Texas High Court Says State RFRA Applies To Zoning Restrictions

Today in Barr v. City of Sinton, (TX Sup. Ct., June 19, 2009), the Texas Supreme Court held that the strict scrutiny standard in the Texas Religious Freedom Restoration Act applies to zoning ordinances. It went on to hold that the city of Sinton's ordinance that banned correctional or rehabilitation facilities within 1000 feet of residential areas, schools, parks or places of worship infringed the rights of a halfway house for recently released prisoners operated by a religious ministry. The ordinance effectively barred the halfway house from the entire city. In response to the city's argument that plaintiffs' free exercise of religion was not involved, the court said: "the fact that a halfway house can be secular does not mean that it cannot be religious." [Thanks to Douglas Laycock via Religionlaw for the lead.]

Chaplain Resigns After In-Jail Bar Mitzvah Party Disclosed

On Wednesday, the Forward reported that Satmar Rabbi Leib Glanz has resigned as a New York prison chaplain after it was disclosed that he helped a Jewish prison inmate throw a lavish Bar Mitzvah party inside the Manhattan Detention Center. The party was for the son of Tuvia Stern, a fellow Satmar, who is in jail at "the Tombs" on charges of bank fraud and fleeing the country. Catered kosher food and silverware were brought into the prison gym where the party was held, and as entertainment a popular Hasidic singer performed for the Bar Mitzvah guests. The article reports that Rabbi Glanz has a history of wielding political influence to obtain funding and political good will for Satmar institutions. Corrections Department chief Peter Curcio, who was in charge of jail security, also resigned in the wake of disclosures about the in-jail Bar Mitzvah party.

Church Sues Florida School Board Over Flyer Policy

In Fort Myers, Florida, the Cypress Wood Presbyterian Church this week filed a federal lawsuit against the Collier County School Board challenging its policy on distribution of flyers in schools. The complaint (full text) in Cypress Wood Presbyterian Church v. School Board of Collier County, Florida, (MD FL, filed 6/17/2009), alleges that Board policy permits non-profit groups to make flyers available to students to promote cultural, community, charitable, recreational, and education-related activities. However, flyers publicizing religious events may not contain proselytizing messages and may not overtly advocate support for a religious organization. The school district refused to permit plaintiff to distribute flyers promoting its Vacation Bible School. The lawsuit claims that the refusal violates plaintiff's 1st Amendment speech and free exercise rights, its 14th Amendment equal protection and due process rights, and Florida's Religious Freedom Restoration Act. Alliance Defense Fund issued a release announcing the filing of the case.

Civil Rights Group Issues New Report On Hate Crimes

The Leadership Conference on Civil Rights has recently issued a 48-page report titled Confronting the New Faces of Hate: Hate Crimes in America 2009. The report is an update of a similar one issued in 2004. It emphasizes that "the number of hate crimes committed against Hispanics and those perceived to be immigrants has increased each of the past four years for which FBI data is available, and hate crimes committed against individuals because of their sexual orientation has increased to its highest level in five years." Portions of the report also focus on hate crimes against religious minorities: Jews, Muslims and Sikhs. The Executive Summary says in part:

Fear and vilification of immigrants has combined with the worst economic downturn in decades and the election of the first African-American president to cause a surge in the activity of white supremacist groups.... Extremists have taken advantage of the Internet and new technologies to recruit new members and promote their bigoted ideology. Whereas hate mongers once had to stand on street corners and hand out mimeographed leaflets to passersby, extremists now use mainstream social networking sites such as MySpace or Facebook to access a potential audience of millions — including impressionable youth.

[Thanks to Michael Lieberman for the lead.]

Old Abuse Claim Filed By Cardinal O'Connor's Nephew

Taking advantage of a Delaware 2-year statute of limitations window to file old clergy abuse claims, 31-year old Rich Green, a nephew of the late New York Cardinal John O'Connor, has filed suit against the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales. Today's Philadelphia Inquirer reports that the abuse occurred over a 6-month period when Green was 14. The suit alleges that the late Rev. John M. McDevitt, a teacher at Philadelphia's at Northeast Catholic High School who knew that Green was O'Connor's nephew, threatened to fail Green in his religion course if he did not go along with the abuse. He also threatened to injure Green if he reported the abuse. The abuse caused Green to turn away from his religion. The suit can be brought in Delaware because the Oblates sent McDevitt to Philadelphia from Delaware knowing of his sexual abuse history.

Religious Conservatives Criticize Obama's Extension of Some Benefits To Gay Couples

Yesterday President Barack Obama signed a Memorandum (full text and full text of remarks at signing) extending certain benefits to same-sex domestic partners of government employees. (New York Times.) The White House also released an official statement along with the memorandum. Among the benefits made available are use of sick leave to care for their domestic partners or their partners' children; coverage of partners under long-term care insurance; and providing equal treatment for partners of American Foreign Service officers in use of medial facilities and visitation rights in case of an emergency. He also called for the Office of Personnel Management to conduct further reviews of possible benefits and of non-discrimination provisions.

Obama indicated that current federal law precludes him from going further by executive action, but announced his support for the Domestic Partners Benefits and Obligations Act that would extend the full range of benefits-- including health care and retirement benefits--to same-sex couples as are enjoyed by married heterosexual couples. Not surprisingly, a number of conservative Christian groups, as in a press release from the Family Research Council, have criticized the President's action. Dan Gilgoff reports that they contend the Memorandum essentially elevates same-sex partnerships to a status that approximates marriage, in violation of at least the spirit of the federal Defense of Marriage Act.

Padilla Suit Against Yoo Includes RFRA Claim

Last week, in a decision widely reported in the press and blogosphere (AP, Consitutional Law Prof Blog), a California federal district court held that convicted terrorist Jose Padilla can sue former Deputy Attorney General-- now law professor-- John Yoo for drafting legal memos justifying the detention and interrogation of enemy combatants. Padilla alleges that the memos led to his being tortured. Less widely reported, however, was the fact that in Padilla v. Yoo, (ND CA, June 12, 2009), the court also held that Padilla can move ahead on a claim under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. Padilla alleged that among the interrogation tactics used against him were the "sudden and unexplained removal of religious items," the "denial of any mechanism to tell time in order to ascertain the time for prayer in keeping with the Muslim practice," and "denial of access to the Koran for most of his detention." The court held that RFRA permits individual capacity suits for money damages against federal officials.

Christian Group Sues For Free Access To Arab Festival In Michigan

Arabic Christian Perspective, a group whose goal is to convert Muslims to Christianity, has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the Dearborn (MI) police department which has told the group that its members cannot pass out handbills by walking freely through the 4 to 5 block Dearborn Arab International Festival that will be held this weekend. Yesterday's Detroit News reported that the group wanted its 90 volunteers to have unlimited access. Organizers of the Festival say that the group is welcome to rent a booth, but that safety is impaired if large numbers of people move throughout the festival handing out flyers. Arabic Christian Perspective says that it has a constitutional right to use public sidewalks in the Festival area to give out the flyers.

UPDATE: Here is the complaint in Arabic Christian Perspective v. City of Dearborn, (ED MI, filed 6/16/2009). On Thursday, the court refused to grant a temporary restraining order to prevent Dearborn from restricting ACP and its founder Pastor George Saieg from passing out Christian literature at the Festival. (Right Side News). The Detroit News on Thursday reports that ACP will still be able to have a presence at the Festival at a fixed location, like other groups. ACP's attorney said the group will continue to pursue the case, even though the denial of the TRO effectively settles the issue for this year.

Court Dismisses Claims Against Church Members Who Picketed Strip Club

Yesterday's Coshocton (OH) Tribune reports that an Ohio federal court judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by the Foxhole strip club against New Beginnings Ministries. Foxhole, located near New Castle, Ohio, has been picketed since 2007 by New Beginnings members who blocked the club's driveway entrance, blocked patrons and employees from entering, surrounded customers' cars to prevent them from entering, photographed patrons and employees, and threatened patrons with adverse consequences. New Beginnings has claimed that these activities were protected speech, assembly and religious exercise. The suit also charges that Sheriff Timothy Rogers failed to protect the club. Apparently the court found that the public right-of-way outside the club goes up to the building, undercutting Foxhole's charges that church members entered and refused to leave its private property. Counterclaims by the church are still pending.

Michigan Supreme Court Adopts Rule Allowing Trial Judges To Order Removal of Face Coverings

According to the Detroit Free Press, the Michigan Supreme Court yesterday, by a vote of 5-2, adopted a rule that permits trial judges to decide whether to require witnesses to remove head coverings or face veils. The rule was proposed after a controversy over a small claims court judge who dismissed a Muslim plaintiff's case when she refused to remove her niqab while testifying. (See prior posting.) The rule was proposed (full text) as an amendment to the Rules of Evidence, and provides : "The court shall exercise reasonable control over the appearance of parties and witnesses so as to (1) ensure that the demeanor of such persons may be observed and assessed by the fact-finder, and (2) to ensure the accurate identification of such persons." Volokh Conspiracy also discusses the amendment.

Suit Challenges Academic Credit For Released Time Religious Instruction

In Spartanburg, South Carolina, parents of two high schoolers and the Freedom from Religion Foundation (FFRF) have filed suit in federal court challenging the constitutionality of Spartanburg High School's offering academic credit for religious released-time instruction. The complaint (full text) in Moss v. Spartanburg County School District ) No. 7, (D SC, filed 6/17/2009), alleges that the school's implementation of its Released Time for Religious Instruction Policy, adopted pursuant to South Carolina's 2006 Released Time Credit Act, violates the Establishment Clause. The statute provides that in awarding academic credit, the course must meet the same secular criteria used for awarding transfer credit. The complaint alleges that the course offered to students-- taught by a private group, the South Carolina Bible Education in School Time-- is evangelical, sectarian and proselytizing in its content. FFRF yesterday issued a press release announcing the filing of the lawsuit.

PBS Will Enforce Rule Against Purely Religious Broadcasts

The Board of PBS has decided to begin enforcing a rule that has been on its books since 1985 that prohibits its public television affiliates from carrying purely religious programming. Fox News yesterday reported that the decision will not force six PBS stations that currently carry sectarian programming to end their current coverage, but no new religious shows can be aired by them and none of the 350 other stations can air shows with purely religious content. Thus the Mass for Shut-Ins broadcast by New Orleans and Denver affiliates can continue, as can Mormon devotionals on Brigham Young University's PBS station. All stations can still air documentaries on religious topics as well as newsworthy religions services such as a Papal Mass. Federal law does not bar religious programming on PBS, but network officials are concerned about the appearance of endorsement.

India Fails To Approve Visas For USCIRF Delegation

Reflecting the complicated politics involved in both countries, the Indian government has failed to approve visas for members of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom who were supposed to visit the country beginning June 12. Today's India Times reports that Indian officials denied that the failure to issue visas was related to statements made earlier this month by Hindu leader, Shankaracharya Jayendra Sarawati. (See prior posting.) However the Indian government does feel that a high profile visit, approved by the Indian government, would be inappropriate at this time. USCIRF has criticized violence against religious minorities in India. Meanwhile, the Obama administration is apparently not eager for the USCIRF trip to take place either. Most of the USCIRF commissioners and staff are holdover appointees from the Bush administration, and the timing of the trip overlapped with a planned visit to India by US Undersecretary of State William Burns who will be laying the groundwork for a visit to India by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Suit Dismissed After University Changes Policy On Outside Speakers

After the 6th Circuit last year reversed a trial court's dismissal of a claim against Ohio's Miami University challenging its policy on access for outside speakers (see prior posting), the University changed it speaker policy and the parties have now settled the lawsuit . A Stipulation of Dismissal (full text) has been entered. Along with the dismissal in Gilles v. Hodge, (SD OH, June 15, 2009), Miami University filed a letter it had issued to evangelist James Gilles indicating that he-- like others who have not been invited by a student group-- may preach and hand out literature on certain sidewalks on campus, but elsewhere on campus may only engage in consensual personal conversation with individuals. Alliance Defense Fund issued a release Monday applauding the change in University policy on access by outside speakers.

In Britain, Jewish Couple Sues Over Light Sensors In Hallway On Sabbath

Today's London Mail reports on an unusual religious discrimination lawsuit filed by an Orthodox Jewish couple in the British coastal resort town of Bournemouth. Dr. Dena Coleman, a head teacher at an Orthodox Jewish school in London and her husband Gordon, who purchased a vacation apartment in a building in the town in 2003, object to the motion-sensing light switch that the management company of their building placed in communal hallways six months ago. The Colemans complain that the sensor forces them to be prisoners in their own apartment on the Sabbath, since triggering the lights during the Sabbath by walking into the hallway violates their religious beliefs. The Colemans have offered to pay for an override switch to disable the sensors during the Sabbath, but the management company and other residents object. They say the switches save electricity costs and prevent heat damage to light fittings. In response, the Colemans filed suit alleging that failure to accommodate their beliefs amounts to religious discrimination and a violation of the Equality Act 2006 and Human Rights Act 1998. They also say that when they bought their apartment, they were assured that motion sensors would not be installed. [Thanks to Steven H. Sholk for the lead.]

UPDATE: Totally Jewish.com reported on Thursday that the directors of the management company have decided to install an override switch to meet the Colemans' objections. [Thanks to Joel Katz (Relig. & State In Israel) for the lead.]

Protesters Object To New York MTA Rule Requiring Logos On Religious Headwear

A rally organized yesterday by the Sikh coalition protested the policy of New York City's MTA that allows uniformed workers wear turbans or Muslim head scarves, but only if they are blue and feature the MTA logo. NY1 News reports that elected officials and MTA workers joined the rally. Activists argue that it is offensive to Sikh and Muslim workers to require them to brand their sacred space with a corporate logo. MTA responded saying: "standardized uniforms assist our customers in quickly identifying employees if they need emergency assistance or just travel directions."

ACLU Report Says War on Terrorism Financing Infringes Muslims' Religious Freedom

Yesterday the ACLU issued a 166-page report titled Blocking Faith, Freezing Charity: Chilling Muslim Charitable Giving in the "War on Terrorism Financing." A press release accompanying the Report summarizes its findings:

U.S. terrorism finance laws and policies unfairly prevent Muslim Americans from practicing their religion through charitable giving, create a climate of fear and distrust in law enforcement and undermine America's diplomatic efforts in Muslim countries.... "Without notice and through the use of secret evidence and opaque procedures, the Treasury Department has effectively closed down seven U.S.-based Muslim charities, including several of the nation's largest Muslim charities," said Jennifer Turner, a researcher with the ACLU Human Rights Program and author of the report....

"Widespread intimidation of Muslim donors and the arbitrary blacklisting of charitable organizations trample on Muslims' free exercise of religion through charitable giving and tarnish America's reputation as a beacon of religious freedom," said Turner. "...[U]nless the Obama administration takes action, this legacy of the Bush administration will persist."

The ACLU has also posted a number of resources, including a video showing some of those affected, to supplement the report.

Court Rejects Selective Prosecution Claim In Faith Healing Death of Young Girl

In Oregon City, Oregon, a state trial court judge has rejected a motion by Carl and Raylene Worthington that second-degree manslaughter and criminal mistreatment charges against them be dismissed. Yesterday's Oregon City News reports that the parents are being prosecuted in the death of their 15-month old daughter, Ava, after they failed to seek medical treatment for her because they believe in faith healing. Ava died of bronchial pneumonia and a blood infection. The Worthingtons argued that they were being treated differently because of their Followers of Christ religion, saying that there had been six other cases in the county where children died from apparent negligence, but their parents were not charged. Ruling at a pre-trial hearing, Judge Steven Maurer said that the facts and legal principles in the other cases were vastly different from this one.

Utah AG Files Proposed Settlement of UEP Trust Litigation

Yesterday Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff filed a Report of Proposed Settlement and Plan of Distribution in a Utah trial court. The proposal and accompanying Letter of Intent (Word.doc) are designed to end the litigation to reform the UEP Trust that holds property of the Fundamentalist Latter Day Saints Church. (See prior posting.) The Report says:

The Proposed Settlement reflects the general terms that the Utah AG finds to be acceptable and in the best interest of the Reformed Trust. At this point, no other party has officially agreed to the terms. However, it does reflect many points acceptable by Trust Participants who align themselves with the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, (the “FLDS”).

Today's Dallas Morning News summarizes the proposal:

The letter of intent proposes dividing undeveloped land south of the twin towns, with 60 acres going to the FLDS. Another portion of the land would be subdivided into 50 lots to be distributed to former church members who could prove a legitimate claim to trust assets. Existing residential properties would also be divided under a plan that would allow for both individual property deeds and the retention of larger, communal swaths of land.

The proposal calls for the establishment of a housing panel to decide property claims. Its members would include individuals proposed by both the FLDS and an existing court-appointed advisory board. The proposal also calls for the removal of Bruce Wisan, the court-appointed fiduciary who has managed the trust since 2005, and for the appointment of a new fiduciary to execute the settlement over a period of about one year.

The proposal also calls for the cemetery to go to the FLDS Church, to be administered by the Bishop. However 200 graves are to be set aside for non-FLDS members.

Court Says Defamation Suit Against Fellow Church Members Can Proceed

In West v. Wadlington, (IN Ct. App., June 10, 2009), the Indiana Court of Appeals reversed a trial court's dismissal of defamation and invasion of privacy claims brought by Rosayln West, a member of the Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church in Indianapolis, against two other church members. The suit involves a long e-mail about West that one of the defendants-- Betty Wadlington-- wrote and the other--Jeanette Larkin-- circulated to 89 other members of the Church's "Women of Faith" group. Larkin used her work e-mail-- the Indianapolis police department (also named as a defendant)-- to forward the allegedly defamatory material. The court rejected defendants' claim that adjudicating the matter would require the court to determine matters of religious doctrine. It concluded: "We agree with West that several statements in the letter could be viewed as defamatory without requiring a court to determine any religious questions." One of the statement's in the letter was that West had an "evil spirit." The court concluded that this posed the closest case, but that evil has a secular as well as a religious meaning. Yesterday's Courthouse News Service reports on the decision.