaworld.com\/news\/featured\/1946587\/oorah-thezone-camps-sues-over-religious-discrimination-during-covid-summer-of-2020.html\"\u003EYeshiva World \u003C\/a\u003Ereports on the lawsuit.\u003C\/p\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/12206391\/posts\/default\/7107389559752750111"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/12206391\/posts\/default\/7107389559752750111"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/religionclause.blogspot.com\/2021\/02\/jewish-camps-sue-county-claiming.html","title":"Jewish Camps Sue County Claiming Discrimination"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Howard Friedman"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/14382656960754783109"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-v5bWCnmUtK8\/XKQZQzKGGPI\/AAAAAAAAAhQ\/3zJ80aLPerQqnh90B9GWdW9BdlsBGubHgCK4BGAYYCw\/s113\/130813-175600.jpg"}}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12206391.post-4720350572823843471"},"published":{"$t":"2021-02-10T07:00:00.001-05:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2021-02-10T07:00:05.763-05:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Abortion"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Alabama"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Free exercise"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Free speech"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"11th Circuit: Anti-Abortion Protesters Challenge To Permit Requirements Rejected"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cp\u003EIn \u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/media.ca11.uscourts.gov\/opinions\/pub\/files\/202010879.pdf\"\u003EHenderson v. McMurray\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003C\/i\u003E(11th Cir., Feb. 9, 2021), the U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed free speech, free exercise and due process challenges to Huntsville, Alabama's application of its permit requirements to activities of James and Carol Henderson, two anti-abortion protesters. When abortion rights counter-protesters drowned out the sidewalk counseling and prayers of the Hendersons, the Hendersons resorted to using amplification devices. This triggered the need for them to obtain a permit under Huntsville's municipal code. In dismissing the Hendersons' various challenges, the court concluded that they failed to plead facts showing that they did not have ample alternative channels of communication or that the limits on noise in their permit were a pretext for viewpoint discrimination. The court also held that the noise limits in the permit were not unconstitutionally vague and that the free exercise claim does not trigger strict scrutiny.\u003C\/p\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/12206391\/posts\/default\/4720350572823843471"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/12206391\/posts\/default\/4720350572823843471"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/religionclause.blogspot.com\/2021\/02\/11th-circuit-anti-abortion-protesters.html","title":"11th Circuit: Anti-Abortion Protesters Challenge To Permit Requirements Rejected"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Howard Friedman"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/14382656960754783109"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-v5bWCnmUtK8\/XKQZQzKGGPI\/AAAAAAAAAhQ\/3zJ80aLPerQqnh90B9GWdW9BdlsBGubHgCK4BGAYYCw\/s113\/130813-175600.jpg"}}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12206391.post-921399071818907598"},"published":{"$t":"2021-02-09T07:00:00.001-05:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2021-02-09T07:00:02.447-05:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Capitol insurrection"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Prisoner cases"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Reasonable accommodation"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Court Orders Religious Dietary Accommodation For Capitol Riot Shaman"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cp\u003EOn Jan. 9, the U.S. Department of Justice \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.justice.gov\/usao-dc\/pr\/three-men-charged-connection-events-us-capitol\"\u003Eannounced\u003C\/a\u003E that\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;Jacob Anthony Chansley was one of three men charged in connection with the the invasion of the Capitol building on Jan. 6. According to the DOJ release:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cblockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003E... Chansley was identified as the man seen in media coverage who entered the Capitol building dressed in horns, a bearskin headdress, red, white and blue face paint, shirtless, and tan pants. This individual carried a spear, approximately 6 feet in length, with an American flag tied just below the blade.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBy late January, Chansley was held in custody in the D.C. jail where he filed a request for a religious dietary accommodation. He sought a diet of only organic food because he is a Shamanic practitioner. When the request was denied, Chansley filed an emergency motion in the D.C. federal district court.\u0026nbsp; In\u0026nbsp;\u003Ci\u003EUnited States v. Chansley\u003C\/i\u003E, \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/plus.lexis.com\/api\/permalink\/ebf36cf9-b44c-4a19-a86e-5cc5dce4bb16\/?context=1530671\"\u003E2021 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 22788\u003C\/a\u003E (D DC, Feb. 3, 2021), the court handed down a lengthy opinion ordering the dietary accommodation, saying in part that:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cblockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003E... RLUIPA and the First Amendment provide prisoners with powerful mechanisms to challenge aspects of their confinement that substantially burden religious free exercise....\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cblockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOrdinarily ... Free Exercise challenges to neutral and generally applicable laws post-\u003Ci\u003ESmith\u003C\/i\u003E\u0026nbsp;merit only rational basis review, under which the DOC's dietary rules would be presumptively valid. But the Court finds that \u003Ci\u003ESmith\u003C\/i\u003E does not govern the present inquiry for two independent reasons. First, unlike the neutral and generally applicable drug law at issue in \u003Ci\u003ESmith\u003C\/i\u003E itself, the DOC's decision to deny defendant a dietary religious exemption is more akin to an \"individualized governmental assessment\" of his religious conduct....\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cblockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESecond, \u003Ci\u003ESmith\u003C\/i\u003E is inapposite because the DOC's policy is neither neutral nor generally applicable.... [T]he DOC provides dietary religious exemptions for both Muslim and Jewish inmates. Its sole rationale for withholding an analogous accommodation for defendant is that his religious views lack \"religious merit.\" But that derisive language simply underscores the fact that not only is the DOC withholding a religious exemption for defendant that it already grants to other religious prisoners, but that it is doing so simply because defendant belongs to a disfavored sect....\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cblockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThird, defendant has shown that the DOC's refusal to provide him with an all-organic diet is a substantial burden—both subjectively and objectively—to his religious beliefs....\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003EApparently the D.C. jail was unable to comply with the court's order, and Chansley was transferred to another federal facility that could comply. (See Court's \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/ecf.dcd.uscourts.gov\/cgi-bin\/show_public_doc?2021cr0003-9\"\u003EMemorandum\u003C\/a\u003E of Feb. 4, 2021). \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/abc11.com\/qanon-shaman-jacob-chansley-riot-capitol-siege\/10313166\/\"\u003EABC11\u003C\/a\u003E reports on developments.\u003C\/p\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/12206391\/posts\/default\/921399071818907598"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/12206391\/posts\/default\/921399071818907598"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/religionclause.blogspot.com\/2021\/02\/court-orders-religious-dietary.html","title":"Court Orders Religious Dietary Accommodation For Capitol Riot Shaman"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Howard Friedman"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/14382656960754783109"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-v5bWCnmUtK8\/XKQZQzKGGPI\/AAAAAAAAAhQ\/3zJ80aLPerQqnh90B9GWdW9BdlsBGubHgCK4BGAYYCw\/s113\/130813-175600.jpg"}}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12206391.post-7083119326280208427"},"published":{"$t":"2021-02-08T11:30:00.000-05:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2021-02-08T11:30:12.345-05:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Church disputes"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Free exercise"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Georgia"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Factional Dispute In Church Dismissed"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;In \u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/cases.justia.com\/federal\/district-courts\/georgia\/gasdce\/2:2019cv00040\/77578\/116\/0.pdf?ts=1612606720\"\u003ENew Covenant Church, Inc. v. Futch\u003C\/a\u003E,\u003C\/i\u003E\u0026nbsp;(SD GA, February 5, 2021), a Georgia federal district court dismissed on qualified immunity, as well as other, grounds a dispute described by the court as follows:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cblockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis case arises from two feuding family factions which both lay claim to a small church in Brunswick, Georgia, one faction’s exclusion of the other from the church for a period of time, and several Brunswick police officers’ role in that exclusion....\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cblockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPlaintiffs allege that Defendants [police officers] ... violated Plaintiffs’ First Amendment rights to free exercise of religion ... by: allowing nonmembers of New Covenant to seize and lock it down for ten weeks; threatening to arrest New Covenant members who entered the property; preventing New Covenant members from worshipping; and permitting the Armstrong sisters and others to steal New Covenant’s property. ...\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe court found that the officers did not violate a clearly established constitutional right, saying in part:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cblockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDefendants ... did not “regulate religious beliefs,” but instead “impose[d] restrictions affecting religious conduct” by allowing the church to be locked up.... The second threshold test is also satisfied; the facts show that Defendants’ actions were not “aimed at impeding religion,” but were instead aimed at maintaining the peace while the parties settled a bitterly contested property dispute.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe court also dismissed due process, 4th Amendment and false imprisonment claims.\u003C\/p\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/12206391\/posts\/default\/7083119326280208427"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/12206391\/posts\/default\/7083119326280208427"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/religionclause.blogspot.com\/2021\/02\/factional-dispute-in-church-dismissed.html","title":"Factional Dispute In Church Dismissed"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Howard Friedman"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/14382656960754783109"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-v5bWCnmUtK8\/XKQZQzKGGPI\/AAAAAAAAAhQ\/3zJ80aLPerQqnh90B9GWdW9BdlsBGubHgCK4BGAYYCw\/s113\/130813-175600.jpg"}}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12206391.post-4410481384030942780"},"published":{"$t":"2021-02-08T07:05:00.001-05:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2021-02-08T07:05:06.733-05:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Articles of interest"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Recent Articles of Interest"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;From SSRN:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cli\u003EYoram Rabin, Yaniv Vaki \u0026amp; Isaac Becker, \u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/papers.ssrn.com\/sol3\/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3734627\"\u003EFrom Ancient Israel to Modern Israel: The Historical Development of the Protection of a Fetus in Criminal Law\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003C\/i\u003E(50 Israel Yearbook on Human Rights 149 (2020).\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EBarbara P. Billauer, \u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/papers.ssrn.com\/sol3\/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3775590\"\u003EReligious Freedom vs. Compelled Vaccination: A Case-Study of the 2018–2019 Measles Pandemic - or The Law as a Public Health Response\u003C\/a\u003E,\u003C\/i\u003E (January 29, 2021).\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EKathleen Brady, \u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/papers.ssrn.com\/sol3\/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3748165\"\u003ECOVID-19 and Restrictions on Religious Worship: From Nondiscrimination to Church Autonomy\u003C\/a\u003E,\u003C\/i\u003E\u0026nbsp; (Forthcoming Fides et Libertas).\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EJustin Aimonetti \u0026amp; Christian Talley, \u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/papers.ssrn.com\/sol3\/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3776897\"\u003EReligious Exemptions As Rational Social Policy\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/i\u003E\u0026nbsp;(University of Richmond Law Review, Vol. 55, 2021).\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003ELevi Cooper, \u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/papers.ssrn.com\/sol3\/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3776643\"\u003EPandemics in the Promised Land: The Hasidic Experience\u003C\/a\u003E,\u003C\/i\u003E\u0026nbsp;(Australian Journal of Jewish Studies 33 (2020): 5-26).\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EXavier Foccroulle Menard \u0026amp; Anna Su, \u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/papers.ssrn.com\/sol3\/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3768764\"\u003ELiberalism, Catholic Integralism, and the Question of Religious Freedom\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E (January 15, 2021).\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EAudrey Macklin, \u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/papers.ssrn.com\/sol3\/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3747438\"\u003EWorking Against and With the State: Hospitality from Sanctuary to Resettlement\u003C\/a\u003E,\u003C\/i\u003E (December 12, 2020).\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003ECarl H. Esbeck, \u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/papers.ssrn.com\/sol3\/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3650397\"\u003EThe Establishment Clause: Its Original Public Meaning and What We Can Learn from the Plain Text\u003C\/a\u003E,\u003C\/i\u003E\u0026nbsp;(22 Federalist Society Review 26 (2021)).\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EJerameel Kevins, \u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/papers.ssrn.com\/sol3\/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3762512\"\u003EShould Kenya Follow the Path Set by Argentina in Decriminalizing Abortion?\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E (January 8, 2021).\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003ECaroline Henckels, Ronli Sifris \u0026amp; Tania Penovic, \u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/papers.ssrn.com\/sol3\/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3762317\"\u003EDignity as a Constitutional Value: Abortion, Political Communication and Proportionality\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003C\/i\u003E(Federal Law Review (2021).\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFrom SSRN (Islamic Law):\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cli\u003ERifai Sulaiman Lebbe,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/papers.ssrn.com\/sol3\/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3754506\"\u003EReligious Freedom in Theory and Practice in Sri Lanka\u003C\/a\u003E,\u003C\/i\u003E\u0026nbsp;(December 23, 2020).\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003ENizamuddin Ahmad Siddiqui,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/papers.ssrn.com\/sol3\/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3738897\"\u003EThe Law and Politics of the Muslim Minority Citizen\u003C\/a\u003E,\u003C\/i\u003E\u0026nbsp;(September 12, 2020).\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EAyub Mukhammadiev,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/papers.ssrn.com\/sol3\/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3755741\"\u003ECivil Law Principles in Fiqh of Islamic Law\u003C\/a\u003E,\u003C\/i\u003E\u0026nbsp;(TJL -Tematics Journal of Law, Vol-4-Issue-12-December-2020).\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EAfrasiab Ahmed Rana \u0026amp; Waqar Ahmad Janjua,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/papers.ssrn.com\/sol3\/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3729510\"\u003ESharī‘ah Governance in Islamic Banking Industry: A Critical Review\u003C\/a\u003E,\u003C\/i\u003E\u0026nbsp;(September 19, 2020).\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EAfrasiab Ahmed Rana,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/papers.ssrn.com\/sol3\/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3753738\"\u003EEssentials of a Valid Contract: A Comparative Study of Islamic Law and the Contract Act, 1872\u003C\/a\u003E,\u003C\/i\u003E\u0026nbsp;(November 18, 2020).\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EFrom \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/lib.law.washington.edu\/cilp\/scilp.html\"\u003ESmartCILP\u003C\/a\u003E and elsewhere:\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cli\u003EMusafa Aijazuddin, \u003Ci\u003EProtection of Religious and Ethnic Minorities before the Genocide Convention\u003C\/i\u003E, 16 \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.luc.edu\/law\/academics\/journals-publications\/internationallawreview\/index.cfm\"\u003ELoyola University Chicago International Law Review\u003C\/a\u003E 145-176 (2020).\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EShlomo C. Pill, \u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/digitalcommons.pepperdine.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1456\u0026amp;context=drlj\"\u003EJewish Law Perspectives on Judicial Settlement Practice\u003C\/a\u003E,\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/i\u003E20 Pepperdine Dispute Resolution Law Journal 227-251 (2020).\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.cambridge.org\/core\/journals\/journal-of-law-and-religion\/latest-issue\"\u003EJournal of Law \u0026amp; Religion\u003C\/a\u003E, Vol. 35, No. 3, Dec. 2020.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/12206391\/posts\/default\/4410481384030942780"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/12206391\/posts\/default\/4410481384030942780"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/religionclause.blogspot.com\/2021\/02\/recent-articles-of-interest_8.html","title":"Recent Articles of Interest"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Howard Friedman"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/14382656960754783109"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-v5bWCnmUtK8\/XKQZQzKGGPI\/AAAAAAAAAhQ\/3zJ80aLPerQqnh90B9GWdW9BdlsBGubHgCK4BGAYYCw\/s113\/130813-175600.jpg"}}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12206391.post-1258301623929996257"},"published":{"$t":"2021-02-08T07:00:00.005-05:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2021-02-08T07:00:02.485-05:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Illinois"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Ministerial exception"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Ministerial Exception Applies To Whistleblower Act Claim"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cp\u003EIn \u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/courts.illinois.gov\/Opinions\/SupremeCourt\/2021\/125656.pdf\"\u003ERehfield v. Diocese of Joliet\u003C\/a\u003E,\u003C\/i\u003E\u0026nbsp;(IL Sup. Ct., Feb. 4, 2021), the Illinois Supreme Court held that the ministerial exception doctrine applies to require dismissal of a suit alleging retaliatory discharge in violation of the state's Whistleblower Act. In the suit, the principal of a Catholic elementary school alleged that her employment was terminated because she reported a parent's threatening conduct to police. After discussing prior Supreme Court and Circuit Court precedent, the court said:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cblockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn light of the consistent body of authority discussed above, we decline to hold that plaintiff’s whistleblower claim is exempt from application of the ministerial exception. We note, however, that our holding is confined to the claim at issue in this case. We express no opinion on whether the exception bars a suit filed in any case other than the one before us.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe court also concluded that the principal was a \"minister\" for purposes of the ministerial exception, saying in part:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cblockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003Ealthough her formal title (“lay principal”) does not necessarily indicate a religious role, it is apparent from the record that plaintiff’s job duties entailed numerous religious functions in furtherance of the school’s Catholic mission.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/12206391\/posts\/default\/1258301623929996257"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/12206391\/posts\/default\/1258301623929996257"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/religionclause.blogspot.com\/2021\/02\/ministerial-exception-applies-to.html","title":"Ministerial Exception Applies To Whistleblower Act Claim"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Howard Friedman"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/14382656960754783109"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-v5bWCnmUtK8\/XKQZQzKGGPI\/AAAAAAAAAhQ\/3zJ80aLPerQqnh90B9GWdW9BdlsBGubHgCK4BGAYYCw\/s113\/130813-175600.jpg"}}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12206391.post-2779945833450162728"},"published":{"$t":"2021-02-07T08:00:00.002-05:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2021-02-07T08:00:02.336-05:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Establishment Clause"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Maine"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"School vouchers"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"US Supreme Court"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Cert. Petition Filed In Maine's Tuition Reimbursement Controversy"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cp\u003EA petition for certiorari (\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/ij.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Petition-for-Writ-of-Certiorari.pdf\"\u003Efull text\u003C\/a\u003E) was filed with the U.S. Supreme Court last Thursday in \u003Ci\u003ECarson v. Makin. \u003C\/i\u003EIn the case,\u0026nbsp;the U.S. 1st Circuit Court of Appeals upheld Maine's statutory provisions that pay tuition to out-of-district public or private high schools for students whose districts do not operate a high school. However, to qualify to receive tuition assistance payments, a private school must be non-sectarian. Religious high schools do not qualify. (See \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/religionclause.blogspot.com\/2020\/10\/1st-circuit-upholds-maines-exclusion-of.html\"\u003Eprior posting\u003C\/a\u003E.) Institute of Justice issued a\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/ij.org\/press-release\/maine-parents-appeal-school-choice-case-to-u-s-supreme-court\/\"\u003Epress release\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp; announcing the filing of the lawsuit.\u0026nbsp;\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: xx-small;\"\u003E[Thanks to Michael Bindas and Chris Freund for the lead.]\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/12206391\/posts\/default\/2779945833450162728"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/12206391\/posts\/default\/2779945833450162728"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/religionclause.blogspot.com\/2021\/02\/cert-petition-filed-in-maines-tuition.html","title":"Cert. Petition Filed In Maine's Tuition Reimbursement Controversy"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Howard Friedman"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/14382656960754783109"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-v5bWCnmUtK8\/XKQZQzKGGPI\/AAAAAAAAAhQ\/3zJ80aLPerQqnh90B9GWdW9BdlsBGubHgCK4BGAYYCw\/s113\/130813-175600.jpg"}}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12206391.post-8684856615391787645"},"published":{"$t":"2021-02-07T07:00:00.002-05:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2021-02-07T07:00:04.827-05:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Catholic"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Defamation"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Infliction of Emotional Distress"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"New Hampshire Priest Sues Conservative Catholic Website For Defamation"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cp\u003EA suit alleging defamation and intentional infliction of emotional distress was filed last Friday in a New Hampshire federal district court by a New Hampshire Catholic priest against the controversial \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Church_Militant_(website)\"\u003EChurch Militant website\u003C\/a\u003E and persons affiliated with it. The complaint (\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/recap\/gov.uscourts.nhd.55868\/gov.uscourts.nhd.55868.1.0.pdf\"\u003Efull text\u003C\/a\u003E) in \u003Ci\u003Ede Laire v. Voris,\u003C\/i\u003E\u0026nbsp;(D NH, filed 2\/5\/2021), contends that false attacks on the character of Father Georges de Laire were published on the traditionalist website and on YouTube by Gary Michael Voris, his Church Militant media company and another reporter for the company. The false attacks began after Father de Laire issued a decree banning the New Hampshire-based St. Benedict Center from holding itself out as being affiliated with the Catholic Church or purporting to hold Roman Catholic religious services on its property.\u0026nbsp; According to the complaint, St. Benedict Center champions the views put forward in the 1940's by Father Leonard Feeney who \"became known for incendiary and hate-filled speeches, primarily anti-Semitic in nature.\" Feeney was ultimately expelled from the Jesuit Order and excommunicated from the Catholic Church over these views and another doctrinal disagreement. \u003Cspan style=\"font-size: xx-small;\"\u003E[Thanks to Eugene Volokh via Religionlaw for the lead.]\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/12206391\/posts\/default\/8684856615391787645"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/12206391\/posts\/default\/8684856615391787645"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/religionclause.blogspot.com\/2021\/02\/new-hampshire-priest-sues-conservative.html","title":"New Hampshire Priest Sues Conservative Catholic Website For Defamation"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Howard Friedman"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/14382656960754783109"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-v5bWCnmUtK8\/XKQZQzKGGPI\/AAAAAAAAAhQ\/3zJ80aLPerQqnh90B9GWdW9BdlsBGubHgCK4BGAYYCw\/s113\/130813-175600.jpg"}}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12206391.post-5441353661303520789"},"published":{"$t":"2021-02-06T19:45:00.004-05:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2021-02-06T19:45:58.224-05:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Church services"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"COVID-19"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Free exercise"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"US Supreme Court"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Supreme Court Enjoins, Pending Appeal, California's Total Ban On Indoor Worship Services"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cp\u003EYesterday, in another decision on the Court's so-called \"shadow docket\", the U.S. Supreme Court in \u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.supremecourt.gov\/opinions\/20pdf\/20a136_bq7c.pdf\"\u003ESouth Bay United Pentecostal Church v. Newsom\u003C\/a\u003E,\u003C\/i\u003E\u0026nbsp;(US Sup. Ct., Feb. 5, 2021), enjoined while a petition for certiorari is pending a portion of California's restrictions on indoor worship services. Last month, the \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/religionclause.blogspot.com\/2021\/01\/9th-circuit-upholds-californias.html\"\u003E9th Circuit upheld\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;the restrictions. Now the Supreme Court temporarily enjoined enforcement of the state's total ban on indoor worship services in areas of the highest COVID-19 infection (\"Tier I\"). However it refused to enjoin the state's 25% capacity limits on worship services in Tier I, and refused to enjoin its ban on singing and chanting during services. The Court, in its unsigned order, added:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cblockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis order is without prejudice to the applicants presenting new evidence to the District Court that the State is not applying the percentage capacity limitations or the prohibition on singing and chanting in a generally applicable manner.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003EChief Justice Roberts filed a brief concurring statement, saying in part:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cblockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003E[F]ederal courts owe significant deference to politically accountable officials with the “background, competence, and expertise to assess public health.”... At the same time, the State’s present determination—that the maximum number of adherents who can safely worship in the most cavernous cathedral is zero—appears to reflect not expertise or discretion, but instead insufficient appreciation or consideration of the interests at stake.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003EJustice Barrett, joined by Justice Kavanaugh, filed a brief concurring opinion.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EJustices Thomas, Gorsuch and Alito would also have enjoined the capacity limits and the ban on singing and chanting. However Justice Alito would have postponed the injunction on capacity limits for 30 days to give the state an opportunity to show that these limits are narrowly drawn to reduce COVID spread to the same extent as limits on other essential activities. Justice Gorsuch, joined by Justices Thomas and Alito, filed an opinion explaining their position, saying in part:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cblockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESince the arrival of COVID–19, California has openly imposed more stringent regulations on religious institutions than on many businesses....\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cblockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOf course we are not scientists, but neither may we abandon the field when government officials with experts in tow seek to infringe a constitutionally protected liberty. The whole point of strict scrutiny is to test the government’s assertions, and our precedents make plain that it has always been a demanding and rarely satisfied standard....\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cblockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDrafting narrowly tailored regulations can be difficult. But if Hollywood may host a studio audience or film a singing competition while not a single soul may enter California’s churches, synagogues, and mosques, something has gone seriously awry.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003EJustice Kagan, joined by Justices Breyer and Sotomayor, dissented, saying in part:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cblockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECalifornia’s response to the COVID pandemic satisfies that neutrality rule by regulating worship services the same as other activities “where large groups of people [come together] in close proximity for extended periods of time.”... The restricted activities include attending a worship service or political meeting; going to a lecture, movie, play, or concert; and frequenting a restaurant, winery, or bar. So the activities are both religious and secular—and many of the secular gatherings, too, are constitutionally protected....\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cblockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Court has decided that the State must exempt worship services from the strictest aspect of its regulation of public gatherings. No one can know, from the Court’s 19-line order, exactly why: Is it that the Court does not believe the science, or does it think even the best science must give way? In any event, the result is clear: The State may not treat worship services like activities found to pose a comparable COVID risk, such as political meetings or lectures. Instead, the State must treat this one communal gathering like activities thought to pose a much lesser COVID risk, such as running in and out of a hardware store. In thus ordering the State to change its public health policy, the Court forgets what a neutrality rule demands. The Court insists on treating unlike cases, not like ones, equivalently.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.vox.com\/2021\/2\/6\/22269879\/supreme-court-amy-coney-barrett-south-bay-pentecostal-newsom-religion-covid-california\"\u003EVox\u003C\/a\u003E reports on the decision, with particular attention to Justice Barrett's opinion-- her first signed opinion since joining the Court.\u003C\/p\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/12206391\/posts\/default\/5441353661303520789"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/12206391\/posts\/default\/5441353661303520789"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/religionclause.blogspot.com\/2021\/02\/supreme-court-enjoins-pending-appeal.html","title":"Supreme Court Enjoins, Pending Appeal, California's Total Ban On Indoor Worship Services"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Howard Friedman"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/14382656960754783109"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-v5bWCnmUtK8\/XKQZQzKGGPI\/AAAAAAAAAhQ\/3zJ80aLPerQqnh90B9GWdW9BdlsBGubHgCK4BGAYYCw\/s113\/130813-175600.jpg"}}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12206391.post-3097979140466972367"},"published":{"$t":"2021-02-05T07:10:00.001-05:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2021-02-05T07:10:02.034-05:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Joe Biden"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"National Prayer Breakfast"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Biden Speaks At National Prayer Breakfast"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cp\u003EPresident Biden yesterday delivered taped remarks at this year's National Prayer Breakfast. (\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.fox19.com\/video\/2021\/02\/04\/biden-speaks-national-prayer-breakfast\/\"\u003EVideo of full remarks\u003C\/a\u003E.) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/joe-biden-national-prayer-breakfast-ac782a7f78734012ea880e51be6fec79\"\u003EAP reported\u003C\/a\u003E on the event, saying in part:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cblockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe event went entirely virtual this year because of the coronavirus pandemic, with Biden and all other speakers appearing via taped remarks. Four living former presidents sent messages to the breakfast, with three speaking on tape while Coons read a message from former President Jimmy Carter — making Trump’s absence conspicuous.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/12206391\/posts\/default\/3097979140466972367"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/12206391\/posts\/default\/3097979140466972367"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/religionclause.blogspot.com\/2021\/02\/biden-speaks-at-national-prayer.html","title":"Biden Speaks At National Prayer Breakfast"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Howard Friedman"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/14382656960754783109"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-v5bWCnmUtK8\/XKQZQzKGGPI\/AAAAAAAAAhQ\/3zJ80aLPerQqnh90B9GWdW9BdlsBGubHgCK4BGAYYCw\/s113\/130813-175600.jpg"}}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12206391.post-2826917593460499622"},"published":{"$t":"2021-02-05T07:05:00.001-05:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2021-02-05T07:05:01.143-05:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Catholic"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"COVID-19"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"AP Report Critical of Catholic Church's Participation In Paycheck Protection Program"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cp\u003EAP yesterday published an \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/religionnews.com\/2021\/02\/04\/sitting-on-billions-catholic-dioceses-amassed-taxpayer-aid\/\"\u003Einvestigative report\u003C\/a\u003E critical of the Catholic Church's participation in the COVID-19 Paycheck Protection Program.\u0026nbsp; The report says in part:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cblockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs the pandemic began to unfold, scores of Catholic dioceses across the U.S. received aid through the Paycheck Protection Program while sitting on well over $10 billion in cash, short-term investments or other available funds....\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cblockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOverall, the nation’s nearly 200 dioceses, where bishops and cardinals govern, and other Catholic institutions received at least $3 billion. That makes the Roman Catholic Church perhaps the biggest beneficiary of the paycheck program....\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cblockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003EChurch officials have said their employees were as worthy of help as workers at Main Street businesses, and that without it they would have had to slash jobs and curtail their charitable mission as demand for food pantries and social services spiked. They point out the program’s rules didn’t require them to exhaust their stores of cash and other funds before applying....\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cblockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBy using a special exemption that the church lobbied to include in the paycheck program, Catholic entities amassed at least $3 billion — roughly the same as the combined total of recipients from the other faiths that rounded out the top five.... Baptist, Lutheran, Methodist and Jewish faith-based recipients also totaled at least $3 billion. Catholics account for about a fifth of the U.S. religious population while members of Protestant and Jewish denominations are nearly half....\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/12206391\/posts\/default\/2826917593460499622"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/12206391\/posts\/default\/2826917593460499622"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/religionclause.blogspot.com\/2021\/02\/ap-report-critical-of-catholic-churchs.html","title":"AP Report Critical of Catholic Church's Participation In Paycheck Protection Program"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Howard Friedman"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/14382656960754783109"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-v5bWCnmUtK8\/XKQZQzKGGPI\/AAAAAAAAAhQ\/3zJ80aLPerQqnh90B9GWdW9BdlsBGubHgCK4BGAYYCw\/s113\/130813-175600.jpg"}}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12206391.post-8256793715855842318"},"published":{"$t":"2021-02-05T07:00:00.001-05:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2021-02-05T07:00:03.213-05:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Alabama"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Capital punishment"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Muslim"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Prison Chaplains"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Imam Sues Alabama Over Exclusion of Clergy From Execution Chamber"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cp\u003EYesterday a Muslim imam filed suit in an Alabama federal district court challenging prison rules that preclude him from being present in the execution chamber with inmates sentenced to death. The complaint (\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.courthousenews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/maisonet-alabama.pdf\"\u003Efull text\u003C\/a\u003E) in \u003Ci\u003EMaisonet v. Dunn,\u003C\/i\u003E\u0026nbsp;(SD AL, filed 2\/4\/2021), alleges that a change in execution policy in 2019 that now excludes all religious advisors from the execution chamber was adopted\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cblockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003Efor the purpose of excluding non-Christian religious advisors and prohibiting condemned men of non-Christian faiths from requesting their religious advisors to accompany them in the execution chamber.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe suit contends that the execution policy violates the Free Exercise and Establishment Clauses as well as the Alabama Constitution's Religious Freedom Amendment.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPrior to 2019, prison rules required that the prison chaplain-- consistently a mainline Protestant clergyman-- be present in the execution chamber.\u0026nbsp; That practice was challenged and litigated up to the U.S. Supreme Court, which in 2019 allowed the Alabama execution of a Muslim inmate to proceed without reaching the merits of the challenge to that practice. (See \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/religionclause.blogspot.com\/2019\/02\/supreme-court-vacates-execution-stay-of.html\"\u003Eprior posting\u003C\/a\u003E.) Subsequently in 2019 the Supreme Court ruled against disparate treatment of non-Christian inmates facing execution in a Texas case. (See \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/religionclause.blogspot.com\/2019\/03\/supreme-court-says-inmate-is-entitled.html\"\u003Eprior posting\u003C\/a\u003E.) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.courthousenews.com\/imam-sues-alabama-for-not-letting-him-join-muslim-inmates-in-execution-room\/\"\u003ECourthouse News Service\u003C\/a\u003E reports on the lawsuit.\u003C\/p\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/12206391\/posts\/default\/8256793715855842318"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/12206391\/posts\/default\/8256793715855842318"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/religionclause.blogspot.com\/2021\/02\/imam-sues-alabama-over-exclusion-of.html","title":"Imam Sues Alabama Over Exclusion of Clergy From Execution Chamber"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Howard Friedman"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/14382656960754783109"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-v5bWCnmUtK8\/XKQZQzKGGPI\/AAAAAAAAAhQ\/3zJ80aLPerQqnh90B9GWdW9BdlsBGubHgCK4BGAYYCw\/s113\/130813-175600.jpg"}}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12206391.post-6226238074086330984"},"published":{"$t":"2021-02-04T07:05:00.001-05:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2021-02-04T07:05:04.167-05:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Hate speech"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"2020 Report on Hate Groups Released"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cp\u003EEarlier this week, the Southern Poverty Law Center \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.splcenter.org\/presscenter\/year-hate-and-extremism-2020-organized-hate-groups-became-more-difficult-track-amid\"\u003Ereleased\u003C\/a\u003E its report \u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.splcenter.org\/presscenter\/year-hate-and-extremism-2020-organized-hate-groups-became-more-difficult-track-amid\"\u003EThe Year In Hate and Extremism 2020\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/i\u003E\u0026nbsp;The Report identifies 838 active hate groups, an 11% drop from last year. As reported by \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.catholicnewsagency.com\/news\/splc-denounced-as-thoroughly-disgraced-after-labeling-pro-life-family-organizations-as-hate-groups\"\u003ECNA\u003C\/a\u003E, some conservative Christian groups have criticized SPLC for labelling anti-abortion and anti-gay marriage organizations as anti-LGBTQ hate groups. \u003Cspan style=\"font-size: xx-small;\"\u003E[Thanks to Michael Lieberman for the lead.]\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/12206391\/posts\/default\/6226238074086330984"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/12206391\/posts\/default\/6226238074086330984"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/religionclause.blogspot.com\/2021\/02\/2020-report-on-hate-groups-released.html","title":"2020 Report on Hate Groups Released"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Howard Friedman"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/14382656960754783109"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-v5bWCnmUtK8\/XKQZQzKGGPI\/AAAAAAAAAhQ\/3zJ80aLPerQqnh90B9GWdW9BdlsBGubHgCK4BGAYYCw\/s113\/130813-175600.jpg"}}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12206391.post-1247539231363195848"},"published":{"$t":"2021-02-04T07:00:00.001-05:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2021-02-04T07:00:00.240-05:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Nazis"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"US Supreme Court"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Supreme Court: FSIA Shields Germany From Suit Over Nazi Takings of German-Jewish Property"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cp\u003EYesterday in \u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.supremecourt.gov\/opinions\/20pdf\/19-351_o7jp.pdf\"\u003EFederal Republic of Germany v. Philipp\u003C\/a\u003E,\u003C\/i\u003E\u0026nbsp;(Sup. Ct., Feb. 3, 2021), the U.S Supreme Court held that the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (FSIA) precludes plaintiffs from filing suit in U.S. courts to recover for Jewish property taken by the Nazi government from German nationals.\u0026nbsp; Plaintiffs sued over the Nazi government's coercing a consortium of German Jewish art dealers to sell an art collection to Prussia at a one-third of its value. The FSIA provides that foreign countries, with certain exceptions, are immune from suit in U.S. courts.\u0026nbsp; Plaintiffs contended that the exception for cases\u0026nbsp; \"in which rights in property taken in violation of international law are in issue\" should apply because the coerced sale of their property was an act of genocide.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;A unanimous Supreme Court rejected plaintiffs' argument on two grounds. First it held that the exception for property taken in violation of international law does not include expropriation of property from a country's own nationals. Second it held that the exception for property taken in violation of international law does not apply to property taken in violation of international human rights law, saying in part:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cblockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWe need not decide whether the sale of the consortium’s property was an act of genocide, because the expropriation exception is best read as referencing the international law of expropriation rather than of human rights. We do not look to the law of genocide to determine if we have jurisdiction over the heirs’ common law property claims. We look to the law of property.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Court yesterday also remanded \u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.supremecourt.gov\/opinions\/20pdf\/18-1447_igkn.pdf\"\u003ERepublic of Hungary v. Simon\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003C\/i\u003E(Sup. Ct., Feb. 3, 2021), for further consideration in light of tis decision in \u003Ci\u003EGermany v. Philipp\u003C\/i\u003E. That case is a class action claim for property taken by the Hungarian government from Hungarian Jews during the Holocaust.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.scotusblog.com\/2021\/02\/jurisdictional-win-for-germany-in-lawsuit-seeking-to-recover-art-taken-by-nazis\/\"\u003ESCOTUSblog\u003C\/a\u003E discusses the decisions.\u003C\/p\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/12206391\/posts\/default\/1247539231363195848"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/12206391\/posts\/default\/1247539231363195848"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/religionclause.blogspot.com\/2021\/02\/supreme-court-fsia-shields-germany-from.html","title":"Supreme Court: FSIA Shields Germany From Suit Over Nazi Takings of German-Jewish Property"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Howard Friedman"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/14382656960754783109"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-v5bWCnmUtK8\/XKQZQzKGGPI\/AAAAAAAAAhQ\/3zJ80aLPerQqnh90B9GWdW9BdlsBGubHgCK4BGAYYCw\/s113\/130813-175600.jpg"}}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12206391.post-2182038154005430091"},"published":{"$t":"2021-02-03T07:00:00.001-05:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2021-02-03T07:00:06.752-05:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Creche"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Establishment Clause"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Indiana"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"7th Circuit OK's Nativity Scene In Christmas Display"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cp\u003EIn \u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/lc.org\/020221JacksonCounty.pdf\"\u003EWoodring v. Jackson County, Indiana\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003C\/i\u003E(7th Cir., Feb. 2, 2021), the U.S. 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, in a 2-1 decision, upheld the constitutionality of a nativity scene as part of a display on the county's historic courthouse lawn. The court said in part:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cblockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003E[W]e hold that the County’s nativity scene complies with the Establishment Clause. The district court thought itself bound by the “purpose” and “endorsement” tests that grew out of the Supreme Court’s decision in \u003Ci\u003ELemon v. Kurtzman\u003C\/i\u003E, 403 U.S. 602 (1971). We hold, however, that the Supreme Court’s recent decision in \u003Ci\u003EAmerican Legion v. American Humanist Association\u003C\/i\u003E, 139 S. Ct. 2067 (2019), requires us to use a different, more historical framework to gauge the constitutionality of the County’s nativity scene. Applying \u003Ci\u003EAmerican Legion\u003C\/i\u003E, we conclude that the County’s nativity scene is constitutional because it fits within a long national tradition of using the nativity scene in broader holiday displays to celebrate the origins of Christmas—a public holiday....\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003EJudge Hamilton dissented, saying in part:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cblockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003E[T]he majority’s feints toward displacing the endorsement and purpose tests. I say “feints” because the majority ends up applying the \u003Ci\u003EAmerican Legion\u003C\/i\u003E “historical” test in a way that actually looks a lot like the endorsement test, properly understood, taking full account of the content, history, and larger context of the display. Neither this case nor \u003Ci\u003EAmerican Legion\u003C\/i\u003E should be understood as a revolution in Establishment Clause doctrine....\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cblockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI disagree with the majority’s result because of the specific facts: the religious content dominates the county’s Christmas display here....\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cblockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe facts and cases may be arrayed roughly along a spectrum ranging from stand-alone Nativity scenes to those that are small parts of much broader seasonal displays. There is not a sharp line. It’s not as simple as counting whether there are more shepherds and angels than elves and snowmen.... If the display is dominated by religious symbolism, with only minor or token secular symbols and symbols of other faiths, the message of endorsement calls for court intervention.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/thehill.com\/regulation\/court-battles\/537041-court-rules-indiana-courthouse-can-display-nativity-scene\"\u003EThe Hill\u003C\/a\u003E reports on the decision.\u003C\/p\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/12206391\/posts\/default\/2182038154005430091"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/12206391\/posts\/default\/2182038154005430091"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/religionclause.blogspot.com\/2021\/02\/7th-circuit-oks-nativity-scene-in.html","title":"7th Circuit OK's Nativity Scene In Christmas Display"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Howard Friedman"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/14382656960754783109"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-v5bWCnmUtK8\/XKQZQzKGGPI\/AAAAAAAAAhQ\/3zJ80aLPerQqnh90B9GWdW9BdlsBGubHgCK4BGAYYCw\/s113\/130813-175600.jpg"}}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12206391.post-4591667319331034032"},"published":{"$t":"2021-02-02T07:05:00.001-05:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2021-02-02T07:05:03.341-05:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Free exercise"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Free speech"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Immigration"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Refugees"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Sanctuary Leaders Sue Over Targeting and Excessive Fines"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cp\u003ESuit was filed last month in D.C. federal district court by advocacy groups and individuals who are leaders in the sanctuary movement claiming that ICE and the Department of Homeland Security have targeted the individual defendants with exorbitant fines because they have taken sanctuary in houses of worship. The complaint (\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/ccrjustice.org\/sites\/default\/files\/attach\/2021\/01\/ASN%20Complaint%201-19-21.pdf\"\u003Efull text\u003C\/a\u003E) in \u003Ci\u003EAustin Sanctuary Network v. Gaynor,\u003C\/i\u003E\u0026nbsp;(D DC, filed 1\/19\/2021), alleges that these actions violate the 1st and 8th Amendments as well as RFRA. The complaint alleges in part:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cblockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe sanctuary movement reignited in the 2000s through a network of over 800 Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, Baha’i, and Buddhist houses of worship that opened their doors to immigrants at risk of deportation, amidst a steady rise in anti-immigrant rhetoric and the criminalization, detention, and deportation of immigrants....\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cblockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIndividual Plaintiffs’ religious beliefs are deeply intertwined with the sanctuary movement. For them, taking sanctuary and participating in the sanctuary movement are religious acts....\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECenter for Constitutional Rights issued a \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/ccrjustice.org\/home\/press-center\/press-releases\/women-sanctuary-file-lawsuit-against-ice-challenge-retaliatory-and\"\u003Epress release\u003C\/a\u003E announcing the filing of the lawsuit.\u003C\/p\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/12206391\/posts\/default\/4591667319331034032"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/12206391\/posts\/default\/4591667319331034032"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/religionclause.blogspot.com\/2021\/02\/sanctuary-leaders-sue-over-targeting.html","title":"Sanctuary Leaders Sue Over Targeting and Excessive Fines"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Howard Friedman"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/14382656960754783109"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-v5bWCnmUtK8\/XKQZQzKGGPI\/AAAAAAAAAhQ\/3zJ80aLPerQqnh90B9GWdW9BdlsBGubHgCK4BGAYYCw\/s113\/130813-175600.jpg"}}]}]}});