Police Departments Cancel Security Webinar Over Charges of Anti-Muslim Bias

In Washington state, objection to alleged anti-Muslim bias of one of the sponsoring groups has led to cancellation of a planned April 29 web-based seminar on security technology for law enforcement officers. A press release yesterday from the Washington state chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations reports that the Washington State Patrol and the Seattle Police Department withdrew from the program because of objections to involvement of Security Solutions International which CAIR says has "offered misinformation about Islamic history, promoted Muslim 'control' and 'take over' conspiracy theories, advocated profiling local Muslim communities, and smeared mainstream American Muslim organizations."

Appeal of Windermere Quiet Title Action Dismissed [Corrected]

Last week, a Missouri appellate court agreed with the Missouri Baptist Convention's unusual position that the appeal it filed in a case should be dismissed because the order it was appealing is not a final judgment. The decision is part of MBC's attempt to regain control of the Windermere Baptist Conference Center that, along with four other institutions, broke away from the Convention in a dispute over the fundamentalist stance of Convention leaders. After losing other attempts (see prior posting), the Conference brought a quiet title action, claiming fraud in the transfer of real estate to Windermere. The trial court dismissed the suit. In Atkins v. Jester, (MO App., April 30, 2010), the court of appeals held that the dismissal order was not properly certified for immediate appeal because the dismissal was without prejudice and was not implicitly a ruling on the merits. ABP yesterday reported on the decision. [Note: an earlier version of this posting incorrectly indicated that the decision was a defeat for MBC.]

"Year of Our Lord" Language Omitted In Jewish-American Heritage Proclamation

As previously reported, on April 30 President Obama issued a Proclamation declaring May to be Jewish American Heritage Month. The New Jersey Jewish News this week points out an interesting element of religious sensitivity in the Proclamation. The standard formula in reciting the date on which Presidential proclamations (and many other formal government documents) are signed would be: "In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this thirtieth day of April, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth." However in the Jewish American Heritage Month proclamation, the words "in the year of our Lord" are omitted. [Thanks to Jack S. Levey for the lead.]

9th Circuit: Religious Group In Prison Is "State Actor"

In Florer v. Congregation Pidyon Shevuyim, (9th Cir., May 5, 2010), the 9th Circuit held that a Jewish organization which had contracted with the Washington Department of Corrections to provide Jewish religious services to prisoners acted under color of state law and not merely as a private party for purposes of a prisoner's RLUIPA claim. At issue was the denial of a prisoner's request for a kosher diet, a Jewish calendar, a Torah and consultation with a rabbi because the prisoner failed to complete a questionnaire that the organization would use to determine whether he was Jewish. The court, emphasizing the fact-specific nature of the inquiry, said:

Here, although Congregation's decision to limit Florer's access to religious materials may have had a religious component, that characteristic does not alter that Congregation's conduct was a direct delegation of the DOC's constitutional duty to provide appropriate access to religious materials. If Congregation had instead been sued for its performance of religious activities that the state could not conduct itself, such as delivering sermons or praying for healing, Congregation could not be held liable as a state actor because such religious conduct would lack "joint effort" between the state and Congregation.

Hawaii Group and Lt. Gov. Criticized Over Church-State and Gay Issues

A press release issued Monday by Hawai'i Citizens for the Separation of State and Church reports that last weekend's convention of Ohau County Democrats passed resolutions denouncing the group Transformation Hawai'i (now known as Hawai'i He'e Nalu) for supporting efforts in Uganda to criminalize homosexuality and "to 'establish' particular religious beliefs in Hawaii." The resolutions condemn Transformation Hawaii's affiliation with the International Transformation Network and the group's efforts "to transform Hawai'i into the first state that belongs to Jesus." The press release says that a number of Hawaii's politicians have been active supporter of Transformation Hawaii's, including Lt. Governor Duke Aiona who is a candidate for governor in this month's primary.

Yesterday's Honolulu Star Bulletin reports that both Lt. Gov. Aiona and Transformation Hawaii strongly deny the allegations. Aiona said: "These despicable attacks on my personal faith are politically motivated and intentionally deceitful. To insinuate any support at any time for the imprisonment of homosexuals is unconscionable." However his campaign says that while Aiona is not a member of Transformation Hawaii, he has participated in some of its activities in his personal capacity. Francis Oda, chairman of the Transformation Network's Global Council said the organization's mission in Uganda is to "end systemic poverty." According to another supporter of Transformation Hawaii, Honolulu city councilman Gary Okino, the group closed its Uganda office well before the anti-gay legislation was introduced in Uganda. He said the Democrat's resolution was inspired by Transformation's opposition to Hawaii's recent civil union legislation that is awaiting the governor's signature or veto. (CNN report on bill 4/30.)

New Costa Rican President Likely To Maintain Role of Catholic Church

CNS reported yesterday that Costa Rica's new President, Laura Chinchilla, who will be sworn in this week end, is likely to maintain traditional ties between the government and the Catholic Church. Article 75 of Costa Rica's Constitution provides: "The Roman Catholic and Apostolic Religion is the religion of the State, which contributes to its maintenance, without preventing the free exercise in the Republic of other forms of worship that are not opposed to universal morality or good customs. " Academics and human rights activists have urged that Costa Rica become a secular state. However, a month after her February election, Chinchilla created a commission to "stabilize the relationship between the next government and the Catholic Church." Officials of the Archdiocese of San Jose have proposed a new agreement to solidify the Catholic Church's presence in the country.

Suit Chalenges Use of Cathedral For High School Commencement

In Connecticut, the ACLU and Americans United have been objecting to several high schools' traditional use of Bloomfield, Connecticut's First Cathedral for their graduation ceremonies. (See prior posting.) One of the schools, Enfield High School, originally agreed to move this year's ceremony to school property, but after objections were raised by the Family Institute of Connecticut, the school board last month decided to move the ceremonies back to the Cathedral. Yesterday the ACLU filed suit on behalf of two Enfield students and three of their parents. The complaint (full text) in Does v. Enfield Public Schools, (D CT, filed 5/5/2010)alleges:

Holding a public-school graduation in such a religious environment violates the Establishment Clause ... : the location coerces students and parents to receive the overwhelming religious message of the Cathedral as the price of attending a seminal event in their lives; communicates a message of governmental favoritism of the Christian religion; entails the use of public funds to support religion-infused graduations; and excessively entangles the Schools with a religious institution. The practice also violates Article Seventh of the Connecticut Constitution, which provides that “no person shall by law be compelled to . . . support, nor be . . . associated with, any congregation, church or religious association.”

USA Today reports on the filing of the lawsuit.

French Lawmaker's Op-Ed Argues For Burqa Ban

Jean-Francois Cope, majority leader in the French National Assembly and the mayor of Meaux, writes an op-ed in today's New York Times explaining his support for a proposed ban in France on wearing the burqa or niqab in public. In a piece titled Tearing Away the Veil he argues:

The ban would apply to the full-body veil known as the burqa or niqab. This is not an article of clothing — it is a mask, a mask worn at all times, making identification or participation in economic and social life virtually impossible. This face covering poses a serious safety problem at a time when security cameras play an important role in the protection of public order....

[W]earing headgear that fully covers the face does not constitute a fundamental liberty. To the contrary, it is an insurmountable obstacle to the affirmation of a political community that unites citizens without regard to differences in sex, origin or religious faith. How can you establish a relationship with a person who, by hiding a smile or a glance — those universal signs of our common humanity — refuses to exist in the eyes of others?

Pastor's Conviction Reversed By Consent After Noise Ordinance Held Unconstitutional

Now that a federal district court has enjoined Phoenix, Arizona officials on constitutional grounds from enforcing the city's noise ordinance against church bells and carillons (see prior posting), an Arizona Superior Court vacated a municipal court's conviction of a Phoenix pastor. Bishop Rick Painter of Christ the King Cathedral, had been given a suspended sentence after he was convicted on two counts of violating the noise ordinance because of the hourly ringing of electronic church bells. (See prior posting.) In State of Arizona v. Painter, (AZ Super. Ct., May 3, 2010), an Order (full text) recites that the state did not object to defendant's motion that the court direct an order of acquittal. Alliance Defense Fund yesterday issued a release announcing the reversal of Painter's conviction.

Developments In Rubashkin Trials

Last week, a two-day sentencing hearing for Sholom Rubashkin, former executive at Agriprocessors, Inc.'s Iowa kosher meat packing plant, was concluded. It is expected that the federal court will hand down a sentence on the 86 counts of financial fraud later this month. (See prior related posting.) At the hearing, Rubashkin, an Orthodox Jew, told the judge that he had "faith in God that mercy and justice will be done." (Des Moines Register, 4/30). According to the WCF Courier (4/30), prosecutors asked for a 25-year sentence, not the effective life sentence that had been recommended in a controversial sentencing report filed earlier. Defense attorneys asked for no more than six years.

On Monday, Rubashkin was moved to a county jail for the beginning of his state trial on 83 misdemeanor child labor charges. However, according to yesterday's Des Moines Register, Rubashkin has not eaten since noon Monday because the food at the Black Hawk County jail does not meet his religious requirements for kosher food. The county sheriff agreed to meet with a rabbi to discuss Rubashkin's religious needs. Judge Nathan Callahan says he will not delay the trial, even if he has to proceed without Rubashkin being present.

AU Says High School Assemblies Violate Establishment Clause

In a press release yesterday, Americans United announced that it had written the Todd Becker Foundation complaining about the religious nature of programs the organization presents at high school assemblies. (Full text of letter.) While the programs are billed as events that focus on the dangers of drunk driving, AU charges that the programs are based on Bibilical themes and that following the program students individually are given a Bible and invited to accept Jesus. The letter says that under the Establishment Clause these programs are impermissible in public schools and can lead to liability on the part of the Foundation as a willful participant in joint action with the state. The Foundation lists over 100 schools in Nebraska and Kansas where it has presented assemblies.

Italian Town Fines Muslim Woman For Wearing Burqa At Post Office

Last Friday, outside the post office in a suburb of the northern Italian town of Novara, police imposed a 500 Euro fine on a 26-year old Muslim woman who, with her husband, was on her way to the local mosque for prayer services. Today's London Times reports that Tunisian-born Amel Marmouri, wearing a burqa, was charged with violating a local ordinance prohibiting clothing that prevents police from immediately identifying the wearer inside a public building, school or hospital. This is the first time the anti-terrorist ordinance, adopted in January, has been enforced. Marmouri's husband said he would respect the ordinance, but would be forced to confine his wife at home because the Qur'an prohibits her face from being seen by other men. However the head of Italy's Islamic Community and Organizations Union said that his organization is against veils of any kind and for freedom of women.

Meanwhile, AP reports that Germany's Interior Minister Thomas De Maziere this week said he sees no need for a ban on the burqa in his country.

Lawsuit Challenges Prayers Referencing Jesus At City Council Meetings

The Contra Costa (CA) Times reports that a lawsuit was filed yesterday in state court in California seeking to enjoin Lancaster (CA) City Council sessions from including any prayer that invokes the name of Jesus. The lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court comes three weeks after Lancaster residents, by a vote of more than 3-1, approved a Nonbinding Measure that calls for City Council to continue its present prayer policy. (See prior posting.) One of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit is Shelley Rubin, chair of the Jewish Defense League.

Parents, Teachers, Students Seek To Bar School Board From Enforcing Consent Decree

Last May, the Santa Rosa County, Florida School Board agreed to settle a lawsuit brought against it by the ACLU challenging various religious practices in the school system. Under the consent decree, prayers are not to be delivered at school events; schools are not to sponsor religious baccalaureate services; school events are not to be held at religious venues where reasonable alternatives exist; and school personnel may not promote their personal religious beliefs to students in class or in conjunction with school events. (See prior posting.) In a case currently on appeal, a Christian teachers' organization tried unsuccessfully to intervene to challenge the settlement. (See prior posting.) Now opponents of the settlement have taken a new approach. A large group of parents, teachers, staff, students, former students, and community residents, in a lawsuit filed by Liberty Counsel, seek to enjoin the school board and superintendent from enforcing the settlement.

In Allen v. School Board for Santa Rosa County, Florida, (ND FL, filed 5/4/2010), the 308-paragraph complaint (full text) alleges that enforcement of the consent decree infringes First Amendment protections of speech, association, and free exercise of religion, violates the establishment clause and denies plaintiffs equal protection of the law. The complaint also asserts that the consent decree can no longer be enforced because plaintiffs in the original lawsuit, having graduated from high school, lack standing. They can no longer be injured by any conduct of the defendants. In a press release, Liberty Counsel summarizes the lengthy charges in the complaint as follows:

[P]rotected religious expression, such as voluntary, student-initiated prayers or off-the-clock religious discussion among adults, has been criminalized. Students can no longer say "God Bless," teachers must hide in closets to pray, parents cannot communicate frankly with teachers, volunteers cannot answer any questions regarding religion, Christian groups cannot rent school facilities for private religious functions benefiting students, and pastors are dictated how they can and cannot seat their audiences at private, religious baccalaureate services held inside their own houses of worship.

Initially, Liberty Counsel offered free consultation to the school district, but the school district decided instead to shake hands with the ACLU, pay the ACLU $200,000 in legal fees, and voluntarily enter into the Consent Decree that obliterates religious freedom and makes a mockery of the First Amendment.

Court Says Dependency Finding Did Not Infringe Parents' Free Exercise Rights

In In re Z.S., (OH Ct. App., May 3, 2010), an Ohio appellate court rejected the claim that parents' free exercise rights and their right to control the education of their six children were infringed by a Juvenile Court's determination that the children were neglected and dependent. The children, three of whom are autistic, were placed in temporary custody of the state. Reviewing the evidence, the court said:

Mrs. Siefker's beliefs, known only to her, were constantly changing and often carried the appearance of being pre-textual in order to keep the children confined to her home and under her exclusive control. While she steadfastly professed to believe in the existence of God and Jesus Christ and that the original King James version of the Bible was true, the "tenets" or "rules" of her faith were always in flux, rarely remaining the same from day-to-day. For instance, one day something was not sinful, the next day it was. Thus, it is difficult to determine what is truly held because it could change the next day, the next week, or the next month. Moreover, more than one person ... opined that these beliefs were intertwined with Mrs. Siefker's mental condition, particularly her OCD and anxiety issues. This renders it nearly impossible to discern whether a particular position she has is based on her religious beliefs, her mental condition(s), or a combination of the two. Further, Mr. Siefker seems to follow whatever belief his wife has, rather than forming his own belief system. Thus, determining whether he truly holds these beliefs is also difficult, if not impossible.

Nominal Damages Awarded In "Day of Truth" T-Shirt Case

An Illinois federal district court last week issued yet another decision in the long running litigation against a suburban Chicago school district over its attempt to prevent two Christian students from wearing a T-shirt carrying the slogan "Be Happy, Not Gay" as their participation in "Day of Truth," an event set up to counter the LGBT "Day of Silence" event. In 2008, the 7th Circuit granted a preliminary injunction limited to allowing student Alexander Nuxoll to wear the T-shirt for that year's event. (See prior posting.) Now in Zamecnik v. Indian Prarie School District, 2010 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 42748 (ND IL, April 29, 2010), an Illinois federal district court awarded nominal damages of $25 to Nuxoll and Heidi Zamecnik, a former student, for violation of their free expression rights. The court concluded that school officials had not shown that plaintiffs' wearing of their T-shirts caused a substantial disruption of the educational process. The court also concluded that Nuxoll is entitled to a permanent injunction prohibiting defendants from preventing displays such as the T-shirt message. However, the court said Nuxoll must submit proposed language for the injunctive order to prevent school rules from being overbroad, and ordered the parties to meet to discuss settling the remaining issues in the case.

Pastors Convicted of Tax Evasion Despite "Love Offering" Defense

In Charlotte, North Carolina yesterday, a federal jury convicted husband and wife co-pastors of the Greater Salem City of God Church on numerous counts of tax evasion and fraud. WCNC News reported yesterday on the convictions of Anthony and Harriet Jinwright, following their 4-week trial for failing to report some $1.8 million in income. In closing arguments, Anthony Jinwright's lawyers argued that the government was punishing Jinwright for following the traditional church practice of accepting gifts of "love offerings." Attorney Ed Hinson told the jurors: "The kingdom of God is not run on generally accepted accounting principles. Thank God. If it were, we'd all be in trouble." Prosecutors said the case did not involve an attack on the Jinwrights' religious practices.

Title VII Religious Institution Exemption Not Applicable To Harassment Claim

In Kennedy v. Villa St. Catherines, Inc., (D MD, April 30, 2010), a Maryland federal district court held that the exclusion in Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act that permits religious institutions to use religious criteria in their hiring does not prevent a suit under Title VII for religious harassment or for retaliation stemming from opposition to the harassment. In the court's language:

[W]hile 42 U.S.C. § 2000e-1(a) may give religious institutions carte blanche in considering religion in deciding whom to employ, promote, or terminate, it does not follow that it gives them free rein to harass an individual once hired, even on religious grounds.

The lawsuit was filed by a nursing assistant who was a member of the Church of the Brethren and who was employed at a Catholic nursing center. She alleges that her Director created a hostile work environment by repeated complaints about her religiously-motivated long skirts and head covering.

Challenge To Town Council Invocations Moves To Britain

The challenge to prayers prior to city council meetings, quite common in the U.S., has now made its way to Britain. Today's London Daily Mail reports that the National Secular Society (NSS) is filing a test suit against the Bideford Town Council, in North Devon. The suit claims that opening town council sessions with Christian prayer violates Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights that protects freedom of thought, conscience and religion. A Daily Mail survey of 181 large town councils in England and Wales shows that 118 start their sessions with prayer-- almost all with Christian prayer. However the nature and formality of the invocations vary widely. The City of London opens its session with merely a 3-word Latin invocation--Domine Dirige Nos - meaning 'Lord guide us'. Commenting on the new lawsuit, the executive director of NSS suggested that if Bideford Town Council members want to pray, they should do so in another room before the council meeting begins. Some religious groups characterize the lawsuit as an attack on Britain's Christian heritage by "aggressive atheists."

9th Circuit Says RLUIPA Does Not Cover Court House Holding Cell

In Khatib v. County of Orange, (9th Cir., May 3, 2010), the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, in a 2-1 decision, concluded that a court house holding cell is not covered by the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act. A majority, therefore, upheld the dismissal of a RLUIPA lawsuit filed by a Muslim woman who, on two occasions in a single day when the court was dealing with her probation violation, was required to remove her hijab (headscarf) for security reasons. Examining the legislative history of RLUIPA, the majority concluded that the court's holding area is neither "a jail, prison or other correctional facility," nor a pre-trial detention facility. Judge Kozinski dissented, beginning his 8-page opinion as follows:

Freud is reported to have said that sometimes a cigar is just a cigar. And a facility used for holding prisoners prior to trial is a pretrial detention facility. [RLUIPA] ... covers ... pretrial detention facilities. Souhair Khatib was held in a facility where prisoners are routinely detained awaiting trial and other court appearances. She was therefore held in a facility covered by RLUIPA and is entitled to its protections. This pretty much sums up the case for me. Everything below is unnecessary and you could easily skip it.

Yesterday's San Francisco Appeal reports on the decision.