Objective coverage of church-state and religious liberty developments, with extensive links to primary sources.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Islamic Party Will Run Local Candidates In Spain In 2011
Australian Animal Rights Groups Dispute Ritual Slaughter Methods
According to the Sydney Morning Herald last week, Princess Alia bint al-Hussein of Jordan, sister to King Abdullah II, has written Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd urging him to withdraw the exemptions currently held by the four Australian plants. She says that killing without stunning is not required by Islamic law and that permitting it in Australia could undermine efforts in the Middle East to require stunning of animals before slaughter. Only a tiny percentage of meat exported from Australia is killed without stunning, but industry sources are concerned that the exemptions will tarnish the image of the entire industry in Australia. Australia's Meat Trade News Daily says that Australia's Fletcher International Exports-- the largest halal seep meat exporter in the world-- has convinced its customers to accept meat that has been killed with prior stunning of the animals. [Thanks to Steven H. Sholk for the lead.]
South Carolina Gubernatorial Hopeful Defends Christian Prayer At Council Meetings
Thursday, November 12, 2009
D.C. Catholic Archdiocese Threatens To End Social Services Over Gay Marriage Bill
The Washington Post this morning says that Catholic Charities serves 68,000 people in the District, including one-third of the homeless, who go to city-owned shelters managed by the Church. From 2006 to 2008, the Catholic Church received $8.2 million in city contracts, and supplemented city social service funding with $10 million per year of its own funds. Jane G. Belford, chancellor of the Washington Archdiocese, told City Council that: "All of those services will be adversely impacted if the exemption language remains so narrow." However, City Councilman David A. Catania said he would rather end the city's relationship with Catholic charities than give in to the Church's demands. [Thanks to both Steven H. Sholk and Scott Mange for the lead.]Under the bill, religious organizations do not have to participate in the "solemnization or celebration" of a same-sex marriage ceremony. An earlier version of the bill also exempted them from "the promotion of marriage that is in violation of the entity’s religious beliefs." The revised language significantly narrows that exemption to the "promotion of marriage through religious programs, counseling, courses, or retreats."
As a result, religious organizations and individuals are at risk of legal action for refusing to promote and support same-sex marriages in a host of settings where it would compromise their religious beliefs. This includes employee benefits, adoption services and even the use of a church hall for non-wedding events for same-sex married couples. Religious organizations such as Catholic Charities could be denied licenses or certification by the government, denied the right to offer adoption and foster care services, or no longer be able to partner with the city to provide social services for the needy.
Denmark's Muslims Face Political Opposition To Building of New Mosques
USCIRF Issues Policy Document Opposing UN Defamation of Religions Proposal
Although touted as a solution to the very real problems of religious persecution and discrimination, the OIC-sponsored UN resolutions on this issue instead provide justification for governments to restrict religious freedom and free expression. They also provide international legitimacy for existing national laws that punish blasphemy or otherwise ban criticism of a religion, which often have resulted in gross human rights violations. These resolutions deviate sharply from universal human rights standards by seeking to protect religious institutions and interpretations, rather than individuals, and could help create a new international anti-blasphemy norm.The United Nations General Assembly is expected to vote shortly on this year's version of the resolution on Combating Defamation of Religions (full text) sponsored in the General Assembly's Third Committee by Syria (on behalf of the Organization of the Islamic Conference), Belarus and Venezuela.
UPDATE: Europe News reported on Nov. 12 that the OIC has written a letter (full text) to the Chairman of the U.N. Committee on Complementary Standards defending its defamation of religions proposal against charges that it infringes on freedom of expression.
Idaho Charter School Rebuffs Document Request From State Commission
New York City Anti-Discrimination Law Given Broad Reading
British Case Focuses On Whether Belief In Psychics Is Protected Under Employment Equality Rules
I am satisfied that the claimant's beliefs that there is life after death and that the dead can be contacted through mediums are worthy of respect in a democratic society and have sufficient cogency, seriousness, cohesion and importance to fall into the category of a philosophical belief for the purpose of the 2003 Regulations.The judge said that Power would still have to show that his firing was because of his belief, and not because he was inappropriately trying to press his beliefs on others. This case follows a decision last week by the Employment Appeals Tribunal that environmentalist beliefs could be covered by the equality regulations. (See prior posting.)
American Legion Dropped From School Veterans' Day Ceremony Over Prayer
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
3rd Circuit Rejects Complaint Over Docked Pay For Good Friday
Gay Anti-Discrimination Ordinance Passes In Salt Lake City With LDS Backing
Cert. Petition Filed In Challenge To Release of Names of Referendum Petition Signers
President Urged To Raise Religious Freedom Issues With Chinese Leaders
President Speaks At Ft. Hood Memorial Service
It may be hard to comprehend the twisted logic that led to this tragedy. But this much we do know -- no faith justifies these murderous and craven acts; no just and loving God looks upon them with favor. For what he has done, we know that the killer will be met with justice -- in this world, and the next....
As we face these challenges, the stories of those at Fort Hood reaffirm the core values that we are fighting for, and the strength that we must draw upon.... We are a nation of laws whose commitment to justice is so enduring that we would treat a gunman and give him due process, just as surely as we will see that he pays for his crimes. We're a nation that guarantees the freedom to worship as one chooses. And instead of claiming God for our side, we remember Lincoln’s words, and always pray to be on the side of God.
Church Concerts Enjoined; Leader Says Church of Love and Music Will Move
FLDS Leader Sentenced To Ten Years In Prison By Texas Jury
South Carolina "I Believe" Plates Ruled Unconstitutional
the "I Believe" Act cannot be seen by any reasonable observer either as facilitating expression of a broad diversity of viewpoints ... or as a permissible accommodation to Christians..... Both positions are belied by the facts that the "I Believe" Act (1) authorizes a single plate with a uniquely Christian message, (2) was sponsored and approved solely as the result of governmental action, and (3) presents its message in a manner that is not available except through the legislative approval process (necessary to allow the inclusion of both motto and symbol). ....While granting a declaratory judgment and awarding attorneys' fees, the court rejected plaintiffs' claim for nominal damages, finding that qualified immunity protects the secretary of state's actions in planning for distribution of the plates. The court had previously issued a preliminary injunction against further advertising, distribution or production of the plates. (See prior posting.) A press release from Americans United, which had filed the case, said that the court's decision put a stop to officials who "want to use religion as a political football." ABP reported on the decision.
The "I Believe" Act had its genesis in Lieutenant Governor Andre Bauer’s desire to do here what had been unsuccessful in the state of Florida–to gain legislative approval of a specialty plate promoting the majority religion: Christianity. Whether motivated by sincerely held Christian beliefs or an effort to purchase political capital with religious coin, the result is the same. The statute is clearly unconstitutional and defense of its implementation has embroiled the state in unnecessary (and expensive) litigation.