Objective coverage of church-state and religious liberty developments, with extensive links to primary sources.
Thursday, December 04, 2008
North American Conservative Anglicans Create New Church Province
UPDATE: Episcopal News Service reported Thursday on a statement from the London office of the Archbishop of Canterbury on the proposed new Anglican province in North America. It said in part: "There are clear guidelines..., notably [Anglican Consultative Council] resolution 12, detailing the steps necessary for ... the creation of new provinces.... Once begun, any of these processes will take years to complete. In relation to the recent announcement from the meeting of the Common Cause Partnership in Chicago, the process has not yet begun."
Egyptian Freed Pending Appeal in Case on Religion in Identity Documents
Maldives Blocks Access To Christian Website
Los Angeles Jews for Jesus Leafleting Case Settled
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
RLUIPA Protects New York Church's Catering Activities From Adverse Zoning Action
the Equal Terms provision is squarely implicated by the City's decision to revoke its earlier granted pre-consideration for the Church when other food-service and catering businesses, associated with non-religious groups, operating in the same neighborhood as Plaintiff, also in violation of the Zoning Resolution, were given only a "Notice of Violation."Finding that the 2nd Circuit had not interpreted the RLUIPA's equal terms provision, the court held that under either the 3rd or 11th Circuits' competing interpretations, Plaintiff would prevail. The court also expressed concern over the City's policy of investigating zoning violations only when a complaint is filed. This can lead to "unfair targeting of unpopular groups." Yesterday's New York Times reported on the decision. (See prior related posting.)
Capitol Visitor Center Opens With Objection To Lack of Religious References
While the Architect of the Capitol has pledged to include some references to faith, more needs to be done.... The current ... displays are left-leaning and in some cases distort our true history. Exhibits portray the federal government as the fulfillment of human ambition and the answer to all of society’s problems. This is a clear departure from acknowledging that Americans' rights 'are endowed by their Creator' and stem from 'a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence.'DeMint particularly objects to the engraving near the entrance reading: "We have built no temple but the Capitol. We consult no common oracle but the Constitution."
Fired Human Resources VP Who Disputed Gay Rights Sues University
The lawsuit alleges that Dixon's column expressed her personal views, and that her firing infringes her 1st Amendment free speech rights. The complaint also claims equal protection violations, arguing that other University personnel have been permitted to speak out on political and social issues without consequences. Richard Thompson of the Thomas More Law Center who represents Dixon said that homosexuals have an "inordinate amount of influence" over University president Lloyd Jacobs. The University claims that Dixon's human resources position was one of special sensitivity, and that her ability to perform that job was undermined by her statements.
Orthodox Church Wants Russia To Outlaw Satanism and Church Desecration
Court Says No Free Exercise Problem In Homicide Charges Against Parents
Australian Court Is Asked To Order Police Investigation of Religious Group
Massachusetts High Court Lets Rastafarian Go To Trial Against Jiffy Lube
Cuba Improves Relations With Vatican As Castro Attends Beatification Mass
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
Religion Clause Nominated As One of "100 Best" By ABA For Second Year
Limitation on Church Attendance Does Not Violate Parolee's Free Exercise Rights
The limitation placed on Mr. Burchett by the stipulated Agreement did not represent a substantial burden on the observation of a central religious belief or practice, and cannot be considered anything more than an inconvenience. Mr. Burchett could still attend church if he so desired; he merely had to seek permission before doing so.... The government has a compelling interest in making sure the community is protected from pedophile sex offenders.
Anti-Religion Sign Is Next To Creche In Capitol Under Open Forum Rules
Marijuana Conviction Upheld; Religious Freedom Defense Rejected
Zimbabwe Court Protects Apostolic Sect From Local Chief
Wyoming Prisons Will Accommodate Muslim Prisoner Meal Times
Mumbai Muslim Cemetery Refuses To Bury Terrorists; Police Seeking Alternatives
Monday, December 01, 2008
President Bush Talks About Faith In His Life
Q What role does faith play in your day-to-day life?
THE PRESIDENT: I've been in the Bible every day since I've been the President, and I have been affected by people's prayers a lot. I have found that faith is comforting, faith is strengthening, faith has been important....I would advise politicians, however, to be careful about faith in the public arena. ...In other words, politicians should not be judgmental people based upon their faith. They should recognize -- as least I have recognized I am a lowly sinner seeking redemption, and therefore have been very careful about saying (accept) my faith or you're bad. In other words, if you don't accept what I believe, you're a bad person.
And the greatness of America -- it really is -- is that you can worship or not worship and be equally American. And it doesn't matter how you choose to worship; you're equally American. And it's very important for any President to jealously protect, guard, and strengthen that freedom.