Indian State Ends Brahmin Monopoly On Priesthood

In another blow to the traditional caste system, the Indian state of Tamil Nadu last month announced that persons of all castes could become Hindu temple priests (archakas). Presently only Brahmins are permitted to become priests. The government's decision was prompted by a decision of the Supreme Court in 2002. Chennai yesterday reported that the government has now set up a seven-member committee, headed by a retired judge of the Madras High Court, to decide on qualifications and training for appointment as a priest. At least one blogger worries that these developments turn the appointment of priests into a secular matter.

Chabad Suit Against Hollywood, Fla. May Settle As Judge Says Zoning Law Is Vague

In a pending federal lawsuit brought by a Jewish Chabad Congregation and the U.S. Department of Justice challenging Hollywood, Florida's removal of a special zoning exception that had been granted for operating a synagogue, the judge has informally announced that she plans to rule that the city's zoning law is too vague. (See prior posting.) In light of this, one member of Hollywood City Council is urging a special meeting to discuss settling the case, according to yesterday's South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Chabad's attorney has sent the city a settlement offer. Officials fear that if the court issues a formal ruling, this will tie their hands in trying to protect neighborhoods from disruption by religious institutions.

CSCE Still Concerned Over Romania's Draft Religion Law

The U.S. Helsinki Commission (CSCE) last week expressed continuing concern about the draft legislation being considered by the Judicial Committee and the Human Rights Committee of Romania's lower house of Parliament, after the bill's rushed passage last year by Romania's Senate. (See prior posting.) It is reported that legislative committees have approved an amendment criminalizing "aggressive proselytizing" with fines or jail terms of up to three years. The Senate-passed draft would create a burdensome registration system. In order to gain the most preferential status, religious communities would need to wait 12 years and show their membership exceeds 0.1% of the population of Romania, or 23,000 persons. Approximately 25% of the 18 currently registered religious groups would not have enough members to meet that requirement.

Liquor Licenses Threaten Quiet At Native American Religious Site

In Sturgis, South Dakota, for the third time since April the Meade County Commission approved alcohol licenses for the annual August Black Hills Motorcycle Rally, according to today’s Rapid City (South Dakota) Journal. The licenses are opposed by Native American groups who say they need peace and quiet at Bear Butte where Plains Indians have participated in Sun Dances and other religious ceremonies for centuries. Opponents of the licenses have now raised new questions about compliance with environmental and historic preservation laws.

Florida Supreme Court Hears Arguments In Religious Sales Tax Exemption Case

The Associated Press reports that on Friday, the Florida Supreme Court heard arguments in Wiccan Religious Cooperative of Florida v. Zingale (see prior posting). In the case, a Wiccan group is challenging the constitutionality of a Florida law (Title 14 Fla. Stat., Sec. 212.06(9)) that grants a sales tax exemption for religious publications, bibles, hymn books, prayer books, vestments, altar paraphernalia, sacramental chalices, and like church service and ceremonial raiments and equipment. The state court of appeals held that the Wiccan group lacks standing to bring the case because it is recognized as a religion and thus benefits from the exemption. In response to a question from the court during argument, Florida Solicitor General James McKee conceded that plaintiffs could start over and file the suit as taxpayers. However he said that in this case, no evidence was ever introduced to show that the Cooperative is a taxpayer. If the Supreme Court decides that plaintiffs have standing, it could then decide the substantive constitutional issue, or could remand it to the court of appeals to consider the issue further.

Soup Kitchen Battles Florida City For Right To Operate

Yesterday’s Fort Myers (Florida) News-Press reported that in Fort Myers Beach last week, city officials and a soup kitchen called God’s Table came closer to going to court. Residents of the Florida town claim that God’s Table, which gives food, clothing, showers and some health care to the Beach’s homeless, is responsible for the growing problems of drinking, littering, public urination and sleeping under homes by street people. God’s Table says that the transient problem has existed for decades, and would be much worse if it did not exist. The city claims that God’s Table is in violation of zoning laws, but the soup kitchen says that as a religious group its activities are protected by the First Amendment and by Florida’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act. The two sides plan to continue meeting to try to find solutions.

Buddhist Group Denied Tax Exemption For Vacant Property

Upstate New York’s Times Herald-Record reports that in Shawangunk, NY, a town of 12,000, a state trial court judge has ruled against a Buddhist group in its controversial application for a tax exemption for 42 acres of property which it bought. The World Buddhist Ch'an Jing Center bought up the land with no particular plans for it. Judge Michael Lynch ruled that the land was not being used for religious purposes as is required to obtain a property tax exemption. The town’s Assessor, Curt Schoeberl, lashed out at the group for its attempt to deprive the town of some $32,000 in tax revenue. He said: "The people that run these organizations have no consciences. They don't understand what they do to the community when they take these large parcels off the tax rolls. The services are still being required. ... It just keeps getting worse and worse. The laws have to be changed."

10th Circuit Upholds Police Officer's Religious Freedom Claim

In Shrum v. City of Coweta, (10th Cir., June 8, 2006), the U.S. 10th Circuit Court of Appeals said summary judgment should not be granted to an Oklahoma town, its police chief and its city manager, in a suit by a former police officer alleging infringement of his free exercise of religion, as well as of various other constitutional rights. Officer Rex Shrum, who also served a pastor of the Coweta Church of Christ, was promised when he joined the police force that he would have Wednesday evenings and Sundays off so he could continue his ministerial duties. However, he was later required to begin to work on Sundays. The court held that while the mere failure to accommodate Shrum’s religious needs in the face of a neutral employment requirement does not amount to a First Amendment violation, here Shrum is alleging something more. He claims that he was moved to the Sunday day shift precisely because the Police Chief knew that this would conflict with his religious commitment. The court held that if Shrum’s religious commitment was the motivating factor in forcing the employment change, it would constitute a First Amendment violation.

Romney's Presidential Bid and His Mormon Religion

Today’s Weekend Edition of the Wall Street Journal (subscription required) carries a front-page article on Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney’s potential bid for the presidency and how his Mormon religious faith will impact his chances.

The article begins with an account of Romney’s dead-pan humor speaking to the Republican Jewish Coalition in Palm Beach, Florida:

"You may have heard that I’m Mormon," Mr. Romney told the crowd, adding that it’s "very difficult being Mormon" in Massachusetts, where same-sex marriage is legalized. "You see for us, marriage is a relationship between a man and a woman and a woman and a woman."

In meetings with Christian conservatives, Romney is able to say, "I personally believe that Jesus Christ is my savior." He contends that voters will choose “individuals who are people of faith”, but he does not think that the "brand of faith" should matter.

Romney’s consultants do not believe that his religious affiliation will be as important to voters as political insiders are suggesting. Strategists believe, however, that Romney will eventually have to confront the religious issue directly.

Arizona Judges Sued; Discrimination Against Mormon Law Clerk Alleged

The Arizona Republic reports today that earlier this week a former judicial law clerk and a current court employee filed federal civil rights suits against two Arizona Court of Appeals judges. Regina Pangerl accuses Judge Susan Ehrlich of discriminating against her because she is Mormon. Her claim apparently has merit because the state's Commission on Judicial Conduct reprimanded Judge Ehrlich in a non-public proceeding. Pangerl also accuses Chief Judge Sheldon Weisberg of intimidating her into quitting when she requested a transfer from her position with Judge Erlich. In a second suit, Luz Hellman, who is married to one Court of Appeals judge and works for another, accused Judge Weisberg of threatening her with criminal prosecution and dismissal after she leaked two internal memos related to Pangerl's complaints against Ehrlich.

Cert. Petition Filed In Challenge To School Muslim Role-Playing

The Thomas More Law Center, representing plaintiffs, on May 31 filed a petition for certiorari in the U.S. Supreme Court in the case of Eklund v. Byron Union School District in which the 9th Circuit dismissed a challenge to elementary school role playing activities that were designed to acquaint students with Islam. (See prior posting.) WorldNetDaily reports on the filing of the cert. petition and the background of the case.

New Jersey Court Permits Suit Over Omitted Funeral Ritual

Yesterday in Menorah Chapels at Millburn v. Needles, (NJ App., June 8, 2006), a New Jersey appellate court held that the First Amendment does not bar it from granting relief in a suit by an Orthodox Jewish family against a funeral home for breach of contract. The contract with the funeral home obligated it to furnish individuals ("shomerim") to be with the body continually until burial, in accordance with Jewish tradition. However, shomerim were present only part of the time. The court held that "Although the services at issue may be required under the tenets of the orthodox Jewish faith, the dispute does not concern the manner in which they were performed, but solely whether they were performed at all – a non-doctrinal matter." The court went on to hold that the deceased's family could be entitled to recover consequential damages for the emotional distress they suffered. The Morris County New Jersey Daily Record carries a news account of the court's decision.

Britain's Religious Groups Fight Sexual Orientation Anti-Discrimination Proposals

Earlier this year, Britain's Parliament passed the Equality Act which authorizes the government to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in the provision of goods, facilities and services, in education, and in the exercise of public functions. In March, the government issued a Consultation Paper indicating that it planned to introduce implementing regulations in October 2006. The new Regulations would cover discrimination against gays, lesbians and bisexuals in providing goods, facilities and services. The Consultation Paper indicated that the government was proposing only limited exemptions for religious organizations. It said that exemptions should be limited to activities closely linked to religious observance or practices that arise from the basic doctrines of a faith. It would not exempt social services offered by religious organizations, commercial activities, or services offered under government contracts.

Yesterday, CNSNews.com reported that a coalition of religious groups has begun a vigorous campaign against the proposed regulations. The Lawyers' Christian Fellowship suggested some of the ways in which the proposed regulations would impact religious institutions. Schools run by the Church of England might be accused of bias in favor of heterosexual relationships in sex education classes. Christians who run bed-and-breakfasts would be forced to rent rooms to same-sex couples. Religious newspapers would not be able to turn down advertisements from homosexual pressure groups.

Texas Court Refuses To Decide Church Dispute Over Board Members

In Grenais v. Metropolitan Isaiah, (Tex. App., June 8, 2006), a Texas state appellate court has dismissed a suit asking the court to decide who are the rightful trustees (parish council) of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Houston, Texas. A dispute between the originally elected parish council and Father Karambis, the pastor of the church, led him and Metropolitan Isaiah to demand resignations of the parish council and to the Metropolitan's removing those who refused to resign. The pastor and Metropolitan then appointed an interim council to run the Cathedral. The court held that the First Amendment precluded it from adjudicating the dispute. It said that the controversy inherently involves a presiding bishop's power to discipline a local parish council; to determine whether the council's members have violated their oath; and an archdiocese's right to insist on the by-laws may be adopted by its subordinate parishes.

Scientologists Challenge Nebraska's Infant Blood Test Law

The Associated Press reports on a lawsuit in federal district court in Lincoln, Nebraska. Ray and Louise Spiering have asked a judge to declare unconstitutional Nebraska's law that requires screening of newborns for various metabolic diseases within 48 hours of birth. Testing involves pricking an infant's heel to draw five drops of blood. However, the Spierings, who are Scientologists, believe that babies should have seven days of silence after birth, and that drawing blood draw before then could cause the child to later experience extreme physical and mental trauma. In 2004, U.S. District Judge Richard Kopf granted the Spierings a temporary restraining order allowing them to delay their infant's screening until after seven days. Now they are asking the court to rule that the absence of a religious exemption in Nebraska's law should lead to its being invalidated.

Religiously Diverse Coronation Suggested In England

Great Britain's Universe Newsroom reports that Lord Carey, the former Archbishop of Canteburry, has suggested that when Prince Charles eventually takes the throne, his coronation should be a multi-faith event. Lord Carey says that Britain is now much more religiously diverse than it was when Queen Elizabeth took the throne. However, Catholic MP Ann Widdecombe argues that the coronation should remain essentially an Anglican ritual since that is the established church of the country. Back in 1994 Prince Charles said he wished to be referred to as defender "of faith" rather than of "the faith".

Dutch Queen Criticized For Her Mosque Visit

On Wednesday, Expatica reported that a member of the Dutch Parliament has strongly criticized Queen Beatrix and Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende following the queen's recent visit to a mosque in The Hague. The mosque was celebrating its 50th birthday. At the mosque, the queen removed her shoes and refrained from shaking hands with Muslim men. Subsequently the Prime Minister praised the queen's actions as an example of tolerance in action. Independent Conservative MP Geert Wilders said that the queen and prime minister are far too tolerant. He said, "We must instead make the case for Dutch norms and values."

Catholic School Teacher Who Signed Pro-Choice Ad Loses 3rd Circuit Appeal

Yesterday, in Curay-Cramer v. Ursuline Academy of Wilmington Delaware, Inc., (3rd Cir., June 7, 2006), the U.S. Third Circuit Court of Appeals rejected employment discrimination claims by a female teacher who was fired from her position as a 7th/8th grade teacher at a Catholic school after she signed a pro-choice advertisement in a local newspaper. The court found that Curay-Cramer failed to state a claim under anti-retaliation provisions of Title VII because the ad she endorsed did not mention any practices by her employer that she was opposing. The court then went on to reject Curay-Cramer's claim that she was treated differently than male employees who spoke out on other issues in opposition to doctrines of the Catholic Church. The court said that it would pose substantial constitutional questions if it were to apply Title VII here because it would be required to decide if other issues were as important to the Church as its anti-abortion stance. In dismissing the claim, the court relied upon the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in NLRB v. Catholic Bishop of Chicago. Today's Delaware News Journal covers the decision. [Thanks to Anthony J. Picarello, Jr. via Religionlaw for the lead.]

Vatican Loses Sovereign Immunity Claim In Priest Abuse Case

Yesterday's Washington Post reports that a federal district court in Portland, Oregon has held that the victim of a priest's sexual abuse may continue with his claim against the Holy See, ruling against the Vatican's claim of sovereign immunity. The suit says that the Vatican conspired with the Archdiocese of Portland and the archbishop of Chicago to protect the Rev. Andrew Ronan by moving him from Ireland to Chicago to Portland despite a history of abuse. Federal District Judge Michael Mosman held that there was enough of a connection between the Vatican and the priest that he could be considered an employee of the Vatican under Oregon law. This then could bring the Vatican within an exception in the U.S. Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act that permits personal injury suits to be filed against a foreign government if the plaintiff's injury was caused by a tortious act or omission of an employee of the foreign government acting in the scope of employment (with certain exceptions).

UPDATE: The full opinion in John Doe v. The Holy See (D. Ore., June 7, 2006) is now available online courtesy of Mirror of Justice.

Secular Israelis Decry Religion In Israeli Schools

In Israel, secular Jews are strongly criticizing Orthodox rabbis who are convincing teenagers in high schools to become religiously observant. A column by Shahar Ilan in today's Haaretz strongly criticizes in-school and after-school activities, saying it is "an attempt to get [teenagers] when they are confused and unformed, and to incite them against their families."