Law and Religion Headlines
Friday, 30 April 2021
U.S. Catholic bishops may press Biden to stop taking Communion
(Bobby Ross Jr., Religion Unplugged)
Not everything is luxury in Andorra: evangelicals engage in social action as tourism collapses
(Jonatán Soriano, Evangelical Focus Europe)
Wednesday, 28 April 2021
Many South Africans citing religion as their opposition to COVID vaccine
(iAfrica)
Weekly highlight #153: COVID-19: Exploring faith dimensions: covid-19 surge in India; mis(information) from religious groups; changing faith practices
(Berkley Center, Joint Learning Initiative, WFDD)
Governments don't get a pass on violating religious freedom in a pandemic
(Gayle Manchin and Tony Perkins, Newsweek Opinion)
Church in Wales – moving to Alert Level 3
(David Pocklington, Law & Religion UK)
COVID-19 legislation and guidance: update to 1st May
(David Pocklington, Law & Religion UK)
The COVID Heresy: Denying America’s Constitutional Theology During the Pandemic
(William E. Thro, Canopy Forum on the Interactions of Law & Religion)
Tuesday, 27 April 2021
WEBINAR, 27 April 2021 (10:30 EDT; 14:30 UCT; 16:30 South Africa): The Role of Religion and Faith-Based Organizations in COVID-19 Vaccination Efforts in Africa
(African Consortium for Law and Religion Studies and G20 Interfaith Forum)
Monday, 26 April 2021
Supreme Court GVR's challenge to California limits on indoor worship
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
'Christians and the Vaccine' project: Combating ethical qualms of evangelical communities
(Corky Siemaszko, NBC News)
Report: some countries used pandemic to target religious minorities
(Catholic News Agency)
Two-thirds of churchgoers gave same or more of their income to church during pandemic: study
(Michael Gryboski, The Christian Post)
Will COVID-19 finally be the end of the church collection plate?
(Bob Smietana, Religion News Service)
Stunning AP photos of mass cremations in India: But what about religious traditions?
(Terry Mattingly, GetReligion)
Saturday, 24 April 2021
COVID-19 legislation and guidance: update to 24 April
(David Pocklington, Law & Religion UK)
Friday, 23 April 2021
The coming refugee crisis: how COVID-19 exacerbates forced displacement
(Alexannder Betts, OUPblog)
Despite COVID lockdowns, anti-Semitic incidents rise in Berlin
(Jewish Telegraphic Agency)
Data shows white evangelicals and Catholics more likely to get vaccine than 'nones' and general public
(Ryan Burge, Religion Unplugged)
India prepares for Kumbh Mela, world's largest religious gathering, amid COVID-19 fears
(Tulasi Srinivas, Religion Unplugged)
Survey: 'Faith-based approaches' could help convince millions of American to get COVID-19 vaccines
(Madeleine Carlisle, Time)
Religious identities and the race against the virus: Engaging faith communities on COVID-19 vaccination
(PRRI and Interfaith Youth Core)
The role of religion and faith-based communities in the African COVID-19 response
(JoAnne Wadsworth, Talk About: Law and Religion - Blog of the International Center for Law and Religion Studies)
In 2020, religious freedom faced a new foe: COVID-19
(Kelsey Dallas, Deseret News)
Wednesday, 21 April 2021
Supreme Court’s COVID rulings raise questions about wider religious liberty impact, emergency procedures
(Don Byrd, Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty)
Weekly highlight #152: COVID-19: Exploring faith dimensions: COVID-19 and Ramadan; more on faith support for COVID-19 vaccinations
(Berkley Center, Joint Learning Initiative, WFDD)
Corruption and COVID-19: Old problems, new challenges?
(Eduardo António da Silva Figueiredo, Viewpoints: A blog of the G20 Interfaith Forum)
States of emergency: The pandemic, protests, and the persistent assault on global free expression
(Pen America's Freedom to Write Index)
Greek Church to allow worshippers at Easter Week services
(Nicholas Paphitis, Associated Press)
Monday, 19 April 2021
Lecrae, Bieber appear at prison events as ministries return to correctional facilities
(Emily McFarlan Miller, Maina Mwaura, and Adelle M. Banks, Religion News Service)
African Americans attend church, Bible study more than others, but Black ‘nones’ increasing
(Adelle M. Banks, Religion News Service)
Delights of Ramadan disappear for Syrian refugees in Lebanon
(Mariam Fam and Sarah El Deeb, Associated Press)
Head of Irish bishops calls new law on Mass attendance ‘draconian’
(Michael Kelly, Catholic News Service)
Friday, 16 April 2021
Anglican, Episcopal leaders call for equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines worldwide
(Egan Millard, Episcopal News Service)
Mandatory vaccinations for care home workers – a slippery slope?
(Rosalind English, UK Human Rights Blog)
FDA lifts in-person dispensing requirement for abortion drug during covid emergency
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
Poland’s vaccines chief not ruffled by church objections
(Associated Press)
Abortion, Vaccines, and Moral Imagination
(Mark Perkins, Public Discourse: The Journal of the Witherspoon Institute)
Statement from Pro-Life Catholic Scholars on the Moral Acceptability of Receiving COVID-19 Vaccines
(Ethics & Public Policy Center)
Hungarian mayor wants to keep Jews away from rabbi’s tomb — Chasidic leader
(Michael Daventry, Jewish News)
Wednesday, 14 April 2021
Multi-faith group issues statement questioning religious exemptions from covid orders
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
Faith organizations' statement regarding state legislation granting religious exemptions to emergency orders (PDF)
(Interfaith Alliance)
Hasidic, devout, and mad as hell about COVID-19: Op-Ed
(Emma Green, The Atlantic)
As policies shift, Protestants and other faith groups join Catholics in helping immigrants at the border
(Jack Jenkins and Alejandra Molina, Religion News Service)
Muslims open Ramadan with social distanced prayers, vaccines
(Niniek Karmini, Religion News Service)
Turkey tightens COVID-19 restrictions as Ramadan holy month begins
(Diego Cupolo, Al-Monitor: Turkey Pulse)
Dubai restaurants to stop screening dining areas during Ramadan fast
(Al-Monitor: The Pulse of the Middle East)
Weekly highlight #151: COVID-19: Exploring faith dimensions: Religious engagement on covid-19 and global finance, celebration seasons
(Berkley Center, Joint Learning Initiative, WFDD)
Sikhs mark toned-down holiday amid continuing virus concerns
(Margaret Stafford and Gary Fields, Associated Press)
BJC, other faith organizations issue statement on state legislation exempting religious organizations from emergency orders
(Don Byrd, Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty)
Sadiq Khan: I turned to Israel for advice on persuading Londoners to get vaccine
(Lee Harpin, Jewish News)
Monday, 12 April 2021
SCOTUS grants injunction in Tandon v. Newsom
(Josh Blackman, The Volokh Conspiracy)
Divided court blocks California’s COVID-related restrictions on in-home religious gatherings
(Amy Howe, SCOTUSblog)
Supreme Court enjoins, pending appeals, California limits on in-home worship services
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
Supreme Court rules California must allow in-home religious gatherings
(Tommy Beer, Forbes)
High court halts Calif. virus rules limiting home worship
(Jessica Gresko, Associated Press)
Dubai parts with curtain covers for restaurants in Ramadan
(Associated Press)
Muslims navigate restrictions in the second pandemic Ramadan
(Mariam Fam, Kathy Gannon and Bassem Mroue, Associated Press)
Nightly prayers at the mosque? Big iftars? Vaccines? Ramadan 2021 brings decisions for Muslims.
(Michelle Boorstein, The Washington Post)
Black churches focus on hope amid COVID-19, violence, and George Floyd trial
(Hamil R. Harris, Religion Unplugged)
Five things we’ve learned after a year of pandemic
(KAICIID Dialogue Centre)
London police ‘deeply regret’ aftermath of Good Friday liturgy shutdown
(Charles Collins, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Huge gatherings at India’s Hindu festival as virus surges
(Neha Mehrotra and Sheikh Saaliq, Associated Press)
COVID-19 legislation and guidance: update to 17 April
(David Pocklington, Law & Religion UK)
Friday, 9 April 2021
Islamic leaders battle misconception about vaccines, fasting
(David Sharp and Mariam Fam, Associated Press)
Tunisia strengthens virus restrictions ahead of Ramadan
(Associated Press)
Morocco imposes Ramadan curfew, despite vaccine success
(Tarik El Barakah, Associated Press)
Indiana Senate OKs bill prohibiting emergency restrictions on religious services
(Kaitlin Lange, Indianapolis Star)
Wednesday, 7 April 2021
'Police exceeded their powers:' Catholic Church complains after officers break up Good Friday church service over Covid 'rules breach'
(Chantalle Edmunds, Premier Christian News)
State Council rejection of request for adaptation of curfew during Easter week (French)
(DiReSoM: Diritto e Religione nelle Società Multiculturali/ Law and Religion in Multicultural Societies)
Episcopal Church joins US government’s effort to encourage vaccinations
(Egan Millard, Episcopal News Service)
Weekly highlight #150: COVID-19: Exploring faith dimensions: Religious celebrations and vaccination issues alongside intersections with race and gender
(Berkley Center, Joint Learning Initiative, WFDD)
Tuesday, 6 April 2021
WEBINAR, 6 May 2021 2:00 pm (BRT / UTC-3): International Colloquium on Law and Religion at the 7th Law and Religion Research Meeting
(Brazilian Center of Studies in Law and Religion)
WEBINAR, 6 May 2021, (9AM New York/3PM Brussels): (Re-)Building a Post-Covid Society pursuing the Sustainable Development Goals
(Ahead of the 2021 Italy G20 Summit Webinar Series (multiple sponsors))
Monday, 5 April 2021
Police interrupt JCC Ongata Rongai Church live proceedings for flouting COVID-19 rules
(Jackson Otukho, Tuko.co.ke)
Churches' challenge to Minnesota COVID orders moves ahead
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
New COVID-19 legislation and guidance to 10 April
(David Pocklington, Law & Religion UK)
Look down in lock down: Good believers & good citizens in Europe amidst the pandemic
(Andrea Pin, Canopy Forum on the Interactions of Law & Religion)
Scottish politician slammed for saying covid pandemic 'possibly related' to gay marriages
(Aanchal Nigam, Republic World)
Saudi Arabia to allow only ‘immunised’ pilgrims to Mecca
(Al Jazeera)
Friday, 2 April 2021
9th Circuit upholds California limits on in-home Bible study groups
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
North Dakota enacts law to limit restrictions on religious exercise during health emergencies
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
Pandemic shed light on the need for additional protections of religious freedom
(Patrick Hatlestad and David Richter, Williston Herald)
Worship ban in Ireland – doors remain closed over Easter
(ADF International)
At home in houses of worship - new data on the eagerness of Canadians across faith traditions to gather again
(Peter Stockland, Convivium)
Pakistanis clash with police at shrine shut over coronavirus
(Associated Press)
Good Friday and virus lockdown empty Manila’s streets
(Associated Press)
Madrid slows down vaccine jabs over Easter despite govt plea
(Associated Press)
Federal court issues emergency injunction ahead of Holy Week services to increase COVID-related worship attendance caps in D.C.
(Don Byrd, Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty)
Iowa reaches out to dioceses on getting vaccines to underserved groups
(Barb Arland-Fye, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
CDC offers guidelines for upcoming religious holidays
(Herb Scribner, Deseret News)
Even in a pandemic, the Constitution cannot be put away and forgotten
(Charles J. Russo, Canopy Forum on the Interactions of Law & Religion)
Wednesday, 31 March 2021
Chilean Supreme Court rules worship ban discriminatory
(ADF International)
Legal Spirits Episode 032: The New Technocracy
(Law and Religion Forum, St. John's Law School Center for Law & Religion)
Certiorari denied in church's challenge to Illinois COVID restrictions
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
DC's capacity restrictions on churches held invalid
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
Judge lifts attendance restrictions for DC churches
(Samantha Hawkins, Courthouse News Service)
COVID-19 and the future of religious freedom
(Kelsey Dallas, Deseret News)
New COVID-19 legislation and guidance to 3 April
(David Pocklington, Law & Religion UK)
Gender, religion, and covid-19
(Berkley Center for Religion, Peace & World Affairs, Georgetown University)
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