Objective coverage of church-state and religious liberty developments, with extensive links to primary sources.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
English Ecclesiastical Court Debating Ethics Of Internet-Ready Mobile Phones
Pope Criticizes Mexican Legislators Over Abortion Vote
Activist Charges Iowa VA Hospital Proselytized Jewish Patient
Court Agrees With Executed Man's Religious Objection To Autopsy
NY Corrections Department Settles Suit, Agreeing That Officer Can Wear Kufi
Church Sanctuary Movement Is Beginning To Protect Immigrants
Town Will Change Limits On Church Signs; Agrees To Injunction
Paraguayan Bishop May Be Kept Off Ballot Under Country's Constitution
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
Decision For NYSE Former Chairman Has Implications For Religious Non-Profits
RI Bill Would Ban Altering Holiday Concepts and Symbols
Gonzales Speaks On DOJ's Enforcement of Religious Liberty Protections
The Department of Justice has aggressively enforced the laws against religious discrimination in everything from education, to employment, to fair housing. For example, after years without any investigations involving religious discrimination in education, the Department has opened 40 investigations....
In one case we stood in defense of Nashala Hearn, a Muslim girl in the sixth grade in Muskogee, Oklahoma, whose school told her that she could not wear a headscarf required by her faith.... I'm especially proud of these cases, because no child should have to choose between the right to practice her religion and the right to an education.
As part of our ongoing efforts to strengthen and preserve religious liberty..., in February I unveiled ... the First Freedom Project.... We also have worked actively to protect those who have been endangered because of their religion or ethnicity.... In one case a man... built two incendiary devices... and attacked the Islamic Center of El Paso, Texas....
And we saw subtler forms of bigotry, imposed not through fire, but through law, as communities used zoning rules to restrict religious freedom. When the Muslim Community Center in Morton Grove, Illinois, wanted to expand its facilities... they encountered exactly this type of backlash. The Department mediated a resolution.... We aggressively pursue hate crimes and discrimination cases like these because they strike not just at individuals but at whole communities.
Hearing Held In Challenge To NC Ban On Use Of Quran To Swear In Witnesses
Islamic Militants Confiscate Music Tapes In Pakistan Tribal Province
Preacher Challenges Permit Requirement and Noise Limits Imposed By Alabama City
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
Wall Street Journal Profiles Alliance of Russian Rabbi and Putin
Christian Group Supports Comprehensive Immigration Reform
9th Circuit Rejects Religious Challenge To Social Security
Jonathan Hansen, a Mormon, said he interpreted the teachings of his church as being opposed to participation in the Social Security system. The court held that the Anti-Injunction Act precludes it from deciding Hansen's claim that he is eligible for the exemption or else that the portion of the statute that renders him ineligible is unconstitutional. It ordered these claims dismissed. The court went on to dismiss Hansen's claims challenging the requirement to have a social security number and his claim that various Treasury regulations unconstitutionally discriminate against him. The court said that Hansen's complaint failed to specify which regulations and statutes are being challenged. Reuters yesterday reported on the decision and Hansen's reaction to it. [Thanks to How Appealing for the lead.]