The Supreme Court held in Taylor that despite not requiring any proof of intent to discriminate, s. 13(1) only minimally impairs freedom of expression principally because the Act’s purpose is to prevent discrimination (as well as compensating and protecting the victim), rather than punish moral blameworthiness. ...S. 13(1) has, since the 1998 amendments, lost the exclusively compensatory and preventative features that characterized it in the eyes of the majority in Taylor. Following the Court's reasoning, it can therefore no longer be concluded that the provision still minimally impairs the Charter guaranteed freedom of expression.Canadian Press reports on the decision. The Ottawa Citizen says that an appeal to the Federal Court of Canada is likely because two other previous Tribunal decisions found the statute constitutional. [Thanks to PewSitter for the lead.]
Objective coverage of church-state and religious liberty developments, with extensive links to primary sources.
Thursday, September 03, 2009
Canadian Tribunal Says Internet Hate Speech Law Is Unconstitutional
Religious Peyote Exemption Does Not Invalidate Federal Drug Laws
Churches Sue To Prevent Noise Ordinance From Limiting Their Carillon Bells
Dutch Prosecutors Will Move Against Anti-Jewish Cartoon
Canadian Court Rejects Challenge To Quebec's New Religious Survey Courses
Wednesday, September 02, 2009
Remarks At Kennedy Memorial Service Raise Issue On Mormon Temple Zoning
There was another time when the Mormon church was nearing completion of its temple here in Boston. Belmont , I think. I was approached by several people working in the temple and informed that the city would not allow a spire to be placed on the top of the temple with an angel on top of it as is customary on Mormon temples. I immediately called Ted and asked for help. Not long after that conversation, he called me back and said, "All of western Massachusetts will see the Angel Gabriel on the top of the Mormon temple. (LAUGHTER) Though I was tempted to leave it alone, I had to inform Teddy it was actually the Angel Maroni....It turns out that the question of whether a special zoning permit would be granted for the church to build its 85-foot high steeple was litigated all the way to the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court. In Martin v. Corporation of the Presiding Bishop of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, (MA Sup. Jud. Ct., 2001), Massachusetts' high court held that a state law limiting zoning restrictions on the use of land for religious purposes (the "Dover Amendment") precluded the "unreasonable" height restriction that Belmont's zoning laws imposed.
Now those who opposed the Temple construction are asking whether Kennedy influenced the Supreme Judicial Court's decision. They say Hatch's reference to the time construction was nearing completion would put his call to Kennedy after the February 2000 decision by the Middlesex Superior Court to reverse the decision of Belmont's zoning board of appeals and ban the steeple. The only determination left after that point was that by the Supreme Judicial Court. A spokesperson for the court, however, says they had no interaction with Kennedy and he did not influence the justices in the temple case.
Obama Hosts Iftar Dinner With Interesting Guest List
"Classical" Charter School Sues Challenging Ban On Use of Religious Texts
Federal Community Service Agency Designates This Week As "Interfaith Service Week"
Consent Order Settles Suit On In-School Posters Announcing Prayer Events
Q&A On Faith Healing and the Law Posted
Tuesday, September 01, 2009
Civil Rights Division Will Return To Traditional Agenda Without Ending Religious Discrimination Initiatives
Christian Groups May Not Intervene To Challenge Plan B Decision
Court Says Injunction Request Is Moot In Suit Against History Teacher
Former Miss California USA Sues Claiming Religious Discrimination
Scotish Tribunal Asks European Court If Volunteer Is Covered By Discrimination Directive
6th Circuit Rejects Discrimination Claim, But Finds Standing For Funding Challenge
The second group of claims were challenges under the Establishment Clause to the flow of state funds to KBHC. The court concluded that plaintiffs lacked standing as federal taxpayers to challenge the channeling of federal child care funds to KBHC by the state of Kentucky. It is not enough that the federal statutes merely failed to prohibit the unconstitutional use of these funds. However, the court held that plaintiffs do have standing as state taxpayers to challenge the $100 million of state funds paid to KBHC to care for children. Americans United issued a press release announcing the decision. (See prior related posting.)
Resignation of Scranton Bishops May Reflect Rejection of Anti-Obama Wing
Politics Daily yesterday posted an extensive analysis of the political implications of the resignations. Martino had become politically controversial during the 2008 election when he announced that vice-presidential candidate Joe Biden, a native of Scranton, would be denied communion because of his pro-choice views if he tried to receive communion at a church in the Scranton diocese. He also had a letter read during masses last October telling parishioners that voting for a pro-choice politician was equivalent to endorsing "homicide." Martino has also clashed with Catholic universities in his diocese and has irritated others with his abrasive style. The resignations may reflect growing dissatisfaction by fellow-bishops and the Pope with the anti-Obama rhetoric of some U.S. bishops.
Suit Challenging "40 Developmental Assets" Program Is Settled
3rd Circuit: Harassment Case Alleges Sexual Orientation, Not Religious, Discrimination
Monday, August 31, 2009
Parishioners Come Armed To Defend Pastor Who Prays For Obama's Death
Paper Explores Different Takes on Rifqa Bary's Case In Florida
Now today's Orlando Sentinel reports that the Bary case threatens to turn into an anti-Muslim campaign by some evangelical Christians. Rifqa's attorney, John Stemberger, exemplifies the rhetoric, saying: "My concern is she is literally a dead girl if she is sent back to Ohio. It's only a matter of time until she disappears into the night." At the same time, a Christian church in Gainsville posted a sign on its property reading: "Islam is of the Devil," and several children were sent home from school for wearing the same slogan on T-shirts. Imam Tariq Rasheed, director of the Islamic Center of Orlando, says this is a misrepresentation of Islam.
UPDATE: According to the Sept. 1 St. Petersburg Times, Rifqa Bary's attorney has released two documents. One is a memo (full text) arguing that the leaders of the Noor Islamic Cultural Center in Dublin, Ohio have links to terrorist organizations. A second is an affidavit from Rifqa (full text) indicating that her parents are actively involved in that mosque.
High School Band T-Shirt Pulled Back After Evolution Theme Draws Complaints
Space Shuttle Carries Relic From Historic Christian Missionary Aviation Episode
Muslim Man Complains Probation Service In Britain Refuses Religious Accommodation
Recent Articles and Book of Interest
- Brian Michael McCall, The Architecture of Law: Building Law on a Solid Foundation the Eternal and Natural Laws, (August 26, 2009).
- Bernadette A. Meyler, Commerce in Religion, (Notre Dame Law Review, Vol. 84, No. 2, 2008).
- Bernadette A. Meyler, Summum and the Establishment Clause, (Northwestern University Law Review Colloquy, Vol 104, p. 95, 2009).
Recent Book:
- Timothy J. Mockaitis, The Seal: A Priest's Story (2009), interview with author at Zenit.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Minnesota Investigating Use Of Lease Aid Funds By Charter School
Recent Prisoner Free Exercise Cases
In Washington v. Adams, 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 74355 (ED CA, Aug. 21, 2009), a California federal magistrate judge recommended that an inmate's habeas petition be dismissed. His claim that he was denied his free exercise rights when he was not allowed to change his name is merely a challenge to conditions of confinement for which habeas corpus is not available.
In Tribesman v. California Correctional Peace Officers Association, 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 74734 (CD CA, Aug. 21, 2009), a California federal magistrate judge recommended dismissal of an inmate's claim that his free exercise rights were infringed when he not allowed to attend his grandmother's funeral. It also dismissed more general free exercise claims against a correctional officer's association finding that it was not involved in determining how Native American prisoners would be treated. However the magistrate recommended that plaintiff be allowed to file an amended petition against one of the prison chaplains who allegedly denied Native Americans supplies for their sweat lodge ceremony.
In Wakefield v. Tilton, 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 75391 (ED CA, Aug. 25, 2009), a California federal magistrate judge recommended dismissal of an inmate's claim that by denying his request for daily showers, the prison's Protestant chaplain violated his free exercise rights. Plaintiff claimed this was a requirement of his Seventh Day Adventist religion.
In Webb v. Smartwood, 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 75283 (WD MO, June 15, 2009), a Missouri federal magistrate judge rejected free exercise claims by plaintiff who was in custody of the state Department of Mental Health. Plaintiff alleged that administering of the psychiatric drug Ativan to him violated his free exercise rights, but the court found that this claim was not supported by the evidence. Plaintiff failed to show that his alleged belief in Scientology was sincere.
In Pogue v. Woodford, 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 75943 (ED CA, Aug. 26, 2009), a California federal magistrate judge recommended that most of the numerous claims by a Muslim prisoner that his religious practices were infringed (access to Jumu'ah services, lack of an imam, grooming, prayer oil, single cell status) be dismissed, but allowed him to move ahead on a claim for injunctive relief to obtain the prison's kosher diet while plans for a halal diet are being implemented.
In Scott v. Crites, (TX Ct. App., Aug. 26, 2009), a Texas state appellate court affirmed dismissal of a Native American prisoner's challenge to authorities' search of his medicine bag. Plaintiff failed to argue that prison policies on medicine bags substantially burdened his exercise of religion.
In Bailey v. Ozmint, 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 76651 (D SC, July 27, 2009), a South Carolina federal magistrate judge recommended that a Muslim inmate's challenge to prison grooming regulations be dismissed.
Ted Kennedy Laid To Rest; His Complex Relationship With Catholic Church Is Explored
At Kennedy's burial service at Arlington National Cemetery, retired Washington Cardinal Theodore McCarrick read long excerpts from a letter that Kennedy sent to Pope Benedict XVI last month and from the Pope's response. (Politics Daily.) The letter from Kennedy, hand delivered by President Obama during his July meeting with the Pope, asked the Pontiff to pray for the Senator's health. In the letter, Kennedy also reiterated his commitment to health care reform and said he believes in conscience protection for Catholics in the health care field. The Pope's response through a senior Vatican official, two weeks later, expressed the Pontiff's concern for Kennedy and said in part: "His Holiness prays that in the days ahead you may be sustained in faith and hope, and granted the precious grace of joyful surrender to the will of God our merciful Father." Meanwhile Time Magazine notes while the Vatican's official newspaper L'Osservatore Romano has reported on Kennedy's death, noticeably absent is a statement directly from the Pope.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
EEOC Says Meatpacker Should Have Adjusted Break Times For Muslim Workers
Iowa School District's Religion Policy Is Being Redrafted
School District's Mission Statement Challenged For Including Belief in God
We Value: Responsibility, honesty, respect, integrity, commitment, belief in God and religious freedom, our community, our partnerships, and every person as a unique individual with the ability to acquire and apply knowledge.In its letter to the superintendent and school board (full text), FFRF said that the school district is unconstitutionally advancing religion through its use of the statement. The mission statement was included in the Board's newsletter, the Blue Streak News, and on a page of the Board's website. Thursday's Canton Repository reported on the letter. [Thanks to Scott Mange for the lead.]
Friday, August 28, 2009
Cert. Filed In Case Invoving Religious Speech By High School Valedictorian
Group Challenges Toledo City Council Invocations
Michigan School Board Reinstitutes "Christmas Break"
Waldvogel sent his message in reply to one he received from the Superintendent's secretary regarding the school calendar. Apparently he hit "reply to all" without realizing how broadly his e-mail would be circulated. At any rate, on Tuesday the Freedom from Religion Foundation wrote the school district (full text of letter) complaining about the Board's action and asking it to dissociate itself from Waldvogel's remarks. It says the change to "Christmas Break" unconstitutionally advances Christianity over other religions. Yesterday's National Examiner and today's Michigan Messenger report on the controversy.We are in spite of what the Obamessiah says, STILL a Christian nation, founded on Judeo Christian principles.... [E]ither agree to change the "December vacation" back to "Christmas break" in all future publications (including the school calendar) voluntarily, or I will make a motion to change it at the next board meeting and raise such a stink, and bring out every redneck Christian conservative north of Clare to compel the district to do so....
Let the Ramadamians and the Kwanzanians bring their celebrations to school too .... to share with our Christian children, but don't cut God out of the school completely.... Don't assume this is a joke, I'm being as serious as I possibly can here."
EEOC Sues Company That Refused Alternative Drug Test For Employee
Justice Ginsburg Denies Petition For Stay By Bridgeport Catholic Diocese
UPDATE: AP reports that on Friday, the Bridgeport Diocese submitted its request for a stay to Justice Antonin Scalia, hoping he will rule differently than did Justice Ginsburg. (Docket entry.) Supreme Court Rule 22 permits an application denied by the Justice assigned to the Circuit where the case arose to be refiled with any other justice. David Clohessy, national director of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, complained: "The appeal to the court's most stridently Catholic member, whose son is a priest, smacks of desperation and favoritism."
Malaysia Bars Muslims From Attending Concert Sponsored By Guinness
Collateral Defendants Settle In Suit Claiming Religion In Class of Ohio Science Teacher
Under the settlement, negotiated by the Board's insurance carrier, the other defendants agreed to pay $115,500 for plaintiffs' legal fees, and damages of $5,500 to one plaintiff, along with nominal damages of $1 each to two others. The settlement also bars staff from discussing the case with students. It calls for training in church-state issues for board members, administrators and teachers. This has already been done. Finally the school board is to make a public statement at the conclusion of the pending administrative hearing on whether Freshwater should be fired. (See prior posting.) The settlement must be approved and approved by the Probate Court of Knox County before a motion to dismiss is filed in federal court. the National Center for Science Education also has a report on developments in the case.
Court Says There Was No Discrimination Against Muslim School Employee
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Court Preliminarily Enjoins Enforcement of Illinois Pharmacy Board Rule
New York Releases 2008 Hate Crime Statistics
Court Says No Establishment Clause Violation By Orthodox Jewish School Board Majority
Plaintiffs’ contend, the Defendants’plan to sell a school and keep taxes low somehow establishes Orthodox Judaism as Lawrence’s official religion. This argument is completely frivolous....Yesterday, both Newsday and Long Island's Jewish Star reported on the decision. [Thanks to both Benjamin Wolf and Joel Katz (Relig. & State in Israel) for leads.]
Plaintiffs essentially complain about low taxes, alleging that these low taxes enable Orthodox Jews residing in Lawrence to afford parochial schools. But if, as in Mueller, tax deductions targeted at private education survive Constitutional muster, then untargeted lower taxes – which help individuals afford everything from parochial education to groceries to vacations – obviously must.....
[U]nder Plaintiffs' reasoning, no claim would lie against political conservatives who ideologically disfavor spending on public schools, or retirees who have no children in the public school system and want lower taxes to boost their discretionary income. Rather, Plaintiffs believe that the School Board’s actions are problematic entirely because the School Board members are Orthodox Jews who are motivated, in part, to help other Orthodox Jews pay yeshiva tuition by lowering their tax burden. In short, Plaintiffs seek to deny Orthodox Jews political rights possessed by every other group in the United States: the right to mobilize in support of religiously neutral government policies, and then have those policies enacted through normal democratic processes. And Plaintiffs seek to do so because, Plaintiffs allege, the School Board's religiously neutral government actions are motivated by the Jewish faith, instead of anti-tax sentiment generally.
Plaintiffs thus ask this Court to discriminate against Orthodox Jews by finding that lower taxes and smaller government are unconstitutional because many of the tax cut’s beneficiaries would choose to allocate their tax savings to Jewish education rather than secular pursuits. But if the First Amendment means anything, it is that the Government cannot prohibit individuals from spending their own money to fulfill the obligations of their religious faith.
Bangladesh Court Orders Police To Investigate Fatwa and Village Arbitration
Florida Standardized Test Dates Conflict With Holidays In 2011
TRO Lets Parochial School Musician Into Public School Band
Kentucky's Required Display of Findings On God Violate Establishment Clause
The nature of this statute is much more than an acknowledgement that people have historically looked to God for protection. The statute pronounces very plainly that current citizens of the Commonwealth cannot be safe, neither now nor in the future, without the aid of Almighty God.... Effectively the General Assembly has created an official government position on God.McClatchy Newspapers and the Louisville Courier Journal reported on the decision, as did a release from American Atheists.
UPDATE: The Louisville Courier-Journal reports that on Sept. 4 the state filed a notice of appeal in the case as well as a motion to stay enforcement of the trial court's ruling pending appeal.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Sen. Ted Kennedy Dies; Remembering His Views On Religion In Public Life
[Thanks to Blog from the Capitol for a link to the speech.]I am an American and a Catholic; I love my country and treasure my faith. But I do not assume that my conception of patriotism or policy is invariably correct, or that my convictions about religion should command any greater respect than any other faith in this pluralistic society. I believe there surely is such a thing as truth, but who among us can claim a monopoly on it? There are those who do, and their own words testify to their intolerance....
But in saying that, we cannot and should not turn aside from a deeper and more pressing question -- which is whether and how religion should influence government.... The separation of church and state can sometimes be frustrating for women and men of religious faith. They may be tempted to misuse government in order to impose a value which they cannot persuade others to accept. But once we succumb to that temptation, we step onto a slippery slope where everyone’s freedom is at risk. Those who favor censorship should recall that one of the first books ever burned was the first English translation of the Bible.....
The real transgression occurs when religion wants government to tell citizens how to live uniquely personal parts of their lives.... But there are other questions which are inherently public in nature, which we must decide together as a nation, and where religion and religious values can and should speak to our common conscience..... There must be standards for the exercise of such leadership, so that the obligations of belief will not be debased into an opportunity for mere political advantage. But to take a stand at all when a question is both properly public and truly moral is to stand in a long and honored tradition.....
First, we must respect the integrity of religion itself. People of conscience should be careful how they deal in the word of their Lord. In our own history, religion has been falsely invoked to sanction prejudice -- even slavery -- to condemn labor unions and public spending for the poor.....Religious values cannot be excluded from every public issue; but not every public issue involves religious values.... Second, we must respect the independent judgments of conscience. Those who proclaim moral and religious values can offer counsel, but they should not casually treat a position on a public issue as a test of fealty to faith.... Third, in applying religious values, we must respect the integrity of public debate. In that debate, faith is no substitute for facts..... Fourth, and finally, we must respect the motives of those who exercise their right to disagree.....
In short, I hope for an America where neither "fundamentalist" nor "humanist" will be a dirty word, but a fair description of the different ways in which people of goodwill look at life and into their own souls.
3rd Circuit Dismisses Abortion Protesters' Bid To Stand On Handicapped Ramp
Catholic Magazine Publishes Reflections On the Obama-Notre Dame Controversy
The diocesan bishop must ask whether a Catholic institution compromises its obligation to give public witness by placing prestige over truth. The bishop must be concerned that Catholic institutions do not succumb to the secular culture, making decisions that appear to many, including ordinary Catholics, as a surrender to a culture opposed to the truth about life and love.The second article, from John R. Quinn, archbishop emeritus of San Francisco, takes a different tack. He argues that a strategy of refusing to award an honorary degree to the President "undermines the church's transcendent role in the American political order." He continues:
[T]he Obama controversy, in concert with a series of candidate-related condemnations during the 2008 election, has communicated several false and unintended messages to much of American society..... 1. The message that the Catholic bishops of the United States function as partisan political actors in American life. ...2. The message that the bishops are ratifying the "culture war mentality," which corrodes debate both in American politics and in the internal life of the church.... 3. The message that the bishops are effectively indifferent to all grave evils other than abortion.... 4. The message that the bishops are insensitive to the heritage and the continuing existence of racism in America.[Thanks to Mirror of Justice for the lead.]
Washington State Bans All Holiday Displays Inside Capitol Building
Q: Will you allow displays and exhibits?[Thanks to Blog from the Capitol for the lead.]
The interim policy does not allow the public to place displays and exhibits in the public areas of the capitol buildings, regardless of content. However, subject to reasonable time, place and manner restrictions, you may be permitted to place displays outside on the capitol grounds.
Q: Will you permit a Nativity scene in the Legislative Building during the holiday season?
No. General Administration has turned down a request for a Nativity display inside the Legislative Building for December 2009.
Q: Will you permit an atheist display in the Legislative Building during the holiday
season?
No. General Administration has turned down a request for an atheist display inside the Legislative Building for December 2009.
Q: Will there be a holiday tree at the Legislative Building this year?
Yes. The holiday tree will continue as a General Administration activity.
Mosques Will Aid Malaysian State Officials In Syariah Enforcement
Suit Will Charge Judge With Improperly Requiring Removal of Hijab
Paper Surveys Scope of Tax Exemptions for Church Property
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Florida Governor's Western Wall Notes Seem To Work So Far
Some Claims Against Archdiocese In Clergy Abuse Case Can Proceed
UPDATE: The court has issued an almost identical opinion in a similar abuse case brought by a different plaintiff. Perry v. Johnston, 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 74706 (ED MO, Aug. 24, 2009).
Some Claims Dismissed In Sikh's Employment Discrimination Case Against IRS
Utah Judge Orders Sale of Supposed Temple Site By FLDS Trust
Monday, August 24, 2009
School Girls In Gaza Must Wear Traditional Arab Dress
Wisconsin Bishops Object To State's Mandate of Contraceptive Coverage In Health Policies
Recent Articles and Books of Interest
- Ayelet Shachar & Ran Hirschl, The New Wall of Separation: Permitting Diversity, Restricting Competition, (Cardozo Law Review, Vol. 30, pp. 2535-2560, 2009).
- Andrew F. March, Islamic Legal Theory, Secularism and Religious Pluralism: Is Modern Religious Freedom Sufficient for the Shari'a 'Purpose [Maqsid]' of 'Preserving Religion [Hifz Al-Din]?', (August 14, 2009).
- Mohammad Fadel, Islamic Politics and Secular Politics: Can They Co-Exist?, (Journal of Law and Religion, Vol. 25, No. 1, 2009).
- Martha Albertson Fineman, Religious Resistance to Family Law Reform in the US, (Emory Law Public Law Journal, Forthcoming).
- Andrew F. March, Taking People as They are: Islam as a 'Realistic Utopia' in the Political Theory of Sayyid Qutb, (APSA 2009 Toronto Meeting Paper).
From SmartCILP:
- Matthew R. Clark & Charles P. Misseijer, Through the Founders' Prism: Faith and Perspective at the Intersection of Law and Policy, 1 Regent Journal of Law & Public Policy 1-10 (2009).
- Jay A. Sekulow & Benjamin P. Sisney. Constitutionally Protected Parental Rights in Child-Custody Arrangements and the Impact of Religion on Children, 1 Regent Journal of Law & Public Policy 169-214 (2009).
Recent Books:
- Meera Nanda, The God Market: How Globalisation Is Making India Hindu, (Random House India, Aug. 2009), reviewed in LiveMint.
- John Micklethwait and Adrian Wooldridge, God Is Back: How the Global Revival of Faith Is Changing the World, (Penguin, April 2009), reviewed in Foreign Affairs.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
10th Circuit Refuses To Stay Order On 10 Commandments Monument
Meanwhile News OK reported on Friday that in Oklahoma City, the State Capitol Preservation Commission is debating where on the state Capitol gounds to locate a 10 Commandments monument authorized by legislation passed earlier this year. (See prior posting.)
Report Says Shiites On Trial In Jordan
Court Hears Arguments In Challenge To State Humane Slaughter Act
Philippine Presidential Race Draws Religious Leaders As Candidates
Satmar Police Recruit Files Religious Discrimination Complaint
Recent Prisoner Free Exercise Cases
In King v. Sims, 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 71669 (SD MS, Aug. 14, 2009), a Mississippi federal magistrate judge rejected a challenge by a Rastafarian prisoner to the state's grooming policy that prevented him from wearing his hair in dreadlocks.
In Carson v. Riley, 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 73328 (WD MI, Aug. 19, 2009), a Michigan federal district court upheld a prison's denial of a strictly vegetarian Buddhist diet to an inmate after he displayed only minimal knowledge about Buddhism and its dietary requirements in an interview by the prison chaplain. Subsequently plaintiff was transferred to another facility where a vegetarian diet was more available.
In Nieves v. Patrick, 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 73492 (ED CA, Aug. 19, 2009), a California federal magistrate judge recommended dismissal of a generalized allegation by an inmate that religion was not allowed into her prison unit.
In Mincy v. Deparlos, 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 73604 (MD PA, Aug. 19, 2009), a Pennsylvania federal district court allowed plaintiff to move ahead with his free exercise and RLUIPA claims that various actions by prison officials denied him the ability to observe Ramadan.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Michigan Amends Faith Based Office's Charter To Reflect Federal Changes
3. Ensure that services paid for with state and federal funds are provided in a manner consistent with fundamental constitutional commitments guaranteeing the equal protection of the laws and the free exercise of religion and prohibiting laws respecting an establishment of religion.
4. Promote effective training for persons providing federally funded social services in faith-based and neighborhood organizations.
5. Promote the better use of program evaluation and research, in order to ensure that organizations deliver services as specified in grant agreements, contracts, memoranda or understanding, and other arrangements.