Objective coverage of church-state and religious liberty developments, with extensive links to primary sources.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Tony Alamo Ministries Sues Arkansas Human Services Department
Obama Beomes First President To Host A White House Seder
Wednesday, April 08, 2009
University of Maryland Student Senate Ends Graduation Prayer
UPDATE: The April 13 GW Hatchet reports that University of Maryland President Dan Mote overruled the Student Senate's decision three days later. [Thanks to Scott Mange for the lead.]
Fatih-Based Office Hosts Meeting For Council and Invited Leaders
The Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships, whose mission is to empower religious and secular groups that provide social services, is hosting more than 60 people it considers key leaders at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building for a meeting that began last night and runs through this evening.Participants were pleased that administration officials were seeking their input on social policy issues, but fear that their agenda will get pushed aside by the economic crisis, and that funds will be diverted by state and local governments.
Invited guests include the 25 members of the president's advisory council and a few dozen more insiders (almost all from faith-based groups), including people President Obama has turned to since he became a candidate for guidance on everything from torture ethics to Catholic politics to inner-city fatherhood programs.
Vatican Rejects US Ambassador Names Because of Their Positions on Abortion
Pres. Obama Sends Passover Greetings
3rd Circuit Says Police Need Not Accommodate Officer's Khimar
Student In Israel Displays Novel Protest Over Court's Reading of Hametz Law
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
Cert. Denied In Establishment Clause Challenge To Navy Retirement System
Court Says Ministerial Exception Does Not Apply In Suit Against Archdiocese
High School Must Bus Students From Rented Catholic Building For Sex-Ed
New Jersey Court Issues Injunction Allowing Church To Use Building
New Yorker Meets Judicial Resistance On Name Change
Suit Challenges Michigan Funeral Protest Law On Unusual Facts
Army Chaplain Urges Day of Prayer and Fasting-- Conflicts With Passover
Monday, April 06, 2009
Orthodox Jewish Policy Director Appointed To President's Faith-Based Council-- [UPDATE]: 9 New Members Appointed
UPDATE: The Washington Post reported Monday afternoon that a number of new members were appointed to the Advisory Council and that its first substantive meeting was held today:
Several new members come from groups representing minorities, including: Dalia Mogahed, executive director of the Gallup Center for Muslim Studies; Anju Bhargava, founder of Asian Indian Women of America and Harry Knox, head of the religion program at the Human Rights Campaign, which advocates for gays and lesbians.A White House press release Monday afternoon lists all the members, including the 9 new appointees. Additional new members are Bishop Charles Blake, Nancy Ratzan and Dr. Sharon Watkins. Absent from the list of appointees was former NFL coach Tony Dungy. A previous announcement that he had been invited to join the Council stirred criticism. (See prior posting.) [Thanks to Blog From the Capital for the lead.]
Other new members include Anthony Picarello, formerly of the religious liberties law firm Becket Fund and now general counsel to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, and Rev. Peg Chemberlin, president-elect of the National Council of Churches, a sprawling ecumenical umbrella group of mostly mainline Protestants
Former Student Challenges University's Requirements for Counseling Practicum
Obama In Turkey Stresses Respectful US-Muslim Relationship
In his speech to Parliament (full text from Hurriyet) Obama said:I think that where there's the most promise of building stronger U.S.-Turkish relations is in the recognition that Turkey and the United States can build a model partnership in which a predominantly Christian nation, a predominantly Muslim nation -- a Western nation and a nation that straddles two continents ... that we can create a modern international community that is respectful, that is secure, that is prosperous, that there are not tensions -- inevitable tensions between cultures -- which I think is extraordinarily important....
[O]ne of the great strengths of the United States [is that it does not consider itself] a Christian nation or a Jewish nation or a Muslim nation. We consider ourselves a nation of citizens who are bound by ideals and a set of values. I think modern Turkey was founded with a similar set of principles.
I know that the trust that binds us has been strained, and I know that strain is shared in many places where the Muslim faith is practiced. Let me say this as clearly as I can: the United States is not at war with Islam and will never be. In fact, our partnership with the Muslim world is critical in rolling back a fringe ideology that people of all faiths reject.
But I also want to be clear that America’s relationship with the Muslim world cannot and will not be based on opposition to al Qaeda. Far from it. We seek broad engagement based upon mutual interests and mutual respect. We will listen carefully, bridge misunderstanding, and seek common ground. We will be respectful, even when we do not agree. And we will convey our deep appreciation for the Islamic faith, which has done so much over so many centuries to shape the world for the better – including my own country. The United States has been enriched by Muslim Americans. Many other Americans have Muslims in their family, or have lived in a Muslim-majority country – I know, because I am one of them.