Pat Robertson's Remarks on Haiti Earthquake Draw Criticism

As both religious and secular groups scramble to provide aid for the earthquake victims in Haiti, evangelist Pat Robertson made comments on CBN's "700 Club" that are drawing criticism from White House advisor Valerie Jarrett as well as from many Christian leaders. ABC reports that Robertson harked back to a legend about Haiti's revolt against the French in 1803 to suggest that Haitians may have brought disaster on themselves. He said in part: "You know ... something happened a long time ago in Haiti. … They got together and swore a pact to the Devil. They said, 'We will serve you if you get us free from the French.' True story." Robertson also said that the destruction there "may be a blessing in disguise" because it could lead to a massive rebuilding of the country. YouTube has a video of Robertson's full remarks.

UPDATE: At Thursday's White House press briefing (full text), Press Secretary Robert Gibbs also commented on Robertson's remarks:

Q: ...What did you think of Pat Robertson's comments yesterday that the Haitians brought this on themselves by making a pact with the devil?

MR. GIBBS: It never ceases to amaze that in times of amazing human suffering somebody says something that could be so utterly stupid, but it like clockwork happens with some regularity....

9th Circuit Uphold's UC's Rejection of Certain Christian School Courses

In Association of Christian Schools International v. Stearns, (9th Cir., Jan. 12, 2010), the 9th Circuit rejected constitutional challenges to the University of California's admissions policy that refuses to accept certain high school courses offered by Christian schools to qualify students for admission to UC. Rejecting both facial and as-applied challenges, the Court said the policy does not prevent high schools from teaching whatever and however they choose. It rejected the argument that UC's refusal to recognize religion and ethics courses that are limited to one denomination's viewpoint amounts to discrimination. The court also rejected establishment clause and equal protection challenges to UC's policy. (See prior related postings 1, 2 .)

In Malaysia, More Vandalism and Revelations of Broader Bans on Word Usage By Non-Muslim Papers

In Malaysia, vandalism against Christian churches continues in response to a High Court decision allowing the Catholic newspaper, The Herald, to use the term "Allah" in ints Malay-language edition to refer to God. Canadian Press today reports that a tenth church was vandalized this morning, with red paint splashed on it. Also the offices of the law firm representing The Herald were broken into and ransacked. Papers were strewn on the floor and a laptop computer was taken.

Malaysian Insider today and the New Straits Times yesterday say that in fact the ban on use of certain words by non-Muslim publications is broader than previously reported. Guidelines issued to the Herald in 2007 also barred it from using three other words: Kaabah (Islam's holiest shrine in Mecca), Solat (prayer) and Baitullah (House of God). Each state in Malaysia has enacted its own laws allowing certain words to be used only by Islamic publications. In the state of Pahang, Section 9 of the Control and Restriction of the Propagation of Non-Islamic Religions Enactment 1989 lists 25 words that cannot be used in writing or speeches to describe a religion other than Islam, as well as ten expressions with Islamic origins that may not be used by non-Muslims (except as a quotation or reference).

Supreme Court Blocks Broadcast of California Proposition 8 Trial

The U.S. Supreme Court yesterday, in a 5-4 decision, blocked the broadcast by a California federal district court of the non-jury trial challenging the constitutionality of Proposition 8-- California's ban on same-sex marriage. In Hollingsworth v. Perry, (Sup. Ct., Jan. 13, 2010), the per curiam majority opinion concluded that the federal district court did not follow the proper procedures in amending its rules to permit broadcast of the trial. It did not give enough time for public comment on its proposal. The majority said:

The trial will involve various witnesses, including members of same-sex couples; academics, who apparently will discuss gender issues and gender equality, as well as family structures; and those who participated in the campaign leading to the adoption of Proposition 8. This Court has recognized that witness testimony may be chilled if broadcast.... Some of applicants' witnesses have already said that they will not testify if the trial is broadcast, and they have substantiated their concerns by citing incidents of past harassment....

The District Court attempted to change its rules at the eleventh hour to treat this case differently than other trials in the district. Not only did it ignore the federal statute that establishes the procedures by which its rules may be amended, its express purpose was to broadcast a high-profile trial that would include witness testimony about a contentious issue. If courts are to require that others follow regular procedures, courts must do so as well.

Technically the court granted a stay of the district court's order pending filing of petitions for a writ of certiorari and mandamus. The decision only related to the proposal to broadcast the trial live to a number of other courthouses around the country. It did not relate to the proposal to post recordings of the trial on YouTube at the end of each day. The 9th Circuit never approved that portion of the district court's poposal because the district court's technical staff encountered difficulties in preparing video that was suitable for online posting. Justice Breyer dissenting, joined by Justices Stevens, Ginsburg and Sotomayor said:

The majority’s action today is unusual. It grants a stay in order to consider a mandamus petition, with a view to intervening in a matter of local court administration that it would not (and should not) consider. It cites no precedent for doing so. It identifies no real harm, let alone “irreparable harm,” to justify its issuance of this stay.

The New York Times reports on the decision. (See prior related posting.)

Texas Board of Education Holds Hearings On Social Studies Curriculum

The Texas State Board of Education yesterday held hearings on proposed revisions to the state's social studies curriculum. A number of the 130 speakers at the hearing focused on issues of how the role of religion in American history will be taught. News 8 Austin and the Ft. Worth Star Telegram report on much of the testimony. Sue Tilis of the National Council of Jewish Women said the draft revisions do a good job of teaching the role of religion in history without advocating particular religious beliefs. Steve Green representing the Texas Freedom Network objected to increased emphasis on documents such as the Mayflower Compact of 1620 written by Christian Pilgrims. Other witnesses urged changes ranging from more emphasis on American "exceptionalism" to including discussion of Sikhism in the world history section of the curriculum standards.

Rhode Island Legislature Overrides Veto Of Limitations Extension for Civil Rights Claims

On Jan. 5, the Rhode Island legislature overrode Gov. Donald Carcieri's veto of SB 162 which extends from one year to three years the statute of limitations applicable to discrimination suits under the state's Civil Rights Act of 1990. That law prohibits discrimination on the basis of religion, race, sex, age, national origin or disability in making or enforcing contracts, in buying, selling or leasing real property and in various other matters. A Jan. 7 article from Lexology says this means that employers who terminate or take other action against an employee may not know for three years whether the action will be challenged. Unlike the state's Fair Employment Practices Act, the law does not require filing first with the Human Rights Commission before suit is filed in court.

Wisconsin Board Rejects RLUIPA Argument In Zoning For Bible Camp

The Oneida County (Wisconsin) Board of Adjustment has rejected a RLUIPA claim and has upheld the denial of a conditional use permit for construction of a Bible camp on Squash Lake near Rhinelander (WI). Yesterday's Rhinelander Daily News reports that the zoning ordinance would allow a church or a school to be built on the site, but the Board ruled that a camp and conference center are not permitted even though the lodge would contain a chapel and classrooms. The Board concluded that denial of the permit did not impose a "substantial burden" on the free exercise of the two brothers who sought to build the recreational camp. Other sites in the county are available where the camp could be built.

Canadian FLDS Leader Sues BC Government For Illegal Prosecution

In Canada, FLDS leader Winston Blackmore has filed a claim for damages against British Columbia's provincial government charging that he was prosecuted illegally last year. As previously reported, polygamy charges against Blackmore were quashed when the B.C. Supreme Court ruled that the province's attorney general lacked authority to appoint a second special prosecutor after a first one recommended against filing the charges. Yesterday's National Post reports that Blackmore's suit, filed in the B.C. Supreme Court, claims that the polygamy charges caused him to suffer business and other financial losses and that he and his family suffered stress and anxiety.

Suit Seeks To Prevent Further Searches of Missouri Church [Corrected]

In Independence, Missouri yesterday, the New Covenant Faith Center, along with its pastor, his wife and the church secretary filed suit to prevent the Jackson County Sheriff's Office from conducting further searches of the church or having contacts with its members. The Kansas City Star reports that in a series of searches last week, authorities took $130,000, computers and files containing personal information about church members. The church cannot meet its payroll or operate as a result of the seizures. The lawsuit, which alleges that church members' free exercise rights have been infringed, also seeks damages and return of the property that was taken. The church's pastor, Lloyd D. Sartain, was detained twice but no charges have been filed. The search warrant has been sealed and no one will comment on the charges that led to the searches. According to the Kansas City Pitch last week, authorities also found four guns during the searches. The church's attorney (who regained his law license in 2006 after serving federal prison time for bribery and bank fraud) criticized Sheriff Mike Sharp's performance. The attorney says a power struggle within the church led to the investigation, and rumors it operates as a cult are inaccurate. [Note: An earlier version of this posting incorrectly identified the location of Independence as Kansas instead of Missouri.]

Bankruptcy Judge Orders Trial On Whether Parish Assets Are Shielded From Diocese Creditors

A Delaware federal bankruptcy judge yesterday decided that the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington cannot develop a plan of reorganization and exit bankruptcy without first obtaining a determination of whether funds belonging to individual parishes and Catholic Charities are shielded from Diocese creditors (mostly abuse victims). Bloomberg News reports that Judge Christopher Sontchi ordered a trial to take place in June on the issue.

White House Faith-Based Task Force Debates Religious Symbols In Funded Programs

The White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships Task Force on reform of the faith-based office held a two-hour teleconference on Monday as it moved toward finalizing its draft report. According to the Washington Post's On Faith, one of the important debates on the phone conference was whether religious groups operating federally-funded programs out of their facilities need to cover up religious symbols during the times the funded services are being offered. The task force discussed two other alternatives: allowing the symbols if covering them is impractical and no religiously neutral rooms are available, or imposing no requirements but urging religious groups to be sensitive to the issue. No consensus emerged, as the group chose Wake Forest Center for Religion and Public Affairs Director Melissa Rogers to coordinate the drafting of the final report.

Trial Court Leaves Open Manslaughter Option In Trial of Tiller's Shooter

In Wichita, Kansas, a state trial court judge has left open the question of whether Scott Roeder who is on trial for killing abortion doctor George Tiller will be permitted to argue that he is guilty only of manslaughter. Roeder wants to argue that he was attempting to save the lives of the unborn. According to yesterday's New York Times, Judge Warren Wilbert denied the prosecution motion to exclude evidence that might support a manslaughter conviction. Instead, he said that he would decide on a witness-by-witness basis during trial what evidence he will admit. [Thanks to Scott Mange for the lead.]

3rd Circuit Dismisses Challenge To Muslim Scientist's Security Clearance

In El-Ganayni v. U.S. Department of Energy, (3d Cir., Jan. 11, 2010), the U.S. 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the revocation of the security clearance of a Muslim physicist, Abdel El-Ganayni, who worked for Bettis Laboratory on the Navy's nuclear propulsion program. El-Ganayni also served as an imam for the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections. His problems apparently began after he distributed to Muslim prisoners a book about Islam titled The Miracle in the Ant, which includes a passage about an ant that has a defense mechanism that allows spraying of deadly secretions on attackers. He also spoke at a mosque criticizing the FBI for recruiting Muslims as informants.

El-Ganayni sued claiming the revocation was motivated by speeches he gave criticizing the FBI, US foreign policy and the war in Iraq, and that he was being discriminated against based on his religion and national origin. The court dismissed the claims concluding that El-Ganayni could prove retaliation or discrimination only by showing the government's primary motivation for revoking his clearance. This however would involve the courts in deciding on the merits of a security clearance revocation-- a matter over which courts lack jurisdiction. The court also concluded that DOE followed the applicable regulations and executive orders in revoking El-Ganayni's security clearance.

Rabbi Seeks Army Waiver of Beard Policy To Become Chaplain

Yesterday's New York Jewish Week reports on the efforts of Rabbi Menachem Stern to obtain a waiver of U.S. Army grooming rules so he can become a chaplain. Stern , a Chabad Lubavitch rabbi, wears a beard for religious reasons. Originally he was informed that the Accession Board had approved him, but then he received a phone call saying that the approval was an error because he could not enlist while wearing a beard. Apparently the chaplaincy branch is willing to have Stern wear a beard, but the Army's chief of personnel along with the chief of staff object. Rabbi Sandy Dresin, executive director of chaplains at the Aleph Institute, says that currently there is a shortage of Jewish chaplains in the military. He says that the 8 Jewish chaplains in the Army could be doubled if the Army relented on its policy on beards. [Thanks to Joel Katz (Relig. & State In Israel) for the lead.]

New Statement of Current Law On Religious Expression In U.S

Yesterday, Wake Forest University's Center for Religion and Public Affairs released a 32-page document titled Religious Expression in American Life: A Joint Statement of Current Law. Drafted by a group of 28 experts from a variety of religious and political views, the document attempts to answer in clear language some 35 questions about the permissible role of religion in the public forum. The document covers topics such as the role of religious belief in formulating public policy, restrictions on tax-exempt organizations, religious displays on public property, religion in the workplace, and religious activity in public schools. ADL has issued a press release describing the joint statement. [Thanks to Steve Sheinberg for the lead.]

British Faith Schools Criticize Government's Admissions Guidelines

Yesterday's London Mail reports that government-supported faith schools in Britain are criticizing admissions guidelines promulgated by the Department of Children, Schools and Families. Designed to prevent discrimination against working-class students, the guidelines allow schools to favor pupils who are members of the faith promoted by the school, but not to discriminate on the basis of their level of observance. Schools say this favors "pew-jumpers" who discover a new religion in order to get their children into a good school.

Pope Addresses Environment, Religion and State In Annual New Year Address

Pope Benedict XVI yesterday delivered his annual New Year address to the diplomatic corps accredited to the Holy See. Zenit reports on the address (full text) which focused on the environment, but related the issue to a broad range of international issues. Speaking of relations between religion and state, the Pope said:

Sadly, in certain countries, mainly in the West, one increasingly encounters in political and cultural circles, as well in the media, scarce respect and at times hostility, if not scorn, directed towards religion and towards Christianity in particular. It is clear that if relativism is considered an essential element of democracy, one risks viewing secularity solely in the sense of excluding or, more precisely, denying the social importance of religion. But such an approach creates confrontation and division, disturbs peace, harms human ecology and, by rejecting in principle approaches other than its own, finishes in a dead end.

There is thus an urgent need to delineate a positive and open secularity which, grounded in the just autonomy of the temporal order and the spiritual order, can foster healthy cooperation and a spirit of shared responsibility. Here I think of Europe, which, now that the Lisbon Treaty has taken effect, has entered a new phase in its process of integration.... Noting ... the Treaty provides for the European Union to maintain an "open, transparent and regular" dialogue with the Churches (Art. 17), I express my hope that in building its future, Europe will always draw upon the wellsprings of its Christian identity.

German State Checks IDs of All Attending Mosques

A 2003 law in the German state of Lower Saxony allows police to question and search individuals in public places regardless of suspicion of wrongdoing when done to prevent crimes of "grave and international concern." Yesterday's Boston (MA) Global Post reports that police are using this authority to routinely monitor those attending mosques. Streets in front of mosques are cordoned off on Fridays. Armed police check the identification papers of everyone entering or leaving the mosque. Sometimes police search bags, ask questions, or even bring in for questioning those who cannot show ID. The Green Party is introducing a bill to end this practice of "unmotivated mosque checks" which interferes with integration of Muslims into society.

Nevada Court Rejects Proposed Personhood Amendment

Yesterday, in a decision apparently issued orally from the bench, a Nevada trial court judge ruled that a petition seeking to place a proposed "Personhood Amendment" to the state Constitution on the November ballot cannot be circulated. The proposed amendment reads: "In the great state of Nevada,the term 'person' applies to every human being."

In Bristol v. Personhood Nevada, the court held that the language of the amendment is so vague that there is no way the average person can understand the effect of the petition. The court also concluded that the petition violates a state law that limits ballot issues to one subject. The Las Vegas Review-Journal and a release from the ACLU of Nevada report on the decision. The petition is part of a national campaign by a Christian anti-abortion organization, PersonhoodUSA, to find a way to overturn Roe v. Wade. Personhood Nevada says it will appeal yesterday's decision to the Nevada Supreme Court.

Cert. Denied In Establishment Clause Challenge To Sheriff's Christian Speaker

The U.S. Supreme Court yesterday denied certiorari in Milwaukee Deputy Sheriff's Association v. Clarke, Docket No. 09-460 (Jan. 11, 2010), refusing to review the 7th Circuit's decision in the case. (Order List.) In the case below, the Court of Appeals held that a Wisconsin sheriff's department violated the Establishment Clause when it invited representatives of the Fellowship of the Christian Centurions, a peer support group for law enforcement officers, to speak at several mandatory employee meetings.