Seattle Airport Opts For Secular Holiday Display This Year

After a highly publicized controversy last year over the display of Christmas trees and a request to display a Hanukkah menorah (see prior posting), this year Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is opting for a non-religious seasonal display. Friday's Seattle Post-Intelligencer reports that the airport will feature a display of birch trees surrounded by lights in an artificial snow bank. Airport deputy managing director Michael Feldman said, "we’re featuring peace and harmony". The attorney representing a rabbi who was at the center of last year’s controversy says that the Airport instead should have had a multicultural display recognizing various religious and ethnic groups.

Unlicensed Marriage Gives Husband No Control Over Funeral Rites

Last Thursday, the Delaware Chancery court in Wilmington refused to issue an order blocking Christian funeral services for murder victim Jeanea Irvin, who had converted to Islam eight years ago. Saturday’s Wilmington News-Journal reports that Irvin’s husband, Timothy Boyer, had asked the court to stop the funeral being planned by Irvin’s family so she could be buried according to Islamic law. However, Timothy and Jeanea had married in 2006 in a religious ceremony without obtaining a civil marriage license. The court ruled this meant the marriage was not recognized under Delaware law, and the normal rights Irvin’s husband would have to determine the details of her funeral instead passed to her parents.

UPDATE: The full opinion is now available on LEXIS: Boyer v. Irvin, 2007 Del. Ch. LEXIS 146 (DE Ch., Oct. 19, 2007).

Legislator Urges Schools To Seek Exemption From Moment of Silence

Legislative opponents of Illinois' new mandatory moment of silence in school classrooms are now suggesting that school boards take a different route, according to yesterday's Chicago Tribune. Illinois law, 105 ILCS 5/2-3.25g, permits school districts to seek a waiver of any mandate imposed by the School Code on various grounds, including when necessary to improve student performance. State Representative Jeff Schoenberg has written to Evanston/Skokie School District 65 urging it to seek a waiver of the moment-of-silence requirement on the ground that it is an unnecessary interference with teachers' management of their classrooms which has nothing to do with improving student performance. If the State Board of Education approves a waiver request, the state legislature may still veto it.

Street Preacher Sues After Citation For Violating City Sign Law

In Naperville, Illinois, Street preacher Elmer "Joe" Christopherson filed suit Thursday challenging a ticket he received for violating a city ban on signs within ten feet of a roadway. On Sept. 2, Christopherson was preaching in downtown Naperville, carrying a 6x3 foot placard with a message about Jesus and redemption. After he had been preaching for three hours, and had earlier been heckled by onlookers, police told Christoperson and his group from Burning Hearts Outreach Ministries that they had to take down their sign. The lawsuit filed in DuPage County Court alleges that the citation against Christopherson violates his First Amendment free speech and free exercise rights. Yesterday's Christian NewsWire and today’s Chicago Tribune report on the case.

British Appellate Court Finds Clergyman Covered By Employment Rights Act

Building on a 2005 sex discrimination case decided by the House of Lords (see prior posting), yesterday in New Testament Church of God v. Stewart, ([2007] EWCA Civ 1004, Oct. 19, 2007), the England and Wales Court of Appeal upheld an Employment Appeal Tribunal’s decision that a pastor of The New Testament Church of God is an "employee" under the 1996 Employment Rights Act. This holding permits him to bring a claim for unfair dismissal after the Church accused him of financial irregularities and suspended him from his duties.

The Court of Appeal said, however, that whether a clergyman is an employee will vary from church to church and from religion to religion. It observed: "The religious beliefs of a community may be such that their manifestation does not involve the creation of a relationship enforceable at law between members of the religious community and one of their number appointed to minister to the others. The law should not readily impose a legal relationship on members of a religious community which would be contrary to their religious beliefs." Reporting on the decision, The Times pointed out that earlier cases had referred to ministers as "servants of God" who had been appointed to a holy office, instead of treating them in the same way as secular employees.

California Church Loses Bid For Preliminary Injunction Under RLUIPA

In International Church of the Foursquare Gospel v. City of San Leandro, 2007 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 76831 (ND CA, Oct. 2, 2007), a California federal district court has refused to grant a preliminary injunction under RLUIPA requested by a San Leandro, California church. International Foursquare Gospel was seeking either rezoning or a conditional use permit so a member congregation could construct a church on land now zoned for industrial use. The court found that plaintiff never completed the requirements for a conditional use permit application. As to its application for rezoning, plaintiff failed to show a likelihood of success in demonstrating either a substantial burden on its free exercise of religion or unequal treatment.

Jehovah's Witnesses Battle Authorities In 2 FSU Countries

Forum 18 reported on Thursday that Tajikistan’s Ministry of Culture has issued an order revoking the registration of the Jehovah’s Witness denomination and banning all activities by them in the country. The formal order says that Jehovah's Witness activity violated the country's Constitution as well as the Religion Law by distributing religious literature to non-members. However Saidbek Mahmudolloev, head of the Information Department at the Culture Ministry's Religious Affairs Department, said the major concern with the Jehovah's Witnesses is their refusal to serve in the armed forces. Jehovah's Witnesses plan to appeal to President Emomali Rahmon and Prime Minister Okil Okilov to challenge the ban.

Meanwhile the Jehovah’s Witnesses have won a significant legal victory in Pridnestrovia (also known as Trans-Dniestria)-- a break-away republic within the internationally recognized boundaries of Moldova. According to Thursday's Tiraspol Times, Pridnestrovia’s Supreme Court has held unconstitutional a requirement imposed by Religious Affairs Commissioner Pyotr Zalozhkov that that Jehovah’s Witnesses register under local laws governing the leadership of religious organizations.

Recent Prisoner Free Exercise Cases

In Peterson v. Price, 2007 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 75737 (ND WV, Sept. 28, 2007), a West Virginia federal district court accepted a magistrate judge’s recommendation to dismiss a federal prisoner’s Fist Amendment claims. Plaintiff complained that he had been removed from the prison’s kosher food program, but the court found that this was justified; he had purchased non-kosher food from the commissary. The court also agreed that the failure to furnish plaintiff a kosher bag lunch during two mock lockdowns did not rise to the level of a constitutional violation.

In Tafari v. Annets, 2007 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 76017 (SDNY, Oct. 15, 2007), a New York federal Magistrate Judge recommended that an inmate be permitted to proceed with his claim that his free exercise rights were violated when on five separate occasions he was denied kosher food while in transit between prison facilities. The magistrate recommended dismissal of a number of other claims.

In Farnsworth v. Baxter, 2007 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 72209 (WD TN, Sept. 26, 2007), a Tennessee federal district judge denied defendant’s motion to dismiss a RLUIPA claim brought by a prisoner who complained about the failure to provide Messianic Jewish religious services. Defendant had argued that damages are not available under RLUIPA in suits brought against officials in their individual capacities.

In Cruz v. Scribner, 2007 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 76423 (ED CA, Oct. 3, 2007), a California federal Magistrate Judge dismissed, subject to the right to file an amended complaint, claims by a Native American prisoner that he was denied the right to participate in the annual Pow-Wow, Banquet and Sweat Ceremony that is part of his religion. Plaintiff failed to allege any link between the named defendants and his free exercise, equal protection and RLUIPA claims.

In two nearly identical opinions, a California federal district court held that plaintiff prisoners must specifically allege how their religious rights are being violated in the institution where they are incarcerated instead of making broad and generic allegations about policies or practices at all other California prison facilities. The cases are Bonner v. Tilton, 2007 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 76932 (ED CA, Oct. 2, 2007) and Green v. Tilton, 2007 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 76925 (ED CA, Oct. 2, 2007).

In Jones-el v. Pollard, 2007 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 77505 (ED WI, Oct. 18, 2007), a Wisconsin federal district court permitted an inmate to move ahead with a variety of claims under the First Amendment and RLUIPA. Plaintiff charged that he was prevented from observing Ramadan, was deprived of Islamic publications, was prevented from possessing prayer oil and a prayer rug while in segregation, and was denied Halal meals. He also alleged that prison authorities favor Christianity over Islam by employing full-time Christian chaplains and using Christian chapels.

USCIRF Report Criticizes Lack of Progress On Religious Liberty In Saudi Arabia

Yesterday, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom released a long report (full text) that is highly critical of Saudi Arabia for failing to implement promised reforms designed to protect human rights, including the free exercise of religion. USCIRF recommended that the U.S. government strengthen its human rights diplomacy with the Saudis and address Saudi exportation of extremist ideology, hatred and intolerance in educational material sent around the world. The report also recommended a number of other steps to further religious liberty in Saudi Arabia, including dissolving of the Commission to Promote Virtue and Prevent Vice. A widely circulated AP article focuses on a recommendation in the report that the Islamic Saudi Academy, a private K-12 school in Fairfax County, Virginia, be closed down until the school's textbooks can be reviewed. [Thanks to Melissa Rogers for the lead.]

Power of Traditional Rabbinic Authorities In Israel Continues To Be An Issue

In Israel, the battle to liberalize Rabbinic courts continues. Yesterday's Jerusalem Post reports that several women's rights groups along with a group of progressive Orthodox rabbis have filed suit in the High Court of Justice challenging the recent appointment of 19 new judges to the Rabbinic courts. (See prior posting.) The 60-page petition claims nepotism, political pressure and procedural errors in the appointments. Underlying the lawsuit are concerns over how the traditional haredi judges will deal with women's rights in divorce proceedings.

Meanwhile, in another attempt to maintain the authority of traditional Rabbinic bodies, Israel's Chief Sephardic Rabbi, Shlomo Amar, arrived in the United States this week to oversee the Rabbinical Council of America's appointment of religious court judges to its conversion courts. Amar has ordered that only conversions by special Orthodox Jewish tribunals that he has approved should be recognized in Israel. JTA reports on these developments. (See prior related posting.)

Egyptian Muslim Fundamentalist Sues To Enforce His Views

Today's Wall Street Journal profiles Egyptian cleric Yusuf El-Badry, a conservative Muslim who has "pioneered the practice of suing ministers, poets, academics and religious scholars in Egypt's courts to promote his strict interpretation of Islam." El-Badry's most recent lawsuit has been filed against Egypt's Minister of Health and Population challenging the country's ban on female circumcision. The Journal reports that El-Badry "isn't a trained attorney, but he prefers to argue his cases before the judge himself. With his flowing robes and white turban, he stands out in court, where attorneys typically wear suits. Intellectuals across the Middle East have railed against his crusade..."

TSA Gives More Flexibility In Inspections of Religious Headwear

Jurist reports that the U.S. Transportation Security Administration has heeded complaints of the Sikh community as to recently adopted rules on inspection of turbans worn by airline passengers. (See prior posting.) On Tuesday, the TSA announced revised screening procedures that include headwear in the broader category of "bulky clothing", rather than singling out headwear for special treatment. The new procedures still recommend removal of headwear, but permit other alternatives for those with religious or other objections to removing head coverings.

Some Falsely Cite Religious Reasons To Avoid Immunizing Their Children

A small but growing number of parents around the country are falsely claiming religious exemptions to avoid vaccinating their children who are entering school when the real reasons are concern over safety of the vaccines or fear that they may cause other illnesses. Reporting on the trend, an AP story earlier this week said that 28 states allow parents to opt out of immunizations only for medical or religious reasons, while 20 others also allow philosophical objections. Two give exemptions only on medical grounds.

EEOC Sues Over Employer's Failure To Accommodate Haj Trip

The EEOC has filed a lawsuit in a Tennessee federal court against Southern Hills Medical Center in Nashville alleging that it refused to accommodate a Muslim employee's request to use earned vacation time to make his Pilgrimage to Mecca. CCH reports that the suit filed last month claims the hospital would not grant extended leave to employee Wali Telwar. Instead it forced him to resign and unsuccessfully reapply after returning from the Haj.

Islamic Court Proposal Challenged In Tanzania's High Court

In Tanzania earlier this week, the National Muslim Council renewed its call for establishment of a Kadhi Court that would have jurisdiction over Muslims on matters of personal law relating to marriage, divorce and inheritance. (Muslim News.) This led to the filing yesterday of a petition in the country's High Court challenging the move on constitutional grounds. Today's Tanzania Standard reports that Rev. Christopher Mtikila of the Full Salvation Church, who is also the chairman of the opposition Democratic Party, filed the lawsuit claiming that establishment of separate legal systems for specific groups in the country would violate Tanzania's constitution. IPP Media says that the Full Gospel church has filed a separate suit making similar claims.

British Tribunal Rejects Rastafarian's Employment Discrimination Claim

Britain's Employment Appeal Tribunal has rejected a discrimination claim by a Rastafarian who was fired from his position as a driver because of his hair style. The case is Harris v. NKL Automotive, Ltd., (EAT, Oct., 3, 2007) [Word.doc]. The Tribunal found that the employer required drivers "should have a smart professional haircut and should ensure hair is tidy". The Tribunal concluded that since the company did not object to the wearing of dreadlocks if they were "tidy", the dismissal did not discriminate against Rastafarians. Reporting on the case, Out-Law.com reviews the case law in Britain involving employer dress codes under the Employment Equality (Religion or Belief) Regulations 2003.

Mukasey Testimony Includes Exchange On Role of Sharia Under U.S. Law

Yesterday the Senate Judiciary Committee held its first day of hearings on the nomination of Judge Michael B. Mukasey for Attorney General. (Washington Post). At the hearing (full transcript), the Senators questioned the nominee on a variety of subjects. One interesting exchange occurred between the nominee and Senator Sam Brownback:

BROWNBACK: ... [C]ertain countries' courts have held that sharia, or Islamic religious law trumps civil constitution. There's been a case in Malaysia. There was a case earlier this year in Germany, there a Frankfurt presiding judge over a divorce court involving two Muslim Moroccan residents in Germany put aside German divorce law and ruled, instead, on the basis of her understanding of the Koran.... What would be your thoughts on this were this to arise in the United States -- in a court of law in the United States?

MUKASEY: I think we should not create, anywhere in this country, enclaves that are governed by any law other than the law that applies to everybody. We live in this country under one system of laws. And whatever may be the religious requirements of any group, we don't create enclaves where a different law applies, a different law governs and people don't have the rights that everybody else has outside that enclave. I would resist that very firmly -- the creation of any such enclave.

President Emphasizes Religious Liberty At Presentation To Dalai Lama

President George W. Bush yesterday spoke at the ceremony awarding the Congressional Gold Medal to the Dalai Lama. The President's speech (full text) emphasized the importance of religious liberty in the United States. He said that in awarding the Medal to the exiled Tibetan leader, "America raises its voice in the call for religious liberty and basic human rights." In what will likely be the most politically important portion of his speech, the President said: "Americans cannot look to the plight of the religiously oppressed and close our eyes or turn away. And that is why I will continue to urge the leaders of China to welcome the Dalai Lama to China. They will find this good man to be a man of peace and reconciliation." (See prior related posting.) The Washington Post points out that yesterday's ceremony was the first time a sitting U.S. president has appeared in public with the Dalai Lama.

Groups Urge Senate To Eliminate Earmarked Funds For Creationist Group

Thirty-six scientific, educational, civil liberties and religious organizations have signed a letter (full text) to each member of the U.S. Senate urging the Senate to remove an earmark currently found in the House Committee Report on the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations Bill. Under the House proposal, $100, 000 would go to the Louisiana Family Forum, a group promoting creationism, for it to use "to develop a plan to promote better science education." (See prior posting.) The letter argues that "federal funding of LLF's efforts to introduce creationism in public-school science classrooms will ... harm the religious liberty of students and their families" and "will weaken rather than strengthen science education". In a release discussing the letter, Americans United For Separation of church and State argued that LLF's "goal is to spread fundamentalist dogma, not enhance scientific literacy." [Thanks to Alliance Alert for the lead.]

UPDATE: Americans United announced on Thursday that the earmark's sponsor, Louisiana Sen. David Vitter, requested that it be removed from the bill and that the funds instead be directed to another Louisiana project. Vitter said that the earmark had not been intended to promote creationism.

2nd Circuit Upholds Constitutionality of RLUIPA and Vindicates Jewish Day School

Yesterday in Westchester Day School v. Village of Mamaroneck, (2d Cir., Oct. 17, 2007), the U.S. 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a March 2006 district court decision holding that the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act prevents the Village of Mamaroneck, New York from using its zoning laws to block a Jewish day school's construction of a new building that would be used, at least in part, for religious education and practice. (See prior posting.)

The Court of Appeals upheld the constitutionality of RLUIPA. It held that RLUIPA's limitations on land use regulation are a valid exercise of Congress' powers under the Commerce Clause in cases where a burden placed on religious exercise affects interstate commerce. The court also rejected Establishment Clause challenges to RLUIPA. Applying RLUIPA to the facts before it, the appellate court held that the Village's arbitrary denial of a special zoning permit placed a substantial burden on the Day School's religious exercise and that the Village lacked a compelling interest to justify the denial. The Zoning Board of Appeals had given undue deference to objections from an influential group of neighbors. The Associated Press reports on the decision, as does today's New York Times.