Objective coverage of church-state and religious liberty developments, with extensive links to primary sources.
Friday, February 13, 2009
In Some Nations, Religious and Cultural Objections To Valentine's Day Arise
UPDATE: India's Sri Rama Sene called off its plans to protest Valentine's Day activities, though its leader Pramod Mutalik has become something of a cultural hero. (India Today, Feb. 13.)
Christian College Student Sues Over Speech Prof's Treatment of His Presentation
The complaint Lopez v. Candaele, (CD CA, filed 2/11/2009) (full text) alleges that Prof. Matteson refused to permit Lopez to complete his speech, called him a "fascist bastard" and, instead of entering a grade on an evaluation sheet, wrote that Lopez should "ask God" for his grade. An appeal to the dean was unavailing. It led to threats of retaliation by Matteson and claims by administrators that Lopez was engaged in hate speech. The lawsuit challenges both the actions taken against Lopez and the College's speech code as violations of the 1st and 14th Amendments. Alliance Defense Fund issued a release yesterday reporting on the case and linking to additional background materials.
European Court Says Russia Violated Rights of Unification Church Missionary
[Thanks to Institute on Religion & Public Policy for the lead.]Given the primary religious nature of the applicant’s activities and the general policy as set out in the Concept of National Security of the Russian Federation, that is to say that foreign missionaries posed a threat to national security, the Court considered it established that Mr Nolan's banning from Russia had been designed to repress the exercise of his right to freedom of religion. However, since the interests of national security were deliberately omitted as a permitted ground for restrictions on the exercise of the right to freedom of religion in Article 9 of the Convention, such interests could not be relied upon as a justification for the measures taken by the Russian authorities against Mr Nolan.
USCIRF Urges U.S. To Press Turkey On Monastery Dispute
The row began when Turkish government land officials redrew the boundaries around Mor Gabriel and the surrounding villages in 2008 to update the national land registry as part of a cadastre modernization project in compliance with EU instructions. The monks say the new boundaries turn over to the villages large plots of land the monastery has owned for centuries and designate monastery land as public forest.
Report On Hate Movements In Times of Economic Crisis Is Released
European Court Says Bulgaria Improperly Resolved Church Split
in the context of an ongoing dispute between two groups claiming leadership of the Church, ... the State had taken action to terminate the autonomous existence of one of the two opposing groups and had provided the other group with exclusive control over the affairs of the whole religious community. It found that that had been contrary to the Government’s duty to remain neutral in such matters, as it had not been a question of merely recognising the canonical leadership of the Church but a question of which leadership had been canonical. The authorities had therefore taken sides in an unsettled controversy deeply dividing the religious community. That had amounted to an interference with the applicants' right to freedom of religion, which had included the right to organisational autonomy of the religious community.On Wednesday the Alliance Defense fund issued a release praising the January decision, saying that it "underscores the vital importance of the church operating independently of state coercion and control."
Anti-Religion Signs Will Go Up In Madison WI Buses
Swedish Muslim Student Claims Discrimination Over Niqab
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Kazakhstan's Constitutional Council Invalidates New Religion Law
UPDATE: Forum 18 on Thursday had a longer report on the decision. It indicates that President Nazarbaev has one month during which he can propose changes to the decision. they take effect only if supported by two-thirds of the Constitutional Council. The report also says that the Council's decision calls into question the constitutionality of Kazakhstan's current Religion Law as well.
Defendant's Religious Beliefs Prevent Him From Viewing Sexual Photos For Trial
Proposal Would Delete Anti-Atheist Clause of Arkansas Constitution
County Board Moves To Moment of Silence; Generates Strong Objections
Group Demands Schools End Use of Church For Graduation Ceremonies
Lebanon Says Citizens Can Remove Religious Affiliation From State Records
Louisiana Prison Will Remove Religious References From Monument
Vietnam Recognizes Mennonite Church
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
New York Court Applies "Get" Law In Divorce Case
In this case, the 80-year old husband (a Holocaust survivor) had adamantly refused to provide his 61-year old wife a get, despite a contempt citation issued by a Jewish rabbinic court and demonstrations in front of his home by community members. The court, awarding the husband $400 per month maintenance, conditioned it on his voluntarily giving his wife a get within 45 days. The court said: "It would be unjust and inappropriate to have the wife pay spousal support for the husband's benefit yet she is still 'chained' to him." Last Saturday's New York Daily News reports on the decision. [Thanks to Marc Stern for the lead.]