March for Life Held Yesterday; Obama Supports Choice

Yesterday tens of thousands of anti-abortion proponents took part in the annual March for Life on the National Mall in Washington, DC. The event was held on the 36th anniversary of the Supreme Court's decision in Roe v. Wade. Catholic News Service reports that an all-night vigil was launched with a mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Yesterday, according to CBS News, President Obama released a statement strongly supporting abortion rights which read in part: "Roe v. Wade ... not only protects women's health and reproductive freedom, but stands for a broader principle: that government should not intrude on our most private family matters...."

Court Orders Russian Government To Protect Religious Documents

Last year, The Orthodox Jewish Chabad-Lubavitch movement sued Russia to recover two historic collections of Jewish religious books and manuscripts. (See prior posting.) The case is still being litigated, but it appears that about a dozen pages of rare religious manuscripts from the collection under the control of the Russian State Military Archives have turned up in Israel. So in December, plaintiffs filed a motion charging the Russian Federation with not properly guarding the material. Both the New York Times and an article at Chabad.org yesterday report that D.C. federal district judge Royce Lamberth issued a restraining order requiring Russia to protect the documents and return any that have already have been removed from the Russian State Military Archives. However the court refused to order Russia to permit a Chabad delegation into the country to check on how the collection was being preserved. The judge said he did not think he had authority to order Russia to accept foreigners into the country.

Meanwhile, American Lawyer reported yesterday that the law firm of Squire, Sanders & Dempsey which represents the Russian government has filed a motion seeking to withdraw its representation in the case, saying there has been a breakdown in communication with their client, and that their bills to the client have not been paid. The Chabad.org report says that the court ordered the attorneys to remain on the case, but warned a default judgment could be issued if the representation question is not resolved.

Planned Defenses In Canadian Polygamy Case Disclosed

As previously reported, Canadian authorities in British Columbia have brought polygamy charges against two rival religious leaders in the town of Bountiful, home to polygamous religious communities, including the FLDS. Yesterday an AFP story outlined the defenses that attorneys say they will raise in the high-profile case. Blair Suffredine, lawyer for defendant Winston Blackmore, says he will argue that polygamy is protected under Canada's constitutional guarantee of freedom of religion, even though the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms permits "reasonable limitations" on protected rights. He argues that if a man lived with ten women he did not marry, there would be no crime, and that there is not a societal interest in punishing so-called "celestial marriage" to multiple wives. He also says he will argue that since same-sex marriage is legal in Canada, polygamy should also be treated in the same way.

Texas State Board Begins Hearings on Science Curriculum Standards

On Wednesday, according to the New York Times, the Texas State Board of Education began contentious hearings on revising of the state's science curriculum standards. (See prior posting.) At issue is whether the Board will accept a panel recommendation to drop language calling for students to analyze the "strength and weaknesses" of scientific theories and to replace it with language that is seen by scientists as less likely to undercut the teaching of evolution. The new language calls on students to "analyze and evaluate scientific explanations using empirical evidence." Proponents of the new language say that the "strengths and weaknesses" formulation is used to justify exposing students to religious theories masquerading as science. Tony's curricublog has audio files of the hearings. [Thanks to Scott Mange for the lead.]

UPDATE: In a vote on Thursday, the State Board tentatively voted 8-7 in favor of the new language that would drop the reference to "strengths and weaknesses." (San Antonio Express-News; Houston Chronicle).

ACLU Sues Minnesota Identity Charter School

ACLU of Minnesota announced yesterday that it has filed a federal lawsuit against Tarek ibn Ziyad Academy (TIZA), a publicly-funded cultural identity charter school operating in the Twin Cities area. The complaint in ACLU of Minnesota v. Tarek Ibn Ziyad Academy, (D MN, filed 1/21/2009) alleges that the funding and operation of TIZA violates the Establishment Clause of the U.S. Constitution and of the Minnesota Constitution (Art. 1, Sec. 16), the Minnesota Constitution's ban on aid to sectarian schools (Art. XIII, Sec. 2), as well as the Minnesota statute governing charter schools (Minnesota Statutes §124D.10). The suit claims that school policies promote Islam and that the school has improperly leased land from sectarian organizations. Yesterday's Minneapolis Star-Tribune reported on the case. (See prior related posting.)

9th Circuit Upholds Restaurant's Win In Title VII Case

In EEOC v. Serrano's Mexican Restaurant, LLC, (9th Cir., Jan. 5, 2009), the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld an Arizona federal district court jury's determination that a restaurant chain had reasonably accommodated a fired manager's religious beliefs. The 9th Circuit's decision affirmed the trial court's denial of a motion for a new trial in the Title VII religious discrimination case. Yesterday's East Valley Tribune reports that in the case the EEOC claimed that the restaurant chain had infringed the rights of Terra Naeve when it fired her for leading Bible studies for the employees she managed. The company had a policy against managers fraternizing with subordinates. Naeve had rejected a company offer to move her to a different restaurant so that she would no longer be supervising her Bible group participants.

Dutch Court Orders Prosecution of Wilders For Hate Speech

In the Netherlands, the Amsterdam Appeals Court has reversed a decision by the public prosecutor's office and ordered the prosecution of parliament member Geert Wilders for inciting hatred and discrimination against Muslims and insulting Muslim worshippers. BBC News yesterday reported on the decision against the right wing Freedom Party leader who last year had posted a film titled Fitna on the Internet. The film equates Islam with violence and compares the Quran to Hitler's Mein Kampf. (See prior posting.) Wilders called the court's decision an attack on his freedom of expression. [Thanks to Eric Rassbach for the lead.]

Court Permanently Enjoins Illinois Moment of Silence Law

In Sherman v. Township High School District 214, (ND IL, Jan. 21, 2009), an Illinois federal district court enjoined enforcement of the Illinois statute that provides each school day must begin with a brief period of silence for prayer or reflection. The court concluded that the statute violates the Establishment Clause, saying:

The plain language of the Statute ... suggests an intent to force the introduction of the concept of prayer into the schools.... Even if the court were to conclude that the plain language of the Statute does not demonstrate a sham secular purpose, the legislative history does.... [Also] by mandating a “period” of silence in which each student is given the opportunity to pray or "reflect," the state has denied the opportunity of students whose prayer is not "silent" from exercising their right to pray during this period.

The Southern Illinoisan and the Chicago Tribune yesterday reported on the decision which makes permanent a temporary injunction against enforcement of the statute issued last May. (See prior posting.)

Italian Authorities React To Muslim Prayer In Front Of Catholic Sites

ANSA reported yesterday that Italian authorities are drafting new regulations to prevent a repeat of incidents earlier this month in which large groups of Muslims conducted prayer services in front of Catholic holy places in Milan, Bologna and Rome. The incidents occurred when Muslim prayer time arrived in the middle of protest marches against Israel's military operations in Gaza. Right-wing politicians have reacted with anger to the events. Attilio Fontana (Northern League) said he "would like to see what would happen if I went to recite the rosary in Mecca." In Milan, Defence Minister Ignazio La Russa staged a Catholic mass at the location where the Muslim march was held in order to ''reclaim'' the area. The Bologna public prosecutor's office has filed charges of public security violations against one of the Muslim organizers, saying police are required to be notified in advance of public prayer events. However Milan Archbishop Dionigi Tettamanzi says prayer by the Muslims was an ''inalienable right''.

Arkansas Court Upholds Removal of 18 Children From Alamo Ministries

The Arkansas Democrat Gazette reports that on Tuesday a Miller County (AR) state trial court upheld the removal of 18 children from the Tony Alamo Christian Ministries. The children were determined to be at risk because the ministry approves beating children as punishment for misbehavior and it allows underage marriages. The 18 were among 23 children who had been placed in foster care by state authorities. Miller County Circuit Judge Joe Griffin had previously upheld the removal of the 5 others. (See prior related posting.)

Spain's Supreme Court Upholds Privacy Award Against Church

Catholic News Agency yesterday reported on a decision handed down earlier this week by Spain's Supreme Court upholding an award of back pay and reinstatement entered against the Catholic Diocese of Canarias. The Diocese is located in Spain's Canary Islands. Maria del Carmen Galayo, who had been hired by the Diocese to teach religion, was fired after she left her husband and began living with another man. The Diocese said her adulterous relationship was not compatible with the moral principles that those who teach religion to minors are required to publicly display. Galayo sued claiming Church officials had "unduly interfered in her private life." A lower court agreed, and the Supreme Court upheld its decision. The Diocese can still appeal the reinstatement order to Spain's Constitutional Court.

National Prayer Service This Morning-- Live Feed Available [Updated]

As part of Inauguration week events, a National Prayer Service was held this morning at the National Cathedral in Washington, DC. Here is the list of approximately 20 clergy from a wide variety of faith traditions as released last week by the Presidential Inaugural Committee. In addition to a broad spectrum of Christian and Jewish denominations, Muslim and Hindu clergy will also participate. The prayer service which began at 10:00 am and was streamed live online. The National Cathedral has posted the official program for the prayer service which contains the music and readings that were part of the service. YouTube (Part 1; Part 2) has videos of much of the sermon delivered by Rev. Sharon E. Watkins (see prior posting).

White House Website Transformed Within Minutes of Transition

Church Executive and WorldNet Daily reported yesterday that within minutes of Barack Obama taking the oath of office, a completely revamped White House website replaced the old one. The new website contains the lengthy policy agenda of the Obama administration. The Civil Rights portion of the Agenda includes a lengthy section on proposed steps to support the LGBT Community-- most of which were opposed by the Bush Administration as well as by conservative Christian groups. The new website also eliminates the pages devoted to President Bush's Faith-Based and Community Initiative (FBCI). (Here is Google's cache of the FBCI page as it appeared on the website of the Bush White House.)

French University Offers Master's Program In Islamic Finance

In France, Strasbourg University's School of Management has begun to offer a degree in Islamic finance. Zawya reports today that 36 students from Europe and North Africa are enrolled in the 11-month master's level program that will help meet the demand of regulatory authorities and financial institutions for experts in Shariah-compliant investments.

Virginia Man Sues Employer For Failing To Accommodate His Sunday Observance

The Charlottesville Daily Progress reports today that Jeffery King, a Baptist pastor who also worked at a Charlottesville, Virginia pharmacy services facilty of Cardinal Health, Inc., has filed a Title VII religious discrimination lawsuit against his former employer in federal district court. The lawsuit, seeking reinstatement and back pay, claims that Cardinal Health failed to reasonably accommodate King's request to avoid working on Sundays for religious reasons. Apparently the company refused King's offer to work Saturdays instead of Sundays because not all of its other employees would agree in writing to cover King's Sunday shifts. The problem arose after a 2006 change in company policy that required employees to work on Sundays.

UPDATE: The Daily Progress on Jan. 23 reported that King's lawsuit as well as a religious discrimination lawsuit against Cardinal Health by a second plaintiff have been settled.

Inaugural Prayers and Speech Are Contrasts In Civic Religion

Pastor Rick Warren's invocation, Barack Obama's speech and Rev. Joseph Lowery's benediction at today's inauguration ceremony were fascinating contrasts in the tradition of denominational inclusiveness and civic religion. Prior to the inauguration, there was much speculation on whether Warren's invocation would be explicitly Christian. It was, well beyond the usual half dozen words at the end invoking Jesus. Warren ended his invocation (full text) with:

I humbly ask this in the name of the one who changed my life, Yeshua, Essa (ph), Jesus, Jesus, who taught us to pray, "Our Father who art in Heaven hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever." Amen.

Yet early on in his invocation, Warren attempted to include allusions to other faith traditions, though without specifically identifying them as such. He quoted a Biblical verse central to Judaism, saying: "The Scripture tells us 'Hear, oh Israel, the Lord is our god; the Lord is one.'" He immediately followed that with what was apparently a reference to the Muslim appellation for God as he said: "And you are the compassionate and merciful one." That was followed by: "And you are loving to everyone you have made"-- apparently intended to be a reference to the Christian notion of a loving God.

Obama, during his inaugural speech (full text), made a much more inclusive reference to the American religious landscape:

we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus -- and nonbelievers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth...

Finally, as might be expected, Lowery's benediction called up images of the civil rights movement. As reported by USA Today, Lowery began with the first words of the Negro National Anthem, Lift Every Voice and Sing: "God of our weary years,God of our silent tears... " UPDATE: Here is the full text of Rev. Lowery's benediction.

Obama Begins Inauguration Day By Attending Prayer Service

Barack Obama begins today with an Inauguration Day tradition begun by Franklin Roosevelt. He will attend a prayer service at the 200-year old St. John's Episcopal Church, across Lafayette Square from the White House. According to the AP, Dallas megachurch pastor T.D. Jakes will preach at the private church service. MTV reports that the Obamas will leave Blair House for the service at 8:25 a.m. The service begins ten minutes later and is scheduled to end at 9:45. The Obamas then go to the White House for coffee with the Bushes. According to last Saturday's Washington Post, St. John's has recently undergone a $6.5 million renovation.

Nebraska Episcopal Diocese Sues Break Away Parish

Another break-away Episcopal congregation is in litigation with its former diocese. This time it is the Episcopal Diocese of Nebraska suing Omaha's 125-member St. Barnabas parish which in 2007 voted to affiliate with the more conservative Anglican Church in America. St. Barnabas has historically been conservative, still using the Tridentine Mass. Today's Omaha World-Herald reports that the diocese is asking a state court for a declaratory judgment that it owns the church's property, but St. Barnabas says the deed to the church building is held by the parish. The first hearing in the case is scheduled tomorrow in Douglas County District Court.

TV Snafu Complicates Obama's Politics of Clergy Selection

The Atlantic reported yesterday that the politics of inaugural prayer has gotten more complicated for the Obama inaugural committee. After supporters of gay and lesbian rights complained vociferously about the choice of Pastor Rick Warren to deliver the benediction at today's inaugural ceremony, Obama planners invited openly gay Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson to deliver the opening prayer at yesterday's pre-inaugural concert at the Lincoln Memorial. (See prior posting.) However HBO, which had exclusive live broadcast rights to the entertainment portion of yesterday's program, began its coverage after Robinson's invocation was completed. The inaugural committee said they had intended Robinson's prayer to be part of the televised coverage. To compensate, the inaugural committee will broadcast an edited version of the concert to an expected crowd of 2 million who are gathering on the Mall today for the formal inauguration ceremony. The rebroadcast will include Robinson's opening prayer. Meanwhile, yesterday's Chicago Sun-Times published the full text of Robinson's inspiring and inclusive Lincoln Memorial invocation.

British Poll Says Religion More Divisive Than Race

In Britain, a new poll by the Government's Equalities and Human Rights Commission shows that 60% of respondents believe that religion is more divisive than race in British society. London's Daily Mail reports today on the poll on racial and religious tolerance. Another of the poll's questions asked whether the respondent would be happy to have his or her child marry someone from another religion. 70% of the general population, but only 33% of Muslim respondents, agreed that they would welcome this prospect. Muslims were much more open to their children marrying a member of a different ethnic group than a different religion. Only 31% of the general population agreed that "people who move to Britain from abroad should leave their old traditions behind."