Objective coverage of church-state and religious liberty developments, with extensive links to primary sources.
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Pope Criticizes EU 50th Anniversary Statement
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Ohio's Anti-Funeral Picketing Law Largely Upheld
Preacher Challenging NC City's Permit Requirement
Ohio Ends Contract With Group Administering Faith Based Funds
Friday, March 23, 2007
Russian Museum Sued Over Anti-Christian Art
Demolition Permit Denial Violates Free Exercise Clause
Clergy Breach of Fiduciary Duty Claim Dismissed Under Establishment Clause
Tennessee AG Says Creationism Resolution Does Not Violate Establishment Clause
Despite the resolution, its sponsor Sen. Raymond Finney says that he may reword the resolution. (NCSE release.)
Senate Resolution 17 compels no action regarding religion, and imposes no sanction for disobedience. This resolution is therefore not the type of "law" that may infringe upon the terms of the Establishment Clause.
Furthermore, insofar as Senate Resolution 17 merely asks three questions concerning religion and the teaching of creationism in Tennessee schools, it is difficult to interpret the resolution as a measure "establishing" religion in contravention of the Establishment Clause....
We further do not consider that any reasonable interpretation of Senate Resolution 17 runs afoul of this provision of the Tennessee Constitution. The resolution is completely devoid of any provision suggesting that the Commissioner of Education must satisfy any religious "test" in order to qualify for her office.
NY State Takes Over Religious Discrimination Complaint Against Clinic
French Paper Acquitted On Charges of Publishing Caricatures of Muhammad
Portland Archdiocese Bankruptcy Reorganization Moves Ahead
Vietnam Recognizes Baha'i and 3 Other Groups
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Final Attempt To Overturn Britain's Sexual Orientation Regulations Loses
Taxpayer Challenge To Funding Faith-Based Marriage Counseling Group Dismissed
UPDATE: The full opinion is now available online, as is defendant's motion to dismiss, thanks to the Christian Newswire (CLS press release). [Thanks to Blog from the Capitol for the lead to this update.]
Jordan's Parliament Deletes Controversial Provision In Proposed Press Law
Court Finds Cross On City Water Tower Unconstitutional
German Judge Cites Koran Verse In Denying Accelerated Divorce
UPDATE: In response to widespread criticism of the judge's decision to deny an accelerated divorce, the Court's vice president said that the judge "regrets that the impression arose that she approves of violence in marriage." (International Herald Tribune).
UPDATE: German lawyer Andreas Moser has posted more information on the case suggesting that the media have been exaggerating the holding. He says that the opinion focuses on whether the government will pay for counsel for the wife instead of requiring her to wait 2 more months to obtain her divorce after the 1-year waiting period. [Thanks to Dispatches from the Culture Wars for the lead.]
Father Sues LDS Church Over Ordination Of Sons
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Catholic-Jewish Commission Speaks On Religious Freedom
Even though the Enlightenment helped bring about a purification from the abuse of religion, secular society still requires religious foundations to sustain lasting moral values....
While on principle the state should not at all limit freedom of religion for individuals and communities nor of moral conscience, it has the responsibility to guarantee the wellbeing and security of society. Accordingly it is obliged to intervene wherever and whenever a threat is posed by the promotion, teaching or exercise of violence and specifically terrorism and psychological manipulation in the name of religion.
In addition to respecting the freedom of religious choices, the integrity of faith communities should also be guaranteed. Accordingly it is legitimate for a society with a predominant religious identity to preserve its character, as long as this does not limit the freedom of minority communities and individuals to profess their alternative religious commitments, nor to limit their full civil rights and status as citizens, individuals and communities....
[T]here is a special obligation upon religious leaders and communities to prevent the improper use of religion and to educate towards respect for diversity which is essential in order to ensure a healthy, stable and peaceful society.