Terrorist Suspect Asks Judge For Quran

One of the six men arrested this week on terrorism charges for plotting to kill soldiers at Fort Dix (NJ) was Eljvir Duka. He was one of three brothers-- ethnic Albanians-- charged in the plot. (Background from NYT.) Yesterday, Duka’s lawyer appeared before a federal magistrate judge in Camden, NJ to request a copy of the Quran for his client. The Newark Star-Ledger reports Magistrate Judge Joel Schneider ruled that first a request should be made to prison officials. Only if they refuse should the lawyer bring the case back to the court.

Student-Led High School Graduation Prayers Challenged

In Ouachita Parish, Louisiana, the school board voted earlier this month to allow students at each of the parish's six high schools to decide whether or not they want to include a prayer in their graduation ceremonies this year. The Ouachita Parish High School class voted unanimously to include prayer, according to its principal Todd Guice. Guice says he offered any student who objected an opportunity to discuss the issue privately with him, but none did. This week, the Louisiana branch of the ACLU faxed a letter to the the high school and the school board alleging that the new policy is unconstitutional. The Leesville Daily Leader today reports on Superintendent Bob Webber’s response: "We are simply allowing the students to continue the tradition of prayer at graduation. We're going to allow it with little or no influence by the adults concerned."

Parishioners Sue Over Consolidation of Mississippi Catholic Parishes

The Gulfport, MS Sun Herald today reports that 156 members of Holy Family Parish, formerly St. Paul Parish in Pass Christian, Mississippi, have filed a lawsuit against Bishop Thomas J. Rodi, the Diocese of Biloxi and Holy Family pastor the Rev. Dennis Carver. The suit by parishioners who object to the Diocese's decision to consolidate two parishes into one, seeks to require the diocese to rebuild St. Paul's church that was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina on its prior beachfront location. The suit also asks for an accounting of the funds that were contributed to St. Paul’s Parish after Katrina.

Bishop Rodi published a statement on Friday in response to the lawsuit, saying that the lawsuit "is an attempt to have the courts order the Catholic Church to have a church building at a specific place. If this lawsuit would be successful, it would mean, in effect, that the courts would tell the Catholic Church where God must be worshipped, where Mass and the other sacraments must be celebrated, and how the Catholic Church must use the financial resources of Holy Family Parish. This lawsuit attacks both the unity and liberty of the Church."

Kenya Judge Rejects Push By Christian Sect To Wear Headscarfs In School

According to today's Kenya Times, a judge in the High Court in Kenya has rejected the claim of students from a Christian sect known as the Arata A. Roho Mutheru Society that they were unconstitutionally expelled from school for wearing headscarves. (See prior posting.) Justice Joseph Nyamu held that the students had not produced proof they were expelled, that they did not show that wearing a headscarf was in fact required by their religion, and that at any rate the requirement in the Education Act that school students wear uniforms does not clash with the Constitutional principle of equality.

New Head of Army Chaplain Corps Designated

ChurchExecutive.com reported yesterday that Chaplain Brigadier General Douglas Carver has been promoted to the rank of Major General for assignment as the U.S. Army’s Chief of Chaplains. If, as expected, his promotion is approved by the Senate Armed Services Committee, Carver will be the first Southern Baptist since 1954 to head the Army’s Chaplain Corps. He currently serves as Deputy Chief of Chaplains. Carver ‘s official promotion will come at a "Change of Stole" ceremony scheduled for July 12 at Fort Belvoir.

NH Supreme Court: No Tax Exemption For Church Used As Warehouse

In Appeal of City of Nashua, (NH Sup. Ct., May 11, 2007), the New Hampshire Supreme Court yesterday gave a narrow reading to the state statute that grants a property tax exemption for "buildings … owned, used and occupied directly for … religious purposes by any regularly recognized and constituted denomination…." It held that a tax exemption was not available for two Catholic church buildings that had been deconsecrated and which were being used to store items of religious significance such as altars, stained glass windows, a cross, organs, statues and pews. The court said that the mere storage of religious objects in a deconsecrated church, on a temporary basis, is not use of the building for "religious purposes." Yesterday’s Boston Globe reported on the decision.

Romney's Religious Beliefs Attract Increasing Attention

The religious views of Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney have attracted increased attention by the media. If nominated, he would be the first Mormon presidential candidate of a major political party. Less than two weeks ago, PBS produced a 4-hour series on The Mormons. Shown on Frontline, it is currently still available for viewing online (with related background material). That no doubt piqued public interest in Romney's views.

This week, Time Magazine has Romney on the cover, and carries two articles about his religious views and their likely impact in the election: What Romney Believes and Romney's Mormon Question. Then the New York Times today ran an article titled: Romney Elaborates on Evolution, following up on the candidate's position staked out in last week's Republican debates. It quotes Romney's interesting formulation: "I'm not exactly sure what is meant by intelligent design. But I believe God is intelligent and I believe he designed the creation. And I believe he used the process of evolution to create the human body." [Thanks to Melissa Rogers and Blog from the Capital for leads.]

NJ School Board Settles Complaint About Teacher's In-Class Proselytizing

Today's New York Times reports that the Kearny, New Jersey, Board of Education voted 6-1 Tuesday night to approve a settlement with the parents of high schooler Matthew LaClair. The LeClairs had filed a lawsuit complaining about in-class proselytizing by Matthew's history teacher, David Paszkiewicz. (See prior postings 1, 2.) Matthew had recorded his teacher, who is also a Baptist minister, saying that students who do not accept Jesus belong in Hell, that the "Big Bang" theory is unscientific and that dinosaurs were on Noah's Ark. In the settlement, the school agreed to have the Anti-Defamation League train students and teachers about separation of church and state (including issues regarding the teaching of creationism). Also under the settlement agreement, the Board will issue a statement praising Matthew for his "courage and integrity," and the LaClairs will issue a statement commending the Board of Education. Additional postings about the settlement are at Melissa Rogers and Blog from the Capital.

Native Americans Say TN Bill Protecting Team Names Infringes Religious Rights

Yesterday, the Tennessee Senate passed HB 133 that prohibits agencies like the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association from interfering with the right of any public or private school "to continue to honor American Indians and the heritage of such institution through the use of American Indian symbols, names, and mascots." The House has already passed the bill.

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

In Wales, government agricultural officials say that a Friesian bull named Shambo tests positive for tuberculosis and needs to be slaughtered. However Shambo is part of a herd of 35 cows and bullocks kept on the grounds of a Hindu temple near near Carmarthen, west Wales. Killing cows and bulls violates Hindu religious principles. Today's London Telegraph reports that Shambo has now been placed in a shrine inside the Skanda Vale Temple, but local farmers say that does not guarantee against the spread of TB. They want the slaughter to proceed. 3500 people have signed an online petition against slaughtering the animal; monks are planning to file a lawsuit; and Hindu leaders are threatening to form a human shield to prevent the animal from being slaughtered. Britain's Hindu Council has gotten involved, and a member of Parliament, Andrew Dismore, the Labour MP for Hendon, has introduced a resolution calling for the Environmental Secretary to stop the planned culling.

Hopi Religious Accommodation Claim Held to Be Moot

This week, an Arizona federal Magistrate Judge dismissed as moot an interesting religious accommodation claim by members of the Hopi Indian Tribe. Joshevama v. Office of Surface Mining, 2007 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 34097 (D AZ, May 8, 2007), is apparently part of a larger conflict between traditional Hopis and the Hopi tribal government over proposals to operate and develop the Black Mesa coal mine. In the case, a group of traditional Hopis claimed that the federal government violated the Religious Freedom Restoration Act by setting the public comment period on a draft environmental impact statement for the Black Mesa Project to coincide with their winter religious ceremonial calendar. From November through February, traditional Hopis are prohibited from engaging in government or significant non-religious pursuits. However the court found that the Office of Surface Mining had subsequently extended the comment period through May 11.

Archbishop of Cantebury Praises Tony Blair

Christian Today reports that as Britain's Prime Minister Tony Blair announced that he would leave office next month, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, issued a statement praising Blair's dedication to religious freedom. He said in part:

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

In Fall River, Massachusetts, Sheriff Thomas Hodgson yesterday called a press conference to counter complaints by Americans United for Separation of Church and State over a Christian drug and alcohol rehabilitation program for men who have recently been release from prison. South Coast Today reported that a defiant sheriff defended the well-established Teen Challenge program run in a state-owned house by a Pentecostal pastor. All eleven men in the program have completed their prison sentences and have volunteered for the 15 month residential program involving counseling, fundraising and prayer. He says the program has a much better record at preventing recidivism than secular programs do.

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

Black American Web yesterday reported on a lawsuit filed in Florida by Rev. O'Neal Dozier, pastor of the World Wide Christian Center, who is trying to prevent the construction of a mosque in a black neighborhood in Pompano Beach. The city last year approved a zoning change to allow the new building for the growing Muslim congregation to be built near two black Christian churches. However, Dozier claims that the new mosque would pose a homeland security issue. The lawsuit alleges loose connections between the mosque's imam, Hassan Sabri, and various terrorist groups. Dozier objects to moving the mosque from its current location in a "white" beach community to a black community near one of the largest prisons in Broward County. He says this increases the risk that radicals will find new recruits to indoctrinate.

English Ecclesiastical Court Debating Ethics Of Internet-Ready Mobile Phones

Life Style Extra yesterday carried a fascinating report about a case that is currently being argued on appeal in the little-known Court of Arches, the Church of England's highest appellate court. At issue is whether Anglican churches can rent out space on their steeples to mobile phone companies for use as cell phone transmission towers. At least 37 chruches around Britain have done so, finding this to be an excellent source of income. Indeed the Archbishop's Council has even entered a National Agreement with QS4 appointing it as the approved installer of transmitting and receiving equipment on church towers, and creating a standard installation agreement tailored to the needs of churches. However, recently George Pulman, QC, the chancellor of the Chelmsford Consistory Court, ruled that the parish of St. Peter and St. Paul in Chingford, Essex could not enter an agreement with QS4 because T-Mobile's new Internet capable mobile phones allow users to view sexually explicit websites. Pulman held that the church should not be making money from "revolting and damaging pornography".

Pope Criticizes Mexican Legislators Over Abortion Vote

Pope Benedict XVI, speaking to reporters yesterday on his way to Brazil, attracted attention when he said he agreed that Catholic legislators who voted to legalize abortion in Mexico City should rightfully be considered excommunicated. (See prior posting.) Later a spokesman backed away from the Pope's statement, saying that the Pope might have incorrectly inferred from the question that Mexican bishops had formally excommunicated the legislators. In a statement approved by the Pope, Rev. Federico Lombardi said: "Since excommunication hasn't been declared by the Mexican bishops, the Pope has no intention himself of declaring it." But he added that these legislators should not receive the sacrament of Holy Communion: "Legislative action in favor of abortion is incompatible with participation in the Eucharist. ... Politicians exclude themselves from Communion." The story and other aspects of the Pope's trip are covered by the Associated Press and the Los Angeles Times.

Activist Charges Iowa VA Hospital Proselytized Jewish Patient

In Iowa City, Iowa today, Mikey Weinstein, founder of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, will hold a press conference to focus on alleged religious discrimination and Christian proselytizing at the Iowa City Veterans Hospital & Clinics (press release). Weinstein says that Orthodox Jewish veteran David Miller has been subjected to evangelization and anti-Semitism at the hospital. He was denied kosher food and was visited by a chaplain who tried to convince Miller that he needed Jesus while Miller was suffering acute chest pains wired to a heart monitor.

Court Agrees With Executed Man's Religious Objection To Autopsy

Tennessee State Medical Examiner Bruce Levy thinks that autopsies should be performed on the body of any prisoner who has been executed. However, this week, a Tennessee federal judge upheld the request by Philip Workman that for religious reasons there be no autopsy on him. Workman was executed yesterday using a new lethal injection process. A hearing will be held Monday to decide whether state officials can obtain samples of blood and other bodily fluids from Workman's body. The story is reported by today's Tennessean. Convicted of killing a policeman, Workman also made the news when, just before his execution, he used his last-meal request to ask that a vegetarian pizza be delivered to a homeless shelter. The Tennessean reports that when authorities refused, people from across the country sent pizza to Nashville's Union Rescue Mission.

NY Corrections Department Settles Suit, Agreeing That Officer Can Wear Kufi

Yesterday, the New York Civil Liberties union announced that a settlement has been reached in a suit that it filed last year against the New York Department of Correctional Services (DOCS) on behalf of Abdus Samad Haqq, a Muslim corrections officer who had been prohibited from wearing a kufi (skullcap) at work. In March 2007, the U.S. Department of Justice filed a companion suit alleging that DOCS should have accommodated Haqq's religious needs. In the settlement that has been filed with the federal district court (full text), DOCS agrees that Haqq "shall be permitted to wear a solid-colored, dark blue or black, close-fitting kufi at all times while on duty at Lincoln Correctional Facility or any other DOCS work-release facility." Reuters yesterday reported on the settlement.

Church Sanctuary Movement Is Beginning To Protect Immigrants

Religious leaders around the country, pressing for immigration law reform, are cautiously moving toward creating a sanctuary movement. The AP reports that in Los Angeles yesterday, churches gave sanctuary to two men from Mexico and Guatemala as 30 priests, pastors, imams and rabbis blessed them. Meanwhile, in New York a gathering of clergy at Manhattan's Roman Catholic Church of St. Paul the Apostle also focused on the issue. Participants said that their support for families who are facing unjust deportation orders might include physical sanctuary at some point. (AP)