Objective coverage of church-state and religious liberty developments, with extensive links to primary sources.
Friday, May 11, 2007
Native Americans Say TN Bill Protecting Team Names Infringes Religious Rights
The Kingsport Times-News yesterday reported that Tennessee Commission of Indian Affairs opposed the bill. Last January the TCIA told the state's Human Rights Commission that: "The use of (eagle) feathers, sacred pipes (miscalled peace pipes), sacred drums, the dances, the Indian songs, even painted faces are all part of sacred ceremonies used by Native American Indians and misused by non-Indians as 'rituals' at sports games where they also misuse our tribal names with the addition of horrendous caricatures." TCIA Chair Evangeline W. Lynch made the same point in testimony before the Tennessee Senate State and Local Government Committee last month saying that the misuse of these symbols are an attack upon Native American religions.
In Wales, Hindus Protest Plans To Slaughter Diseased Bull
Hopi Religious Accommodation Claim Held to Be Moot
Archbishop of Cantebury Praises Tony Blair
Tony Blair has understood as well as any Prime Minister in recent times why religion matters, how faith communities contribute to the common good and why religious extremism should have no place in a progressive society. As a man of genuine personal faith, he has not shied away from the risk associated with confronting extremism, while respecting difference.... There have naturally been differences of vision and judgement between the Prime Minister and the Church of England, not least over the Iraq war, but he has been consistently willing to allow these disagreements to be voiced and discussed openly.
Sheriff Defends Faith-Based Post-Release Program
Sheriff Hodgson released a letter saying: "the argument that somehow we should not allow a recovery program to operate in a transition home purchased by the Sheriff's Department would mean that we must suspend all religious activity and spiritual access within our prison walls." He went on: "You may be further upset to know that we also have conducted over 20 religious retreats at our Dartmouth facility, increased our work activities on churches, and encouraged Bible study among our population. These activities are based on voluntary participation and will continue in spite of your objections."
Minister Sues To Prevent Mosque Construction: Claims National Security
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.