Religion Clause

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Native American Tribe Wins Injunction Under RFRA Protecting Medicine Bluffs

In Comanche Nation v. United States, (WD OK, Sept. 23, 2008), an Oklahoma federal district court granted a preliminary injunction against construction by the federal government of a Training Support Center at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. The proposed construction was near Medicine Bluffs, a site of religious significance to members of the Comanche tribe. The court held that plaintiffs had demonstrated a substantial likelihood of success on their claim under the Religious Freedom and Restoration Act. It concluded that "the record is utterly devoid ... of facts tending to demonstrate that the construction of the TSC in its current location is the least restrictive means of furthering the compelling governmental interest." The court also concluded that plaintiffs had shown a substantial likelihood of success on their claim under the National Historic Preservation Act. Yesterday's Tulsa World reported on the decision. The preliminary injunction follows on a temporary restraining order issued last month. (See prior posting.)

Report: More Job Discrimination Against Muslims; Fewer Anti-Muslim Hate Crimes

The Council on American Islamic Relations yesterday issued a report titled Without Fear of Discrimination: The Status of Muslim Civil Rights in the United States 2008. CAIR's press release says that the report covers a record 2,652 incidents of anti-Muslim violence, discrimination and harassment in 2007. It shows an 18% increase in workplace discrimination against those already employed, and a 34% increase in discrimination against job applicants. Failure to accommodate Muslim workers' religious exercise rose by 8%.

Beyond the workplace, the report shows a 340% increase in passenger profiling. However anti-Muslim hate crimes decreased by 19%. Large decreases were also reported in incidents at schools or involving police, in due process complaints, physical violence, denial of service and verbal harassment. Nine states and the District of Columbia accounted for nearly 80% of all complaint with CAIR.

Virginia State Police Chaplains Protest Non-Denominational Prayer Mandate

Responding to a recent 4th Circuit decision on non-denominational prayers at government-sponsored events, Col. W. Steven Flaherty, Virginia's State Police superintendent, earlier this month ordered that the state police department's 17 volunteer chaplains deliver only non-denominational prayers at government sponsored events. Today's Hampton Road (VA) Pilot and the Lynchburg News & Advance report that six employees have resigned their chaplaincy positions in protest. Two state legislators, including House majority leader Morgan Griffith, have issued statements in support of the chaplains, said they would introduce legislation to reverse the departmental rulings,. they called the department's decision an attack on Christianity and a violation of troopers' constitutionally protected freedom of expression.

British Muslim Given Suspended Sentence In Teens' Self-Flogging Ceremony

As previously reported, last month a jury in Manchester, England's Crown Court convicted a devout Shia Muslim, Syed Mustafa Zaidi, of child cruelty after he encouraged two teenage boys to flog themselves with a 'zanjeer' (bladed whip) at a Matam ceremony. Now, according to BBC News, a judge has given Zaidi a suspended 26-week jail sentence, conditioned on his not repeating his offense during the next 12 months. At sentencing, Judge Robert Atherton told the defendant that no one should interpret the jury's verdict as a comment on the Ashura ceremony. Instead, he said, the law sometimes protects children from engaging in certain activities, even if they want to. He told Zaidi: "Your wrongful act was providing the means by which they were able to participate." Mosque elders had decided that no one under 16 should participate in the ceremony. A code of conduct for adults to prevent them from involving children in the ceremony has now been drawn up by the local Muslim community.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Alaska Federal Court Grants Soldier Conscientious Objector Status

In Barnes v. Geren, (D AK, Sept. 22, 2008), an Alaska federal district court held that the conscientious objection claim of Army Pfc. Michael Barnes should be granted. His claim was rooted in his nondenominational Christian faith, morals and beliefs developed through six months of daily prayer and scripture reading after he was in the Army. The court rejected the Army Conscientious Objector Review Board's findings that Barnes was not sincere in his claim. Today's International Herald Tribune reports on the decision. (See prior related posting.)

Tancredo Introduces "Jihad Prevention Act"

Last week, Colorado Congressman Tom Tancredo introduced H.R. 6975, the Jihad Prevention Act, which would deny visas to anyone who promotes the introduction of Sharia law into the U.S. The proposed law provides: "Any alien who fails to attest ... that the alien will not advocate installing a Sharia law system in the United States is inadmissible." The bill would also make advocating the installation of Sharia law in the U.S. a ground for revoking a visa or revoking naturalization. In his press release announcing the bill, Tancredo said he is reacting to recent developments in Britain where Sharia arbitration panels are now recognized. (See prior posting.) Today's Front Page Magazine reports on the bill.

Gitmo Defendant Grills Judge On His Religious Affiliation

At Guantanamo Bay in Cuba, Military Commission pre-trial proceedings are under way in murder charges against accused 9-11 plotter Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and four other defendants. According to a report in yesterday's London Mirror and today's Washington Post, defendants may question the impartiality of Military Commission judges. Mohammed asked Marine Col. Ralph Kohlmann, who is the Presiding Officer for this case, whether he was a member of any extremist or fanatic religious groups such as the ministries of Jerry Falwell or Pat Robertson, saying that such membership would show that the judge was not impartial. Kohlmann answered that he has not belonged to a church for a long time, and in the past was a member of various Lutheran and Episcopal churches. The judge refused to answer questions on whether he had ever read books by Billy Graham or Pat Buchanan. Another defendant, Ramzi Binalshibh, asked Kohlmann whether his last name is a Jewish name. Kohlmann said no.

Muslim Group Asks Election Commission to Investigate DVD Distribution

Last Friday, the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) filed a formal complaint (full text) with the Federal Election Commission asking it to investigate whether the widespread distribution as a newspaper insert of the DVD "Obsession: Radical Islam’s War Against the West" violated federal election laws. (See prior posting.) CAIR alleged that the distribution may have violated prohibitions on federal political campaign contributions and expenditures by corporations (2 USC 441b) and on political contributions by foreign nationals. (2 USC 441e). CAIR's complaint claims that the DVD distribution was designed to benefit the presidential candidacy of Sen. John McCain.

The Clarion Fund that financed the DVD distribution is a non-profit corporation. The complaint also says that the founders and incorporators of Clarion are Israeli citizens connected with the Israeli educational group Aish HaTorah International. Yesterday, CAIR issued a press release discussing its complaint. The Guardian reported that a New York spokesman for Aish HaTorah said that Rabbi Raphael Shore, the producer of the video, was not acting for Aish HaTorah in his work on the DVD. Clarion says the DVD is issue-based, and not an attempt to promote any particular candidate.

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

British Court Sentences Priest Who Refused To Pay Fine On Moral Grounds

A British judge has sentenced a Catholic priest to a short prison term after the priest refused to pay a fine that was imposed on him for damage caused by his anti-war protest. Ekklesia today reports that Fr Martin Newell, a member of the London Catholic Worker, was one of three demonstrators last December who poured red paint on a military base sign after praying with a banner reading "We All Have Blood on Our Hands". The judge in the Highbury and Islington Magistrates Court told Newell that while his refusal reflected a moral position, "the law must be upheld despite belief."

Vietnam Tells Archbishop To End Catholic Land Protests

The AP reported yesterday from Vietnam that government authorities in Hanoi are threatening to take legal action against the city's Catholic Archbishop Ngo Quang Kiet unless he ends the illegal prayer vigils that are protesting government ownership of two pieces of land that previously belonged to the Church. The lands were seized by the government in the 1950's. One parcel was given to a now-privatized garment company (see prior posting), and the other-- the site of the former Vatican embassy-- is being used to construct a park and library. A letter from Hanoi's Mayor accused Kiet of instigating unrest and state television questioned Kiet's patriotism.

Tomorrow Is "See You At the Pole 2008"

Tomorrow is the annual "See You At the Pole" day at schools around the country. Students gather around the school's flag pole before school to pray together. A press release by the San Diego-based National Network of Youth Ministries says that the event "is a student-initiated and student-led movement that started in the Ft. Worth suburb of Burleson, Texas, in 1990. SYATP brings students to their school flagpoles to intercede for their leaders, schools, and families, asking God to bring moral and spiritual awakening to their campuses and countries." Churches encouraged the event by sponsoring special "Campus Challenge Sunday" commissioning services last Sunday. The SYATP website advertises a variety of resources available for "Pole" events. It also outlines the legal rights of students and others to participate. According to Florida Baptist Witness, any student who believes that his or her right to participate in a SYATP event has been infringed may contact Alliance Defense Fund for assistance.

UPDATE: The AP reports (9/24) Americans United executive director Barry Lynn says that teachers who participate in SYATP may be unconstitutionally endorsing religion. He also objected to pastors participating in the student-led events.

Illinois County Sign Ordinance Challenged

In McHenry County, Illinois, state Rep. Jack Franks has filed a motion in state court to dismiss a citation against his law firm and declare the county's sign ordinance unconstitutional. Suburban Chicago's Daily Herald reported yesterday that Franks' firm has been charged with failing to obtain a special permit for the sign over the firm's office door quoting a Biblical verse: "Justice, Justice, Shalt Thou Pursue". The county says that because of the sign's size, the special permit is needed. Franks argues that the ordinance is vague, places too much discretion in the hands of county inspectors, and infringes his right of religious speech.

Monday, September 22, 2008

A Church-State Aside On the Proposed Financial Bailout

The massive bailout of distressed financial institutions proposed over the weekend by the Treasury Department (New York Times) would give the government sweeping powers to "purchase ... mortgage related assets from any financial institution having its headquarters in the United States." Mortgage-related assets are defined in the draft bill (full text) as including "residential or commercial mortgages". An August 8 article in The Deal points out that a surprising number of churches are delinquent in their mortgage payments and face foreclosure, though lenders attempt to avoid foreclosing. In many cases the mortgage holders are not financial institutions, but instead holders of church bonds. But where the mortgage lender is a bank, is the draft bailout legislation broad enough to permit purchase of shaky church mortgages by the Treasury? If so, are there any church-state problems with the federal government essentially owning an interest in church buildings?

USCIRF Criticizes State Department For Failing To Update CPC List

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom on Friday issued a release criticizing the State Department for failing to update its list of "countries of particular concern" since 2006. Last week the State Department issued its 2008 International Religious Freedom Report (see prior posting), but did not accompany it with updated designations of countries that have engaged in particularly severe violations of religious freedom, as called for in the 1998 International Religious Freedom Act (Sec. 402(b)(1)). No new designations have been made since 2006. (See prior posting.) In May, USCIRF made recommendations to the State Department on the countries that should be designated. However, by relying on 2006 designations, Vietnam, Pakistan and Turkmenistan remain off the State Department's list, against the recommendation of USCIRF. The Commission also differs with the State Department over the extent of reforms that have occurred in Saudi Arabia.

Rome's Ceremony Marking End of Papal States Shows Current Church-State Divide

Today's National Catholic Reporter carries an interesting account of Saturday's commemoration in Rome of the 138th anniversary of Italy's capture of the Papal States from the Pope. The ceremony featured Rome's vice Mayor and a general from the Sardinian Grenadiers. On Sept. 20, 1870, the Republican armies of Italy's King Victor Emmanuel II breached Port Pia, one of the gates of Rome, quickly captured the states and unified them under Italy's civil government. This year's annual ceremony, organized by the city of Rome, and not the Vatican, was controversial because the names of the 10 Papal troops killed in the battle were read, but not the names of the 49 Republican soldiers who were also casualties. This led to protests from leftists Italians who support strong separation of church and state. Later in the day they organized their own commemoration at which the names of the Republican troops killed were read. This controversy is seen as symbolizing current splits in Italy over the role of the Church in political affairs.

USCIRF Objects To Religious Groups' Invitation To Iranian President

On Friday, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom sent letters (full text) to a group of religious organizations-- several of which are pacifist groups-- criticizing their invitation to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to participate in an "international dialogue" program titled "Has Not One God Created Us? The Significance of Religious Contributions to Peace." The letter said that USCIRF is "concerned that your 'dialogue' will be merely another platform for President Ahmadinejad to espouse an ideology of intolerance."

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Nebraska Meat Packing Plant Faces Contentious Religious Accommodation Issue

Today's Omaha World-Herald sets in context a complicated religious accommodation dispute that erupted last week at the JSB Swift & Co. meat packing plant in Grand Island, Nebraska. It began when Muslim employees, mostly from Somalia, walked off the job last Monday claiming they were not being allowed a break to pray and break their daily Ramadan fast. Here is what happened next according to the paper:

The ... United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 22 announced a compromise that would allow Muslims to take breaks to pray and eat shortly after sunset. Then an estimated 1,000 non-Muslim workers, including Hispanics, whites and Christian Sudanese refugees — walked off the job on Wednesday. They were protesting what they viewed as unfair treatment favoring the Muslims. The compromise was withdrawn. About 50 to 80 Muslim workers then walked off the job Thursday, despite the threat of termination. When some tried to return to work Friday, they were told they had been fired.... JBS Swift officials said in a statement Friday they were working with employees and the union to resolve the problems.

Minister In Battle With Pennsylvania Town Over Use of Church For Homeless

Today's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports on the battle in Brookville, Pennsylvania between the First Apostles Doctrine Church and zoning authorities. The church's minister, Rev. Jack L. Wisor, wants to use the church as a homeless shelter, saying providing shelter to "guests" is part of its ministry. However borough solicitor Stephen French says that homeless shelters are not permitted in areas zoned commercial where the 111 year old church is located. Rev. Wisor has already been fined $500 for allowing three homeless men to live in the church's parsonage. He has appealed to the Jefferson County Common Pleas Court. Wisor also objects to a code enforcement raid earlier this month which he alleges desecrated the church sanctuary. Borough solicitor French denies the allegations and says Wisor has told him that he is "going to hell" for making people homeless.

Feds Raid Arkansas Church Headquarters In Child Pornography Investigation

In southwest Arkansas yesterday, federal authorities raided the 15-acre compound housing the Tony Alamo Christian Ministries. The Associated Press reports that the raid was part of a child pornography investigation. Social workers are talking with children who live at the complex located in the town of Fouke. In a phone call with the AP, Alamo said: "Where do these allegations stem from? The anti-Christ government. The Catholics don't like me because I have cut their congregation in half. They hate true Christianity." He argues that the raid is part of an effort by the federal government to make same-sex marriage legal while outlawing polygamy. He believes polygamy is permitted by the Bible, and that "anything that is in the Bible is law." He also says that in sexual matters, "consent is puberty".