Objective coverage of church-state and religious liberty developments, with extensive links to primary sources.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Ohio School Board Sued By Teacher Who Wants To Divert Union Dues To Charity
Jewish Charities Are Victims of Madoff Wall Street Fraud
In addition, the North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System lost $5 million in the fraud. The Texas-based Julian J. Levitt Foundation that focuses on Jewish causes lost about $6 million. Yeshiva University, on whose board Madoff served, is still attempting to determine how much it had invested with him. Madoff's own foundation that contributed extensively to Jewish charities also is now gone. Haaretz reports that Madoff resigned from Yeshiva's board on Friday. It also suggests that a number of other Jewish philanthropists, in New York and Palm Beach, have likely lost significant amounts in the fraud.The programs of the Robert I. Lappin Charitable Foundation and the Robert I. Lappin 1992 Supporting Foundation are discontinued, effectively immediately. This includes Youth to Israel and Teachers to Israel.
The money used to fund the programs of both Foundations was invested with Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities and all the assets have been frozen by the federal courts..... The money needed to fund the programs of the Lappin Foundations is gone. The Foundation staff has been terminated today.
"It is with a heavy heart that I make this announcement," said Robert I. Lappin, Foundation trustee. "The Foundations' programs have touched thousands of lives over many years in our efforts to help keep our children Jewish."
UPDATE: The Los Angeles Jewish Community Foundation can be added to the list of victims. Luke Ford.net reports that some $18 million of the Foundation's Common Investment Pool (currently valued as 11% of its assets) was invested with Madoff.
UPDATE 2: Monday's Wall Street Journal [subscription required] reports on additional investors who were victimized, including foundations of two well-known Jewish philanthropists: Elie Wiesel's Foundation for Humanity and Steven Spielberg's Wunderkinder Foundation (which received 70% of its 2006 income from Madoff investments).
UPDATE 3: Monday's Haaretz has more information on Jewish foundations that were impacted: including the Chais Family Foundation which contributes heavily to Jewish causes and the Gift of Life Foundation, a Jewish bone marrow registry that to which Madoff contributes substantial amounts.
9th Circuit Rejects Tax Deduction for Religious Day School Tuition
Student's Op-Ed On Evolution Rejected For Class Magazine
Principal Kevin Bezy says the piece needs to be revised because "It didn't present the theory with a sensitivity for those who hold other theories." The teacher of the course says that Principal Bezy was concerned that the article sounded angry at the church and could lead to community backlash. Brandon Creasy says his article was censored because the principal does not believe in evolution. Bezy says his personal views are irrelevant; he was acting in an unbiased way. Teacher David Campbell says he is using the situation to teach his class about the First Amendment and its application to student publications. [Thanks to Scott Mange for the lead.]
UPDATE: Commenters to this posting point out that the principal may have had other more legitimate reasons to reject the essay-- namely its resemblance to one available online.
Moratorium Placed On More Displays In Washington State Capitol
UPDATE: One of the applications put on hold by the moratorium is from the notorious Westboro Baptist Church, best known for picketing Iraq and Afghanistan veterans' funerals. Its proposed display was a poster captioned "Santa Claus Will Take You To Hell!" Dispatches from the Culture Wars (12/14) has more, along with a photo of the proposed display.
Costa Rican Court Rejects Religious Objection To Blood Test For Driver's License
Friday, December 12, 2008
Evangelical Lobbyist Resigns After Statement Supporting Gay Civil Unions
A statement issued yesterday by the NAE says: "in a December 2, 2008 broadcast interview on National Public Radio, Richard responded to questions and made statements that did not appropriately represent the values and convictions of NAE and our constituents. Although he has subsequently expressed regret, apologized and affirmed our values there is a loss of trust in his credibility as a spokesperson among leaders and constituents." Cizik was one of the signers of a New York Times ad earlier this month condemning violence against the LDS Church for its support of California's Proposition 8 banning same-sex marriage. (See prior posting.)
8th Circuit Hears Arguments In Gideon Bible Case
First Sikh Inaugural Ball Will Be Held
3 Faith-Based Leaders Among 24 Recipients of Presidential Citizens Medal
Charles W. Colson: For more than three decades, Chuck Colson has dedicated his life to sharing the message of God’s boundless love and mercy with prisoners, former prisoners, and their families. Through his strong faith and leadership, he has helped courageous men and women from around the world make successful transitions back into society. The United States honors Chuck Colson for his good heart and his compassionate efforts to renew a spirit of purpose in the lives of countless individuals.The Medal was created in 1969 by Executive Order 114994. According to the official website for the Medal, it is intended "to recognize U.S. citizens who have performed exemplary deeds of service for the nation." Approximately 100 people have been awarded the Medal since 1969.
John P. Foley, S.J.: Father John Foley has successfully reached some of our Nation’s most vulnerable youth and instilled in them a love of learning. Through his spiritual leadership of a faith-based education system that partners with the community, he has provided opportunities for young people to achieve their dreams. The United States honors Father John Foley for his commitment to helping his fellow citizens lead lives of integrity and achievement.
Timothy R. Scully, C.S.C.: Father Timothy Scully has committed his life to strengthening communities through faith-based education that prepares individuals for a lifetime of achievement, service, and compassion. Through his leadership at the University of Notre Dame, he has developed innovative ways to support under-resourced schools. The United States honors Father Timothy Scully for demonstrating that every human being has boundless potential.
Federal Court Preliminarily Enjoins South Carolina "I Believe" Plates
Australia High Court Gives Expansive Definition of Tax-Exempt Charity
Court Dismisses Rabbi's Breach of Contract Claim On 1st Amendment Grounds
Suit Challenging Iowa State Employee Charity Rules Is Settled
Thursday, December 11, 2008
New Jersey Panel Recommends Permitting Same-Sex Marriage
Some witnesses opposed to same-sex marriage testified concerning their understanding of the meaning and authority of Biblical scripture.... While the Commission also heard considerable testimony to the contrary, it is not the role of this Commission to comment on the merits of religious tenets or faiths of any of the witnesses who testified. This Commission recommends that the civil institution of marriage be extended to same-sex couples.The Review Commission's website links to extensive background material, including transcripts of Commission hearings. An AP story discusses the Commission's report.
Group Criticizes French Report On Religious Sects
would reform laws to limit the free practice of religion of minority groups. Groups on France's "sect" list include Southern Baptists, Hasidic Jews and Buddhists.... [T]he report classes "victims" of sects into three categories: "1) 'followers who are not yet conscious of being victims;' 2) former followers and 3) 'victims' families." The MIVILUDES report further prescribes ways to intervene for 'victims.' The recommendations include having judges place 'consenting victims' under guardianship and the creation of mobile intervention cells each with a psychologist expert on sects who could intervene during police operations or custody matters.The letter to Sarkozy was based on a Memorandum from IRRP's committee of experts which concludes:
These measures contravene fundamental human rights principles articulated in international instruments that France has signed and ratified as well as decisions of the European Court of Human Rights and the UN Human Rights Committee interpreting the right to religious freedom and the State’s corresponding duty of religious neutrality and impartiality. Under these circumstances, these recommendations should not be transposed into law.
Senate Resolution Condemns Mumbai Attack, Opposes Religious Extremism
urges bolstered United States efforts to develop and implement policies and projects to combat all forms of religious extremism, including anti-Semitism, in order to deter the type of targeted attacks like that waged against the Chabad Lubavitch center in Mumbai.Senators Casey and Voinovich, co-sponsors of the Resolution issued a press release announcing Senate passage of the measure.
Sikh Wins Religious Bias Complaint Against CA Corrections Department
11th Circuit Hears Arguments In Christian Fraternity's Bid For Recognition
Court Allows Menorah Again In Downtown Poughkeepsie
After complaints last year, the city adopted a policy barring city workers from helping to put up any displays, but allowing anyone to place religious or secular holiday symbols on a specified city-owned vacant lot. Rabbi Yacov Borenstein wants to continue to use the traditional city site for his display, and wants a city "cherry picker" truck to lift him to the top of the menorah for the daily lighting ceremonies. Trial court Justice James D. Pagones ruled yesterday in favor of Rabbi Borenstein, in part because the city traditionally uses tax money to put up wreaths on downtown utility poles and to decorate Christmas trees on city-owned property. He wrote that excluding the menorah would have the principal effect of promoting Christianity and inhibiting Judaism in violation of the Establishment Clause.
UPDAATE: On Dec. 16, a state appellate court judge refused to stay Judge Pagones' ruling pending appeal. (Poughkeepsie Journal).