Objective coverage of church-state and religious liberty developments, with extensive links to primary sources.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Teenage Convert Ordered Back To Ohio; Transcript of Police Interview Released
Catholic Bishops, Rep. Kennedy Spar Over Health Care Reform
I can't understand for the life of me how the Catholic Church could be against the biggest social justice issue of our time where the very dignity of the human person is being respected by the fact that we're caring and giving health care to the human person – that right now we have 50 million people who are uninsured. You mean to tell me the Catholic Church is going to be denying those people life saving health care? I thought they were pro-life.Now, according to AP, Rhode Island Catholic Bishop Thomas Tobin has responded to Kennedy's statement, saying:
Congressman Kennedy continues to be a disappointment to the Catholic Church and to the citizens of the state of Rhode Island. I believe the Congressman owes us an apology for his irresponsible comments.[Thanks to Scott Mange for the lead.]
Wiccan Sues For Employment Discrimination
Challenge To Illinois Drivers License Rules Survives Motion To Dismiss
Friday, October 23, 2009
First German Bank To Offer Sharia Financial Products Will Open
9th Circuit Hears Oral Arguments In Student Speech Appeal
Iranian Cleric Says Nuclear Weapons Violate Islamic Law
B.C. Will Seek Supreme Court Clarification on Constitutionality of Polygamy Law
9th Circuit Issues Opinion on Release of Names of Referendum Petition Signers
Senate Gives Final Approval To Hate Crimes Bill
Thursday, October 22, 2009
9th Circuit Denies En Banc Review Of Arizona Tuition Contribution Tax Credits
The denial of en banc review however produced 40-pages of opinions. Eight judges joined in Judge O'Scannlain's 23-page dissent. He wrote in part:
I dissent not only because Winn cannot be squared with the Supreme Court’s mandate in Zelman, but also because the panel’s holding casts a pall over comparable educational tax credit schemes in states across the nation and could derail legislative efforts in four states within our circuit to create similar programs. In short, the panel’s conclusion invalidates an increasingly popular method for providing school choice, jeopardizing the educational opportunities of hundreds of thousands of children nationwide.....Responding with their own 17-page opinion, the three judges on the original panel (with a fourth indicating agreement) argued that "the program alleged here neither makes scholarships available to parents on a religiously neutral basis nor gives them a true private choice as to where to utilize the scholarships." Giving to taxpayers the choice of allocating their contributions to religious schools was not enough to break the circuit between government and religion. AP reports on the decision. [Thanks to Bob Ritter for the lead.]
I am at a loss to understand how a reasonable observer—one fully informed about all matters related to the program—could conclude that the "government itself" has endorsed religion in this case. Multiple layers of private, individual choice separate the state from any religious entanglement: the "government itself" is at least four times removed from any aid to religious organizations.....
UPDATE: The Institute for Justice Arizona Chapter which supports the tax credits and represents several clients in the case says it will seek Supreme Court review of the 9th Circuit's decision. The Arizona Attorney General's office has not yet decided whether it too will appeal to the Supreme Court. (Arizona Republic, Oct. 22).
Louisiana Catholic Archdiocese Settles 20 Abuse Lawsuits
Hungary's President Wants Religion Questions On 2011 Census
Pennsylvania School Will Temporarily End Enforcement of Speech Code
Under the consent order issued yesterday (which remains in effect until Jan. 15), in exchange for plaintiffs not seeking a preliminary injunction, the school agreed not to enforce certain provisions in its Expression Policy. It will not bar expression on the ground that it "seek[s] to establish the supremacy of a particular religious denomination, sect, or point of view," nor will it enforce the ban against expression that might be "otherwise deemed harmful to impressionable students." The school will also not enforce the portion of its Dress and Grooming Policy that bans "clothing which creates a hostile educational environment or evidences discriminatory bias or animus." An Alliance Defense Fund release reported on the temporary order.
Santeria Priest Who Won Legal Victory Is Profiled
Last night, for the first time in over three years, Merced was to resume his sacrifices of four-legged animals in a ceremony designed to heal the severe back pain, depression and loneliness of a follower. She would be initiated into the priesthood through the sacrifice of animals which, according to Santeria belief, must die so she can live a healthy and spiritual life. Meanwhile the Euless city attorney is exploring whether there are other routes available to end Merced's practices.The litigation had taken its toll on Merced. His testimony and the media attention that followed brought many of SanterÃa's secrets into the open and unnerved those devotees who saw its mystery as part of its theology as well as its enchantment.
He had written letters to the several hundred Santeros he had met over the years, asking each to contribute $100 to his legal defense fund. But many turned him down. Some were fearful that his case would reveal the secrets that gave power and meaning to their religion; others felt his case was his own personal crusade and not a cause for all who practice SanterÃa. "They want to keep on hiding," Merced says, "which I don't understand."