Objective coverage of church-state and religious liberty developments, with extensive links to primary sources.
Thursday, January 12, 2006
Trial of Muslim Cleric For Soliciting Murder Begins In Britain
Roy Moore Officially Enters Alabama Gubernatorial Race
Israel May Not Give Robertson Land For Center After His Remarks
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
Navy Chaplain Ends Protest Fast
Concerned Women Group Supports Alito, Citing Religion Views
Yesterday, Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee tried to make Justice O’Connor the gold standard to which they will hold Judge Alito. Nothing could be worse, especially when it comes to protecting our first liberty, religious liberty. After all, O'Connor thinks it violates the Establishment Clause to publicly display the Ten Commandments.
Judge Alito has consistently protected the free exercise rights of all religious people, including Christians, Jews, Muslims, Native Americans and the artwork of a young school boy thankful for Jesus. He has ruled against government actions that discriminate against or unfairly burden religion, and he has rejected government attempts to use the Establishment Clause to remove all things religious from the public square.
Ohio Board Refuses To Change Standards For Teaching Biology
The Columbus Dispatch reports that at yesterday's meeting of the Ohio Board of Education, a member raised the issue of dropping state guidelines on teaching of biology. After a bitter exchange between board members on whether Ohio's model lesson plan was intended to promote Intelligent Design, the board by a vote of 9-8 refused to reconsider the standards. Two board members were absent. Critics of the standards made their point by having a man dressed as a panda outside the board meeting, carrying a copy of the book Pandas and People. The board's vote appears to open the way for threatened litigation by Americans United for Separation of church and State. (See prior posting.)
Pope Emphasizes Religious Freedom In Address To Diplomats
by its very nature the Holy See's diplomatic activity is concerned with promoting, among other forms of freedom, the aspect of freedom of religion. Unfortunately, in some states, even among those who can boast centuries-old cultural traditions, freedom of religion, far from being guaranteed, is seriously violated, especially where minorities are concerned.
Here I would simply recall what has been laid down with great clarity in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Fundamental human rights are the same on every latitude; and among them, pride of place must be given to the right to freedom of religion, since it involves the most important of human relationships: our relationship with God. To all those responsible for the life of nations I wish to state: If you do not fear truth, you need not fear freedom! The Holy See, in calling for true freedom for the Catholic Church everywhere, also calls for that freedom for everyone.
Kentucky Governor Urges Teaching of Intelligent Design
Lessening Church-State Ties Recommended In Norway
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
Ohio May Be Next Battlefield On Intelligent Design
Ohio State University Trustee Brian Hicks lobbied the Ohio Board of Education for the current science curriculum, which encourages the teaching of alternatives to evolution, when he was chief of staff to Governor Bob Taft. However, Ohio State University's Senate, and Faculty Council, as well as the Inter-University Council of Ohio (on which OSU President Karen A. Holbrook sits), have all passed resolutions opposing the state board's science standards and curriculum. Currently trustee Hicks will not answer questions about his position on intelligent design or the state board's science curriculum unless the same questions are presented to every member of the Board of Trustees.
Canadian Prime Minister Proposes Constitutional Amendment To Strengthen Religious Freedom
Cert. Denied In AmeriCorps Teacher Funding Case
More on Michigan Decision Permitting Carrying of Kirpan
Monday, January 09, 2006
Alito Hearings Live On Internet
Religion Clause blog has had many background postings on Judge Alito and his views on religion clause issues. To see them, type in "Alito" as a search term at the top of this page and click on "Search This Blog".
Full Opinion Refusing To Amend Indiana Legislative Prayer Ban Now Available
The court also clarified that the injunction purposely did not require the Speaker of the House to obtain advance assurances from those offering legislative prayers that they would be non-sectarian, nor does it require the Speaker to interrupt a prayer if it turns out to be sectarian. But the Speaker must give pointed advice about sectarianism in inviting individuals to deliver prayers. Finally the court clarified what is a "sectarian" Christian prayer. "Prayers are sectarian in the Christian tradition when they proclaim or otherwise communicate the beliefs that Jesus of Nazareth was the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of God, or the Savior, or that he was resurrected, or that he will return on Judgment Day or is otherwise divine. "
Prime Minister Sharon's Treatment and Jewish Law
Jewish law forbids doing anything to hasten death, but it is permissible to remove an "impediment" standing in the way of the natural end of life. Rabbis remain divided over what constitutes an unreasonable obstacle to death. Murphy speculates that any need for life-sustaining equipment could open the kind of religious showdowns in Israel that gripped the United States last year over Terri Schiavo, the Florida woman who died her feeding tube was finally removed.
There are also disagreements among rabbis on how Jewish law defines death. In 1986, Israel's Chief Rabbinate ruled that brain death controlled, but some other rabbis take the position that death occurs only when there is both no respiration and no "movement" in the body. They consider a heartbeat to be movement, even if maintained through life-support. After six years of debate, last month the Israeli Knesset finally passed legislation allowing terminally ill patients to refuse life support. But the law contains an unusual provision: the equipment can only be turned off by an automatic timer to avoid having a health care worker do it. The law has not yet gone into effect.
Danish Muslims Seek Government Action Against Paper For Drawings
Sunday, January 08, 2006
US Troops In Afghanistan Given Cards On Muslim Practices
Saudi Arabia Accuses Iraq In Distribution of Hajj Permits
New Books Focus On Impact of Religion On Law and Policy
In Tikkun Magazine, Michael Lerner writes a lengthy Editorial titled "Hostile Takeover: Theocracy in America". It reflects the thesis of his new book The Left Hand of God: Taking Our Country Back from the Religious Right (Harper San Francisco, February 7, 2006). [Thanks to Jesus Politics for the lead.]
Faith-Based Funding Goes To Secular Programs In New York
Saturday, January 07, 2006
BJC Analyzes Alito's Religion Decisions; Will Blog Hearings In Real Time
Senate hearings on Alito's nomination are scheduled to begin Monday. Don Byrd, who writes BJC's "Blog from the Capital", will be live-blogging the hearings, with special emphasis on the religious liberty and church-state issues that are addressed in the hearings.
Impact of Dover Intelligent Design Case Debated
UPDATE: The Columbus Dispatch reports (Jan. 8) that pressure is growing for Ohio's state board of education to reconsider its controversial science standards.
Meanwhile, in California, school officials are faced with the question of whether it is permissible to teach intelligent design in a philosophy class, instead of in biology. The Associated Press on Friday reported that in Lebec, California, the school board, by a 3-2 vote, approved the teaching of a 4-week winter session class titled "Philosophy of Design". The course, offered by Frazier Mountain High School, is being taught by a minister's wife. Three experts on intelligent design are scheduled to speak while two evolution experts listed as guest speakers for the course are in fact not coming. One disagrees with the course, and the other listed guest speaker died in 2004. Glenn Branch, deputy-director of the National Center for Science Education said, "It doesn't matter if they label it philosophy, science or home ec. For this to be endorsed as scientifically credible is a violation of church-state separation." State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell, who has opposed teaching intelligent design as science, however, said "In a true philosophy class, if it's one of many concepts being discussed, I have no problem."
UPDATE: AP reported on January 10 that a suit on behalf of 11 parents has been filed by Americans United for Separation of Church and State challenging the Frazier Mountain High School course. UPDATE: Here is the text of the complaint. [Thanks to Dispatches From the Culture Wars.]
British Liquor Laws Impede Purchase of Altar Wine
German Muslims Challenge Questioning of Visa Applicants
Friday, January 06, 2006
White House Criticizes Religious Leader's Comments About Ariel Sharon
People for the American Way has a transcript and video of Robertson's remarks on its website. Subsequently according to CBN, a Robertson spokesperson issued a statement about Robertson's comments, criticizing "People for the American Way, who have a clear left-wing political agenda and who, on an ongoing basis, lift [Robertson's] comments out of context and widely circulate them in an attempt to discredit him."
Law School Clinic Loses In 8th Circuit In Refusal To Represent Client
Martin Wishnatsky had previously, in a letter to the editor of the local newspaper, criticized the law school clinic for taking a case seeking removal of the 10 Commandments from public property. He then requested assistance from the clinic to develop a lawsuit on the same basis challenging the pagan statue, claiming that viewing it made him feel like a second-class citizen. The clinic refused, saying that its current case load and limited resources precluded it from taking new cases at the time. But the clinic's director, Laura Rovner, added in her letter to Wishnatsky, "your persistent and antagonistic actions against the Clinical Education Program and faculty involved would adversely affect our ability to establish an effective client-attorney relationship with you and would consequently impair our ability to provide legal representation."
Wishnatsky sued, claiming that the denial of legal services on the basis of his criticism of the clinical program and its director violated his free speech and equal protection rights. The federal district court agreed, but yesterday the Court of Appeals reversed the trial court's judgment on the pleadings. It said: "No concern about the operation of traditional government functions supports a rule that permits institutions of higher education -- traditionally bastions of free speech and the vigorous exchange of ideas -- to discriminate on the basis of viewpoint in the administration of a clinical legal program." The appellate court added that while "decisions of a clinical program about which cases and clients to accept in an academic environment should be entitled to substantial deference", its justifications are factual defenses and should not be disposed of in a motion on the pleadings. (Here is AP coverage of the case.)
Justice Sunday III Host Criticized For Political Ties
Rev. Barry W. Lynn, exeutive director of AU, said: "Government funding too often sucks churches into partisan politics. After all, if church leaders want to keep the pipeline to tax funding open, they had better back administration policies."
Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum will be among those speaking at the Justice Sunday rally, according to yesterday's Pittsburg Post-Gazette.
Church's Libel Suit Rejected
Recently Published On Religion, Law and Politics
- Former Senator Gary Hart has published God and Ceaser In America: An Essay On Religion and Politics (Fulcrum Books, Nov. 2005).
- Glenn Feldman, ed., Politics and Religion in the White South (University of Kentucky Press, 2005).
- Peter W. Edge. Religion and Law-- An Introduction (Ashgate, 2005).
Articles from SmartCILP:
- Boston University Law Professor Jay D. Wexler, The Scopes Trope, (Reviewing Larry A. Witham, Where Darwin Meets the Bible: Creationists and Evolutionists in America), 93 Geogetown Law Jour. 1693-1721 (2005).
- David L. Abney, Religion and Housing for the Homeless: Using the First Amendment and the Religious Land Use Act to Convert Religious Faith Into Safe, Affordable Housing, 8 Scholar: St. Mary’s Law Review on Minority Issues 1-15 (2005).
- B. Jessie Hill, Putting Religious Symbolism in Context: A Linguistic Critique of the Endorsement Test, 104 Mich. L. Rev. 491-545 (2005).
- Alenka Kuhelj, Religious Freedom in European Democracies, 20 Tulane European & Civil Law Forum 1-35 (2005).
- Eric Stein, The Church and the Constitution for Europe: On the Margin of ... (Reviewing Joseph Weiler, Un' Europa Cristiana -- Un Saggio Esplorativo.) 11 Columbia Journal of European Law 451-460 (2005).
- Haoliang Wu and Bingbin Lu, Prior Consents: Preventing Offensive Genetic Engineering Patents Against Indigenous People's Rights, Global Jurist Frontiers: Vol. 5: No. 1, Article 3 (2005).
- Brendan Michael Groves, Winning Wirzburger and Defeating the Blaine Amendments: Arguing Present Efficacy Instead of Past Intent (2005).
Court Finds Muslim Prisoner's Dietary Requirements Were Met
Thursday, January 05, 2006
Fla. High Court Invalidates School Vouchers Without Reaching Aid To Religion Issue
The relevant words are these: "It is ... a paramount duty of the state to make adequate provision for the education of all children residing within its borders." Using the same term, "adequate provision," article IX, section 1(a) further states: "Adequate provision shall be made by law for a uniform, efficient, safe, secure, and high quality system of free public schools." ... [W]e find that the OSP violates this language. It diverts public dollars into separate private systems parallel to and in competition with the free public schools that are the sole means set out in the Constitution for the state to provide for the education of Florida’s children. This diversion not only reduces money available to the free schools, but also funds private schools that are not "uniform" when compared with each other or the public system. Many standards imposed by law on the public schools are inapplicable to the private schools receiving public monies. In sum, through the OSP the state is fostering plural, nonuniform systems of education in direct violation of the constitutional mandate for a uniform system of free public schools.[Thanks to Anthony Picarello via Religionlaw for the information.]
Clergy To Consecrate Senate Alito Hearing Room
Ohio Gubernatorial Candidate's Ad Criticized For Religious Content
The camera floats above a certificate of Christian baptism as Petro talks about his pro-life stance and 33-year marriage. "We believe that we have to do all that we can to advocate the protection of all life," he says. The camera then hovers gracefully over a Bible (yes, a Bible) resting on a table next to a wedding ring, while Petro discusses the sacred bond of marriage between a man and a woman. Petro closes with this shocker: "Our worship and our faith gives me the opportunity to make decisions that are more effective for people."Magestro concludes: "When the OSU quarterback humbly praises God for his athletic talents, I respect and admire his personal faith. When the attorney general of our state calls on his Christian faith for making decisions on behalf of all Ohioans, I'm appalled."
11th Circuit Issues Unusual Order Clearing Attorney In Textbook-Sticker Case
Earlier this week, the Fulton County Daily Report said that 11th Circuit Judge Edward E. Carnes had demanded that Bramlett provide a written explanation of his assertions about timing. On Dec. 22, a week after the argument, Bramlett filed a 127-page response saying that there were two petitions -- one with more than 2,300 signatures delivered to the school board before the books were purchased, and a smaller petition delivered after the sticker plan was implemented. Upon receiving that explanation, the Court of Appeals instructed the school board's attorney to provide "any evidence regarding the timing of any petitions that may have been filed with the School Board."
After yesterday's order, attorney Bramlett said: "I appreciate the court going to the trouble of putting out that order and, as they say, removing implications."
Maryland Muslim Students Seek Expansion of School Holiday Calendar
Indiana House Speaker Will Not Defy Federal Judge On Prayer
In Dover Re-Vote, Challenger Wins Again
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
Thai Committee Recommends Establishing Buddhism As National Religion
Massachusetts Legislature To Consider Bills Affecting Catholic Church
Three other bills affecting the Catholic Church have also been introduced into the Massachusetts legislature, but face opposition. Two would restructure the state's statute of limitations in civil and criminal cases involving sexual abuse of minors. A fourth bill, already approved by the Massachusetts Senate, is scheduled for House consideration this month. It would require financial reporting to the attorney general by religious organizations. (See prior posting.) The Massachusetts Catholic Conference particularly opposes the proposed changes in the statute of limitations. Its executive director, Edward Saunders, said, ''The position for the church is that it is opposed to any legislation that crosses the lines of separation of church and state." He said the organization opposes elimination of the statute of limitations for sex abuse because ''as time goes by there is a weakening of testimony and evidence."
Breakaway Church and PCUSA In Court Over Title To Property
Israeli Religious Parties Reject Religious Affairs Changes
Dover School Board Rescinds Intelligent Design Policy
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
Italian Case On Proving Existence of Christ Proceeds
In an e-mail sent last September to the Archbishop of Bologna, Cascioli said he would drop the suit if Righi offered just one proof of the existence of Jesus. Cascioli has made many of the documents in his lawsuit available on his website. From the complaint, here is an excerpt from his explanation of the charges:
According to article 661 of the Italian Penal Code, there is an abuse of popular credulity when someone, by means of fraud, deceives a great number of people. In this particular case, the ministers of religion of the Catholic Church, like Righi in the present case, by committing historical falsity, therefore presenting invented facts as if true and actually occurred – but useful to religious doctrine – they deceive all the people that come into contact with the teachings of such religion, by inducing them to believe in that religion, not on the basis of purely theological reasoning (totally legitimate and admissible), but on the basis of a deceptive representation of the facts.
Vermont Enforces Unconstitutional Liquor Regulation
Sikh Temple Dispute Goes On As Members Await Court Appeal
A Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court judge ruled in 2004 that the Temple's membership could be expanded with the many newcomers and that all members are entitled to vote and view financial records. That paved the way for the new leadership. But the old leaders filed a notice of appeal and aruge that until the 8th Ohio District Court of Appeals rules, they should remain in place as Temple leaders.
Two Prisoner Cases From A Few Months Ago
In Pineda-Morales v. De Rosa, 2005 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 37179 (D. NJ., July 6, 2005), a prisoner complained that he was not allowed separate services for the Apostolic Faith Church, arguing that the "trinity doctrine" of other Protestant churches was inconsistent with teachings of his faith. The court denied prison officials' summary judgment motion on one claim, finding that questions of fact remained on whether prison officials employed the least restrictive means when they denied denominational recognition and Saturday meeting time to Plaintiff's group. However summary judgement on various other claims was granted based on exhaustion, statute of limitations and immunity.
Monday, January 02, 2006
Op-Ed Criticizes Democrats' Outreach To Religious Voters
Pending Federal Legislation On Religious Liberty and Church-State
- Workplace Religious Freedom Act- S.677; H.R. 1445.
- Houses of Worship Free Speech Restoration Act- H.R. 235.
- Denial of tax exemption for discriminatory social clubs- H.R. 237.
- Family Education Freedom Act- H.R. 406.
- Bill to allow clergy to revoke their Social Security exemption- H.R. 451.
- Trade sanctions for countries that violate human rights- H.R. 967.
- Tools For Community Initiatives Act- H.R. 1054.
- Tax code's definition of "convention or association of churches"—H.R. 1411.
- Responsibility of pharmacies to fill prescriptions- H.R. 1539, H.R. 1652, S. 809.
- Liberty List Act- H.R. 1662.
- War Memorial Preservation Act—H.R. 2229.
- Religious Freedom Peace Tax Fund Act- H.R. 2631.
- Public Expression of Religion Act- H.R. 2679.
- Commission on Religious Freedom and Respect in the Armed Forces- H.R. 3108.
- Disaster Relief Equity Act- H.R. 3208.
- Religious exemption from furnishing tax identifying numbers- H.R. 3410.
- Voluntary non-denomination prayer at military academies- H.R. 3430.
- Reinstating harboring sanctions for paid alien religious volunteers- H.R. 4321.
- Public Prayer Protection Act- H.R. 4364.
- Extending Equal Access Act to Elementary schools- S. 483.
Role of Shariah In Malaysia Increasingly Questioned
Colorado Mayor Launches Faith-Based Program
Sunday, January 01, 2006
Happy New Year To Religion Clause Readers
Dear Religion Clause Readers,
Happy New Year. A bit over 8 months ago, I began this blog, somewhat on a whim, but with the perception that there was a need for the type of coverage it provides. A half hour after the New Year arrived on the East Coast of the United States, visitor number 22,228 logged onto Religion Clause. That hardly ranks it at the top of world readership, but I am pleased to have attracted those numbers.
Thanks in particular to my regular readers. Your comments, tips, and links from your own blogs are appreciated. If you enjoy Religion Clause, please take a moment today to e-mail others who you think might like to add the blog to their daily reading.
I invite all readers to e-mail me with comments or ideas-- whether on coverage, format, linking policy or other topics. I cannot promise to incorporate every suggestion—after all one of the virtues of blogs is that they permit an author to indulge a personal style and approach without the intervention of editors and marketers. However, I will read all suggestions with an open mind. Happy New Year!
[photo from New Media Journal.us]
Conscientious Objector Claims In U.S. Military Growing
Saturday, December 31, 2005
Creditors of Portland Archdiocese Can Reach Parish Properties
In the major opinion, the court rejected First Amendment challenges to its jurisdiction, holding that a determination of whether parish properties are part of the bankruptcy estate does not involve its deciding a theological or doctrinal matter. Finding that the Archdiocese had not separately incorporated its parishes or schools, the court said:
What defendants ask this court to do in the name of religious freedom is to disregard the choice debtor has made about how to hold property under civil law, because of their argument that the choice leads to a result not consistent with canon law. It is not for the civil courts to enforce canon law if the actions of the religious organization under applicable civil law do not effectuate what canon law requires.However, the court had more difficulty with the Archdiocese claim that the Religious Freedom Restoration Act protected it from having church and school properties sold off to satisfy creditors' claims. In its second opinion, focusing on the bankruptcy trustee's right to ignore claims of parishes and schools to the properties, the court said:
that there is a question of fact whether application of the avoidance powers under Sec. 544(a)(3) might substantially burden the exercise of religion in violation of RFRA, if it were to result in the loss of so many parish churches and Archdiocesan high schools that it would leave defendants with no place to worship and study.However the court left that determinationn to future litigation, suggesting that it might limit the number of properties that could be sold off.
Finally, a third opinion focused on the scope of questioning that the Tort Claimants Committee could engage in when taking the depositions of the Archbishop and other witnesses. Among other things, the court held that the First Amendment does not protect against questions about internal church governance where that is relevant to the Church's patterns, practices, and policies in addressing priest sexual misconduct with minors.
The Associated Press, reporting on the opinions, points out that they mirror an earlier decision in the bankruptcy of the Diocese of Spokane, Washington.
Atypical RLUIPA Issues Decided
Lighthouse Institute For Evangelism, Inc. v. City of Long Branch, 2005 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 36425 (D NJ, Dec. 27, 2005) involved a challenge to Long Branch, New Jersey's Redevelopment Ordinance by a church that wished to locate in an area in which churches were not a "permitted use." One of the church's RLUIPA claims was brought under 42 USC 2000cc(b): "No government shall impose or implement a land use regulation in a manner that treats a religious assembly or institution on less than equal terms with a nonreligious assembly or institution." Rejecting the approach of some other courts, New Jersey federal district Judge William Walls held that subsection (b) is violated only if there has been a "substantial burden" placed on the church's free exercise of religion.
The opinion in Williams v. Gerges, 2005 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 36958 (ED NY, July 26, 2005), which has only recently become available even though it was decided 5 months ago, holds that the four year statute of limitations under 28 USC 1658(a) applies to RLUIPA actions. That provision applies to civil actions arising under any federal law enacted after December 1, 1990. This is so even thought the statute of limitations for a First Amendment claim brought under 42 USC Sec. 1983 may be shorter. Courts have found the limitations period under Section 1983 to be the statute of limitations applicable to personal injury actions occurring in the state in which the federal court sits.
Friday, December 30, 2005
It's Not Over In Dover-- Election Re-Run For 1 Board Seat Tuesday
California's Extension of Time To Sue For Childhood Sexual Abuse Upheld
The court concluded that SB 1779 does not burden the Church's choice, supervision or retention of priests, and that the financial burden in defending lawsuits is not a burden on religious belief or practice. It also found that the statute does not favor or disfavor one religion over others, nor will it lead to excessive entanglement of Church and state. The court found that the claim that defendants due process rights were violated is premature and that SB 1779 is not per se unconstitutional under the Due Process Clause. Finally, it rejected the ex post facto and bill of attainder claims.
Reporting on the decision, last week's Los Angeles Times pointed out that this is the second case to reject constitutional challenges to SB 1779.
NJ Township Permits Creation Of Eruv
Thursday, December 29, 2005
Top Ten 2005 Church-State/ Free Exercise Developments
1. Supreme Court rules on 10 Commandments displays.
2. Intelligent Design is at center of public controversy.
3. Supreme Court nominees are scrutinized over their 1st Amendment religion views.
4. The "Christmas wars" heat up-- "holiday" vs. "Christmas".
5. Government funding of faith-based organizations remains controversial.
6. Proselytization at the Air force Academy creates controversy.
7. RLUIPA is upheld as constitutional by Supreme Court and lower courts.
8. Courts strike down sectarian legislative prayers.
9. Christian student groups demand university recognition: non-discrimination vs. free exercise.
10. Accommodation of Muslim religious beliefs and practices increases.
Also you might want to compare my picks with the Religion Newswriters Association's top 10 news events of 2005, a somewhat broader category than mine.
Judge Denies Request To Amend Indiana Legislative Prayer Ruling
Hindu Couple Appeals Ban On Cows In City Limits
Contempt Finding After Settlement Of Church Dispute Dismissed
RLUIPA and Church Signs
Wednesday, December 28, 2005
O Centro Oral Argument Transcript Now Online
Hawaiian Group In Contempt For Refusing Disclosure of Artifacts
Orthodox Jewish Group Supports Alito
Malaysia Court Rules Against Hindu Widow On Burial
Curandero Indicted For Practicing Medicine Without License
Tuesday, December 27, 2005
Korean Commission Urges Alternate Service For Conscientious Objectors
Texas School Agrees To Accommodate Muslim Prayer
Israeli Politicians Argue Over Hanukkah Grants To Yeshiva Students
Monday, December 26, 2005
No Liquor In Massachusetts On Monday After Christmas
Free Exercise Challenge To Polygamy Ban Avoided
Recently Published Books On Religion, Law and Politics
Barbara A. McGraw and Jo Renee Formicola (eds.), Taking Religious Pluralism Seriously: Spiritual Politics on America's Sacred Ground (Baylor Univ. Press). Reviewed in Sunday's New York Times.
Elizabeth Anne Oldmixon, Uncompromising Positions: God, Sex, and the U.S. House of Representatives (Georgetown Univ. Press).
Birgit Meyer and Annelies Moors (eds.), Religion, Media, and the Public Sphere (Indiana Univ. Press).
Henrik Syse, Natural Law, Religion, and Rights (St. Augustine's Press).
Santorum Withdraws From Thomas More Center Advisory Board
Menorah Compromise In Peabody, Massachusetts
Sunday, December 25, 2005
President's Christmas Message
'Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel' which means, God with us. ---Matthew 1:23
More than 2,000 years ago, a virgin gave birth to a Son, and the God of heaven came to Earth. Mankind had received its Savior, and to those who had dwelled in darkness, the light of hope had come. Each Christmas, we celebrate that first coming anew, and we rejoice in the knowledge that the God who came to Earth that night in Bethlehem is with us still and will remain with us forever.
Christmas is a season of hope and joy, a time to give thanks for the blessing of Christ's birth and for the blessings that surround us every day of the year. We have much to be thankful for in this country, and we have a responsibility to help those in need. Jesus calls us to help others, and acts of kindness toward the less fortunate fulfill the spirit of the Christmas season.
On Christmas, we pray for freedom, justice, and peace on Earth. We remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country and for our freedom, and we ask for God's blessing on their loved ones. We ask God to watch over all of our men and women in uniform. Many are serving in distant lands, helping to advance the cause of freedom and peace. Our entire Nation is grateful to them and prays for their safe return.
Laura and I send our best wishes for a blessed and merry Christmas.
Iraqi Shiites Extend Christmas Greetings To Christian Countrymen
National Menorah To Be Lit Tonight
Saturday, December 24, 2005
Defense Bill Includes Rita-Katrina School Voucher Program
We are very sympathetic to the plight of the students who attend the devastated schools in the Gulf Coast region, but this funding scheme does not provide appropriate firewalls against taxpayer funding of religious instruction and proselytizing – and sets a disturbing precedent for the future.
The provisions approved by Congress do not include necessary prohibitions against using these funds for religious education – or even worship services. Under the bill, parents would be forced to affirmatively act to 'opt-out' their children from these religious worship activities or classes. In addition, this bill would permit federally funded religious discrimination in hiring teachers for these private and religious schools.
Tax Court Rejects Establishment Clause Claim On Deductions
UPDATE: Here is a link to the 9th Circuit decision in the earlier litigation. [Thanks to Expatriate Owl.]