Ireland Proposing to Relax Ban On Religious Advertising

Today's London Times reports that Ireland's Communications Minister Eamon Ryan plans to introduce amendments to a broadcasting bill currently being considered by the Oireachtas (Ireland's Parliament) to relax the ban on religious advertising. Currently the Broadcasting Act bans all ads "directed towards a religious end." (See prior posting.) The planned amendments would retain a ban on religious groups using ads to recruit members. However language that would call for proportionality in applying the law would eliminate current bans on such things as ads for first Holy Communion gifts and similar ads for meaningful Christmas gifts that had been proposed by the organization Veritas.

Globe Publishes Interview With Geert Wilders

Today's Boston Globe carries an interview with Geert Wilders, a member of the Dutch Parliament known for his anti-Muslim views. Last month the British government denied Wilders entry to the country after he was invited to show his controversial video "Fitna" in the British Parliament. (See prior posting.) Here is an excerpt from Wilders' Globe interview:

Islam and freedom of speech are incompatible. Cultural relativism makes it difficult to fight, because cultural relativism says that Islam is the same as Christianity. Europe is being Islamized very, very quickly. In our prisons, we have a mark in every cell indicating the direction of Mecca.... People are getting beaten up on the streets of Amsterdam and Brussels for drinking water during Ramadan. We should have a sense of urgency.

Connecticut Catholic Conference Wants Protections For Objectors To Same-Sex Marriage

On Friday, the Connecticut General Assembly's Joint Judiciary Committee held a hearing on Raised Senate Bill No. 899 that was introduced last month to implement the state Supreme Court's 2008 decision validating same-sex marriages. (Bill status.) (See prior posting.) The bill would recognize same-sex unions from other states and would merge Connecticut civil unions into marriages. One provision in the bill guaranties that clergy will not be required to solemnize same-sex marriages when doing so would violate their religious beliefs. According to Saturday's Hartford Courant, the Catholic Conference is asking the legislature to expand that provision to also protect individuals such as florists, wedding photographers and justices of the peace who refuse to be involved in same-sex wedding ceremonies.

Canadian Conscientious Objector Is Prosecuted For Refusing To File Census Form

In Brockville, Ontario, religious conscientious objector Todd Stelmach is defending himself in a prosecution under Canada's Statistics Act. Yesterday's Brockville Recorder & Times reports that Stellmach refused to file his 2006 census form because the software and data processing equipment for Canada's 2006 census was supplied by a subsidiary of U.S. defense contractor Lockheed Martin Corp. Stellmach objects to the fact that Lockheed profits from the Iraq war and has moral objections to Lockheed's manufacture of cluster bombs. Stellmach told the court that his church supports his beliefs. Stellmach is registered as a conscientious objector with the Free Methodist Church of Canada. If convicted, Stellmach faces a $500 fine and up to 3 month in jail.

New Information Shows Reagan Pressed Gorbachev On Religious Issues

Today's Wall Street Journal carries a fascinating article disclosing previously unreleased information about negotiations in 1988 between U.S. President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev. In their fourth summit meeting, Reagan made a strong plea for religious tolerance inside the Soviet Union and then moved to try to convince Gorbachev that he should personally believe in God.

D.C. Circuit Upholds Firefighters' Victory In Challenge To Ban On Beards

In Potter v. District of Columbia, (DC Cir., March 6, 2009), a case brought under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court's grant of summary judgment barring enforcement of a grooming rule against firefighters who wear beards for religious reasons. (See prior posting.) The D.C. Department of Fire and Emergency Services justified a rule that required personnel who wear face masks to be clean shaven on the ground that this was necessary for effective use of the breathing equipment used in firefighting. The Court of Appeals held that the District of Columbia, however, had already conceded that one type of respirator could safely be worn by bearded firefighters, and that these firefighters could be deployed in fire areas that permitted use of this type of equipment.

Judge Williams concurring complained that: "Unfortunately for the District, its own muddled litigation strategy rendered summary judgment for the plaintiffs a legitimate outcome." He focused on the fact that OSHA regulations-- although they do not apply to the D.C. government-- consider facial hair a problem for all kinds of respirators. The BLT reports on the decision.

German Court Orders Berlin's Anti-Scientology Poster Removed

In der Scientology Kirche Berlin v. das Land Berlin, (Berlin Administrative Court, Feb. 27, 2009) (full text in German), the Berlin Administrative Court ordered removal of an anti-Scientology kiosk that had been placed in front of Germany's Berlin Scientology Church by the government of the City of Berlin. Germany considers Scientology a business that takes advantage of vulnerable individuals. Intelligence officials have been monitoring its activities after last year considering opening formal proceedings to totally ban the Church. (See prior posting.) According to a press release from Scientology officials, the Administrative Court's decision found that in placing the large "Stop Scientology" poster on the kiosk, the city had violated the government's duty to remain neutral on religious matters. The action, according to the court, infringed Scientology's right to human dignity and to religious freedom under Arts. I and IV of Germany's Constitution. [Thanks to Susanne Reinthal for the lead.]

Proposed Oklahoma Resolutions Criticize Pro-Evolution Teaching At State University

Two House Resolutions recently introduced in the Oklahoma legislature express concern with teaching of evolution at the University of Oklahoma and oppose the invitation that has been extended to British biologist Richard Dawkins to speak on campus. HR 1014 and HR 1015 [Word.docs] are similar in content and deal with both concerns. Here is a portion of HR 1014:

[T]he Oklahoma House of Representatives hereby expresses its disapproval of the current indoctrination of the Darwinian theory of evolution at the University of Oklahoma and further requests that an open, dignified, and fair discussion of this idea and all other ideas be engaged in on campus which is the approach that a public institution should be engaged in and which represents the desire and interest of the citizens of Oklahoma
.
...[T]he Oklahoma House of Representative strongly opposes the invitation to speak on the campus of the University of Oklahoma to Richard Dawkins of Oxford University, whose published statements on the theory of evolution and opinion about those who do not believe in the theory are contrary and offensive to the views and opinions of most citizens of Oklahoma.

[Thanks Pharyngula via Scott Mange for the lead.]

Vatican Tells ICANN That Religious gTLDs Are a Problem

The Register yesterday reports on a Feb. 20 comment letter (full text) from the Vatican to ICANN expressing concern over the possible approval of Internet top level domain names that reflect religious traditions. The letter reads in part:

the Holy See would like to bring to the attention of the Board of ICANN the possible perils connected with the assignment of new gTLDs with reference to religious traditions (e.g., .catholic, .anglican, .orthodox, .hindu, .islam; .muslim, .buddhist, etc…). These gTLDs could provoke competing claims among theological and religious traditions and could possibly result in bitter disputes that would force ICANN, implicitly and/or explicitly, to abandon its wise policy of neutrality by recognizing to a particular group or to a specific organization the legitimacy to represent a given religious tradition.

A Feb. 24 response suggests that the proposed process for established institutions to file community objections to a proposed gTLD application may be a method of dealing with the Vatican's concerns, but seeks further consultations on the issue.

Save the National Day of Prayer Effort Begun

In response to a lawsuit filed last October challenging the federal law that designates the first Thursday in May as a National Day of Prayer (see prior posting), Alliance Defense Fund has begun a "Save the National Day of Prayer" campaign. Through a special website it is encouraging individuals to send a note of encouragement to NDP Task Force chair Shirley Dobson and to sign a petition to President Obama encouraging him to again this year issue a Presidential proclamation declaring a National Day of Prayer. Federal law, 36 USC 119, already requires the President so issue such a proclamation. CitizenLink reported yesterday on ADF's efforts.

Lithuania Will Pay Compensation For Confiscated Jewish Property

RIA Novosti reported yesterday that the government of Lithuania will pay $41 million in compensation for Jewish property taken by the Nazis in World War II and then retained by the Lithuanian government. The Justice Ministry's draft plan will be submitted to three Jewish social organizations for final approval. This arrangement covers property other than synagogues. Synagogues have already been returned to Jewish communities. [Thanks to Religion & Public Policy for the lead.]

Minnesota License Photo Bill Objected To By Muslims

A bill introduced into the Minnesota legislature last month, HF No. 989, has created concern among Muslims in the state. It would require that divers' licenses carry a photo showing the full head an face of the licensee. Many Muslim women who wear a head scarf for religious reasons object. State Rep. Steve Gottwalt, sponsor of the bill, says the bill is not about religion, but about public safety, according to a report last Sunday by WCCO.

UPDATE: Thursday's Tulsa World reports on a similar bill pending in the Oklahoma legislature. HB1645 passed the Oklahoma House, but its fate in the Senate is uncertain since the Department of Public Safety sees no need for the bill.

UPDATE: Thursday's Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports that the sponsor of the Minnesota bill now says he will amend it to permit individuals to wear haead coverings for religious or cultural purposes in license photos. This language would track the standards used for U.S. passport photos.

Yemeni Jewish Commuinty Protests Verdict In Murder Trial

Yesterday's Yemen Times reports that the Jewish community in Amran, Yemen is unhappy with the outcome of the murder trial of Abdul-Aziz Al-Abdi, a Muslim and a former Air Force pilot. Last year, Al-Abdi sent a letter to the Jewish community warning that he would kill them unless they either converted to Islam or left the country. Al-Abdi then shot and killed Masha al-Nahari. The court ruled that Al-Abdi, who previously murdered his wife, should be committed to a mental institution, and that Al-Abdi's family should pay YR 5.5 million ($27,480 US) as compensation to the family of the murder victim. The Amran Jewish community has issued a statement calling for a reversal of the verdict and the imposition of the death penalty instead-- even though Al-Abdi's family has threatened more killing of Jews if the death penalty were imposed. Human rights advocates say the verdict will increase hatred against Jews and some believe it will push the remaining Jews in Yemen to leave for Israel.

Religion In Schools Lawsuit Settlement Draws Community Concern

On Monday, the Santa Rosa County, Florida School Board met to approve the final draft of a consent decree in a lawsuit brought against it by the ACLU challenging religious practices in schools. (See prior posting.) Santa Rosa's Press Gazette reports on the agreed-upon terms. Prayers will not be delivered at school events. Schools will no longer sponsor religious baccalaureate services. School events will not be held at religious venues if a reasonable alternative location is available. School personnel cannot promote their personal religious beliefs to students in class or in conjunction with school events. While some churches have reacted to the lawsuit by planning a privately-sponsored baccalaureate service (see prior posting), other religious groups in the community are more in a protest mode. Reverend Matthew Cotten has created a group called OK2Pray that will meet in front of Pace High School on a Saturday later this month. And according to North Escambia.com, on another Saturday this month, some 14 churches will meet on the baseball field at Jay High School to pray for the students to "encourage them to stand in their faith."

UPDATE: On May 6, the Florida federal district court approved the consent decree (full text) in Doe v. School Board for Santa Rosa County, Florida, (ND FL, May 6, 2009). (ACLU Press Release).

Christian Teachers Question Britain's Proposed Code of Conduct

In November 2008, the General Teaching Council for England published for comment a Draft Code of Conduct and Practice for teachers. GTCE is the professional regulatory body for teaching, and the Code is an attempt to "set out in one place the expected norms of teachers' professionalism and practice, which apply to all teachers, no matter what subject or age of children they teach, their role or level of experience, or the context in which they work." (FAQ). (Also see additional background material.) LifeSite News reported yesterday that Christian and other religious groups are concerned about one of the draft Code's eight principles which calls on teachers to "promote equality and value diversity." Expanding on the principle, the Code calls on teachers to "proactively challenge discrimination." Opponents say this could be read as an attack on the right of publicly-funded faith schools to select leaders of their own religion. They also argue that requiring Christian teachers to proactively oppose homophobia is essentially ordering them, in violation of their religious beliefs, to promote homosexuality as normal and acceptable.

Competing Texas Groups Want To Use Episcopal Disocese of Ft. Worth Name

The Episcopal Diocese of Ft. Worth (TX) is one of a number of congregations and dioceses that have disaffiliated from the Episcopal Church USA and affiliated with the more conservative Anglican Province of the Southern Cone. According to Virtue Online yesterday, the first steps have now been taken in a legal battle over use of the name "Episcopal Diocese of Ft. Worth." After the diocese broke away, the Episcopal Church appointed a new Provisional Bishop for the continuing ECUSA diocese. The Chancellor of the ECUSA diocese has written the break-away bishop, Jack Iker, requesting that he cease using the name, logo and emblems of the "Episcopal Diocese of Ft. Worth," and that he turn over the diocesan seal. The Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth, with Bishop Iker as its head, however is the group incorporated under that name by the Texas Secretary of State. Another group cannot, under state law, incorporate using the same name.

Tony Blair Interviewed On Religion In Britain

Yesterday's London Telegraph reports on an interview with former British Prime Minister Tony Blair published in the Church of England Newspaper. Blair, who converted to Catholicism after he left office, lamented: "in general terms in British society there is a risk that people see faith as a personal eccentricity." He added: "The real test of a religion is whether in an age of aggressive secularism it has the confidence to go out and make its case by persuasion." Blair also talked about the controversy while he was Prime Minister between the government and Catholic adoption agencies over adoption by same-sex couples.

Preliminary Injunction Denied Over Louisiana University's Speech Rules

AP reports that yesterday a Louisiana federal district judge refused to grant a preliminary injunction in a suit against Southeastern Louisiana University by a traveling evangelist who sued to challenge the University's policy that requires administrative approval one week in advance for an individual to make a speech or presentation on campus. Evangelist Jeremy Sonnier was holding a sign and speaking with students near a campus plaza when a campus police officer informed him of the permit requirement. A dispute between them followed. (See prior related posting.)

Spectre of Legal Polygamy In Canada Raises Tax, Retirement, Insurance Issues

With a constitutional challenge pending in Canada to British Columbia's anti-polygamy laws (see prior posting), an investment professional is already looking at a number of collateral legal issues that will arise if polygamy is legalized. Morningstar today carries an article by Steven G. Kelman suggesting that changes in pension, retirement plan and income tax laws will be needed. Among the issues that will need attention are whether more than one surviving spouse can receive the now tax-deferred rollover of spousal assets. Meanwhile private insurance companies will need to rethink the premiums and coverage of health insurance that includes spouses.

Decision Reflects Limited Success In Hindu Challenge To California Textbooks

California Parents for the Equalization of Educational Materials v. Noonan, 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 15889 (ED CA, Feb. 26, 2009), is the latest in a series of state and federal decisions involving challenges to the process and substance of 6th-grade social science textbook changes adopted in 2005-2006 by the California State Board of Education. (See prior posting.) At issue is the manner in which Hinduism is portrayed, and the controversy to some extent reflects differences between groups within the Hindu community. In this California federal district court lawsuit, a group of Hindu and Indian parents (CAPEEM) claimed that the adopted textbooks portray Hinduism in a discriminatory and denigrating manner. The court rejected most, but not all, of the challenges filed by CAPEEM.

The court held that CAPEEM lacks standing to bring an Establishment Clause claim charging unlawful Christian and Jewish indoctrination of students since that was not one of CAPEEM's organizational purposes. It also lacks standing to challenge the text book portrayal of religions other than Hinduism. However, the court found that CAPEEM does have standing to complain about the treatment of Hinduism in textbooks and to challenge disparate treatment in the textbook adoption process. On the merits, the court rejected plaintiff's Establishment Clause and equal protection challenges to the portrayal of Hinduism, and plaintiffs' claims that their speech and association rights were infringed. However the court held that plaintiffs survived a summary judgment motion on their equal protection challenge to the textbook adoption process.