Episcopal Church Property Dispute Involves Civil War Era Virginia Law

Yesterday's Washington Times reports that a trial beginning today in a Fairfax County, Virginia, over ownership of church property turns on an unusual Virginia law enacted at the time of the Civil War to deal with church splits over slavery. Code of Virginia, Sec. 57-9, provides:

If a division ... shall ... occur in a church or religious society, to which any such congregation whose property is held by trustees is attached, the members of such congregation over 18 years of age may, by a vote of a majority of the whole number, determine to which branch of the church or society such congregation shall thereafter belong. Such determination shall be reported to the circuit court... and if the determination be approved by the court, it shall be so entered in the court's civil order book, and shall be conclusive as to the title to and control of any property held in trust for such congregation....

Today's trial pits the Episcopal Church USA against eleven Virginia churches that have moved to the more conservative Convocation of Anglicans in North America under the Anglican Church of Nigeria, after disagreements with ECUSA on biblical authority and its election of an openly gay bishop. (See prior posting.)

Report Says Egypt Infringes Rights of Baha'is and Converts From Islam

Human Rights Watch and the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights yesterday released a report titled Prohibited Identities: State Interference With Religious Freedom. A press release from Human Rights Watch says that the report:

document[s] how [Egyptian] Ministry of Interior officials systematically prevent Baha’is and converts from Islam from registering their actual religious belief in national identity documents, birth certificates, and other essential papers. They do this based not on any Egyptian law, but on their interpretation of Islamic law, or Sharia. This denial can have far-reaching consequences for the daily lives of those affected, including choosing a spouse, educating one’s children, or conducting the most basic financial and other transactions.

Recent Articles On Law and Religion

From SSRN:

• Robert K Vischer,The Morally Distinct Corporation: Reclaiming the Relational Dimension of Conscience, (U of St. Thomas Legal Studies Research Paper No. 07-37, 2007).


• John M. Breen, John Paul II, the Structures of Sin and the Limits of Law, ( St. Louis University Law Journal, Vol. 52, 2008).


• John M. Breen Modesty and Moralism: Justice, Prudence and Abortion - A Reply to Skeel & Stuntz, (Harvard Journal of Law and Public Policy, 2008).


• Kenneth L. Marcus, The Resurgence of Anti-Semitism on American College Campuses, (Current Psychology, Vol. 26, Nos. 3 & 4, 2007).


• Robin Fretwell Wilson, The Overlooked Costs of Religious Deference, (Washington and Lee Law Review, Vol. 64, No. 4, 2007).

From SmartCILP:

• David Caudill, Christian Legal Theory: The Example of Dooyeweerd's Critique of Romanist Individualism and Germanic Communitarianism in Property Law, 5 Georgetown Journal of Law & Public Policy 531-560 (2007).


• Choong Yeow Choy, Contra Bonos Mores: Religious Tenets and National Philosophy as the Yardstick for Determining Public Policy in Malaysia, [Abstract], 9 Australian Journal of Asian Law 176-185 (2007).

UN Special Rapporter on Religious Freedom Held In House Arrest In Pakistan

Asma Jahangir, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief and chairman of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan was placed under house arrest in Lahore last week in Pakistan following the declaration of a state of emergency by President Pervez Musharraf, according to the IRPP. In a widely-circulated e-mail today, IRRP gave more details. A 90 day detention order was issued against Jahangir on November 3 by the Punjab's Home Department. The next day, police raided the office of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan and placed 55 of its members in preventive detention. Saturday's Washington Post describes the conditions of her detention. She continues to issue statements and receive visitors such as U.S. consul general Bryan D. Hunt who has called for Jahangir's release.

UPDATE: On Nov. 16, Reuters reported that Jahangir had been released from house arrest. [Thanks to IRRP for the lead.]

More Recent Prisoner Free Exercise Cases-- District and Appellate Courts

In Longoria v. Dretke, (5th Cir., Nov. 9, 2007), the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed a challenge to a Texas prison's grooming policy by a Native American inmate who refused to cut his hair. In rejecting plaintiff's RLUIPA claim, the court concluded that the state's interest in prison security satisfies the compelling interest/ least restrictive means test. The court also rejected First Amendment and Equal Protection challenges to the grooming policy.

In Talbert v. Jabe, 2007 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 82962 (WD VA, Nov. 8, 2007), a Virginia federal district court rejected an inmate's challenge under the First Amendment and RLUIPA to the classification of the 5% Islamic Nation of Gods and Earths as a Security Threat Group. The court also rejected "an assortment of claims alleging that the preparation and service of food ... does not accord with the dictates of the Common Fare religious diet, which plaintiff receives as a member of the Nation of Islam."

In Murphy v. Missouri Dept. of Corrections, (8th Cir., Nov. 8, 2007), the U.S. 8th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed that district court's denial of a new trial to an inmate claiming that his free exercise rights under the First Amendment and RLUIPA were violated when prison officials denied his request for group worship services for the Christian Separatist Church.

In Kemp v. Woodford, 2007 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 82013 (ED CA, Nov. 5, 2007), a California federal magistrate judge recommended dismissal of a prisoner's complaint that he was not allowed to legally change his name to his Muslim name. Plaintiff failed to allege that the change was required by his religion or that his religious exercise was substantially burdened by the refusal. Prison officials permitted him to use his religious name along with his commitment name for mail purposes.

In Naves v. Carlson, 2007 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 82296 (D UT, Nov. 5, 2007), a Utah federal district court rejected First Amendment and RLUIPA challenges by a Wiccan inmate to confiscation of certain religious books and writings and to his interrogation by authorities regarding his religious beliefs and practices. A prison investigation into a hidden computer disk had revealed it contained both sexually explicit stories and a manuscript by Plaintiff titled "Institutional Book of Shadows."

Clergy Duties As Community Service Does Not Violate Establishment Clause

In City of Cleveland v. Curtis, (OH Ct. App., Cuyahoga, Nov. 8, 2007), an Ohio court of appeals held that a trial judge did not violate the Establishment Clause when, in a traffic case, he waived a fine, imposed community service, and permitted defendant, a clergyman, to satisfy the service through his regular clergy duties.

Afghanistan Arrests Publisher of Koran Translation

A week ago, Ghaus Zalmai, a spokesman for Afghanistan's Attorney General, was arrested trying to cross the border into Pakistan. Reuters reported last Monday that he was charged with publishing an unofficial translation of the Koran into Dari. Afghanistan's Chief Justice, Abdul Salam Azimi, said: "This is a plot against the religion of Islam, and no one will ever accept the book as the holy Koran." The Supreme Court ordered an investigation into the publication. The translation also sparked debate in Afghanistan's parliament.

UPDATE: The Nov. 12 Gulf Times reports that 1,000 university students demonstrated in Jalalabad on Sunday to demand the death penalty for Ghaus Zalmai. Zalmai is being interrogated after the Parliament barred him from leaving the country. Gulf Times reports: "A commission of clerics and prosecutors is examining the text, which does not include the original Arab verses and is said to differ on several issues, including homosexuality and adultery."

City Council Debates Rental of City Facility To White Supremacist Church Group

The Church of Jesus Christ - Christian, which has ties to the Neo-Nazi white supremacist Aryan Nations, has asked to rent the city-owned McClelland Arts Center in Longview, Washington for an organizational meeting. The city's Mayor Dennis Weber recommended to Longview City Council that it form a task force to make it clear to the group that it is not welcome in the city. Yesterday's Longview Daily News reports that Councilman Kurt Anagnostou objected saying that it is unconstitutional to prevent a particular group from renting the building because of its beliefs. Only one member of council was interested in joining the Mayor on the task force.

PBS Will Air Program On "Intelligent Design" Debate

This week's broadcast of NOVA on PBS will be: "Judgment Day: Intelligent Design on Trial". (AP). NOVA's website carries extensive background on the program scheduled to air on Nov. 13 at 8:00 p.m.

Catholic Cleric Argues For Revival of Charitable Immunity Doctrine

Chicago's Auxiliary Catholic Bishop, Thomas Paprocki, has suggested that courts should revive some doctrine of charitable immunity to protect churches from ruinous judgments in clergy sex abuse cases. Today's Chicago Tribune reports that Paprocki will speak on the topic later this month at the University of Notre Dame. He argues: "The settlement or award of civil damages is punishing the wrong people, namely the average parishioner or donor whose financial contributions support the church but who have no role in the supervision of clergy."

Number of Christian Law Schools Is Growing

Yesterday' Houston Chronicle reports on the growing number of Christian law schools in the United States. South Texas College of Law dean, James Alfini, says that these schools threaten traditions of academic freedom and faculty governance that prevail at other law schools. Defending the schools, Joe Aguillard, president of Louisiana College that is opening the newest Christian law school, says: "The law school will deliver through the lens of a biblical world view needed today in our nation and our system of justice."

LAPD Criticzed For Plans To Map Muslim Communities

The Los Angeles (CA) Daily Breeze reports that plans by the Los Angeles Police Department to create a map of Muslim communities in the city is being criticized. The police department says it is part of an effort to prevent radicalization. Police Chief William Bratton says police are trying to become more familiar with the Muslim communities. The city's ACLU executive director, Ramona Ripston, however, says: "Our fears is that this will profile an entire community rather than people who present a real danger."

Harvard Law Prof To Become US Ambassador To Holy See

Last Monday, the White House announced that the President intends to nominate Harvard Law Professor Mary Ann Glendon to be Ambassador to the Vatican. Yesterday’s Boston Pilot carried a long background article on Glendon, reporting that in a November 6, statement, Glendon said she hopes her background in international legal studies, as well as Catholic social thought, will be useful in continuing the US’s fruitful dialogue with the Vatican on issues such as human rights, religious freedom, human trafficking, health, hunger and poverty. CNS carried a story yesterday comparing Glendon’s background with that of Vatican ambassadors from several other nations.

Appeals Court Hears Arguments On Concealed Carry Law's Application To Churches

A Minnesota state Court of Appeals heard arguments yesterday in an appeal by the state of a decision that allowed churches to ban handguns from their premises without complying with the elaborate notice requirements applicable to commercial establishments under Minnesota' concealed carry firearms law. (See prior posting.) The Minneapolis Star Tribune reports on the arguments. The state contends that the concealed carry provisions may constitutionally be applied to churches because they do not render any religious practice unlawful.

Washington Court Enjoins Enforcement of Pharmacy Board Rules

A Washington federal district court has granted a preliminary injunction barring enforcement of Washington State Board of Pharmacy regulations that require pharmacists to fill all prescriptions even if doing so violates their religious beliefs. In Stormans, Inc. v. Selecky, (WD WA, Nov. 8, 2007), the court found that the regulations target religious beliefs:

The evidence thus far presented to the Court strongly suggests that the overriding objective of the subject regulations was, to the degree possible, to eliminate moral and religious objections from the business of dispensing medication.

... [T]he enforcement mechanism of the new law appears aimed only at a few drugs and the religious people who find them objectionable.

Applying strict scrutiny to the regulations, the court concluded:

the interests promoted by the regulations have more to do with convenience and heartfelt feelings than with actual access to certain medications. Patients understandably may not want to drive farther than the closest pharmacy and they do not want to be made to feel bad when they get there. These interests are certainly legitimate but they are not compelling interests of the kind necessary to justify the substantial burden placed on the free exercise of religion.

... On the evidence now before it, the Court cannot say that the subject regulations advance a compelling state interest and they are narrowly tailored to accomplish their announced purpose.... [T]he evidence suggests that the burden on the religious practices of plaintiffs is intentional not incidental, and substantial not minimal.

Relying on these findings, the court enjoined enforcement of the regulations against any pharmacy or pharmacist who refuses to fill a prescription for Plan B emergency contraceptives if they immediately refer the patient to a nearby source for it. Today's Seattle Times reports on the decision.

Federal Court Rejcts Attempt To Bar NJ Civil Rights Proceedings

In Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association of the United Methodist Church v. Vespa-Papaleo, 2007 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 82577 (D NJ, Nov. 7, 2007), a New Jersey federal district court applied the Younger abstention doctrine, refusing to enjoin an investigation by the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights of a discrimination complaint filed by a lesbian couple. The Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association refused to permit the couple to use its Boardwalk Pavilion for their civil union ceremony. (See prior posting.) Under the Younger doctrine, federal courts have discretion to abstain from exercising jurisdiction where their judgment would interfere with an ongoing state proceeding. The Association will be able to raise its constitutional objections in the state administrative proceeding. The New Jersey Star-Ledger covers the court's decision.

Mt. Soledad Establishment Clause Challenge Dismissed

A California federal district court has dismissed the Establishment Clause challenge to a federal law that took from the City of San Diego the Mt. Soledad Veterans' Memorial with its large cross. In Trunk v. City of San Diego, 2007 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 82647 (SD CA, Nov. 7, 2007), the court dismissed for lack of standing the challenge to Public Law 109-272 brought by plaintiff Steve Trunk, and also dismissed the City of San Diego from the remainder of the litigation.

The court rejected three theories of standing. It held that any denial of use of the Memorial as it now exists was not impacted by the mere transfer of land ownership. It rejected general taxpayer standing because invalidating the land transfer would not redress any injury Trunk suffered. Finally the court rejected Trunk's argument that the transfer gave him standing because it prevented the enforcement of a previous injunction based on the California Constitution. The U.S. as owner is not subject to the California Constitution. The court said:

Public Law 109-272 merely provides for the acquisition of land, the compensation of the land's owners, and the maintenance of the property as a veterans memorial. These are not religious actions, nor do they injure Trunk.... Trunk tries to conflate acquisition of the Mt. Soledad property with unconstitutional operation of the property.

The court additionally pointed out that if it were to invalidate the law being challenged, the federal government would still own the Memorial under a transfer to it by the city which was ultimately upheld by the courts. NBC San Diego covers the decision in a short story.

Georgia Governor Plans Prayer Service For Rain

Georgia's Governor Sonny Perdue is sending out invitations to a prayer service for rain to be held at the state Capitol next week. Wednesday's Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports on the move, taken as Georgia faces a record drought. Perdue, son of a Baptist preacher, has held similar services in the past. A spokesperson for the Governor said that he recognizes there is nothing the government can do to get more rain, so "the request has got to be made to a higher power." The AP reported yesterday that planners, who are inviting leaders from several faiths to the service, say the prayer service will be moved inside the Capitol in case of rain. [Thanks to Alliance Alert for the lead.]

Church Leader Gets Probation On Sacramental Marijuana Charges

Wednesday's Maui News reports that in Wailuku, Hawaii, 72-year old James Kimmel was ordered to pay a $3,000 fine and placed on five years probation after pleading no contest to charges of second-degree commercial promotion of marijuana and possessing drug paraphernalia. Kimmel, founder of the Religion of Jesus Church, argued that he was smoking marijuana and furnishing it to others as part of his religious beliefs that marijuana was a required sacrament. The court however rejected a Free Exercise defense. The court also ordered Kimmel to not to sell, possess or use alcohol or illegal drugs while on probation.

Suit Threatened Over Surveillance of Religious Order's Building

The Thomas More Law Center is threatening to sue Northville Township (MI) officials over their alleged surveillance of a house owned by the religious order, Miles Christi. Journal Newspapers yesterday reported that the surveillance camera was apparently intended to document increased parking density at the house in order to support the township's request that the religious order submit a plan and apply for a zoning variance. Thomas Moore Law Center's Richard Thompson says that the township's targeting of the religious order violates the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act.